#or hitting Anne on the butt with a riding stick thing while they are walking

[shirbertshitposts]

I haven’t watched the Sullivan films in a while, well I did watch the first half of the first one a few months ago, but I’ve forgotten some of the scenes and like *deep sigh* choices were made that I Do. Not. Get.

Specifically I was just reminded of Sullivans adaptation of how Anne and Gilbert finally become friends and it involves Gilbert caressing Anne’s cheek and calling her carrots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh3eb4DZTLw

Let’s break that down. 

Anne has been holding a grudge against Gilbert for FIVE YEARS because he called her carrots and the moment she finally accepts his friendship Sullivan thought oh Gilbert should call her carrots but affectionately and she won’t get mad this time...like bitch what? Anne was deeply upset not only when Gilbert called her carrots but also when Rachel Lynde called her carrots. Clearly she takes deep offense to this seemingly innocent characterization of the color of her hair. Why would anyone ever want to bring that up again knowing that? In the books Anne is still sensitive about the color of her hair well into adulthood, so much so that here is a quote from 15 YEARS into Anne and Gilbert’s marriage, in Anne of Ingleside 

"Oh, it is too bad my hair is red," said Anne icily.

Gilbert thought he was wise in dropping a dangerous subject. Anne, he reflected, had always been a bit sensitive about her hair.

Also have you ever had someone you JUST became friends with lovingly caress your cheek? That’s weird as hell. You’d probably slap their hand away. There is literally a scene in Anne of the Island, at which point in the story Anne and Gilbert have been best friends for two years already, where Gilbert touches Anne’s hand and she immediately rejects his touch.

Gilbert suddenly laid his hand over the slender white one lying on the rail of the bridge. His hazel eyes deepened into darkness, his still boyish lips opened to say something of the dream and hope that thrilled his soul. But Anne snatched her hand away and turned quickly. The spell of the dusk was broken for her.

In the Anne of Green Gables scene of them becoming friends they say non-offensive things to each other and shake hands. You know like friends would, because they’re friends now. There’s not supposed to be romantic tension between them yet. 

Here is the Anne of Green Gables scene this is supposed to be based off of:

Halfway down the hill a tall lad came whistling out of a gate before the Blythe homestead. It was Gilbert, and the whistle died on his lips as he recognized Anne. He lifted his cap courteously, but he would have passed on in silence, if Anne had not stopped and held out her hand.

“Gilbert,” she said, with scarlet cheeks, “I want to thank you for giving up the school for me. It was very good of you—and I want you to know that I appreciate it.”

Gilbert took the offered hand eagerly.

“It wasn’t particularly good of me at all, Anne. I was pleased to be able to do you some small service. Are we going to be friends after this? Have you really forgiven me my old fault?”

Anne laughed and tried unsuccessfully to withdraw her hand.

“I forgave you that day by the pond landing, although I didn’t know it. What a stubborn little goose I was. I’ve been—I may as well make a complete confession—I’ve been sorry ever since.”

“We are going to be the best of friends,” said Gilbert, jubilantly. “We were born to be good friends, Anne. You’ve thwarted destiny enough. I know we can help each other in many ways. You are going to keep up your studies, aren’t you? So am I. Come, I’m going to walk home with you.”

Marilla looked curiously at Anne when the latter entered the kitchen.“Who was that came up the lane with you, Anne?”

“Gilbert Blythe,” answered Anne, vexed to find herself blushing. “I met him on Barry’s hill.”

“I didn’t think you and Gilbert Blythe were such good friends that you’d stand for half an hour at the gate talking to him,” said Marilla with a dry smile.

“We haven’t been—we’ve been good enemies. But we have decided that it will be much more sensible to be good friends in the future. Were we really there half an hour? It seemed just a few minutes. But, you see, we have five years’ lost conversations to catch up with, Marilla.”

Yes, Anne blushes in the scene but I think it’s more out of embarrassment that she’s been so mean to someone who is willing to do something so nice for her. She is embarrassed that she held onto her grudge for so long. And look at the way Gilbert speaks to her. It’s just friendly. Gilbert literally uses the word friends three times. I mean it’s a little bit funny that he doesn’t let go of her hand after shaking it, but he’s not flirting with her here. Even though he is in love with her, he is not actively flirting with her in this scene because he knows she wouldn’t be receptive to it. She has just accepted his friendship. It took them five years to get to this point. He wouldn’t want to jeopardize that in any way after it took them so long to get there. Gilbert is receptive to Anne’s response to him and he knows the boundaries he can’t push with her. In the later parts of Anne of Avonlea and the beginning of Anne of the Island we him struggle with trying to push their relationship towards romance but Anne responds negatively each time so he keeps toning it back until the fateful first proposal where he can’t take it anymore and ignores all Anne’s signals telling him to stop and just steam rolls ahead declaring his love. And that ends badly for both of them.

Also let’s talk about how in the Sullivan scene Gilbert rode up on a fucking horse literally like a hero out of a romantic story. The WHOLE CRUX OF ANNE BEGINNING TO REALIZE SHE LOVES GILBERT IS HER SAYING THAT ROMANCE ISNT LIKE A GAY KNIGHT RIDING DOWN

Here is that quote from Anne of Avonlea

For a moment Anne’s heart fluttered queerly and for the first time her eyes faltered under Gilbert’s gaze and a rosy flush stained the paleness of her face. It was as if a veil that had hung before her inner consciousness had been lifted, giving to her view a revelation of unsuspected feelings and realities. Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one’s life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one’s side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flung athwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music, perhaps . . . perhaps . . . love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath.

Ahhhhh what the fuck

WHAT THE FUCK

I would say why would Sullivan do this when there is so much textual support against it in the later books but I bet that motherfucker hasn’t even read most of the later books because they butchered Anne of Avonlea and Anne of Windy Poplars and the Continuing Story is not based on any of the books at all so clearly they give no fucks i guess???

Why do the adaptations insist on making Gilbert into a romantic hero when the whole conflict of Anne and Gilbert’s relationship is that he isn’t one. He’s just a regular boy who becomes Anne’s best friend, so she doesn’t realize how much he loves her and that the way she loves him isn’t purely friendly.

[lovely-necromancy]

A Cure for Insomnia Ch.3

WARNING DECEPTIONS OF A PANIC ATTACK

I understand seeing others go through this can sometimes cause panic or anxiety attacks in some and with the use of some imagery I've used I'd feel better if I gave a fair warning that there is a detailed panic attack early on.

,,,,,,,,,,

Whoever said eight hours of sleep was the right amount for humans has never met an insomniac who just spent the last six days and five nights awake. You hoped that fucker is in hell burning for his sins, he probably has more of them that you don't know of. But with bleary eyes looking at your phone you can barely make out that it's just a little past six in the morning. This is backed up by the slimmers of light shinning through the blanket you put over the window last night. Briefly the thought of keeping it up today passes through your mind as you try to curl into an even tighter blanket cocoon.

Stretching out your legs and toes you let your muscles melt into mush in the warmth and comfort of your bed. Closing your eyes and burying your head back into the pillow, you might not be able to go to sleep but resting is nice too. You're so relaxed it almost feels as if all your limbs are floating and you feel the buzz of energy come surging back through you, you hum along with it nuzzling into the pillows.

'Your car was broken into.' the thought flashes through your mind and has you jolting up right.

Chest heaving slightly as frantic eyes dance along the room that hasn't changed since the night before. The buzzing energy from just a few moments before turns into an icy feeling flowing in your veins. It chills you to your core and you've noticed the tremors in your arms causing you to tremble. There's a sick feeling that bubbles up your throat, as you feel the phantoms of tens of hands grabbing at your arms and torso. They move erratically all over and their grips are suffocating, there's a lump in your throat that you have trouble swallowing down.

Bringing a hand up to your throat you jab your thumb right above or right at where your larynx would be. The slight pain from the pressure helps ease the lump away and you're able to get out a few frantic breaths. You hardly notice the wetness on your face from the few tears slipping free from your eyes.

'Gross, gross, gross, gross.' is the only message that rings clear in your mind as you're assaulted by these phantom hands.

You're aware this is a panic attack, but it does little to calm you down. Putting more pressure on your throat and using your feet to propel you back into the mattress. Vaguely you're aware that tiring your body out should calm you or maybe it's the release of an emotional fit that calms you, you aren't sure which and you don't really care at the moment. So flailing your legs you let your feet forcefully slip off of their purchase as you push your muscles to their full extent with force. It doesn't take long before you can't feel your limbs and are gasping for breath.

The phantoms are gone, no longer touching you as they please, and while the lump still sits at the bottom of your throat making it hurt to swallow and breathe around you can begin to feel calm. Actually it's the numbness that takes over you, not a sense of calm. The sense of an empty shell broken from its exertion. One thing's for sure you can't take your car today. If you had a panic attack just by thinking of your car you don't want to risk actually getting behind the wheel.

Everything feels tense, the muscles in your legs are starting to ache and you're pretty sure you'll have a bruise at the base of your throat.  You check your phone with shaky hands to see it's now seven twelve. If you get up now and leave you think you can probably make it into town by eight forty giving you time to grab something from the Dunkin' on the corner across from the shop. Or you could call out, Nate would totally understand. But just the thought of being alone today sends a chill down your spine and the feeling of those phantom hands start creeping their way back into your personal space.

“I'm going to work!” jumping up and out of the bed, away from the grubby grabby specters.

Running around the room you throw on a pair of black shorts, unusual for you to wear at work but if you're walking you'll have to deal, sweaty jeans are uncomfortable and joggers aren't very cohesive to a work environment. Deciding on a binder made from a breathable swimsuit material for the same reason, sweaty bra is too uncomfortable and bra-less isn't really something you're comfortable with. Grabbing the first shirt you find, it's a black tee with the words “The only man for me is Mothman” printed on it surrounded by little white stars and a chibi lil mothamn.

Looking at your outfit altogether cheers you up. It's casual but cute, not to mention these shorts do a lot for your thighs and butt. But, there's no time to dwell on how handsome you are, you need to grab food and get out the door like ten minutes ago! Grabbing a mask printed with the word 'No' dead center and your headphones you leave your room. With the thought of grabbing Dunkin' before work you settle on a Pedialyte Pop to hold you over during your walk, nausea shouldn't hit you right away anyway. Checking your door was locked, thrice, you started your trek to town.

Most people would complain about having to walk or hike while wearing a mask, often times saying it was hard to breathe under the fabric. But you'd say they just didn't have the right size mask for their face shape. You'd run into a few masks that hadn't been the right shape or size throughout the years but you're thankful that your first three had been perfect. Had they been too big or small you probably wouldn't have fallen in love with wearing masks, they were so comfy and let you interact with people without your voice getting stuck in your throat.

You'd taken to wearing them after high school when you'd taken a job of watching an elderly hospice patient's corgi while her family worked on moving to Virginia and closer to her. Anytime you and little Russel went to visit her you'd had to wear a mask, so instead of wearing the disposables you'd bought a set of three reusable ones.

After noting the change in behavior she mentioned your Autism, she'd been a retired social worker and saw the signs when she met you and after spending nearly 40 hours a week together for half a year she was certain you somehow fell through the cracks. It was a shock to you when she threw out the off handed comment but after stating who your pediatrician was, she was sent into a fit of laughter.

“Anya is a dear and a great surgeon, but I think the cultural barrier has stopped her from diagnosing children for years.” she had said all the while wheezing through the oxygen mask, eyes crinkling in amusement.

She'd sat you down with a list of books to look into and written out all your symptoms, she said if you ever wanted to get tested having the list of symptoms would be more helpful than straight up asking for a diagnosis. Some doctors were too by the book back in the 40s so Autism has rarely been studied in depth. Only in the last decade or so has a movement gained momentum to spread not only a wider awareness of the disorder but also acceptance for it. But to a doctor it would seem like you were grasping for attention at least to anyone who spent less time with you than she had. But without at least six thousand dollars to spend on a piece of paper that confirms what you already know you'll just have to stick to coping by using methods you read about from forums and blogs made by people with Autism rather than their parents or someone who's “very close” to them. And like Mary Anne said before she died, “just because you don't have a diagnosis doesn't mean your symptoms aren't there.”. A statment that reassures you from time to time, when you think you must be faking it for attention. And that somehow you managed to fake tics your whole life.

Snapping out of your memories because you could hardly tell your mask was on, and has been for the past forty minutes or so since you'd finished your pop. It wasn't too hot at the moment and like the previous day Kepler's climate has no humidity whatsoever, a huge change from the coast. Checking the time again on your phone you see the clear white numbers stating boldly that it is eight o' nine. You don't feel any closer to town but figure that's normal when all you've seen is the old over grown road. You feel you should have seen the road leading to town by now,  you hope you see it soon or else you'd really over estimated how long it would take to get to town, then you'd be hella late and sweaty. With the way you still had signal to the spotify you doubt you've even made it far enough to reach the dead zone.

Sighing you look down as you walk hoping to maybe find a rock to kick, walking's really boring when there's nothing to explore and you're on a time crunch. A loud honk takes you out of your head and you startle looking up. Doesn't take more than a second before you see a car stopped in the middle of the road in front of you. It's well taken care of for sure but not necessarily new or anything, you don't know too much about cars other than it looks like a black Camry no wait that's the Hyundai symbol. Some type of sedan then.

The back window on your side of the car rolls down and a man leans out and calls to you, you don't hear him at first. Slipping your headphones down to hang around your neck he repeats himself, “Do ya need a ride?” He has a southern accent on the thicker side, not abnormal for West Virginia but you can tell it's not the same dialect, probably from further down. The man has blonde hair styled in that fluffy swooped faux hawk that a lot of gamers had back in 2017/2018. He's got slight thin stubble along his jaw, not quiet five o'clock shadow so he probably has trouble growing facial hair. His eyes are that hazel color everyone wishes they could have, the kinda that had the orangish yellow glow about them. He looks like a fuck boy.

You're nearly ready to point at your mask in an indication of 'no I don't know you creep' when you catch sight of the driver. A boy around your age maybe who looks apathetic, that's not what catches your eye everyone looses the will to live at some point. What draws your attention is the mask he's wearing on his face. He could potentially be like you, or maybe he's just sick and being considerate, or he could have allergies. Whatever the case may be you can't honestly be considering getting into a car with two random men just because one wears a face mask. Hell for all you know they've orchestrated this situation, they could've been watching you analyzing your every move to know that breaking into your car would send you into a state of panic where you wouldn't use your car the next day or two, then you'd be out in the open to kidnap on your walk to town where you couldn't call for help due to being in the dead zone. Why else would they be this far along the old dirt road?

“Ah...miss?” the southern drawl brings you out of your inner ramblings, and the words cause you to bristle.

“I'm not a woman.” you say calmly but firmly.

“Oh, ah sorry sir.” you can't help but huff a laugh at the quick apology, your eyes catch movement through the window. Oh they have a dog with them, a rottweiler at that. Cool kidnappers with a dog, who's wearing a vest how...wait dog in vest oh he must be a service dog. Cool not kidnappers then, just strangers, nice. Seemingly trans allys, slight common ground with the driver, and a service dog it might be safe to engage...or at least humor these men.

“It's fine, I'm They/Them for the record.” You say approaching the car, you make your way to the man leaning out of the window, somehow the presence of a service dog puts you more at ease, especially when the dog only spares you a single glance before his attention's back on the driver, who's not even pretending to pay attention to the two of you. His leg is bouncing up and down, it's not rhythmic and no one's paying attention even as it shakes the car. Probably has ADHD, your dad does that all the time when he's at a stop light, it's a subconscious movement he even does it in waiting rooms or anywhere where he has to sit still really.

“Oh, well sorry 'bout that Mx.” the man in the window stresses the “Mx” but not in the typical fuck boy way, more like he was reinforcing it to himself. “We just saw you walkin' and wanted to see if ya' needed a ride anywhere.” he says.

“If you're going to town, I'd appreciate one, but I wouldn't want to be a bother.” his smile brightens at this but you notice it doesn't reach his eyes, probably just being polite.

“Sure thing, hop on in.” He moves to slide back but you've already opened the passenger door and slid into the seat. Effectively snapping the driver out of whatever haze he was in to look at you, he looks back at his friend with confusion.

“Hi” you say to the driver who gives his own wary 'hey' in response as you buckle yourself in. The driver looked even more apathetic up close, dark eye bags under his eyes that were such a deep brown you couldn't see his pupil he also had that fluffy brown e-boy hair. Not the frizzy hair marketing itself as fluffy but the type that's genuinely fluffy looking forming soft waves in his hair.

If they are kidnappers they're really bad at it, especially if all you have to do to stun them is sit up front in a seat that has the second most control in the car and can escape quicker if the need arises. However, glancing back at the dog you notice his attention's still on the driver, it would be really dumb if a kidnapper brought their service dog with them to do a kidnapping so you're reassured that it's just two southern boys driving through Kepler. And they happened to spot a “damsel” in distress, so they came to the rescue.

“Oh, don't mind Connor he won't bother you. He's here for Toby right now.” The man in the back says and you see the man beside you grip the steering wheel tighter. You nod in response and feel a tickle at the base of your skull, you'll try holding back the tic to not freak the two out.

Just as “Toby” is about to put the car in drive, a bark is heard from the back seat. A frustrated sigh leaves Toby as his hand leaves the gear shift, scowl clear even on his masked face. You guess Toby needs Connor to let him know when he's safe to drive, it's rude to ask about these things but you can't help but guess why that'd be the case.

Another bark leaves Connor right as your head snaps to the right moving back to place, then right, right, up, and right before cracking violently.

“There we go.” you verbalize.

Toby's looking at you in what you can only guess is shock, not the worst reaction you've had to your tics, meanwhile you notice Brian's looking to Connor who's looking directly at you now. Then his head whips around to Toby and he barks, like clockwork Toby's shoulders jerk forwards and his hands jolt up. Connor looks back at you and gives a bark, your head jerks three times cracking your neck two of those times. Connor's gaze is still on you and you know he'll be in an ongoing ping pong game between you and Toby if you keep triggering each other's tics the entire drive, if you'd even be able to get to that point.

“I'm fine, thank you.” you said looking at Connor while holding the sides of your head, trying to as your friend Emonie once said 'keep the bobble head away'.

Thankfully Connor must have had a training course similar to ones you've helped with because he looks away from you and focuses on Toby, who he gives several barks to. Following those barks Toby pops his knuckles and makes a 'mrrwo' sound, sort of imitating a cat, before his head jerks sharply into his knee that jerked up at the same time. You cringe at the sight knowing that must have hurt, hands still firmly pushing your head you see Connor settle down in the back, still on alert but laying down as if to say the muscle spasms have passed. You won't risk removing your hands, you still need a ride into town and this whole situation's put you behind to where you won't make it if you walk now.

“pfft...” you look back to the blonde and he looks ready to burst with laughter from what he just watched. Heat creeping up your face you turn and look away, sure the situation's funny but you don't know these two men and honestly you just feel so embarrassed right now. Especially with last night's incident at the mini mart still fresh in your memory.

“Will you fucking shut up!” Toby barks out, and the blonde tries harder to suppress his laughing fit. Toby glares at his friend before turning his attention back to the road, hand on the gear shift he waits for an alert before putting the car in drive and doing a U-turn back to town.

It's been a while since you've been a passenger in a car, you actually get to take the time to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as Toby drives. He's a surprisingly good driver, most guys his age are speed demons and always want to see how fast they can get away with driving. Toby on the other hand is abiding by the limit even on this open stretch of road with no other cars. But you guess it comes with the territory of needing a service dog to be able to drive, have to abide by the rules. The drive's quiet, you take it as a good thing that the men aren't trying to question or get to know you. If they were kidnappers or up to something nefarious surely they'd be trying to distract you right now with endless chatter to let your guard down. Especially if they'd been watching you and knew what a total chattering encyclopedia you could be when given the right topic. You're gazing out into the window seeing the sign of the town get closer finally when the thought hits you.

“So, your name's Toby, is it short for Tobias?” turning to look at the man, he spares a single side glance with his furrowed brows before responding with an uneasy 'Yea'.

“Cool, sorry if that was a weird question. Tobias is like the best name I've ever heard but I've only met three Tobiases, including you. Could I call you Tobias or do you prefer Toby?”

“I don't really care.” gotta love apathy.

“Cool, cool. Thanks for the ride Tobias!” you chirp out.

“Hey, forgetin' that I'm the one who offered the ride?” The man in the backseat speaks up.

“No, you just never gave me your name. You said Connor's” and ear twitch is all you get such a good boy, “and you said Tobias'. Never mentioned your own.”

“It's Brian, sugar.” you were correct, this man is a fuck boy.

“Yikes, that's gross.”that was a reflex and it was now Toby's turn to laugh at his friend. The man didn't even hide his snickers even had his shoulders bouncing up and down, you think you even caught a mumbled “I won't hesitate bitch”. Meanwhile Brian sat stunned, guess he was used to people finding his nicknames more endearing, meaning he probably meant nothing by it and it was probably the southern accent but it just made you think of the senior men who'd hit on you back before you moved out here.

“Yea don't call me 'sugar', anyway, I'm YN, it's nice to meet you three.”  Toby just nods as his laughter dies down a clucking sound resonates from his throat, Brian however goes right back to his friendly persona with a 'good to meet ya.' Again it's slightly off, it doesn't feel like he's trying to be polite...it feels like...you can't put your finger on it but it's familiar. Like when you fake a conversation with Nate or your mother on the days where exhaustion is nearly killing you, but Brian doesn't seem tired or sluggish.

The rest of the drive is relatively quiet as you direct Toby how to maneuver the streets and he parks in the parking lot of Dunkin'. While you were getting out you'd asked the men if you could get them anything from Dunkin' as a thank you for driving you. Brian tried to decline but Toby spoke over him with what “they” wanted.

“Ok cool, can Connor have a pup cup?” unsure if service dogs could have treats while working.

Sparing a glance to the good boy in question Toby shrugged “Yea, he's due for a break any-anyway.” he ends with popping his knuckles. You assume Connor only alerts motor tics when Toby is driving or about to start driving, since that tic didn't get clocked.

You repeat the order to the cashier once inside. You also get a frozen caramel coffee and an iced caramel coffee for you and Nate along with a box of donuts to pick from for the day. When she hands you everything you're able to balance Toby's order on top of your box and your drinks in the other hand. Walking out with the help of the next man coming in, nodding thanks as you pass him, you see Toby leaning against his car with Connor sitting next to him, no vest on.

It's terrifying how well trained Connor is, because the dog you left in the car barely paid you any mind. While this hyper pup's tail is wagging at just the sight of you, his paws lifting slightly in a tiny dance as you get closer. But he doesn't dare move from his sit, looking up at Toby for cues and looking at you who holds his treat.  Had you not worn a mask for so long you may have missed the smile Toby gave Connor as he pat the dog's head. The slight crinkles around the edges were a dead give away though. With a quick snap Connor is released from whatever command he'd been held by and runs up to you once you're five feet from them.

Drooling mouth opening and closing in an odd mute bark for a dog this size. You take note of the fact that while he's jumping excitedly and pawing the air he hasn't laid a single paw on you. Whoever trained him knew what they were doing that's for sure. Looking up to Toby you hold the one hand outstretched for him to take his items, a tray with Connor's pup cup and his iced coffee, and a white baggie with three donuts, strawberry glazed, maple glazed, and an apple fritter.

Once he's taken his items you balance your drinks on top of the box. Connor's attention hasn't moved from you even through the exchange. You're a little confused by the pup's antics but he probably thinks he can get a donut off you.

“Sorry bubbie, your dad's got your treat not me.” that dopey little face tilts to the left not understanding you aren't the treat giver at this time. You laugh letting him smell the hand that had the coffee in it so maybe he'd understand you didn't have his treat. He excitedly sniffs you, and gives you a few licks before sitting back right in front of you with a blur of a tail behind him. Such a silly boy, he deserves some chin scritches.

“He's smart, told him you'd give 'im this.” Toby says holding out the pup cup to you, as you bend at an awkward angle balancing food in one hand while scratching his dog with the other.

Connor's a little disappointed when his pets stop but jumps to all fours when he sees the pup cup. His tail is wagging so fast you'd be afraid his butt will fall off, if that was a thing that could happen. You go to put the cup in front of him but Toby stops you.

“Hold on, Connor sit.” As soon as his name was called his bottom was on the ground. “You already know his release word so when you want him to take it just say the release.” He says offhandedly while placing the bag in the passengers seat and his drink in the cup holder. You can hear murmured arguing from inside the car, but choose to ignore it. These guys clearly aren't kidnappers, and if they were it's so stupid to kidnap you in broad day light after you just made a purchase and with literally a street in between you and your work, where your boss is waiting for you.

Placing the cup in front of Connor you didn't think it was possible for him to get any more excited but his tail is now undetectable by the human eye. He looks from his treat to you, back, and back to you. Toby said you already knew the release, and there's only one thing you've said to Connor throughout the trip.

“Thank you.” it's immediate, for such a well mannered service dog on and off duty this pup has no table manners. There is whip cream everywhere it's on the ground, his paws, even behind his head. How on earth did he manage that? This must be Connor's only character flaw because Toby is back with what you can only assume are all the napkins he had received in the donut bag, and service vest under his arm.

Once the pup cup was utterly decimated Connor sat happily, butt wiggling, as his dad wiped the rest of the whip cream off of him. Showing the pup the huge glob he had behind his ear only had him licking it off the napkin before licking his dad's face.

“Wrong.” Toby called, a little bummed the pup calmed down a bit but his tail was still going. Toby paused before he slipped the vest back on Connor. Head jerking back twice he looked over to you.

“You wanna say 'bye'?” you perked at the question, if you had a tail of your own it'd probably be wagging just as fast as Connor's.

Do you want to pet a dog, what kind of question was that? Of course you fucking do. Yea you might be late to work but petting a dog is always worth it. Setting your breakfast and coffee on the hood of the car you bent down with Toby to Connor's level.

If that dog could talk he'd tell everyone you gave the best ear scratches, sure you may have smooshed his wrinkly face a ton. But you were so nice and was that baby coos, ah he loves you new best friend. Connor jumped up when you started cooing and gave you a ton of kisses to the face. You couldn't stop laughing and the repetitive motion triggered a tic. Thankfully your mask was on so Toby couldn't see you tongue poke out repeatedly as you said “bleh” in between giggles.

“Wrong.” he says gently pushing the drooling pup away. Shaking the spit off his hand before scratching the pup under the chin, right where the bottom of his ear met his jaw. The pup instantly melted calming into his handlers touch. With his dog now calm he whistles and Connor is standing up straight, Toby slips the vest over his head and secures it. Connor the puppy has turned back into Connor the good boy working pup.

Grabbing your stuff from the hood of the car you turn to Toby and Connor, “Thanks again for the ride, and for letting me pet your dog.”

You're met with a simple shrug, not much phases Toby you've noticed. Aside from his tics that is.

“See ya later Tobias!” with that you're on your way to cross the street legally, and by that you totally jay walked out into traffic in front of the sheriff. You may have jay walked in front of the sheriff, but he didn't do anything so you're fine.

[slytherinbangchan]

Tattoo artist!Hyunjin au

-Tattoo!Artist Changbin  

-Tattoo artist!Bangchan

Tattoo Artist!Jisung

-Tattoo artist!Felix

-Tattoo artist!Woojin

-Tattoo artist!Minho

Genre: Smut. More Hyunjin here Feel free to listen to this while reading cause is what I did while writing it e.e

Blog’s masterlist

-Of course you know Hyunjin.

-You take a peek through the window everytime you walk past the tattoo shop.

-Sometimes you go grab some coffee at 5pm cause you know that's when he uses to go too.

-He and his friends have their own fans on that coffee shop.

-At first you kinda stalking him was an accident.

-Like one day you were just doing some errands and you bumped into him on every place.

-The bank, the grocery store...

-And lastly that same coffee shop.

-Where you found out a little more about him.

-Like his name and where he works.

-Who those other two guys are.

-And that apparently he's a heartthrob.

-Like a good one.

-The real deal.

-Now like many other girls, and some guys. Going there at 5pm is your ritual.

-You are not expecting anything from him.

-Just seeing him is enough.

-He wouldn't even look at you anyway.

-You're so different.

-He looks so badass.

-With all those tattoos and everything.

-And you sleep next to a teddy bear your bestie gave to you some years ago.

-You don't wanna think like that.

-Like that's not the only reason.

-It's just... To him you must be just one of the girls who follows him around.

-Not even that, he probably doesn't even know you exist.

-Anyways, he's so hot.

-You better just enjoy the view and not think too much about it.

-You're going to some party with one of your friends tonight so maybe you just find yourself a cute guy.

-If not, you can always call a fuckfriend and just think about Hyunjin for today.

-You work at a book store and there's not a lot of people coming in.

-And you're just thinking about Hyunjin entering those doors and eating you out over that table.

-Yeah, I know. You look so innocent from outside and here we are.

-But he's been sticking out his tongue a lot lately.

-Some girl squealed once about it and now he won't stop.

-That guy.

-You're getting so horny just thinking about it :’)

-The door's little bell jingles and you can't believe your eyes.

-He's there with one of the other guys.

-The intimidating one.

-You're shaking as they walk straight on your direction.

-They're joking around like kids.

-'Hi', he says. 'My friend is looking for some book for his girlfriend'.

-'Omg, she's not my girlfriend'. The other says.

-You nod. 'Uhm, what does she like?'

-'Vampires?'

-You show him Anne Rice's book collection and he just buy a bunch of them.

-'Do I know you?' Hyunjin is asking you while his friend pays. 'It's like I've seen you somewhere'

-'Uhmm. Maybe?'

-'Changbin, don't you think we may have seen her before?'

-You're on the edge of a fucking heart attack right now.

-'This is close to the coffee shop, maybe she goes there too?'

-'Oh wow, are you one of those girls who follow us around?’ Hyunjin asks.

-You panic but manage to pull yourself together. 'You know what? Actually I am'. You say, with a confidence you didn't know you had.

-He smiles to himself and gives Changbin a look, making him laugh. 'Ok, don't take too long'. Then he goes waiting outside.

-You ask yourself the hell is going on.

-'Listen, let's go out tonight'. He's sticking out his tongue again. Licking his lower lip.

-'What?' You say, not being able to look anywhere but those lips.

-'I want to take you out, I like your style'. He chuckles.

-'Is this a prank or something?'

-He laughs again. 'You know where I work, right?' You nod. 'Then let's meet there later'

-'But I'm going to a party tonight'

-'Then I guess I'm going with you. See ya'.

-He leaves the store and you just stay there.

-Puzzled.

-It takes you about 20 minutes to start doing something about tonight.

-You call your friend and tell her you'll meet at the party instead of your house.

-Then you just stare at the clock on the wall.

-Waiting for it to run faster.

-Cause you have to hurry home and get ready.

-And you don't even know what you're wearing.

-He didn't even say what time you should meet.

-But you know they close at 9, maybe 10 if they're too busy.

-You can't risk it tho.

-So first thing you do after closing is go visit him.

-He's working on the back tattoo of a very big guy so he has Chris, (that's the other tattooist) give you Hyunjin's number.

-He could have done that earlier but anyways.

-'I live upstairs, just call me when you're here'.

-He's wearing glasses.

-He looks even hotter.

-What kind of sorcery is this.

-He looks so good while working on that tattoo.

-You're almost contemplating crying.

-'This tattoo will be like 20 more minutes and then I'll be off to get ready.' He says when he notices you are not going anywhere.

-'Oh, sure. See you in a bit'. You say, blushing.

-You can see him smiling by the corner of your eye as you walk away.

-The client asks him if you're his girlfriend but you're already leaving the store by the time he answers.

-Obviously you're not his girlfriend or anything but you kinda wanted to hear how would he deny it.

-Like did he do it in a nice way or??

-Anyway, time to really go and get ready.

-You thought it would take ages to choose an outfit but it didn't.

-Before you know it you're walking to that party along with Hyunjin.

-You thought it would be awkward to be alone with him too.

-But he's pretty nice?

-You chat about random stuff all the way to the party.

-Where's that cold heartbreaker guy you've been hearing about all these months?

-So you ask him about that.

-And he just laughs out loud. 'Yeah, I guess sometimes I am a little like that'.

-You nod and don't talk about it again.

-Like some part of you wanted him to deny that.

-When you get to the party your friends are like flipping out.

-You drink a little while you watch Hyunjin dance with some girls.

-Like you're contemplating join in but you're also kinda intimidated by the others.

-You feel so tiny.

-But your friends are taking care of that.

-Cause you can't just apear at a party with a guy like that cause HE asked you out and then step aside cause you feel unworthy.

-So your friend gives you a little pep talk at the bathroom.

-And you come back feeling as the goddess you actually are.

-You look at Hyunjin and walk towards him.

-Kinda pushing away all the girls he has around.

-Lacing your arms around his neck.

-'Took you long enough'. He says, a smirk on his face.

-'Shut up'. -You turn around.

-Your butt on his crotch, swinging at his hips pace.

-Before you know it he's kissing you.

-And it's so hot in there.

-'Let's get out of here'. -He says as he grabs your hand.

-The cold wind hitting you as you walk out.

-And it feels so good.

-Hyunjin pushing you against the wall to kiss you again.

-His hand slipping under your dress.

-You bite his plump lips and he lets out a whine.

-Like he's yearning for you.

-Next thing you know you're on his bed.

-His head between your legs.

-And he's so good at it.

-Your hand grasping on his hair as he kitten licks you.

-Soft moans scaping your mouth.

-But that's enough.

-You make him stop.

-Then crawl on top of him while he sits.

-His mouth all covered in your fluids.

-His hair is a mess.

-Both of your hands combing his hair back as you let him slip inside you.

-You want to see all of his handsome face as you ride him.

-He's looking at you with admiration right now.

-Staring at how your body moves so perfectly over his.

-He bites his lips and you just have to kiss him.

-His hands on your hips.

-Sinking on your skin as you bite his neck.

-He getting even harder as you whisper some nasty things to him.

-His tongue traveling through your neck down to your chest.

-Licking your nipples and biting on your boobs.

-Leaving bruises everywhere.

-The little whines leaving his mouth as he aproaches his high.

-Your moans as you reach your own.

-You lie by his side while you try to catch your breath.

-Then you chuckle and he looks at you. 'What?' He’s smiling because of you.

-'Nothing, it's just...' You laugh again. 'could you eat me out like that on my work's desk nex time?'

-He sits up a little to look at you better. 'Next time?'

-Oh sure, this probably was just a one time thing. 'Ah, I mean...'

-He laughs. -'The book store's desk, huh? Noted'.

[acanvasofabillionsuns]

(you hit the) restart

They did my girl Violet wrong. I aim to fix this.

Summary: Tony keeps figuring out Violet’s identity. Violet just wants to go more than a few months without having to reintroduce herself to her boyfriend. Warnings: uhhhhh none? Wordcount: 2,615

“Hi, Tony,” a feminine voice says, and Tony turns to see a girl—vaguely familiar, pretty cute—smiling up at him hopefully.

“Uhh, hi?” He offers, fiddling with his backpack strap to give his hands something to do as he flips desperately through his memory to try and recall the girl’s name. He comes up empty.

The girl’s expression flattens for half a second before her smile returns, this time determined rather than hopeful. She sticks out her hand to shake. “I’m Violet Parr.”

“I’m Tony,” he replies, smiling back at her and taking her hand. Then he cringes; she’d already said his name and he’d just told her it like she didn’t know.

Luckily Violet doesn’t seem to mind, laughing and saying, “Okay.” She settles next to him and strikes up a conversation.

Half an hour later, Tony opens up his phone to get her number and maybe a date (he might not be reading the signs right, but she seems interested, and he definitely is, so) and then jumps up when he sees the time.

“I’ve got to go,” he tells her apologetically. “It’s almost my shift at work and I’ve got to use the time I have to get there.”

“It’s fine,” Violet says, smiling understandingly. “Same time, same place, tomorrow?”

“Sure.” Tony grins, before turning and running.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Violet sighs as she texts her mom for a ride home. She’d hoped he would remember her, especially because it had been three months and she’s really wanted this one to stick, but also because she hadn’t actually taken her mask off this time.

“Violet, watch Jack-Jack!” Mom called as she handed him off to her. Dash raced by before she could saddle him with the toddler.

Though technically Jack-Jack had powers and he could be part of the team, neither he nor the rest of the Parrs were very good at controlling when he used them or which one he used, so he still got watched by someone while the rest of the family went out and heroed.

“Violet?” She turned to see Tony and held in a groan. “Violet Parr?”

“Um, no?” She squeaked out the lie, then cleared her throat and said more confidently, “You should get out of here; it’s dangerous.”

“But I’m looking for my girlfriend,” Tony joked, grinning at her. “I’m sure I saw her around here, and I’m concerned for her safety. We’ve got a date on Saturday and I’d hate for here to miss it.”

“Tony,” Violet said lowly, glancing around to see if anyone was listening in, but it didn’t look like it. “Please, you need to go. I’ll see you at school tomorrow, okay?”

“I want all the details then,” he told her, and she nodded.

“Don’t tell anyone about me, okay?”

Tony nodded his agreement, and she pushed him on his way with a small force field. He laughed and started walking off.

“Good luck, Miss Superhero!” he called. She waved at him over her shoulder as she hurried to join the fight.

She hadn’t actually told anyone this time, and so unless Tony had actually said something to someone, she should’ve been good. So why... Jack-Jack.

Her phone buzzes with a text saying her ride is in front, and she stomps down the school steps fuming.

Violet throws herself into her seat and sulks the whole ride home. She can’t actually do anything to Jack-Jack, that’s the worst part. Never mind the fact that he has 20 odd powers, he’s just a toddler.

Once she gets home, she storms over to her dad and announces, “I refuse to babysit Jack-Jack for the next ten times.”

“Why?” Her father looks up at her in confused concern. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

“That snitch,” —she throws an accusing finger towards Jack-Jack, who babbles his version of her name in response— “made Tony forget me again!”

He sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry. You can be part of the fight the next five times, okay?”

“Eight,” Violet counters, “for the eight times Tony’s forgotten I exist.”

Her dad grimaces and nods. 

“Thank you,” Violet says, before flouncing upstairs to her room and shutting the door not quite forcefully enough to be considered a slam. She spends the next hour distracting herself from boy troubles with music.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two days later, it’s Friday, and Tony’s texting Violet whenever he’s got a few seconds’ lull in serving.

They’ve fallen quickly into a comfortable friendship, and Tony is glad it’s so easy to talk to her. He wishes it was that easy to try to fit asking her on a date tomorrow into their current conversation. It’d be a little late notice, sure, but she’d mentioned something about being busy next weekend and he’s pretty sure she doesn’t have anything else going on tomorrow.

Their current topic is winding to a close and he takes the opportunity.

Tony: So um

Tony: I’ve been wanting to ask you a question

Violet: Yeah?

He can also see her looking at him expectantly, and he’s about to send the message when he’s handed a tray of food and pointed to a table.

He serves the people their food, smiling politely and taking the necessary time even as a part of him is antsy to ask Violet on a date before he chickens out or she gets offended by the amount of time he’s taking to ask.

Once he’s done with that table, he spends another 15 minutes going around taking orders and serving food before he gets enough respite to pull his phone back out quickly.

Violet: You there?

Tony: Yeah, sorry

Tony: Had in upswing in work

Tony: Anyway I was wondering if maybe you’d go on a date with me tomorrow?

Tony: I know it’s short notice but I though you said something about being busy next weekend, and there’s this movie that I think you’ll like playing—

Tony: Okay hold on

There’s another upswing in customers, and it’s not until his shift is over that Tony can start texting again.

Violet: A date tomorrow sounds great :)

Tony sighs, relieved and pleased, and texts her the title. They confirm a time, and 20 minutes later Tony’s home and wondering how he get so lucky with this girl.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So you broke up again, but you made up in time to go on your date?” Ann asks.

“Yeah.” Violet grins.

As far as her friends knew, she and Tony were dating and they just “broke up” every time he forgot her. Somehow this time around she’d gotten lucky enough to go on the same date they’d had planned before Tony guessed her identity. Just, as a “first” date rather than having gone out for three months.

“It beats me why you keep breaking up and getting back together,” Ann comments. “Like, you’ve been dating on and off for over a year now! And then every time you get back together you act like a new couple again.”

Violet shrugs. “That’s just the way we work, I guess.”

Ann shakes her head in bewilderment and lets out a fond sigh. “Whatever works for you, I suppose. Bye!” She jogs backwards a few steps and then turns and hurries to her bus.

“Bye!” Violet waves after her. She hears footsteps behind her and turns.

“Hey,” Tony greets her, grinning.

“Hey,” Violet grins back. Tony’s smile shifts to nervous and his hand tangles in his backpack strap. When there’s a pause, she prompts him, “What?”

“What?” He echoes, looking at her in confusion.

“It looked like you wanted to say something.”

“Oh, uh.” He fiddles with the strap for another moment before asking, “I just, uh— I was wondering, are we, like, dating now, or...?”

“Dating.” She lest out the breath she’d been holding. “Boyfriend and girlfriend?”

Tony nods, looking relieved. “Boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Before either of them can say anything else, someone bumps into Tony, who stumbles forward into Violet. Balance lost, she falls backwards and ends up on her butt and bright red in the face.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” the guy says, reaching down right at the same time Tony does, which knocks their heads together. “Sorry again—oh, hey, Tony.”

“Hi, Collin,” Tony replies. Collin is one of Tony’s friends on the football team, all of which had been introduced to Violet at some point, and she’d gotten to know them well enough to manage damage control when Tony forgot her.

“Hey, Violet.” Collin reaches down and helps her up.

“Hi, Collin. Thanks.” Violet dusts herself off. Nervous about things being accidentally said and messing up the careful balance of lies, she isn’t sure if her being there would help or hurt the situation. Her decision is made for her when her dad pulls up in front of the school.

“Bye, Tony! Bye, Collin!” She waves as she descends the school steps. She buckles her seat belt and prays neither will say the wrong thing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tony and Collin wave after Violet until the door of her car closes. Once it does, Collin elbows Tony and grins. “So how’d the date go?”

Tony turns to look at him in surprise. “I told you about our date?” He tries to think back, but he’d asked her the day before they went on the date, three days ago, and that didn’t leave a lot of time to talk about his new girlfriend before they went on the date.

“Yeah, you’ve been looking forward to it for a couple weeks now, haven’t you?” Collin asks, oblivious to Tony’s puzzlement. A new bus pulls up, and Collin tells him, “Oop, gotta go. Bye!”

“Bye?: Tony calls weakly after him. How could he have been looking forward to a date with Violet for a couple weeks when he’d only know her for one?

He pulls out his phone, not entirely sure what his plan to use it is, but startles when he sees the clock. There isn’t time to try and sort out his confusion now, not if he wants to get to work on time.

He stuffs his phone back into his pocket and hurries towards the bus stop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Her phone buzzes, and Violet glances at the screen to see a text from Tony.

Tony: Are you free tomorrow afternoon?

A quick mental run through of her schedule says yes, and she texts him as such. Her stomach twists with nerves, wondering what Tony wants.

He isn’t very forthcoming with details, simply asking her to meet him in the band room after school the next day. Violet agrees and spends the rest of the time leading up to then worrying over what he wanted to meet with her about.

Finally, the end-of-school bell rings, and Violet dawdles while students flood outside all around her. Once the school is mostly empty, she hitches her backpack slightly higher up on her shoulders and makes her way to the band room, trying to ignore the growing feeling of dread.

Violet pushes the door open slowly, and Tony stands up from a stool. Her stomach swoops at the mixture of confusion, concern, and what looks unfortunately a bit like betrayal on his face.

“Sooo,” Tony says. “I think we need to talk.”

“Oh?” Violet asks, internally cringing at how high her voice rises. “What about?”

“Yesterday, after you left, Collin said something about me having looked forward to our date for weeks?” Violet cringes, knowing what’s coming and helpless to stop it. “And then later, he said we’ve apparently been dating for a year.” She risks a glance up at Tony’s face and immediately regrets it, but she can’t pull her gaze from his again. He looks like someone kicked his puppy, a combination of why would you do that and hurt. “But I’ve only known you for a week?” He finishes softly, his eyes begging for an explanation.

She teeters between owning up and telling him everything or just bolting, but before she can stop herself she says, “I don’t know why Collin would lie like that.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I don’t know why Collin would lie like that,” Violet says. It’s a weak lie, and they both know it, but Violet doesn’t take it back, doesn’t do anything but stay frozen where she is, barely inside the door, looking like she’d been contemplating running ever since they started their conversation.

Tony hesitates, sighs, and tells her, “I like you, Violet.” Her breath hitches. “...But I just don’t think I can be with someone who won’t tell me the truth.” It hurts to say, but not as much as it hurts that she won’t just explain.

Violet sighs softly. “I understand,” she tells him, and then she tilts her head in a way that causes her hair to fall in front of her face, and gives him a sad smile, and she looks so incredibly shy. “See you around, Tony.” She slips out the door, and Tony sinks down onto the stool he’d been waiting for her on, wishing the encounter could’ve been less of a disaster.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple weeks pass, and wouldn’t it be just Violet’s luck if this round was the one to stick, the one where she couldn’t give Tony an impossible explanation and they stay a broken up couple. Maybe it’s a sign.

“Have you two still not made up yet?” Ann asks. “A fight so soon after the last one?”

“It’s more like we didn’t fully work out the last fight, and this is a continuation of it,” Violet explains sadly.

“I’m sure it’ll work out,” Ann tries to reassure her. “You’re such a rocky couple.”

“Yeah,” Violet sighs. “This time it really feels like it might be permanent though, y’know?” Ann frowns sympathetically and pulls her into a hug.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few weeks pass since Tony broke up with Violet, and he can’t help but feel guilty when he sees her in the hallways. Sometimes, they meet each other’s eyes, and she gives him this regretful smile and he smiles back tightly at her, and maybe they’ll say hi, but that’s about it.

Then, another supervillain attacks—one Tony doesn’t quite catch the name of but he thinks it might be some sort of pun—and he runs across a superhero.

There’s this overwhelming feeling of deja vu as he takes in this super girl, but he can’t for the life of him remember meeting her before. She’s got sleek black hair, and the black domino mask on her face makes the blue of her eyes stand out in the glimpse of them he sees. She gives him a shy, sad smile, then seems to catch herself and makes it polite, and says, “You need to get out of the area.”

But Tony saw—he recognized that smile, and he’s sure his eyes are huge as he asks, tentatively, “Violet?”

She doesn’t seem to hear him, summoning a force field to push him and a few others out of the way, and then taking off towards the villain. He stares after her, stunning by this revelation, until his parents find him and drag him away from the fight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That afternoon, Violet dithers in her bedroom. It’d be so selfish of her to tell her parents and have Tony’s memory taken from him, to take her second chance instead of earn it from him.

But on the other hand, that was what got her into the mess she was in, and she’d probably still be dating him if his memory hadn’t been erased. It’d be a do-over, just another tally on the list of times he’d forgotten her.

...that she’d have caused, this time.

part 2! alternate part 2! part 3!

[inneedofkookies]

Daydreamers : 1. Daydream Hotel

Hello!!!✌       This is my first fan-fiction so it might not be that good…but I’m trying to make it as good as possible😁

   Thank you for reading my story, it really means a lot to me😊

I’m writing this story on Wattpad so if you are willing to read some more here’s the link : http://my.w.tt/UiNb/F2bl8lEcqC

•

“Come on Anne, run! We mustn’t lose this flight” I yelled and dodged an old man, trying to stop my backpack from bouncing frantically on my back with one hand, and holding onto the ticket with the other. “ Run like your life depends on it! Like Jimin is waiting for you in that damn plane!”

   “I’m doing my best here and don’t you dare try to motivate me like that,both of us know it won’t work” She said catching up with me.

   “There,there it is! Come on, we can make it!”

We’ve finally reached the entrance into the plane,showed our tickets to the stewardess and found our seats.  Hopefully,they were next to each other so it wasn’t going to be that boring.

  As the plane took off I plugged in my headphones and played Spring Day. After a while I slowly started drifting away from reality and fell asleep. It was going to be a four-hour flight from Romania to Sweden. Three days from now we are going to attend a BTS concert and then a fansign two days later. This is the closest country to Romania they have visited until now. International fans are more than just unlucky when it comes to k-pop, it’s like a curse.

•

  Suddenly, a familiar voice whispers in my ear ,“I’m gonna get you tonight, you and your friend. Jimin will take care of her and we, we’ll have so much fun together”, the voice says in a low tone as I feel someone touching my thigh. I instantly look at the hand and see whose hand is touching me, Jungkook’s. Where did Anne go? Weren’t we in the plane?   I’m just lying on a bed in a nicely decorated room with Jungkook sitting next to me moving his hands all over my body.

   “What are you doing?” I ask with a trembling voice.

   “I’m showing you some of the fun we are going to have when we meet today” he says and pulls off his jeans.

•

  Right then I wake up to something way worse than a plane crash. Anne was shaking me violently trying to wake me up, holding her tears.

Now what.

   “What the hell is wrong with you?” I whisper-scream to her. “What is so important that you had to wake me up?” Especially from my beautiful dream.

   “Read this” she says and hands me her phone.

Article: K-pop group BTS is going to stay at “Daydream” hotel in Sweden,Stockholm for the whole week.

I tried to hold back the scream that almost left my throat and handed her back the phone. Daydream is the name of the hotel we are staying at, I think to myself and feel a shiver run down my spine, a warm shiver.

   “Oh my God, please tell me this is our hotel.”

   “It is” I say and start laughing. “Now let me listen to music.”

  I put the headphones back into my ears and stare out the window at the fluffy, dense clouds and the pink sunrise. This is going to be interesting.

•

  The plane has just landed and now we are looking for an exit out of the airport.

  We finally find it, get into a taxi and tell the driver to get us to the nearest supermarket to Daydream hotel in Stockholm. Thank God he knew English.   We were tired and hungry so we decided it would be best to grab some groceries before we check in at the hotel.

  We arrive at the supermarket, pay for the ride and enter the huge building. All we were looking for were some bottles of water, bread,cheese,jam and green tea.

   “Look , Anne” I say and grab a jar of strawberry jam “I think I’ve found Jimin’s jams”.

   “Don’t you dare tell me that joke or I’ll grab a fucking coconut from the fruit section and try to convince you it’s Jungkook.”

   “Meanie” I chuckle and place the jar in the shopping basket.

   “Of course I am,who do yo-” she suddenly stops talking and just stares somewhere behind me with her eyes and mouth wide open.

   “Uhm…Anne? Are you okay?”

  No answer. She grabs my shoulders and slowly turns me around, just to see that a few meters away there were Jin and Jungkook shopping. I felt my heart skip a beat, but then I looked away. I didn’t want them to notice us staring.

   “Let’s just give them privacy, I think it’s the best option right now” I say and she nods.

   “Yes, you are right. Let’s go grab a bottle of shampoo as well, I forgot to bring mine” she quickly changes the subject and pretends she didn’t see anything.

   “Now that you say it, so did I, come on” I say and start walking towards the bathing supplies section, getting on with her plan.

   As we were standing in the line waiting to pay we saw a girl at one of the windows, impatiently looking inside the supermarket. I think she was looking for someone, and I think I know who. I change looks with Anne and then look around, to find Jungkook and Jin standing in line a few cash registers away from us, nervously whispering to each other. They must have noticed her too.

We grab our bags and head for the exit. The two were right behind us, but we played it cool, changing looks and communicating through indescriptible facial expressions.

Barely had I stepped out of the building that a loud scream pierced through the silence and straightly attacked my ear. Before I could realise it, Jin and Jungkook were running to the other side of the street, chased by the still-screaming-in-my-ear girl.

Without even thinking I put down my bags and backpack and run after her.

   “Where the hell are you going?” Anne screamed.

   “After this whore!” I scream back and catch up to the girl.

She was holding on to Jungkook’s backpack and pulling him back, trying to take pictures of him with her phone.   I grab her right hand, in which she had her phone, causing her to drop it and let go of the backpack.

  She turns around and punches me with her left hand. That’s the moment I lost it. I grab her by the neck and knock her flat on the ground right next to an unfinished brick fence. She gasps, desperately trying to breathe.     I turn around and see Jungkook looking back at us. Right then, the whore grabs a piece of brick from the fence and weakly hits my right temple. I lose my ballance for a moment, but not before looking her in the eye and breaking her nose with a punch.

  I let go of her neck and slowly fall on my back onto the hard ground, waiting for the whore to get up, whinning about getting hurt and then runs back to where she came from. As I was lying on the ground, Anne comes and tries to help me up.

   “I’m fine, don’t worry”, I say and look at her shocked, angry face. “What?”

   “What the hell were you thinking…no actually, were you even thinking when you fucking started chasing after that girl?” she says, helping herself not to slap me.

   “I just followed my instinct.”

   “Your instinct my ass. And how often does this instinct of yours advise you to beat up a girl in the middle of the street?”

   “Almost everyday, I usually hold it in though. This time, well…Jungkook was involved..and..uhm you got the point” I say and show her an innocent smile.

   “Whatever, just come on let’s get to that fucking hotel already.”

   “Fucking hotel…it sound more lik-”

   “Don’t you dare say one of your perverted jokes or I’ll hit you with that brick too.”

   “Okay, okay I got it.” I say and try to get up.

  She pulls me up, then hands me my backpack and bags and we start walking towards the hotel.

  A few steps further I find some groceries from the same supermarket that we got ours from. The boys must have dropped them while running, I think to myself and start picking them up.

   “Now what?” Anne asks me in a confused, tired-of-my-shit tone.

   “The boys dropped these, it would be a waste to leave them here, and unfair too. We’ll go to the hotel, check in and then give these back to them.”

   “Let me help you then” she says and picks the rest of them.

   “Thank you.”

   “No problem. Oh, and also, I forgot to tell you that you are bleeding.”

   “What? Oh God please don’t tell me my period came!” I say and try to turn and look at my butt for blood stains.

   “No, you dumb bitch, your head is bleeding. From a wound” she says sarcastically and touches the place where I got hit by that brick.

   “Auch,that hurt!”

   “Shut up, you deserve it.”

   “Who else do yo-”

   “SHUT UP” she says, and I just give her a pervy smile.

   When we finally arrive at the hotel I go to the desk and ask for our reservation. A young woman told me to sign some papers and then I was free to go.   Before I leave, I ask her what room the BTS members are staying in. She looks at me suspiciously so I tell her our so-called mission in order to assure her that we won’t rape the boys.

   “Alright then, follow me” she says, handing me the keys to our room, 148.

   We do as we were told and walk behind her up to the third floor. She then stops at room 149 and knocks. I hurriedly turn my head to the right so that my bloody wound wouldn’t be noticed by any of the members, I forgot about it so now I need to hide half of my face. The door slowly opens and Namjoon sticks his head out.

   “Yes?” he asks, completely opening the door and looking at each one of us.

  The woman steps aside, giving me space and showing him that I’m the one who is supposed to talk, but I can’t even raise my head and look him in the eye.

   “Uhm..how do I put this..we uh-” I start mumbling but then he stops me.

   “Are you okay?” he asks.

   “Yes, yes I am. What I want to say is that two of your friends were chased by a girl and they dropped some of their groceries while running and uhm, as we’re staying at this hotel as well, we just thought it would be the right thing to d-”

   “Hold on” he says and calls someone, interrupting my almost-trembling voice.

  After a few seconds Jungkook appears next to him, shocked by the sight of me.

  They start discussing in Korean and then they stop, probably looking at me. I couldn’t see their faces from the position I had, but I could feel their gazes upon me.

   “Could you please show us your face? - Namjoon continues - your full face.”

  I look at Anne and agree without any words. I slowly turn my face towards them and, with my head raised, I look them in the eye. Both of them seem shocked by the sight of my full face.

   “It’s her” Jungkook says.

   “And one more thing, - Namjoon adds - please tell us your name”.

I show a warm, innocent smile as I look at their curious expressions .

   “Vera. My name is Vera.”

•

Hello!!!✌       This is my first fan-fiction so it might not be that good…but I’m trying to make it as good as possible😁

   Thank you for reading my story, it really means a lot to me😊

I’m writing this story on Wattpad so if you are willing to read some more here’s the link : http://my.w.tt/UiNb/F2bl8lEcqC

[ginnyzero]

Completely Harmless Ch. 46

Completely Harmless An SSO SilverGlade Re-imagining Story (Or Fix it Fan Salt fic) By Ginny O.

When Lily and her friends wanted to buy horses and were directed to the Silverglade Manor and its myriad of problems, they didn’t expect to start a revolution. They were just a bunch a stable girls. Completely harmless. Right?

A/N: Things are only canon if I say they’re canon. Pre-Saving the Moorland Stables compliant for the most part. Posted in its entirety on my website. Posted in 2000 to 4000 word bits here. Rated T for Swearing Word Count 177,577

Chapter Forty-Six Starshine vs. Elizabeth Sunbeam OR Evicting the Dark Core from Valedale OR The Star Fragment of the Light of Aideen

Lily went back to the Manor and into the library determined to try to figure out the lyre for a couple hours before bed. Linda had the books for her, as promised.

“Did you catch Alex and Justin kissing yet?”

Linda made a face. “Mental image that I don’t want.”

“Oh come on, I swore I saw them together Rainbow Week.”

“They’re my friends.” Linda scrubbed at her hair. “I don’t need that in my head.”

“So, that’s a no.”

“No.” Linda glowered at her.

Lily laughed. She set her phone out and played the recording turning it up.

Linda’s eyes widened. “It caught it. It actually caught it.”

“EVP?”

“Not usually nearly so clear.”

“Hmm,” Lily shrugged as the recording also caught her humming. She shut it off. “At least I don’t have to remember it from memory. I have perfect pitch, not a photographic memory for music.” She plucked at the lyre’s strings. “They’re all loose. Like they should be!” She said the last sentence quickly. “It’s just having to tune them when there aren’t any pins is, well, did you find any instructions.”

Linda found the book and pushed it over. “These are old harps, like ancient Greek or Roman types.”

“Did the Romans make it this far?”

“The Vikings made it to them. I’m going to assume that they made it that far north eventually.”

“It doesn’t really explain why Aideen, a being of extraterrestrial origin would use an ancient Greek lyre,” Lily said as she read the instructions.

“You have so many questions.”

“That wasn’t a question. It was an observation.”

Linda grinned. “Maybe she transformed herself and her instrument when she landed on Jorvik to fit with the time period.”

Lily sighed. “Objection. Speculation. Remember, you don’t like speculation.”

Linda leaned on the table and wiggled her butt back and forth. “I’m glad you girls came.”

Lily looked up. “That was out of left field.”

“You’re so full of pop culture references and ideas. You’re making this summer fun and giving me someone to talk to.”

“We’re your friends too now. We took a long ride up a mountain and tied some strings in a culturally appropriated ceremony.”

Linda grinned huge. “We did.”

“You’re stuck with us now.”

“Stuck like glue baby, because I’m stuck on you,” Linda sang.

Lily grinned and went back to the harp. That was the spirit.

--

While they had been out getting the harp and planning, two things had happened. One, the Pavilion had been complete and now the contractors had moved from the back of the Manor to the north of manor to the paddock and the Oval Track construction area. They had a completed pavilion event space.

Just in time. Because the beach they planned on using was behind the Arena. And if things went wrong, like there was rain, they could run to the new covered pavilion.

Two, the Baroness and the Rangers had colluded and coordinated to evict Dark Core from the Valedale Mountains.

So, Lily went on ahead to warn Melissa.

Just in time to see Starshine walk up the hill to Elizabeth’s cottage. Lily got out her phone and hit record. He turned around and pounded on Elizabeth’s door with his back hooves. The stallion snorted prancing around in a circle.

Elizabeth jerked the door open.

Starshine lowered his head and pulled his mouth back from his teeth and neighed.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened.

Lily wished she knew what the horse was saying as he went off on the woman.

Her horse huffed and whinnied.

There was a flash of light and Starshine changed, turning from white and grey to white and electric blue.

Lily noticed something she hadn’t in the quick confrontation they’d had against the Dark Riders. Starshine had a horn from his forehead and he was almost touching the tip of it to Elizabeth’s chest. No wonder they had run. She’d run too.

Starshine pawed the ground.

“Of course, we’re taking this very seriously!”

Starshine stomped his forehoof.

“We can’t go charging off into the unknown. The timing isn’t right.”

Starshine lowered his head a little to look her in the eyes.

“You know that I’m no longer a soul rider. I can’t do that, Starshine. It’s not allowed. Concorde and I are no longer bound. He’s Anne’s soul horse now.”

Starshine neighed something.

“How dare you accuse me of letting my soul horse die on my watch!” Elizabeth screamed at him. “I never wanted it to happen. We didn’t want for any of it to happen. They shouldn’t have died. And neither should have Concorde. And when he came back, I’d already bonded to Calanthe.”

Starshine snorted and tossed his head, the horn going perilously close to Elizabeth’s nose. He continued to neigh and paw the ground.

“You know why we can’t do that.”

Starshine neighed again.

“I’ve grown up.”

Starshine huffed.

“I’m not complacent. I’m cautious. It’s too risky. Half the sisterhood died last time. And then she died later. I’m the only one left to guide the new Soul Riders and hope,” Elizabeth trailed off. “Let’s talk to Fripp, old friend. He can make you understand.”

Starshine backed up a pace and let his other self hide. He returned to being a horse of white and grey with elegant lines. He shook his head clearly stating no. He wasn’t going to have his mind changed. He turned around and if a horse could stomp, Starshine was stomping. He headed towards Lily and the Hollow Woods.

Lily stopped recording and hid her phone. “Don’t let the bastards get you down,” she murmured to Starshine as he passed.

He nuzzled her leg like he understood and was telling her, he wouldn’t. He disappeared into the Hollow Woods.

Lily nudged her horse over to the fuming Elizabeth. “Even the horse thinks you’re wrong.”

“You don’t understand anything.”

“I understand that you’ve abandoned Anne and Lisa in Pandoria when you could save them. They are your warriors. No woman left behind, Ms. Sunbeam.”

“Why are you here?” Elizabeth frowned at her.

“Oh, well, it’s eviction day for our uninvited Dark Core guests.” Lily gestured up the mountain. “The Baroness and the Rangers on their way. You might want to stick around. It promises to be a show.” She nudged her horse towards the stable.

Elizabeth stared after her, flummoxed.

Melissa leaned on her shovel. “Please tell me you got that on video.”

“I got that on video.”

“Are you for real?”

“You said,” Lily huffed. “Yes. I got it on video, for realsies.”

Melissa smirked. “I got a ton of pictures. I don’t know if the ones where he turned blue with the horn will turn out. Err, am I supposed to be able to see that?”

“I have no idea how it works. Elizabeth doesn’t want anything to do with us, remember? We don’t have powers. Anyways, the Baroness and a bunch of County deputized and authorized Rangers are coming to kick out Dark Core.”

“I thought it was authorized and deputized.”

“When you remember where I’m pulling that out of my brain, tell me.”

Melissa sniggered. “Okay, I’ll round up some hammers and get the clippers.”

“You need a truck or anything?”

“Yeah, if we’re going to get rid of those fences, we’ll need a truck.”

Lily got out her phone and texted the other girls and Agnetha. “Okay, Bjorn will come with the truck so we can remove the fences.”

“Knock down the shack. Let’s hope the rangers let them pack up whatever they’ve got up there.” Melissa wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “Hayden and Frederik have come up with a plan to restore the waters to their pristine state. It hasn’t reached the water table yet.”

“So, it must be being filtered out somehow.”

“Sand can filter a lot of things and the Silversong has a good sand bed under the rocks.”

Waiting was the hardest, Lily and Melissa filled the time chatting as they helped Claire and the girls round up tools. The Silver Drakes appeared coming by transport and the transport was followed by Ranger trucks, the Baroness in her car driven by Godfrey and Bjorn in his truck. They continued on going across the river and up the mountain pass to the Lake.

The Running Bulls and the Silver Drakes trotted after them two by two. The vehicles couldn’t go that fast.

The Rangers boxed the base of the path in with their trucks. They got out. The Running Bulls and Silver Drakes formed a half circle behind the trucks.

Godfrey helped the Baroness out of the car. She let his hand go and walked calmly up to the guard, who stared at her in shock.

“It’s time for you to leave,” the Baroness said. She held out her hand.

The Master Ranger handed her a sheaf of papers.

The Baroness held them out to the guard.

He took them slowly.

“Go quietly. Don’t make me resort to force.”

“Go on,” Lily murmured. “Make my day, punk. Do you feel lucky? Do you?”

The guard tried to bluster. “You won’t get away with this.”

The Baroness took a step forward. “Tell John Sands that I’m coming for him.” She reached up and patted the guard’s cheek. Turning, she nodded at the Ranger, “Take it down.”

The Master Ranger stepped forward. “Open the gate, citizen, or we’ll take it out by force.”

The Guard opened the gate.

The Master Ranger gestured at him to lead the way.

The path was long and it went up and around the mountain until they could see Valedale below them. There were another two or three guards packed in tight with their equipment on a cliff with a hole dug into the ground, metal screwed down to the rock, and a pipe pumping green water over the side and into the waterfall.

“Shut it down,” the Master Ranger said.

The Dark Core Guard shut everything down.

The Master Ranger looked around. “You are to gather your personal things and leave. You’re here unlawfully and any attempts to resist will result in an arrest for multiple accounts of trespassing, illegal drilling, illegal dumping, and resisting an order of eviction.”

There were some sputters and some ‘no one owns this land.’

The Rangers didn’t bother to point out that the land was owned, if not by the Baroness, then by the country of Jorvik. The guards packed up their things and the one who had been drilling was pulled out of the work site and they were all sent packing down the mountain with a guard.

The Ranger pulled a flashlight off of her belt. She flicked it on with her thumb and went inside the cave.

Curious, Lily followed her.

The artificial cave went deep into the side of the mountain.

“Where did they put all the debris?”

“If I was reading the reports correctly, they melted it in acid and that’s what has been going into the Silversong,” the Master Ranger said.

“What could they be after,” Lily murmured.

“Not oil, not up here. And it’s the wrong type of drilling for coal. Again, though, not up here.”

“There’s gold in them there hills,” Lily said.

The Ranger shook her head. “No, not gold. If there was, we’d be panning it out of the Silversong.”

“Silver then?”

“Acid would melt the silver too.”

“I mean, they do use acid for gold mining nowadays, I think. I mean, not if you’re doing it the old fashioned way by grinding everything up.”

The Ranger looked at her.

“Right. No gold.” Lily looked around. The place had been braced crudely with twisted metal girders.

They got to the end of the tunnel.

“Whatever it is,” the Ranger said. “They almost had it,” she gestured at a crystal stuck into the cave wall.

Lily bit her lip. “May I take a picture?”

“Sure,” the Ranger stepped to the side.

Lily lifted her phone and snapped several pictures. She sent them to Linda.

Her phone buzzed but it was a call, not a returning text.

She blinked. “Should I even have signal down here?” She put it to her ear. “Linda?”

“That, that crystal looks like part of the Light of Aideen. Don’t move.”

“Okay, I won’t.”

“And don’t let them do anything!”

“Okay. I won’t.”

The Ranger raised her brows.

“Linda thinks this is a culturally significant artifact. She’s on her way.” Lily turned her phone around.

“Culturally significant.”

“To the Keepers of Aideen,” Lily said. “Or something like that.” She turned the light on her phone on and used it to examine the crystal. “I wonder how they knew it was here. And I mean, buried in the top of a mountain isn’t necessarily where I’d go looking for something like, whatever this is.”

Linda appeared with Alex, Tin Can, Meteor, and Starshine trailing behind her. They were neighing quietly to each other. Evidentially deep in horse conversation.

Linda turned the light of her phone on too and peered at it. She adjusted her glasses. “Yes. From what I’ve read, this looks like to be part of the Light of Aideen.”

“Buried, in rock, in a mountain top?”

“Where safer?” Alex asked dryly.

“You see, once the Light of Aideen was a whole piece of crystal. But in the fight against the Darkness, was broke into five pieces. One for each circle.”

“And the fifth?”

“The fifth was the piece to bring them all together.”

“Time in a grain of sand,” Lily muttered.

Alex and Linda looked at her quizzically.

“Tomb Raider!”

“Ohhh, I get it,” Alex grinned. She held up her hand.

Lily smacked it in a high five.

“Okay, using the acid they were able to melt the rock around it without hurting the crystal. But err,” Linda frowned.

“Hammer and chisel,” Lily called down the tunnel.

Melissa ran in with a hammer and chisel. Lily handed her phone to Alex and took the tools from Melissa. She tugged on her thick work gloves.

“Archeology. With very precise tools,” Linda said in a strange accent. “We’re on an archeological dig.”

The Master Ranger laughed. She took her hat off and slapped her knee with it.

Putting on her sunglasses since they were the closest she had to safety glasses, Lily set the chisel and began to work. The others stepped back out the way of flying rock chips and they all turned their lights on so Lily could see what she was doing. Linda though was also recording and was the closest since she had her own glasses. (Safety first!)

“Is there a way to get the acid into a spray? I don’t want to break the crystal to get it out.”

Melissa ran out and returned with a pump can with a spray nozzle. “Bjorn thinks this will work.”

“I hope I don’t ruin it,” Lily muttered.

They filled it up with the acid from the tanks diluting it some with water and Lily pumped it into the cracks she’d made around the crystal. The stone and acid dripped to the floor.

“This better not ruin my boots,” Lily said. She straddled the puddle and went back to chiseling. It took several repetitions of the chiseling and acid to get behind the crystal.

Lily wiggled it out. “There,” she said as it came off into her hands. She dumped it into a bucket of water to dilute the acid. She peeled her gloves off.

“Unfortunately, this leaves us with nothing to fill it in,” the ranger looked around.

“I’m sure at some point, we’ll come up with a bunch of debris to fill it in.”

“GED has skips and skips of debris. They’re not using acid on their dig site.” Melissa waved a hand.

“Yeah, but we’re going to want to fill in that dig site when we can dislodge their behinds,” Lily said.

The Master Ranger’s lips twitched. “I believe that’s our next stop.”

“To evict G.E.D.?”

“No. To give them a warning that they’re going to be evicted if they don’t follow the rules.”

“Did that Gello Glue or whatever go anywhere?” Melissa asked.

“Never heard of it,” the Master Ranger put on her hat as she stepped out.

“He probably sent the complaint to Jorvik City.” Lily met Melissa’s eyes and shrugged a shoulder.

“Well, that was a useless waste of our time then,” Melissa grumbled.

Linda hefted the bucket. “They found something,” she said to the Baroness.

“Then we better make sure that something is safe,” the Baroness sniffed.

Linda lifted the crystal out of the bucket. It was dull and grey.

“For being a fragment of the Light of Aideen, it’s not very, bright,” Lily observed.

Linda gave her a look. “I have an idea.”

“She has an idea,” Lily mouthed at Alex.

Alex grinned.

“Come on, Lily. This might be important for the Widow.” Linda mounted Meteor.

“I guess I’m going with Linda,” Lily said.

The other girls were already using tools to pry up the metal flooring and shoving the equipment into the big container for someone to pick up later, clipping barb wire and prying down the wooden fence.

“Have fun,” Tyra said cheerfully.

Lily followed Linda and Alex followed her and they went around the mountain, around the lake, down the mountain and then up a path behind Elizabeth’s house to a place with four stones carved deeply with the four symbols of Aideen.

Linda adjusted her glasses. “I don’t think this is the Sun Fragment.”

“That would make sense, if the Sun Fragment is in the Sun Chamber of the Tomb of Jon Jarl. Um, can I just say, that there are only two reasons you lock someone in a tomb with four chambers?” Lily shifted in her saddle.

“Oh?”

“Well, either to protect his body from grave robbers. Or someone was very naughty.” Lily wiggled her brows.

Alex sniggered.

“He was very naughty,” Linda said with authority. She set the crystal down in front of the stone with a moon.

The moon glowed, but nothing happened.

“Okay, not the Moon Fragment,” she murmured. “Alex, would you?”

“Oh, sure,” Alex got off of Tin Can and moved the fragment to the stone with the symbol of Lightning.

The Lightning symbol glowed but again, nothing happened.

“Huh,” Linda said.

Alex picked it up. “Huh?”

“Put in front of the Star Stone.”

Alex did.

Nothing happened.

Linda chewed her lip. “We need someone of the Star Circle to activate it.”

Lily got off her horse and approached the Moon stone. “What are these things anyways?”

“Oh, well, they’re,” Linda trailed off as the Moon lit up. “Well, they’re magical stones that react to power inside of person as they resonate with Aideen’s light.”

“They tell you what circle you belong in if you have magic,” Alex simplified it.

Lily walked over to the Sun stone. The Moon stone faded behind her. “Really?”

The Sun slowly lit up.

Lily touched it slowly. “Magenta?”

“Pandoria, the pink hell,” Alex grimaced.

Lily walked over to the Lightning stone. It lit up in a quick flash and faded just as quickly. Finally, she went over and traced the star with her finger. The light started where she touched the stone and grew as she traced it until the star was completely lit. “It’s kind of tingly,” Lily said.

The light strengthened and it concentrated onto the stone at Lily’s feet.

The Fragment of Aideen burst into bright white light glowing out of the crystal.

The light in the Star Stone faded.

Lily leaned down and picked up the stone. “This is kind of tingly too. Is it supposed to be like that?”

Linda stared at her. “I, I don’t know.”

Lily turned around and handed Linda the stone. “So, if the fifth stone is supposed to bring the four circles together. What does it represent?”

“Aideen,” Linda stuttered. “Her love.”

“Well, I don’t think star light is going to help us invigorate the Weeping Widow.” Lily said. “Why don’t we go get the Sun Fragment, assuming it is the Sun Fragment, and see if it works while we’re ahead.”

Linda nodded mutely.

Lily got on her horse and rode away.

Alex nudged Linda. “What the frigg just happened?”

“I have no idea.”

“Do we tell Elizabeth? I mean, shouldn’t we tell Elizabeth and Fripp?” Alex hissed.

“Elizabeth doesn’t like her.”

Alex grimaced. “I don’t know if Lily would stand for Elizabeth’s type of tough love.”

“She cares for you.”

“I know, but some days,” Alex sighed. “I think we need mentors in our circles, Lins. What are they hiding from us?”

“I don’t know,” Linda rubbed her arms. “We aren’t the first Soul Riders.”

“Yeah, and what happened to the others?”

Linda bit the inside of her cheek. “Not all the records are clear.”

“You can say it, they died. We barely survived last time because Herman barely knew anything too. We got lucky.”

“Why do you think I’m working for the Baroness?” Linda hissed. “So, we can be informed and be more than lucky.”

Alex sighed. “I’ll keep distracting Elizabeth, I guess. But, sometimes I just want to tell her to stop being a bitch to people if she claims to care so much.”

Linda snorted.

“Are you two coming?” Lily called over her shoulder.

Alex and Linda mounted their horses and rode after her. Linda quickly putting the Star Fragment into her saddlebag so Elizabeth wouldn’t see it.

FOR THE ACCOMPANYING IMAGES PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE MY WATERMARK AND CONTACT INFORMATION. THANK YOU. I get it. Some of you might get excited and want to see this stuff in the game, especially the clothes, tack, and pets. However, the only way I want to see this in the game is if I get paid for it. If I see it in the game and I’m not paid for it, there will be hell to pay. You think I’m salty. I’d be angry. Personally, I’m not going to send this info to SSO. If you do, leave my contact information there! Don’t give them any excuses to steal.

Now, I’ll know you haven’t read this note if you leave me comments about how ‘salty’ I am about the game and if I hate it so much I should do something else. I am doing something else. It’s called Mystic Riders MMORPG Project. Mystic Riders however is a very baby phase game. You can check out our plans on the game dev blog. (Skills, Factions, Professions, Crafting, Mini-Games, 25+ horse breeds!) If you know anyone who would be interested and has money or contacts about game making, direct them to the blog.

[tsgaustintexas]

24 Hours With: House of Margot Blair

Let’s get on thing straight, Margot isn’t her real name, but she doesn’t mind when people call her that. It’s just an instant indicator that she’s in business mode. Kind of genius if you ask us…  

Carly Blair is the Founder + Creative Director of House of Margot Blair. Since taking the plunge into entrepreneurship (at a very young age!), she’s since become one of the country’s leading florists and has expanded her offerings to include full-event service event + wedding planning.

We’re so proud to have her included in Volume 6 and love working with her because she literally makes everything beautiful. Not to mention, her cool + calm demeanor is such a breath of fresh air when planning an event.

Tis the season to be giving flowers (t-minus 6 days until V-day) and Carly will be running business as usual and we asked her to take us along for the ride. 

You can purchase one of her famous Margot Minis and pick it up at her studio, have it delivered or grab it while you peruse other gift ideas at Hotel San Jose’s ‘Can Buy Me Love’ market. Or if you’re really looking to impress, buying your special someone a Club Margot membership is a guaranteed win!

Be sure to tell her that The Scout Guide sent you! xo - Leigh Ann

6:18am | I’m up and moving. (Full disclosure: the alarm went off at 6:00, but I definitely hit snooze at least twice.) There’s plenty to do, but before I can do any of it I need to cuddle my Great Dane, Stevie, and stare at the wall as I ease into the day with my coffee.

6:47am | Once I’m actually awake, it’s time to start the day. I check emails, catch up on the news, take Stevie for a walk, and cook myself breakfast… from scratch. It’s a little known fact, but I’m a major foodie and I absolutely love to cook, even in the wee morning hours.

8:53am | I hop in the car and head into town. I moved out to the country a few years ago, even though I’m still technically within the Austin City Limits, so it’s the best of both worlds! And while I love the acreage, the views, and the tranquility that came with the move, the traffic to get into the city is a real beast. So I usually wait until it dies down a bit before I even attempt to arrive at anything that looks like work.

9:17am | The first stop is Austin Flower Co so I can peruse around to see what kind of goodies came in this morning. Mostly because starting your workday surrounded by the beauty that is the flower market is never a bad idea, but also because having the freshest, most vibrant varieties of flowers available in our shop each day is really important to me, so it’s definitely become a (mostly) daily ritual for me.

10:00am | Our little flower shop is open and ready for business! First things first, I process all the new additions from the market and then make sure all the Margot Minis are made for the orders that came in overnight. Then the inevitable daily photo shoot begins. Whether it’s making art with the flowers that are a bit past their prime or just creating content for our social media, a day is not complete if I haven’t whipped out the camera and pretended to be Annie Leibovitz.

1:07pm | I pick my head up from the flowers and realize that it’s time to eat lunch. I didn’t bring anything from home, so I head over to the Picnik food trailer on South Lamar. Not only is the food delicious, but it also gets bonus points for being Paleo-friendly, and double bonus points for being locally owned. In case you haven’t noticed, we small business owners always try to stick together.

2:30pm | I’m back at the shop now, prepped and ready for a meeting with one of our full-service brides. Today we’re going over the complete design plan, so we’re covering everything from linens to lighting, to furniture to flowers. It’s absolutely gorgeous outside, so we move the meeting out to the garden… the most amazing perk of sharing a space with Page Home Design!

3:49pm | After my meeting I head to my computer and work on answering emails. But my ADD mind is done, done, DONE. So I keep this part of the day as short and sweet as possible.   

4:06pm | I switch back over to the fun, creative stuff. Today I’m working on finalizing the design for next month’s Club Margot arrangements. I’m going over my color board and checking for flower availability from our wholesalers over in Holland… this time of year it’s the yummiest, dreamiest, most delicious varieties of ranunculus, sweet peas, and my absolute favorite, POPPIES!!

5:30pm | Office hours are over so it’s time to pack up. I’m not about to go sit in that crazy Austin traffic, though (see earlier entry), so I’m headed over to Ballet Austin to catch a Pilates class from a Russian ballerina named Vlada. I do Pilates everyday, and yet this instructor kicks my butt every. single. time!

7:27pm | Home sweet home! Stevie the Great (Dane) is quite the snuggler, so we have another cuddle session before I cook dinner and work on a few chores around the house. Let’s call this entry “30 Something and Living the Dream.”

9:32pm | Some of my close friends live nearby, so after their kids go to bed they call me over to listen to records while we try out the new whisky they just discovered. Definitely the nightcap I needed after a busy day!