#pickles x calypso

[mrfelixfischoeder]

I wish you would write a fic where Cal & Pickles babysit Seth's son for a day

this got.... so long....... but i love it. thank you!!!

Australia. Fucking, Australia. They had to gig there again at some point, and Pickles knows any time would be too soon, so might as well rip the band-aid off. The “We Will Get Better” tour is being accepted on a broader scale than imagined. The world is ablaze, or mostly is now, but everyone still wants to preach to the choir. Sing the hymns that Nathan gives them and raise their hands in praise.

“Fuck, Australia got hit bad.” Pickles remarks, staring out of their hotel room window at what is left of Sydney – the place is awful. Calypso clears her throat.

“Uh, actually, because of its location, only the West got hit by the Doomstar… Australia’s one of the few places that didn’t get, like, wrecked completely…”

“Oh… Well… Shit.”

She laughs, until there’s a knock on the door. She barely has it open before the person on the other side barges in, Seth grinning in his sickening way as he sees Pickles first thing. Pickles glares, watching Cal flex her fist before thinking better of it. He saunters in, a small figure behind him.

“Hey brother, you didn’t come by and see me when you landed.” He muses, the fake accent grating on Pickles. Not that he has any pride in where he comes from – but somehow when Seth gets involved, he can be mad about anything. “Gutted but uh – I’ll get over it. Hey, listen, your ain’t playing tonight, huh?”

“No, Cal and I are- we’re tomorrow.” Pickles is thankful for the swapping aspect of the band, if only because he can fiddle with the roster and get some alone time with her.

“Cool, cool, cool, cool, uh hey, this is my son.” Seth steps aside, looking out at the city – his city, as far as he’s concerned. The mayor can go stick a rusty nail up his ass. Anyone who helps run Dethklok, runs the world. Seth knows that now; he knows how to play the game. “Look, I’m kinda busy today. Amber wants to uh, I dunno, go shoppin’. I dunno. But we need to, y’know, bond. Get close again. Can’t do that with this little guy around, right? You get where I’m goin’ with this, brother.” Pickles’ face crumples, “Look, you got a whole, a whole day to yourself. I don’t get any time. With Amber or myself, haha. So do me a favour, huh?”

“Do you a favour,” Pickles is interrupted by Seth shoving a paper bag in his arms, “Seth, look, Cal and I gotta relax before the gig tomorrow, and we probably gotta help ‘em set up,”

“Sounds fun,” Seth is not listening, walking back towards the door – he stops by his son, patting him on the head, and the boy leans back out of his reach, “Alright, you can send him home at uh, 9.”

“Nine?!” Cal snaps, but Seth barely looks at her, walking out backwards and giving Pickles some very lazy finger guns.

“Thanks, brother.”

The door slams shut. Cal and Pickles look at each other, and then down at the red headed boy who is playing with the fringes of the blanket on the bed. He finally looks up at them. Immediately Cal can’t be mad – cause she isn’t gonna be mad at a kid. But Pickles is still tense, and he slams the paper bag down on the desk. “This ain’t fair! He can’t keep doin’ this to me, man! I told you every time I’m near him, he just drives me fucking insane!”

“I know- Pickles,” Cal walks over, trying to quell him before he says something he might regret. Pickles shakes her away.

“No, I can’t keep doin’ this, he sucks! I don’t wanna fuckin’ babysit a kid, I wanna go out for a fuckin’ drink with my girlfriend, and see my friends play their fuckin’ music!”

“PICKLES!” Cal raises her voice over him, angling her head at the nephew. He’s staring at them, still, but with a more resigned expression than she expected. Pickles freezes, staring down at the boy. Red headed, in clothes that don’t quite fit. He’s trying to stay angry, trying to keep it all contained so that he can release it on Seth later. But he’s angry now, and Seth isn’t here now, so what good is that? No doubt he won’t even be around at 9 either.

“Oh.” He deflates, “Uh – sorry. Kid.”

“Ok.”

Pickles feels even worse. He wonders what Seth is like as a parent – how often Amber is on her phone, or if she tries at least… A little. He’s never been interested in being a dad, mostly because he’s older now and it isn’t in the cards for him anymore. He doesn’t know how to interact with this kid. But he doesn’t have to be the kid’s dad – he just has to be… Present. “You wanna watch tv?”

The boy sits on the bed, legs crossed, and eats his little grapes. Cal watches, and peers into the bag for the rest of his lunch; a sandwich, pathetic and squished, with a bite out of it already. That’s it? “This is pathetic.” Cal whispers to Pickles, who glances at the back.

“Seems like a pretty normal lunch to me.”

Cal rolls her eyes, patting Pickles on the arm, “Oh, sug’.” She ignores Pickles’ questioning look, knowing they’ll get into it later. “I’m gonna go get some real food – you’d like that, right? Both of ya?”

“Yeah!”

“O-Okay.” Pickles suddenly follows her to the door, “Wait, can I go too,”

“Hon, no.” she pushes him back into the room, “I won’t be long, alright?”

“You can’t leave me alone wit’ him! What do we talk about?”

“He’s watching tv, he won’t even want to talk.” She leans in and kisses his cheek – and though he looks worried, he leans his head to kiss her cheek back before she retreats. “I won’t be long. Promise.”

And then she closes the door. He turns, and well, true enough: the boy is just staring at the tv, perhaps willing Pickles to disappear into another dimension.

Pickles stares at the tv. A kid’s show – or a babies show, really – with Anthro dogs. The only reason he even recognises it is, he knows the episode: Toki has some of the stuffed animals in his room. “Aren’t you too old for this?”

“Aren’t you too bald for that hair cut?” he snaps back, and Pickles clenches his fist. But he’s a kid. He’s a kid. He’s a kid. And it was so quick, he almost admires it. Suddenly a Lhasa Apso came on screen, with exaggerated snout whiskers. Toki’s voice comes out of it, and then a red Komondor appears on the other side of the titular character. Pickles barely remembers recording those lines.

“You know dat’s me, right?” he points. His nephew looks sceptical, but does seem familiar enough.

He hesitates before replying, as if he might get into trouble, but surely if his dad said it then there must be some truth to it: “My dad says you don’t do anything.”

“Your dad doesn’t know shit.” He doesn’t hold back, tired of sticking up for Seth or saving his ass when it is undeserved. And his nephew doesn’t seem phased by the language or the disparaging comments. “I saved the world, kid.”

“That’s kinda cool.” He mutters, and Pickles almost straightens up. They both sit quiet, and when the episode ends, Pickles offers to show him some real entertainment, changing it to a rock music channel. The boy’s eyes widen as he stares at the guitars and the drums and the music fills the room. He’s enamoured; neither of them speak.

Then Cal comes back with proper food – burgers and fries and chicken nuggets and juice. Both boys’ faces light up and they grin, and Cal looks between them both. It’s like staring at the past and the present. The moment she puts the stuff down on the bed, they rip apart the bags, creating a free for all.

“What happened to your eye?” the boy peers at her, and Cal hesitates. Pickles doesn’t give any helpful indication of what to do. She shrugs, crossing her legs.

“Uhm, I got into a fight. They took it out.”

“Sick.” The boy stares at her, but it isn’t in disgust. She looks back at him, smirking a little.

“You ever get into any fights?”

“Ugh, yeah.” He jabs a fry into the sauce, “Peter keeps shoving me into lockers ‘cause of dad. He sucks.”

“Fuck yeah!” Pickles can’t hold back, and he doesn’t even care about the look Cal gives him. “I’ll drink t’that!”

He holds out his beer, crouching to get to face height. He raises an eyebrow, and Pickles picks up the boy’s wrist and clinks his beer with his juice box, “Why aren’t you fightin’ back?”

“I dunno how.” He mumbles, sipping his apple juice, watching the way Pickles downs his beer. Cal makes a face, shaking her head and finishing the nugget in her hand.

“Nuh-uh, that won’t fly with me.” She stands, gesturing for him to stand too – “I’ll show you some defensive stuff, ‘kay? And then I’ll show you an uppercut. And some other stuff if we have time.”

Pickles watches her, leaning back on the headboard of the bed. He smirks a little, and his nephew seems absolutely ready to learn. She shows him a block, and how to tip someone over his shoulder (he laughs so loudly, so jovially, as Cal picks him up and throws him back onto the bed. Pickles can’t help but laugh too). And then she shows him how to trap someone’s arm, “And if you do it this way, you’ll break it. But uh, y’know. You’ll only use that in self-defence, right?” she stares at him, and he nods slowly, “Ya promise?” she holds out her pinky. She notices he hesitates, before finally interlocking his pinky with hers, and they shake on it. Unable to stay out of the conversation, Pickles offers to show some more backhanded stuff; less flashy, but it got him out of plenty of situations on the streets.

Before they know it, a Klokateer knocks on their door.

“We have been contacted by your brother, my lord. He wants his child back.”

“Oh – uh,” Pickles looks over at his nephew, who is drawing something with Cal, “Really? So soon?”

“It is midnight, my lord.” He pauses, “And a school night.”

“Oh.” Pickles assumes that’s a bad thing. The boy looks up, and Cal notices the way his face changes. He knows it’s time to go home. “Okay, well uh – let’s go, kid.” He waves him over. The boy reluctantly makes his way to the door, and Pickles hesitates. They stare at each other, and Pickles can’t handle the vulnerable, truthful face of a child up close. He kneels down. “Look, uh, come see me play tamarrow, okay? I’ll send Seth tickets, right? VIP. You can watch me and Cal do our thing. And we’re the best.”

They smile at each other. His nephew hands him the paper he was doodling on, before saying bye to them both. At least he was leaving the room with a smile. When he feels Cal stand next to him, he looks down at the paper: a fairly well put together drawing of Pickles playing the drums and his nephew playing a guitar. Or a bass. There’s seven strings, so it’s hard to tell.

“Aw, well.” He takes in a deep breath, “That uh, you know. That was fun. He’s cool, y’know?”

“Wonder where he got that from.” Cal wraps her arms around Pickles waist, chin on his shoulder. He tries to humble himself with a laugh. But he sees it too. She pauses, thinking. “Do you remember his name?”

“. . . Ah shit.”

[slaughtergutz]

Sins of the Father - Long Post

i am not great at organization but i did my best lol, all of it is vaguely in chronological order. Here is my Arlong fanon masterpost! Will be updated as I go

story important pics will either be presented as images or bolded. Non-bolded ones aren't unimportant but might be more along the lines of ask memes or jokes

pre-davey

Comics

Single Arts

Arlong and Shyarly - [X] [X] Davey's Mom - [X]

davey years [24-13 years ago]

Comics

Misc - [Babysitting] [Darts] [Arlong's Brand] [Rescuing Calypso] [Swearing] [Cleaning]

[Leave the Worm Alone] [Would You Still Love Me if I Was a Worm] [They Wore Red]

Single Arts

[Baby Davey] [Calypso] [Davey & Arlong's Officers] [Like Father Like Son] [Worm] [Battling The Worm] [There was Nothing Left]

post death [13 years ago]

present/timeskip [post-fishman island]

Comics

Davey Returns [P1]

Single Arts

[Davey's Biggest Fear]

[What Makes Him Cry?] [Misc Info] [Devil Fruit Sneak Peek]

other

[Swimming] [Angst] [Supportive? Hachi]

non-canon

Human!AU [1] [2] [3] [4]

misc headcanons

[hachi] [pacing] [fishmen] Nami - [X] [X]

[hitchell-mope]

Halloween costumes 2022. Descendants edition.

Bal. Sam Winchester and Ruby the demon from Supernatural

Devie. Caspian X and Susan Pevensie from the Narnia movies

Janelos. Finnrey from the Star Wars sequel trilogy

Giljay. Jack Landors x Sydney Drew from power rangers spd

Lonnie. Thena from Eternals.

Huma. Davy Jones and Calypso from pirates of the Caribbean

Chaudrey. Angelica Pickles and Harold Frumpkin from rugrats all grown up.

Hades. Chief Jim Hopper from stranger things

Dizzy. Sandy Cheeks from SpongeBob SquarePants

Celia. Abigail Lincoln from Codename: Kids Next Door

[sporticus1234]

Catch Me if You Can-Laws of Attraction (Part 1)

Summary: After weeks of flirting, teasing, and close calls, Tessa is ready to take the plunge, but can Gabe overcome his own worse fears and join her?

Pairing: Gabe Ricci x Main Character (Tessa Michaels)

Link to my Master-List and Other works will be added once they have been re-edited and re-uploaded.

Perma-Tags and LOA Tags: @choices-addict @choiceskatie @lady-calypso @chemist-ana @kat-tia801 @chrissythadon @nishas-paradise  @blainehellyes @mm2305 @suitfer​ @thegreentwin @pixelnutrookie​ 

I hope you all enjoy it and see you soon for some...adventures...in part 2.

__________________________________

Rather than clumsy words, it’s your action that I believe. Don’t stop. Go past the limit. Go faster. I’m going to find my heart. So catch me if you can.

-Girls Generation, Catch Me if You Can (Korean Ver.)

__________________________________

The once glittering ballroom filled with stimulating conversation, flowing bubbles of champagne, and decadent hor-dourves was now deserted and quiet, signaling the end of the extravagant weekend legal conference. As the last person Tessa was speaking to excused herself for the evening, she looked around the empty space littered with discarded champagne flutes and linen napkins, her spirits deflating at the sight. The conference ended as quickly as it began, and come Monday morning, she would be back in the office, the competition still at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

It may have been a short weekend, but Tessa was grateful for the time away from the office. The past few weeks were filled with nothing else but case after case coming one after another and nonstop talk about the competition, particularly from Martin. But for a tiny period of time, all of that vanished out of sight and out of mind. She laughed and joked with her colleagues and bosses like they were all good friends. She camped and ate smores in a beautiful forest, and she finally got her first full night of sleep since she started working at McGraw Byrne. She truly felt like she had been transported to a completely different world, one she found hesitant to leave behind for an entire year.

Stifling the yawn sneaking up on her, she left the ballroom behind, her spirits still thrumming with excitement from the evening, but her body yearning for a soak in a hot bath and some sleep in the oversized hotel bed. She was halfway across the empty lobby, gilded elevator doors in sight, when her feet came to a stop outside of the hotel’s bar. She didn’t even have to look to know exactly who was sitting in that dimly lit bar. He had a larger-than-life presence, no matter what room he was in, that was like a magnet, drawing everyone’s attention, even if he was just randomly passing by on the sidewalk.

Her tiredness completely forgotten, she hovers near the entryway and discretely watches him. He’s sitting by himself at the bar, nursing what Tessa knows is a glass of scotch on the rocks along with a basket of half-eaten chips and dip, his eyes occasionally flicking up to the large screen TV showing a basketball game taking place on the other side of the country. His jacket is discarded on the back of his chair, his tie loosened slightly and the buttons of his shirt rakishly undone at the top. Despite his disheveled, executive blowing off steam look, he is still just as handsome and attractive as he was just a short time ago when he was polished and buttoned up. Maybe even more.

A small smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she watches him. Gabe was such a surprise when she first came to New York, and she never expected to become so charmed by him. The man has such a lavish and lively personality on the outside, but on the inside is a man driven to be the best and passionate about using his vast knowledge to help everyone. His heart is as big as his office, a welcoming, refreshing contrast to the selfishness Tessa sees too often in this line of work. They have only known each other for a short time, but every time he came around, he put a smile on her face and made her stomach flip-flop. She couldn’t explain why he has such a pleasant effect on her. Perhaps it’s the way that when she flirts with him, he flirts right back with the same energy she gives him, maybe even more. Maybe it’s the way the two of them click when they’re together. Or maybe it’s the way he continues to keep her on her toes and excite her yet still make her feel a sense of comfort and familiarity at the same time. Regardless of the reasons, the one thing she was certain of was that she didn’t want this fluttering feeling to stop. Ever.

“Of course, you would be alone at a bar,” Tessa teases as she steps towards him.

Gabe swivels his head around at the sound of her voice, his eyes immediately catching hers as she approaches him. His lips twist into a grin, his spirits lifting like they always do whenever she is around. “Am I really that predictable?”

Tessa shrugs. “Maybe a little. But you wouldn’t be the Gabe Ricci we all know and love if you weren’t.”

Gabe chuckles. “Most people wouldn’t agree with you on that statement.”

“I’m not most people,” she fires back with a wink.

No, you are most definitely not Gabe thought. “What exactly are you doing still wandering around?” He glances down towards his watch, mildly surprised to find it still somewhat early. “The cocktail party ended almost an hour ago. I figured you would be in bed like everyone else.”

“I planned on it, but then I saw this guy sitting all by himself in this empty hotel bar and thought he could use some company.”

Gabe’s eyes twinkle with delightful mischief as he takes another sip of his scotch. He was hoping the two of them could spend some more time together before the madness hit them Monday morning. “I think I know who you’re talking about. And I, for one, know that he would love to have some company, especially if the company happens to be you.”

Tessa gives him a shy smile as she slips into the bar stool next to him. An electrical, buzzing warmth fills up the space around them as butterflies flutter in her stomach at the near closeness to him, the scent of his cologne invading her senses and tempting her to come even closer. As she peruses the small menu, the lone bartender comes over and places a napkin down in front of her.

“Anything to eat or drink?”

“A Manhattan please.”

The bartender nods before turning to Gabe. “Another refill for you, sir?”

“Please,” Gabe replies. “And put her Manhattan on my tab as well.”

The bartender grabs Gabe’s empty glass and heads down to the other end of the bar. Once he’s fully out of hearing range, Tessa turns to face Gabe. “You didn’t have to do that,” she says. “I am more than capable of paying for my own drinks.”

“I know you could pay for it,” Gabe responds before his lips curl into his trademark sly smirk, “or you could let Sadie pay for it.”

“Wait, what?”

Gabe nods, his smirk growing bigger. “Consider it another partner-only secret. This conference is one of the few events Sadie lets us have more…leeway…with the company credit card. Any food or drinks we buy at this conference gets covered by the firm.”

“And something tells me you’re taking full advantage of that offer,” Tessa says.

Gabe gives her a wink. “What can I say? A good attorney knows a good offer when they see it.”

“In that case,” Tessa flags down the bartender again. “I’ll do an order of the spicy fried pickle chips with that Manhattan.” The bartender nods and disappears into a back room. Tessa turns her head, seeing Gabe looking at her with an amused expression on his face. “What’s that look for?”

Gabe chuckles, shaking his head. “Just wondering if I’m going to regret sharing that secret with you.”

“Don’t worry,” Tessa grins at him. “Your secret is safe with me. But if Sadie cuts us off or starts questioning anything on the credit card bills, I’m placing the full blame on you.”

The two of them continue to make small talk until the bartender comes back a few minutes later. He places their drinks and her basket of food down before excusing himself and shuffling into the back room once again. Tessa grabs her glass and holds it up in a toast, prompting Gabe to do the same.

“To drinks on someone else’s dime,” she states.

The two of them share a laugh as they clink their glasses together. Tessa takes a sip of her drink, the whiskey a sharp contrast to the bubbly champagne of the reception. The liquid pools like fire in her stomach and flows throughout her body, warming her up and loosening her muscles. “Best Manhattan I’ve ever had.”

Gabe cocks his eyebrow. “Is it really the best?”

“Oh, not by a long shot. But since I didn’t have to pay for it, I consider it the best in my book.”

“You really are a woman after my own heart,” Gabe replies. Tessa tucks her gaze away from him, feeling her face grow hot at the combination of the whiskey and his spell-binding charm. She takes another sip of her drink before sliding the basket of pickle chips towards him. He throws her an appreciative “thanks”, taking a chip and popping it into his mouth before continuing their conversation. “How did you enjoy the conference?”

“I really liked it,” Tessa answers. “I never got the chance to do things like this with my old law firm.”

“What? Have free food and drinks on someone else’s dime with a devastatingly handsome senior partner?”

Tessa shoves him with a laugh. “No, you complete smart ass. I meant going out to events and connecting with other people.” She absentmindedly picks the coating off a pickle chip, her mind reminiscing. “Don’t get me wrong. I love my hometown, but there was no excitement in my life. It was the same boring routine every single day.”

“Sounds like you and McGraw Byrne are a perfect match.”

Tessa nods. “Honestly, I really have you to thank. If you didn’t recommend hiring me to Sadie, I still would be stuck in the same boring routine. It sounds really sappy, but you really did change my life for the better…in more ways than one.”

The raw honesty in her voice tugs at his heartstrings, his lips twitching into another smile. He’s used to hearing those words come from his clients, but hearing those words come from her just felt…different, and it made him feel something he couldn’t quite place his finger on.

“You’re very welcome,” Gabe earnestly tells her. “I wouldn’t have recommended you if I didn’t think you were a stellar attorney. You deserve to be here just as much as everyone else, and I truly mean that. McGraw Byrne needed someone like you. Hell, the legal world needs more attorneys like you.”

“What? Sappy and sentimental ones?”

“No,” Gabe says, stifling his chuckle. “I meant attorneys who are passionate about their job and passionate about connecting with people. So many attorneys don’t take the time to really understand or listen to their clients. Having someone like you, someone who actually connects with clients and goes above and beyond to help them, really does make a world of difference.” Gabe takes a pickle chip and pops it into his mouth. “But I really am happy you decided to take Sadie up on her offer to join us, even if the past few days have given you plenty of good reasons to quit.”

Tessa blows out a harsh breath, knowing exactly what Gabe was referring to. “Yeah, they have been quite…challenging.”

“I meant to ask you earlier, but how’re you holding up?”

Tessa sighs, dragging her fingertip over the rim of her glass. “Honestly, I’m still pissed that Beau stole the credit from me in front of everyone, but I should’ve expected someone to pull that stunt sooner or later.” She blinks back a tear trying to escape. “It just sucks to be the one it happens to.”

“I know, and I truly am sorry Beau pulled such a dick move on you.” He sympathetically lays a gentle hand on her bare shoulder, the touch sending comfort through her veins. “If I could’ve done something to make it better, I would’ve done it in a heartbeat.”

“I know you would’ve, but I do appreciate you not saying anything to Sadie.”

He shrugs. “Wasn’t my place to tell her. Besides,” he takes his hand off her shoulder, already missing the feel of her smooth, soft skin, “the only thing it would’ve done was make you and me look bad in front of Sadie.”

“Sounds like someone has personal experience.”

Gabe runs a hand through his hair. “Happened to me once back in my early legal days, but instead of getting the credit and respect that I rightfully deserved, I got told off for being a bad ‘team player’ and trying to take someone else’s credit.”

“That’s so unfair,” she practically spits.

Gabe lets out a bitter, humorless guffaw. “Preaching to the choir on that one. You’ll find that every group will have one person who will do none of the work or the one person that will take credit for anything and everything. Fortunately for us, Beau happens to be both of those assholes wrapped up in one, so we save a lot on payroll.”

Tessa laughs weakly at his joke, the sting of Beau’s betrayal still fresh in her mind. “Thanks for trying to make me feel better. It just sucks knowing that Sadie is always going to believe that Beau solved the case.”

“If it’s any consolation, I’m still incredibly proud of you, even if Sadie never knows the truth.”

“You…are?” she asks, surprise etched on her face as she turns her body towards him.

“Absolutely,” Gabe says, no hesitation in his voice. “Without you, we possibly would’ve never solved it to begin with, nor would Lydia have thought to make Joey sign a prenup. But what really impressed me was how you were the only one to step up and take initiative when needed. Not many of the senior partners would go to such lengths for a teenager like Lydia, but you did.”

“I guess,” Tessa mutters. “I just hope it will be enough come Monday.”

“It will be,” Gabe assures her as he steals another pickle chip.

“Really? I figured Sadie would shove Beau to the top of the rankings after he basically saved the firm.”

“Everyone in that room knows who really saved the firm, and it wasn’t Beau,” Gabe points out. “Even if Sadie believes he did, she’s also smart enough to know that one win, no matter how big it is, isn’t enough to judge how good an attorney is or will become. Beau may have stolen one win, but you’re still the one to beat.”

“I guess that’s true…”

“Plus, you showed her tonight how well you bounce back after taking a loss.”

“What do you mean?”

“Between moot court, the pro bono cases, the vaccine trial, and everything else we’ve observed, you had a major winning streak that Beau decided to snap. Most people would sulk in their losses, but you didn’t. You showed up tonight, looking incredible might I add, and managed to put everything behind you to impress the right group of people.”

“If you say so.”

“I know so,” Gabe confidently replies. He reaches out and covers her hand with his, trying to ignore the tingling buzzes on his skin. “You’re a wickedly smart attorney, Tessa. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.”

“Thanks Gabe,” she says, the goofy smile plastering on her face at his heartfelt compliment. “That…that really means a lot to me.”

“It should,” Gabe tells her, reluctantly pulling his hand away again. “I wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t the absolute truth. Just forget about Vegas and the Rothswells and continue onto the next case.”

Tessa nods and takes another sip of her drink as the conversation between them dies down. She may have already forgotten the Rothswells and was slowly getting over from Beau’s stolen win, but Vegas was still on her mind. It wasn’t just the city that occupied her thoughts, but rather, it was the small wedding chapel and the night she played fiancée to the man sitting next to her. That night was an intense roller coaster of emotions, desires, and confusion; it was a night where lines became blurred and questions began to arise at the nature of her and Gabe’s relationship. It was one specific little interaction that made Tessa not only sense a shift in their relationship, but triggered her to start over analyzing and over thinking every little action from their first meeting up until now.

“Nothing but the best for the most stunning woman on the Strip.”

“Alvin’s gone, you know. You don’t have to—”

He raises a finger to her lips, laying it softly against them as he gives her a smoldering look that makes her throat dry up. “What if I want to, Tessa?”

Tessa truly felt at that moment they were no longer pretending. The things he said to her that night with such conviction in his eyes and voice. The way he softly caressed and touched her with such adoration and tenderness. The way his breath tickled her lips and sent shivers throughout her body at their near-kisses. They were not things done by someone just “pretending”; no one was that good of an actor. However, despite his actions in the wedding chapel, there was one moment that made her second guess herself completely. Just as she was about to admit her feelings for him, he brusquely cut her off and completely changed the direction of the conversation. What punctuated that gut-wrenching action was him dropping her hand quickly, as if he had been burned by her touch. The cocktail of mixed signals made her head pound in dizzying confusion, and it was becoming difficult to ignore for much longer.

She glances over at Gabe, worrying her lip between her teeth and mentally debating whether or not to step into that territory of complete openness. She has a nice, working relationship with him, and she doesn’t want to risk making it awkward to be around him if he truly doesn’t feel anything towards her. On the other hand, she wants to know for her own sake of mind; she has to know if Gabe’s confusing behavior and mixed signals mean anything. They’re off the clock, away from the office, with no interruptions coming between them. It’s the perfect opportunity to air everything out, and hopefully come Monday, there would be no more confusion or misunderstandings.

“Speaking of Vegas…” Tessa mumbles, carefully avoiding his eyes. “I think we should talk.”

Gabe’s spine stiffens in alert at the sudden shift in her demeanor. “About…what, exactly?”

She takes a deep breath, knowing it was too late to steer this conversation in another direction. “About what happened at the wedding chapel.”

“Ah,” Gabe interjects, “that was some brilliant thinking on your part, with the rat and all.”

“That wasn’t the part I wanted to talk about.” She turns her head to look at him. “I wanted to talk about the whole ‘pretend’ couple in love situation.”

“What was wrong with it?” he asks her, his nerves starting to creep up on him.

“Nothing,” she quickly replies. “I was just thinking…what you said…” She takes another deep breath, preparing herself to blurt it out before she lost her nerve. “Did you ever have a moment where…you didn’t think it was pretend?”

Depends on what your answer is going to be. “What do you mean?”

“I know the whole situation was supposed to be pretend in order to get a copy of Lydia’s marriage license, but…some of the things you said…and did…” her ears grow hot as a shiver races down her spine at the memory of Gabe’s gentle caress on her wrist, the pure intimacy behind it.

“Didn’t seem like pretend?” he finishes.

“Yeah.”

“And what do you think?”

Tessa sits there silently contemplating her answer. Up until this point, Tessa never had any reason to doubt Gabe. He is a man who never makes anyone second guess his true intentions or meanings. Every word he speaks is nothing short of the truth. But his reaction on the Strip was the first time she questioned his true intentions. If Gabe did mean what he said, then why did he quickly divert the conversation and act like he couldn’t stand to be around her? Her inner conscience was waving a massive red flag in front of her, but when Gabe gripped her chin and turned her head to focus on him, she caught herself slipping back into the warm pools of his chocolate-colored orbs.

“I really hope you weren’t pretending,” she softly says, voice barely above a whisper.

Gabe feels his stomach lurch at her confession, and the corners of his mouth tug up into a small smile at her answer. Gabe wasn’t going to lie. From the minute she stepped into the office, he became fascinated with her. She was beautiful, but what caught his attention was the way she introduced herself to the others. She was the only one who stood up and spoke with such confidence and conviction about winning the partnership that he would’ve given the spot to her immediately if his name was on the building.

“That’s because I wasn’t.”

Her eyes widen. “Wh…what?”

His thumb skates over her bottom lip, gently tugging it downwards, her breath hitching at the intense, smoldering look in his eyes. “I wasn’t pretending in the wedding chapel. I truly wanted to tell you that you were the most stunning woman on the Strip because you were, and I will always think you’re the most stunning woman I will ever come across.”

“And last night?”

“I still mean it,” he tells her, taking his hand away. “I really do enjoy spending time with you, and I want to spend whatever time I have with you and only you.”

“Good.” Tessa covers his hand with hers, the electric current running between them turning into tingling shivers chasing each other up and down her spine. “Because I really, really like spending time with you too.”

The smile on his face grows bigger, turning into the most genuine one he’s ever had with someone else. Their fingers tentatively move and twist together, the air buzzing with energy just waiting to be released. A sigh of relief floods through him once he sees their hands joined together. He feared he overstepped that night in Vegas, especially since he was sharply reminded of how Tessa flirted with the fireman a few weeks ago for her eviction case. But sitting here now, their confessions out in the open, their hands joined together, made all of it real.

“So where do we go from here?”

Gabe furrows his brow. “What do you mean?”

“We just admitted we like each other, Gabe,” Tessa states like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “The question is, what comes next? Are we together? Do we see where this goes?”

Gabe bit the inside of his cheek at her question, the bliss from earlier now getting replaced with dread and guilt. He knows exactly what he wants to do next. He wants to invite her to his hotel room tonight, spend hours tangled in the silk sheets together, then wake up and do it all again tomorrow morning. He wants to take her out to dinner tomorrow night and treat her to the most decadent food in the city while he teases and touches her until she can no longer bear it. He wants to be openly affectionate with her in the office…and maybe do a few more things behind the closed doors of his office. But he can’t, and he knew the exact reasons why.

The first reason was the more obvious one. She is currently in the competition for a junior partnership, and he is the one overseeing it and potentially making the final decision on who takes his former position. They are co-workers, and while Sadie has no real binding rule that co-workers cannot date or see each other outside of work, Gabe knows there will always be a cloud of doubt and speculation hovering over Tessa if the office discovers they are seeing each other and she wins the junior partnership. Gabe was already beating himself up for what happened between her and Beau; he would never be able to forgive himself if he was the cause of ruining her reputation and the potential she has at becoming the next great attorney. How could he look himself in the mirror every morning if this blows back up in their faces?

But the less obvious reason was a hidden secret, one that he hasn’t shared with anyone else. It was the one reason that stopped him from taking her up to his penthouse in Vegas and doing all the things he fantasizes about doing with her. It was the one reason for the walls Gabe built up over the years that no one else has been able to break down. It was the one reason that prevented Gabe from crossing the lines he wanted to cross. As easy as it would be to cross them tonight with nothing stopping them, he knows he has to make the tough decision, not only to protect her, but also to protect himself. He just hopes it doesn’t change anything between them.

“As much as I would love for us to be together,” he runs his thumb soothingly over her knuckles, already feeling guilty for what he was about to say to her, “I don’t think it would be wise to pursue it.”

“O…oh,” the smile on her face falters at his stinging rejection.

“It’s not that I don’t want you,” Gabe quickly assures her.

“Sure feels that way,” she blurts out with a bitter laugh.

Gabe sighs and scrubs a hand down his face. “You’re stunning Tessa, and whatever would happen between us would be so goddamn mind-blowing, because I know exactly what I’d do with a girl like you.”

As much as his rejection stings, the dark tendrils of desire twist and twirl together inside at the sound of that highly promising and exciting invitation, the rush of desire making her shift in her seat at the tingling sensation. However, his tone tells her he was about to say one little three-letter word that was going to take the invitation back and make the rejection even worse.

"But...?"

Gabe shakes his head and averts his eyes from the pain blooming in hers. “We can’t act on it. I can’t act on it.”

“You can’t or you won’t?”

“I…can’t,” he relents. He untangles their fingers and pulls his hand back to his side of the bar, no matter how painful it is for him to do so. “You already saw how low Sadie’s own blood would go to push himself ahead. Just imagine how low the others would go if they suspected—”

“You and I were seeing each other?”

Gabe nods, a small twinge of relief pricking his heart at her understanding. “Opportunities like this bring the worst out in people.”

“Considering I just had firsthand experience on how shitty people can be, I do understand it.” She takes another drink of her Manhattan, the sting now turning into simmering annoyance. “What I don’t understand is why us being together is now such a big deal for you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m just saying, you didn’t seem too concerned with people seeing us together or what they thought when we went to Hoi On and that business dinner you specifically invited me to,” Tessa shrugs. “I’m just curious about the change of heart all of a sudden.”

“I didn’t have a change of heart. Those situations were entirely different.”

“Different how?”

Gabe pauses for a second to gather his thoughts. He had to tread lightly going forward, or else any chance the two of them had with each other in the future was going to be destroyed. “When I invited you to Hoi On, the other associates weren’t in the office. I knew Aislinn wasn’t going to say anything to Sadie, so no one was going to question why I brought you there.”

“And the business dinner?”

“It truly was supposed to be a business dinner and an opportunity for you to network yourself,” Gabe admits. “I didn’t know beforehand that he was going to cancel on me, and as far as the office is concerned, no one knows that he canceled on me, so everyone still suspects the three of us had that business dinner.”

“But then…oh…” Tessa trails off, another wave of disappointment crashing into her chest. “I get it.”

“You do?”

She nods. “You’re embarrassed to be seen with me. I get it. The senior associate and the top senior partner being seen together would hurt your image with the other partners.”

A tinge of frustration punches his gut. “That’s not what I mean. I’m not embarrassed to be seen with you. If I was, I wouldn’t have invited you to join me at the lake.”

“Good point,” Tessa tells him. “You certainly didn’t mind taking me out to the lake last night with Sadie and the other associates sitting around.”

“That was different too,” Gabe bluntly responds. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Then help me to understand,” she sighs, exasperated.

“There’s no point in tell you,” Gabe shoots back. “You’re intelligent and observant, Tessa. You know exactly why we can’t pursue…whatever there is between us.”

“The only thing standing in the way of pursuing whatever is between us is you,” Tessa points out.

He runs his hands through his disheveled hair again. “It’s not that I want to stand in the way of us. There’s so many reasons on why we shouldn’t pursue this.”

“Well, so far, you haven’t given me one that we can’t find a way to work around. So please enlighten me, Mr. Ricci,” she crosses her arms over her chest and gives him a hard stare. “Is your reasoning really about the partnership and my reputation, or is it about something more?”

As Gabe sits there in silence, Tessa’s mind flashes back to their previous interactions. Last night was the most unguarded she has seen Gabe since she started working at McGraw Byrne. The business dinner was the first time the two of them ever got physically close to each other. Vegas was the first time the two of them were fixing to jump across those boundaries and become one. But each time, Gabe pulled back, and his action spoke volumes. And with the way Gabe was currently avoiding meeting her gaze head on and how his fingers are tightly gripping his empty scotch glass makes the light bulb go off in her head. There was another reason Gabe was hiding, one that has to do entirely with himself. She just has to hope that she is important enough for him to be honest with her.

“Well?”

Gabe sighs. “It really is about the partnership,” he lies, firmly keeping his gaze locked on the bar top. “The partnership is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and you shouldn’t waste it or throw it away.”

The air turns icy and frigid at his words. Tessa grabs her clutch off the bar top, knowing there was no more reason for her to still be around. “You may be able to bullshit other people, Gabe, but you’re not going to bullshit me. You and I both know this is more than just the partnership, and out of respect for your privacy, I’m not going to pry. Only you can make the decision to share it with me, but until you do, I think it’s best to forget whatever we feel for each other.”

Tessa gives his hand a soft pat before downing the rest of her drink and sliding off the bar stool. Before she could go far, Gabe’s hand reaches out and wraps around her wrist.

“Tessa…”

“Don’t worry about it, Gabe,” she says, gently prying his fingers off her wrist. “I’m honestly a little hurt and disappointed that you can’t be honest with me, but I’m not mad at you.” She places a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I really do like you, Gabe, but I also like and respect myself too much to go after someone who isn’t as crazy about me as I am about them, nor will I go after someone who keeps pulling back when I want to get closer.”

“That’s not—"

She ignores his plea, digging into her clutch and pulling out a platinum-looking card. “You know where to find me when you make up your mind and have an answer for me, but don’t expect me to be waiting around forever for it.”

She places the card down on the bar top; with a sad smile, she brushes past him and heads out of the hotel bar, the tears stinging the corners of her eyes. Gabe watches her figure retreat until she disappears behind the gilded elevator doors.

“Dammit!” he slams a fist against the bar top. The empty glasses jump a little at the impact, but what catches his attention was the quick flash of light reflected on the platinum card as it jumped into the air. Gabe reaches out and slides it towards him, his spirits deflating even more when he sees what she left.

The spare key to her room.

To anyone else, it may be just a room key, but Gabe knows that it is so much more meaningful than that. It symbolizes the key to her heart and the key to their future together, a key that would only work for a short amount of time until Tessa closes both of those doors on him. The decision to walk through those open doors was entirely in his hands, but before he could do that, he has to make one other decision. The time had come for him to do the one thing he has avoided doing for years, the one decision he found easy to avoid until tonight.

It was time for him to confront himself and his fears.

__________________________________

This was going to go up a lot sooner, but because my job decided to go through some technology changes recently, it meant something that previously worked is now broken and no longer works. Unfortunately, that was me this time around, so my usual break times where I work on stories was used to help fix what someone else broke. 

Sorry about the delay, but I really do anticipate part 2 being uploaded soon, much sooner than LOA coming back from its hiatus.

For all of you who have read this story and made it this far, thank you so much for your support! It means more to me than you could ever imagine!

I love you all so much!

Second Chance Tagging in case Tumblr becomes Tumbroke again:  @choices-addict @choiceskatie @lady-calypso @chemist-ana @kat-tia801 @chrissythadon @nishas-paradise  @blainehellyes @mm2305 @suitfer​ @thegreentwin @pixelnutrookie​

[cyberfairyblog]

Caves of Qumran prologue

Jason, Whit, Connie, Eugene, Katrina, Regina, Calypso and Vanessa go to Qumran to rescue Jason's former colleagues. Jason x OC, Eugene x Katrina, rewrite of the cartoon. The dialogue is wonky I know ;_;

Deep within the caves of a tiny Middle Eastern Country, a pretty blonde haired woman wearing a red shirt and green shorts walked down the caves reading the runes with her torch. She looked around sensing something - or someone - in the same vicinity and contacted her partner.

"Stanley Stanley are you there?"

From not far away,a tall brunette man in a business suit answered back. "I read you Sarah I'm just trying to navigate - WHOAH-" He yelped as he fell into the shallow pool.

"Stanley I don't think we're alone," Sarah voiced her concern.

"Don't tell me you're developing a case of the creepy crawlers." He saw a bunch of cobwebs and proceeded to freak out. Blinded by fear he ran smack dab into the wall and fell.

"Stanley what's happening?"

Stanley got up and sputtered "nothing just taking a little breather," he replied hoping she didn't catch that embarrassing pickle.

The two partners went back and forth, Sarah arguing that they needed to stick together, Stanley countered back claiming her fears were unfounded.

"We shouldn't be wasting our time chasing after a shadow," Stanley said. The inappropriately dressed explorer was too busy talking up his own bravery that he stepped on a brick, that sunk into the ground very slightly but the effect was devastating.

Stanley was just getting up again when the walls disappeared from behind him. Alarmed he tried to see what was going on, but then he heard footsteps approaching him.

Stanley screamed.

By then Sarah was too far into the tunnel to hear her partner's distress. Even through the walkie-talkie he was pleading saying that she was completely right there was someone not in their group in the caves hunting them down. But she didn't listen. She arrived in a small room filled with crates and gasped at the labels some of them bore.

Dozens of ancient artifacts strewn all over, and a table upturned as if there had been a fight. Sarah saw an older woman laying on the floor.

"Professor?" The blonde gasped. The professor's eyes were closed and her body was still like ice.

"No you can't be dead!" The blonde woman shouted in fright, collapsing to her mentor's side to check her pulse. To her relief she was alive but her skin felt cold. They needed to get out of there. Taking out her walkie-talkie she contacted Stanley.

She got her answer when Stanley dropped right in front of her, tied up with rope. "My god what happened?!" Her suspicions were sadly confirmed as another person showed up but they were shrouded in complete darkness.

"No stop, let us go please!" Sarah begged but her desperate pleas echoed with not a single soul to care...

It had been a long slow day at J&J Antiques so it didn't surprise Vanessa in the least bit when she saw Jason asleep on the desk in his office. Smiling she took the time to remove the papers trapped under his face - he would hate having them ruined by a cascade of saliva - and sat them aside.

"Jason," she whispered in his ear. "I'm gonna go ahead and close up shop for you."

The ex-agent only muffled a response. Wow he must've really had a rough day, no doubt because of that woman, Vanessa mused internally. She spent the next several minutes stowing things away and turned on the neon closing sign. By then Jason had woken up and dragged himself into the main room. "Did I miss something?"

"No, just me doing your job," the novelist said with a tease.

Blue eyes glanced at his watch. "Wait it's past seven already? Crap!" Jason exclaimed with a frown.

"Don't worry there hadn't been a customer, you were pretty knocked out though," she replied now feeling concerned. "That's a sign you need a vacation."

Jason was surprised at how clean the main room was, and guilty he fell asleep on the job. That rarely happened even during his time at the NSA and that job required doing paperwork *shudder*. In gratitude he wrapped his strong arms around the plush woman, and they gazed into each other eyes. "What would I do without you Nessie?"

"Oh I don't know, missing, dead, forced to perform at some gangster's kid's birthday party," Vanessa said all that with a shrug. Jason chuckled before pecking her on the lips. They stayed that way for a while until the phone rang. Grumbling at the loss of intimacy Jason trudged over to answer it. Meanwhile Vanessa went to sanitize the counters. She could hear him perk up at the other person on the line.

"Professor Janet it's good to hear from you, how's the expedition?" They talked for a good while and then Jason mentioned something about moving. "We hope to get them by the end of this week! Nice talking to you Professor!"

"Who was that?"

"That my dear was Professor Janet, we used to worked together back when I was a missionary," he explained. "She's sending us gifts from her latest expedition!"

"Oh? That's neat!" Vanessa clapped her hands. "Our museum does need some new items!"

"And the best part is they're entirely free! No payment whatsoever!" In excitement he scooped her up again and kissed her. "Trust me our museum is going to flourish!"

So that was how, almost a week later, a moving van arrived outside the manor house and its drivers unloaded beautiful artifacts of times long passed. According to Jason they came from a tiny middle eastern nation called Qumran.

"Are you sure it's a good idea having those things here?" Calypso asked while watching their progress. "I don't want to have to deal with a curse!"

"Come on Callie you know there's no such things as curses," Regina nudged her on her arm.

The Greek woman crossed her arms. Something smelled fishy about the whole thing.

One of the drivers, who wanted to be cheeky, held a vase out for Dylan. "Here kid catch!" The driver sneered before throwing it. Dylan tried to catch it in time but the poor thing crashed into the ground in a bazillion pieces before he could reach it. Vanessa's face drained and she slowly approached the pile of shards. Before anyone could response the van drove away leaving the black woman to pick up some of the pieces. She was almost in tears.

"They looked like they didn't care," Vanessa grumbled. "I oughta call out to their bosses and give them a piece of my mind!"

"We'll get our justice soon," Jason patted her on the shoulder. "What kind of employee does that to rare artifacts?!"

His father hummed. It did seem odd a professor would hire such careless folks. But at least the other items were in tact.

Little did they realize there was a lot more beyond ancient history behind their new gifts. Something that could lead to an exciting adventure away from Odyssey!

So I'm rewriting the episode "The Caves of Qumran" with Jason and my OCs inserted because I'm in a self indulgent mood. Unlike the OG episode Dylan won't be in this - I like him an all but he wouldn't really fit. Besides I want to see how my OCs would act in an episode. I'm not copying dialogue word for word a lot of it is my own. Also the main couple is Jason x Vanessa (my oc, obviously) as well as Eugene x Katrina. Professor Janet is an OC and an important one in this story. This story has a strong message particularly parodying Hobby Lobby and its recent controversies so that'll be fun! Leave some comments and remember: don't forget to tip the servers!

[dothedogmusic]

Explore late 80's & early - mid 90's ska in fine style with the fab Memoirs Of A Ska Librarian! Memoirs Of A Ska Librarian is a unique 5 zine publication that covers the global ska scene from 1989 to 1996, tells my own ska story, the story of my band The Bakesys, the story of The Loafers & Special Beat & the story of my Rude Skazine. To order in the UK send £12.00 to http://paypal.me/dothedogmusic To order from Europe send £16.00 GBP & to order from outside Europe send £20.00 GBP. Please include “Memoirs” & your postal address in the note section of your order.Memoirs Of A Ska Librarian features 150 ska bands from 18 different countries around the globe from that era. The bands featured are: The International Beat, Bad Manners, Maroon Town, Potato 5, The Riffs, The Loafers, Laurel Aitken, Skaboom, The Hotknives, 100 Men, No Sports, Napoleon Solo, The Ska Flames, Casino Royale, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Mark Foggo’s Skasters, The Bakesys, The Trojans, Natural Rhythm, Clubland, Ska-Per, Pressure Drop, The Nutty Boys, Special Beat, Mr Review, The Deltones, Les Frelons, The Busters, The Braces, The Liquidators, Bigger Thomas, Bim Skala Bim, The Toasters, The NY Citizens, Just Kidding, The Allsorts, The Latenotes, Dance Hall Crashers, Machtoc, Mad Cow, Skaville Train, Tighten Up, The Selecter, Intensified, The Cosmics, Dr. Calypso, Messer Banzani, Malarians, El Bosso & Die Ping Pongs, Blechreiz, Verska Vis, The Frits, Let’s Go Bowling, The Scofflaws, Skankin’ Pickle, The Porkers, Hepcat, Skapa, The Skunks, King Apparatus, Capone and the Bullets, Back To The Planet, Madness, Ruder Than You, Gangster Fun, Me Mom & Morgentaler, Fishbone, Skarface, Skatalà, Jump With Joey, Boy O Boy, The Newmatics, Loonee Toons, Too Hot, Citizen Fish, Ngobo Ngobo, Banana Boats, Fun Republic, The Gangsters, Strange Tenants, The Skeletones, Desorden Publico, The Mudsharks, Square Roots, The Pacers, Tom Collins & The Cocktail Shakers, The Pietasters, Skinnerbox, Steady Earnest, Mr Cranky, Mephiskapheles, The Invaders, Mustard Plug, The Skanxters, The Ventilators, Statuto, The Butlers, Dr. Ring Ding & The Senior Allstars, Ska Trek, Rude Boy System, Bluekilla, MU330, Easy Big Fella, Johnny Socko, Hoodlum Empire, Spring Heeled Jack, Suggs, House Of Rhythm, Smoke Like A Fish, Skaos, Éjectés, Red Wings Mosquito Stings, The Peacocks, Skaferlatine, Loaded, Ruda Salska, Skavoovie & The Epitones, Reel Big Fish, The Arsenals, The Grown-Ups, The Allstonians, Rancid, Loin Groin, Skavenjah, Stubborn All Stars, Tantra Monsters, The Kingpins, Less Than Jake, The Exceptions, Secret Cajun Band, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Too Many Crooks, Spithead, King Prawn, The Xplosions, The Refrigerators, Seven X, Chickenpox, Gordon, Venice Shoreline Chris, My Superhero, Animal Chin, The Planet Smashers, Stinkfish, & The Siren Six!

[cruddyborderlandstheories]

also can we talk about Lorelei for a hot second here

long Lorelei analysis post incoming (also i have a friend named that in real life so... hiiii this isn’t about you, promise <3)

listen,,, i’ve been on since the beginning that i don’t trust her yet and i think its pretty reasonable. we’ve got all these returning characters (seriously, like Axton, Gaige, Salvador, Krieg, Maya, Zer0, Lilith, Brick, Mordecai, Tina, LB, Gortys, Rhys, Vaughn, Fiona, Sasha, shit maybe even August or Cassius, Claptrap, Timothy, Aurelia, Hammerlock, Moxxi, Marcus, Tannis, Ellie, well you get the idea)

all these returning characters and they introduce a new one! and she’s the only new main character we know of so far outside of the twins and well the new VHs (who are very good for obvious reasons)

And ive seen it mentioned multiple times that Lorelei was “a beautiful siren who sat upon a rock in the Rhine River and lured sailors to shipwreck and death”. Well we know she’s not a in-game Siren (that we can see. her left arm is left uncovered, but she’s got no tattoos) and we know name meaning isn’t a great indication of allegiance in the borderlands series. I mean, we’ve got a Lilith... and she’s our new leader lmao

so its entirely possible she could become a Siren during the events of the game. I’m worried about that because, so far, the only one we know who can take Sirens powers is Tyreen, so we can assume that means she’d be the one who can transfer them, as well. (for simplicity’s sake, i won’t talk about how i think troy is the output here lmao)

It could also be shown in-game how people can get Siren powers in the Borderlands universe, I know in one of the interviews it was stated we might learn more about that, though iirc they wanted to keep it a little bit of a mystery. I like that a lot tbh, mostly cause they seem to enjoy fan interpretations (notice me senpai goddamnit)

from the interview (i promise im getting to the full analysis lmao i am working thru a lot of old drafts):

“Are new Sirens created when old ones die?

Danny Homan: These are all great questions. You might find out some of that in this game. Who knows?

Can existing people become Sirens?

Danny Homan: Um, that’s an interesting question. I mean, there’s a lot of ways that someone can become a Siren. It’s not a de facto X-Men kind of thing. There’s some different conditions that kind of arise. Yeah, Sirens are unique and I feel like we like to keep it a little amorphous. What we like the most is when fans kind of create their own myths and stories about how this kind of stuff happens. As a writer we try not to definitively say one thing because there’s a lot possible.”

personally, i think his “um, that’s an interesting question” kinda confirms we will at the very least learn something about this. the best thing that could occur is that we get to see it happen!

sooo let’s theorize now!

Was Lorelei a Siren before the twins? well the timeline doesn’t really match up. In BL1 we have Angel, Steele, Lilith, Tyreen, Amara, and Maya all alive. If we’re going with the theory that Tyreen isn’t a natural Siren then it could be possible? Maybe they found a different way to steal Siren powers before Tyreen had powers, or Tyreen was gifted her powers from the red Vault and became the 7th Siren. 

I personally dunno about Lorelei being a Siren before the game begins, but it is possible! She’s got that hombre look a couple of the Sirens we know have (Amara and Lilith with their dyed tips- shit Maya’s hair is even darker at the ends) and her outfit seems to account for Siren tattoos with the exposed left arm. It could be possible that Tyreen took her powers and sent her to go work undercover with Atlas to get information on Vault (which we can’t get until we talk to Rhys) and/or weaken Atlas from the inside while they’re under attack by Maliwan. I think I mentioned back when she was first revealed that she was the mysterious woman on the MoM. She’s not shown to have wings, so I don’t think she’s a Siren before the events of the game, unless she is that little girl we see to the right of Troy (which I hard doubt because the girl has gauges and Lorelei seems to just have regular-ass earrings. Personally, I think the little girl is an Angel-type situation whose powers either have some use to the cult (eg future-sight, brain-washing) or she had her powers stolen by Tyreen already (and maybe became Little Blue? I like the theory that Little Blue betrays us and becomes her, though. we’re too trusting of little kids in these games. I’m looking at you, Pickle))

Is Lorelei a Siren now? iiii dunno about that. Again with the timeline and the whole “Tyreen may not be a natural Siren” shebang. But, also, she doesn’t have the tattoos. Maybe her powers have something to do with deception or illusions? but I don’t get why she’d hide her tattoos if she’s on our side. If she’s on the Calypso’s side, then why send a Siren out to work for Atlas? Again, she could be used to weaken the inside of Atlas/get information, but you could send literally anybody with half a brain instead of one of the most powerful beings in the universe. 

Will Lorelei become a Siren? it’s possible. i think this is the most likely thing that could happen. her outfit design would 100% allow the tattoos to show up without sacrificing anything. 

How does she become a Siren? well... I dunno lmao, there are so many possibilities.

She could be working with the Calypsos and gets her powers through Tyreen

She could be gifted powers by some Eridians/a Vault/weird alien bullshit

She could be the next one chosen (?) to take on Lilith’s/Maya’s/Tyreen’s powers after they die. 

She could be the one to get the powers after Tyreen gives up the ones she’s collected (be it through death, willingness to do so, or otherwise) and one of the people they were meant to return to is dead... so it just goes to Lorelei (?)... maybe its a proximity thing. like Fruits and Devil Fruit powers. iunno

i got no concrete ideas and idk if I know enough about her character to say affirmatively what’s gonna happen

tbh i doubt she will actually betray us/work with the calypsos and then either NOT rejoin our side or straight-up get killed, mostly because she’s a side-quest giver and i don’t think gearbox would lock away all those quests by killing her off. i mean, roland had no direct side-quests in bl2 so i don’t think they’d be dicks and make it so you can never complete her side quests in that playthrough by killing her off or making her join the other team without reversing that decision by the end of the campaign. 

still don’t trust her yet tho

[savetopnow]

2018-03-13 23 FOOD now

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Green Peas, Feta, Mint and Za’atar Samosas

Binging with Babish

Binging with Babish: Pineapple-Curry Fried Rice from Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma

Binging with Babish: Clementine Cake from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Eggs | Basics with Babish

Binging with Babish: Tamales from Coco

Binging with Babish: Chocolate Lava Cakes from Chef feat. Jon Favreau and Roy Choi

Food Porn

Beautiful and truly delicious Sushi Set, perfect ending of the day! [720x960]

Best looking colourful chocolates. London [5402x3257] [OC]

Homemade Matar Paneer [OC] [1700 x 1300]

Crispy skin salmon with sautéed kale and garlic lemon herb butter [OC] [2788X2788]

Pretty as a Peach French Macaroon [3286x3241]

Gordon Ramsay

Even The Owners Hate The Food! | Hotel Hell

Gordon Finds a Cheesecake That "Looks Like a LANDMINE" | Hotel Hell

Gordon Ramsay Finds DRIED BLOOD On His Bed Sheet | Hotel Hell

Gordon Ramsay Storms Out After Having Enough of Delusional Owner | Hotel Hell

Ramsay Sends Owner Home Because He Looks Like a 'Towel Boy'! | Hotel Hell

Reddit Food

[I ate] Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich

[Homemade] Unicorn Cake

[I ate] Fried Chicken on toast (with 3 onion dip, pickles, maple calypso). More in comments.

[Homemade] Sunday pepperoni pizza

[I ate] Lobster Rolls - 1 Maine (cold)and 1 Connecticut style (Hot)

Tending the Table

Epic Savory Breakfast Bowl

Palm Springs

Millet Polenta with Spring Vegetables and Greens from Simply Vibrant

Horchata Mocha Latte

Chyawanprash Pecan Butter Bites

[mrfelixfischoeder]

DETHENTINES 2024

DAY 2: Inspired by a classic romance movie (The Bodyguard)

I had so many choices for this but I could never pass up the thought of Cal carrying Pickles. Loving him even in his vomiting phase.

[mrfelixfischoeder]

this was technically drawn for #dethentines2024 but im running with something else so I get to post this now!! cant imagine i'll finish it, at least not soon.

After AOTD, Cal goes on a tour around Europe as the face of the rebuild of humanity, titled the New Dawn Project ran by the Church. She joins in physical work where they might be behind schedule, or taking press conferences when Charles is unavailable. Meanwhile Pickles is in Mordhaus as it rebuilds and expands into a city of its own right, and he is part of the administrative team that oversees housing (which is really just a raffle for the rich).

This does mean that Cal and Pickles are long distance for nearly a year, if not more - sometimes he will fly out and join her, but they're too busy. She sends him a weed bouquet with nude polaroids for Valentines, and he sends her a card that has a huge spiel about how much he misses her, along with some nude polaroids too.

[mrfelixfischoeder]

Ship Name: ??? Mom and Dad? I literally dont know Love Language: Quality Time (Pickles), Words of Affirmation (Cal)

more under cut vvv

Pickles and Cal met when the boys wanted to absorb COMZ into their band for more money (at the start of season 3). They went to meet them during a COMZ photoshoot, and Pickles wasn't sure what the weird feeling in his chest and stomach were as he watched Cal pose for the magazine cover. Skeletal bra, hammer of the gods in her hands, furs over her shoulder. He's in love, bitches!!

Of course he ignores that. He thinks he's just a little horny, which isn't far off. Pickles and Cal revert easily to their Parental Roles of Mom and Dad (respectively). They bounce off of each other's energies, and while Pickles veers between being as chaotic as the rest and taking up a position of authority, Cal is *mostly* authority.

Cal and Pickles become very much close, if not best friends because of this. They go out together, dinner, drinks, are always last to come home on nights out. You'd think this would mean they hook up: unfortunately, they're both pretty blind to their own attractions, and try and wingman for each other (which always leads to NOTHING, because everyone thinks they're together. And won't try and sleep with one while the other is there).

Pickles' feelings for Abigail aren't as strong, but when he thinks Cal is out of the question, he goes in hard. It isn't until Abigail pushes him away that Cal comforts him, putting her own weird feelings aside for it: and it makes Pickles realise what a good person Cal has been the whole time. And that maybe his feelings for her ARE real, and allowed.

However, Cal's approach to relationships in general are very casual. She doesn't think her and Pickles would last simply because of who he is - not as a person, but as a celebrity (and, you know, the Prophecy). She has her fun but doesn't take the relationship seriously enough which ends up frustrating Pickles, who is MORE than devoted to her, gets jealous easily, and while he DOES trust Cal explicitly, he hates seeing people hit on her or think she doesn't want to spend time with him.

Cal learns that a little peck on the cheek now and again isn't enough for Pickles, and she learns to open up with her feelings and her attraction to him. He's so much more willing to cuddle, to get into bed to sleep together, to wake up together, while Cal intends to just go about her day. She treats the relationship very cautiously and almost FWB-ish for longer than Pickles wants.

But they get each other. They know how to support the other, and knows what to say when the other is upset. Cal is always, always there for Pickles, and despite being romantically cautious, has always put him above herself. Pickles is more than willing to go above and beyond for Cal when he realises he doesn't want to lose her.

He goes through a period of refusing to let her out of his sight after Doomstar Requiem when she gets injured, which makes his role in aotd harder, as he tries to balance his unhealthy attachment to Cal and being there for Nathan.

template by rosenkow on tumblr who has deactivated - but here is a reblog of all the options

[mrfelixfischoeder]

18 for Kraken please?

18- Write about how each member of your ship smells. 

With their nose HAHAH Ok sorry

It’s been a long day. They said they’d lie down on the bed for just a minute, before showering – but Calypso finds herself curled into Pickles’ body more and more. Her legs intertwined with his as her fingers trace up and down his happy trail. He smells faintly of weed, and there’s a hint of rum on his lips (she can’t be upset though, as her own stinks of whisky and gin and beer, and a hint of mint chocolate).

He leans his chin on her head. Even though she’s been travelling and gigging all day, she somehow still smells perfect. It had taken Pickles a while if sorting through a Yankee Candle shop to recognise the smell that came from her; cedarwood. Husky and delightful, it feels like home. Like there’s always a fire on. He barely opens an eye to peek at her red hair blocking most of his vision. His little flame, keeping him warm with her body heat alone.

“We oughtta get up.” He whispers, not making a move. If anything he squeezes her waist and somehow brings her in closer, their skin practically melding together at this point.

“Mhm.” She breathes in, enjoying the scent of sweat (a sign of hard work, she’s been taught to appreciate it). Although the smell of citrus still lingers, which might say more about the power of his shower gel than how recently he did shower.

[mrfelixfischoeder]

37, 38, 39 and let's do a dealer's choice on the couple, luv :3

ooooo lovely

37: Who is more likely to avenge their S/O if they were hurt or killed?

Out of Olena and Skwisgaar, Olena is the most likely. She has the training and the inclination to fix things herself, and absolutely would go after anyone even adjacently involved. She gets a john Wick arc in The Doomstar Requiem, so it's actually kinda canon. Just for the wrong person.

Skwisgaar would love to, but he wouldn't know where to start - he tries but the guys hold him down to stop him from just getting himself killed.

38 was answered here so I will go for 40:

40: What song reminds you of your OC's relationship?

Cal & Pickles: I am a sucker for Joni Mitchell, and I feel like A Case Of You is them all over - references to drinking and holding their liquor for a start

I met a woman She had a mouth like yours She knew your life She knew your devils and your deeds And she said, "Go to him, stay with him if you can But be prepared to bleed"

Oh, but you are in my blood You're my holy wine You're so bitter Bitter and so sweet Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling Still I'd be on my feet I would still be on my feet

References to the fact Cal (and Pickles) will go through struggles by being connected to Pickles. Not just because of the Prophecy, but their relationship is hard for fans to grasp, so there's the usual threats to Cal in that time. They're both so intertwined and together, and find it so EASY to be intertwined in such a way.

39: Do they dance? If so, who's better?

Cal and Pickles: kinda?! They white people dance, let's be real. Cal feels like she looks dumb dancing. Pickles can dance better only because he doesn't give a shit, so he's way more loosy goosy.

[mrfelixfischoeder]

13, 38, 54 and 77 for all three of the gals and their silly guys >:) for the OC Relationship Asks

13: What is something they find hot about their S/O?

Murderella: physically, thinks his ass his hot. likes the fat, likes his thighs. likes to squish. Also the fact he makes her laugh.

Cal & Pickles: His little expressions, especially the mischievous smirk UGH gets her real bothered.

Olena & Skwisgaar: How well he looks after his skin & hair.

38: What would be their ideal evening in?

Murderella: they could be sitting together talking shit about the rest of them, maybe with jean-pierre cooking them up a special dinner for two. bill's brought them out to one of the myriad of private balconies and tried to make it kinda romantic, she loves it.

Cal & Pickles: House is empty, they've got the Top Gun films set up in order (and then a myriad of Tarantino's and then Halloween films). He's got all he needs weed-wise, there's beer in the cooler, and the hot tub is ON. Nathan joins in when he's done writing music and Cal is the meat in their sandwich.

Olena and Skwisgaar: it's self care night!!! No gigs in the next few days, no rehearsals in the morning. Face masks, foot massages for each other, back massages, hair masks and then they share a bubble bath and a bottle of prosecco, washing out each other's hair, detangling, just taking hours and hours together in the bath.

54: What's something that they don't really care for but tolerate because S/O has an interest?

Murderella: Cars - Zorya could not care less, but Bill could go on for hours about mostly historical ones. She'll pretend to listen. The one thing she cannot bring herself to concentrate on.

I cannot think of a single thing Bill doesn't like that Zorya partakes in. He's got it bad.

Cal & Pickles: Texas; turns out Pickles isn't really wild about the ranch life or Texas in general (it's hot, her brothers scare him). but will visit when she does to see her dad and to support her.

Cal tolerates weed out of everything else Pickles does; she loves coke and drinking, but for some reason weed is an actual ick. Not strong enough to deter her, obviously.

Olena & Skwisgaar: Both Olena and Skwisgaar base their lives around their music and being the best, so they don't really have other hobbies to hate. Skwisgaar puts up with going to the ballet with Olena, cause she likes it, and it makes him look classy compared to the guys.

77: What is something they would never forgive the other one for doing/saying?

Murderella: Again, Bill's got it down bad (and honestly so does Zorya). They say some pretty heinous stuff to each other at the start of their relationship during the blowouts, so kind of get the worst of it out the way. But Zorya could never forgive any sort of comparison to Olena specifically, or Bill ever stating he'd want to sleep with her or choose her over Zorya. And I think Bill is the same; he couldn't handle any sort of inference that Zorya would prefer to be with any of the guys, especially if she went into detail or showed that she thought about it.

Cal & Pickles: It's not that Pickles is possessive over Cal, but the thought of losing her when he's opened up to her hurts, so I think any hint of cheating on him (or even just pulling back!!) when he's given her Everything of himself would be too much. Which was a struggle for them at first as they tried to find the balance of casual and monogamous when Pickles was pretty much ready to jump in and Cal didn't really know what was going on. I think Cal takes herself super seriously as a person though, and I think if she ever heard Pickles mocking her like, REALLY badly to someone else then I think she'd be devastated.

Olena & Skwisgaar: Theyre both so chill and not even sure if they're in a relationship together that I don't think they'd hold anything against the other. However I know it would hurt Skwisgaar's feelings a lot if Olena talked badly of his stage presence, as he secretly holds her opinion in high regard.

I don't think Olena would ever find it unforgiveable so to speak (because she almost expects it at this point) but if Skwisgaar ever explicitly chose Zorya over her, she'd just be like... Deflated, unsurprised, hurt but just leaves the room with nothing else to say to him.

[mrfelixfischoeder]

22. For PiklCal for the Soft OtP Prompts!

22- Write about a member of your ship giving the other a special gift. 

(The PFW is the Professional Federation of Wrestling, a wwe parody I created for MTL universe) This was a great prompt cause I struggle with gifts SO much - and now i think this ends up being canon for GirlKlok heheh

“What is this?”

“Just open it, will ya?”

“I want a hint first!” Cal doesn’t take the box yet, and he’s struggling to keep it in one hand. It’s not her birthday, it’s not valentine’s, it ain’t Christmas – presents from Pickles aren’t out of the ordinary, but this is an actual box, rather than his usual spur of the moment gifts (which Cal is now realising she prefers; less ceremony to it all).

“Alright, so, it’s a little dorky,” Pickles rubs the back of his head, fingers bringing some dreads over his shoulder, “I was watchin’ yer old matches, and well – okay, yer last one…” he could see her face. She doesn’t like talking about the PFW much, or at least definitely doesn’t like talking about the part where she gets forced retirement at her peak. He’s not doing great at this. “And I know that, yew were s’pposed to get the belt or whatever-”

“The Championship Title.”

“Right!” he finally offers her the box again, and this time she takes it, “So, y’know, the way yew were robbed of like, that title, it got me thinkin’.”

As soon as her brain catches up, Cal opens the box, staring down. The PFW Universal Championship Title Belt. Not a stitch out of place, the diamantes shaping the acronym shining. The fade of them from white to purple, every diamante changing ever so slightly, is perfect. She’s seen the Belt once up close, got to hold it (“This will be yours, lady. Just don’t mess up”). She knows replicas and she knows the real deal, no matter how long it’s been.

“How did you… Get this…” Cal finally looks back at him. He’s smiling because she is in such disbelief. It’s all over her face, the way her eyebrows meet, the crumpling of her lips.

“I uh, bought it.” Pickles shrugs, trying to throw the line away. But Calypso homes in on it, laughing to herself at how ridiculous that sounds.

“No, you can’t buy the belts, that’s not how it works sug’.”

“Yeah, I mean PFW.”

Cal doesn’t break eye contact, and he knows why. Trying to figure out if he’s joking. When he doesn’t even blink or smile more or laugh, she finally lets out a breath she’s been holding. “Why?” she asks, then looks down at the belt again. Her Belt.

“It was the only way t’get yew the belt!” Pickles gestures to the box, “The Morgue Master wasn’t happy when I came to get it, but hey, gotta do what the boss says!” he watches her take it, and chuck the box aside. The leather smells so good. It’s heavy – heavier than she remembers. “Now, y’know, any belt they make for the next champion is gonna be the replica.”

“Picklebug,” she holds the belt to her chest, trying not to look him in the eye again, because now that she knows he’s actually done something so grand for her, she thinks she might choke on the emotion. “This is crazy.”

“Well, I’m crazy in love.” it seems obvious to him why he’d do it. It had always been the obvious move the moment he was told he couldn’t just take the belt for her. He closes the space between them, taking her arms so that she doesn’t need to let go of her belt. His words make her whole expression change, and she can’t not look at him now. Holding the belt firm in one hand, she cups his cheek, thumb circling his freckles before she leans in for a kiss – which he only breaks to chuckle and say, “Now you gotta teach me about wrestlin’, ‘cause I’m makin’ my first ‘promotional manager’ debut next week, whatever dat means…”

“Oh my God."

[dothedogmusic]

Out now! Memoirs Of A Ska Librarian - The History Of Rude Skazine! Memoirs Of A Ska Librarian is a unique 5 zine publication that tells my own ska story, the story of my band The Bakesys, the story of The Loafers & Special Beat & the story of Rude Skazine between 1989 - 1996. Get your copy here: http://dothedogmusic.tumblr.com/memoirs Memoirs Of A Ska Librarian features 150 ska bands from 18 different countries around the globe from that era. The bands featured are: The International Beat, Bad Manners, Maroon Town​, Potato 5, The Riffs, The Loafers, Laurel Aitken, Skaboom, The Hotknives, 100 Men, No Sports, Napoleon Solo​, The Ska Flames, Casino Royale, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones​, Mark Foggo’s Skasters, The Bakesys, The Trojans​, Natural Rhythm, Clubland, Ska-Per, Pressure Drop, The Nutty Boys, Special Beat, Mr Review, The Deltones, Les Frelons​, The Busters​, The Braces, The Liquidators, Bigger Thomas​, Bim Skala Bim​, The Toasters​, The NY Citizens, Just Kidding, The Allsorts, The Latenotes, Dance Hall Crashers​, Machtoc, Mad Cow, Skaville Train, Tighten Up, The Selecter​, Intensified​, The Cosmics, Dr. Calypso​, Messer Banzani, Malarians, El Bosso & Die Ping Pongs​, Blechreiz​, Verska Vis, The Frits, Let’s Go Bowling, The Scofflaws, Skankin’ Pickle​, The Porkers​, Hepcat, Skapa, The Skunks, King Apparatus, Capone and the Bullets​, Back To The Planet, Madness​, Ruder Than You, Gangster Fun, Me Mom & Morgentaler, Fishbone​, Skarface, Skatalà​, Jump With Joey, Boy O Boy, The Newmatics, Loonee Toons, Too Hot, Citizen Fish, Ngobo Ngobo​, Banana Boats, Fun Republic, The Gangsters, Strange Tenants, The Skeletones, Desorden Publico, The Mudsharks, Square Roots, The Pacers, Tom Collins & The Cocktail Shakers, The Pietasters​, Skinnerbox, Steady Earnest, Mr Cranky, Mephiskapheles​, The Invaders, Mustard Plug​, The Skanxters​, The Ventilators, Statuto​, The Butlers, Dr. Ring Ding​ & The Senior Allstars​, Ska Trek​, Rude Boy System, Bluekilla, MU330, Easy Big Fella, Johnny Socko, Hoodlum Empire, Spring Heeled Jack​, Suggs, House Of Rhythm, Smoke Like A Fish, Skaos, Éjectés, Red Wings Mosquito Stings, The Peacocks​, Skaferlatine, Loaded, Ruda Salska, Skavoovie & The Epitones, Reel Big Fish​, The Arsenals, The Grown-Ups, The Allstonians, Rancid​, Loin Groin, Skavenjah, Stubborn All Stars, Tantra Monsters, The Kingpins, Less Than Jake, The Exceptions, Secret Cajun Band, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Too Many Crooks, Spithead, King Prawn, The Xplosions, The Refrigerators, Seven X, Chickenpox, Gordon, Venice Shoreline Chris, My Superhero, Animal Chin, The Planet Smashers, Stinkfish, & The Siren Six!