#search term: roadtrip

[2000ghosts]

february 1, 2010

[humlors]

Wait which billford fics pspspspsps

gotta say, it feels just a little surreal and silly to make a billford fic rec list in the year of our lord 2024, but hell yeah sure

There's an Endless Road by @agentquinn is one of those fics I reread like. at least once a year at this point. Post-canon, human!bill (absolute trash gremlin, as he should be), roadtrip with Bill, Stan and Ford. Cannot understate how much of a comfort fic this is to me. Do yourself a favor and read it

Also by Quinn, State of Dreaming is very much as the description of "One of Us AU, sort of". I remember for real gasping when figuring out what was going on. It's dark, it's just the right flavor of a bit surreal, it's fantastic

In All My Dreams I Drown (also by Quinn, I swear I've read fics from different authors) is a Pirates of the Caribbean AU with Bill as Calypso, Ford as Davy Jones that kickstarted me and @swiftboone talking non stop about this AU for months on end back in the day. Here's a masterpost of the AU of all of the wonderful peeps contributing to it!

While not really a billford fic, if you're on the Bill canon backstory high rn, please please PLEASE read Flat Dreams by @pengychan. It's an absolute masterpiece that very much made me weep reading back in the day. 100% one of those fics I want everyone who's into GF to have read at least once.

If you're not intimidated by long (LONG) fics, I slavishly followed Knowing Me, Knowing You by @f-imaginings back when. On surface, a typical 'bill gets trapped in a human body pre-betrayal' fic, but holy damn does it go places. equal parts rom com with an ABBA theme, equally character study/exploration with some great sci fi stuff

for something shorter, this fic by @marypsue is 100% one of my fave AU concepts of 'bill losing his own powers to make Ford a demon instead, making himself human in the process'. It's so good, bill being his usual trash baby self while coming to terms with the whole "being powerless" thing.

Anyway, these are the one's I can come up with from the top of my head! I've still got a whole heap of GF/billford fic recs under my fic rec tag, so that's another place to go searching! (and what the hell, shameless self promo of my own old fics lmao)

happy hunting for those fics my friend!!

[withwritersblock]

Say Love

~Say Love by James TW~

Author's Note: this is inspired by Chimney and Maddie from 9-1-1: such an amazing show. As always italics are flashbacks Summary: Kirby says I love you for the first time Warnings: mention of emotional abuse in relationships Word Count: 1,200 Kirby Dach x fm!reader

There is something so pretty about the way he eyes her. She was brighter than the sky during a sunset. She was warm and the kindest person he’d ever met. He was in love. He has yet to tell her. He was afraid that she wouldn’t say it back. 

She has been waiting for Kirby to come back for three days. He had scored in a shootout against his former team in Chicago. He called her the second he got back to his hotel room and they talked the entire night. 

She stood against the kitchen counter as his door was pushed open. He smiled widely as he dragged his suitcase inside. “Hey baby,” he mumbled as he rested his suitcase against the wall and walked towards her. She jumped into his arms as she laughed.

“God, I’ve missed you,” she whispered into his ear as she rested her hand on the base of the neck. He loosely wrapped his arms around her waist as he spun her in a circle, “How are you feeling?” she asked as he delicately put her down. His hands were still holding her waist as she rested her hands on his cheek. He smiled.

“Amazing, so glad to be home,” he muttered as he leaned towards her, kissing her urgently. “So glad to see you,” he mumbled against her lips as he guided her backwards towards the couch. He kissed her again as he tightened his grip against her waist. 

“I wish I was there,” she mumbled as she slowly sat down on the couch, keeping his lips close to hers. 

“Me too baby,” he said as he pulled away from her. He looked deeply into her eyes as he lifted his hand and rested it onto her cheek. His thumb slowly ran across her warm cheek. 

The words were on his tongue for the first time in their relationship. He’s spent his entire roadtrip thinking about her and craving her touch. He missed the way she made him feel. He missed when his heart would race just by meeting her eye. 

It was still early, too early to say it but he thought it. He felt the words on his lips and wanted to say them the longer he searched her features. Instead his lips found hers again as he slowly pushed her on her back; climbing on top of her.

She was sitting on their balcony, drinking a cup of coffee as she watched the sunset over Montreal. A place she moved to a year ago because she wanted a new life. A new life that she wasn’t aware of was going to later include a gorgeous man. She had gotten out of a long term relationship that was incredibly toxic. Emotionally hard to be involved in. 

The last thing she ever wanted was to be in a relationship. Until she met a boy who lived in the same apartment building as she did. He was also new to town and also unwilling to be in a relationship. 

All Kirby wanted was a friend that didn’t play hockey. Kirby and Y/N first met while they were getting packages from their mailboxes. After that she invited Kirby up to her apartment. They played Mario Kart and talked about their new lives in Montreal. 

Any time they weren’t busy with other people they would hang out. And after four months, she kissed him and they started dating shortly after. 

She ran her hands over the sweater on her frame as Kirby raised his hand up and knocked it onto Nick’s door. The team was having a get together before the holiday break and Kirby was introducing Y/N for the first time. 

“Come in!” Nick shouted from inside. He met her gaze and raised his eyebrows. She nodded her head as she took a hold of his hand. Leaning towards her, he pressed his lips against her cheek before he pushed open the door. “Kirby man,” Nick shouted as he walked away from Cole.

Nick quickly wrapped his arms around Kirby, “How are you always the last one here?” Nick chuckled as he pulled away, glancing at Y/N.

“Nick, this is my girlfriend, Y/N,” he mumbled as he pulled her closer to his side. Y/N smiled kindly towards him.

“Nice to meet you, welcome to the family,” Nick expressed excitedly as he smiled towards her.

“Thank you,” she mumbled as she leaned closer to Kirby. He ran his hand up and down her side.

“Come on, I wanna show you off,” he mumbled against her hair before he kissed the top of her head. She chuckled nervously as she remained attached at his hip.

She rested her head on his chest, as she felt his hands run slow circles across her skin. It was perfect. Just the two of them in bed together, watching the sun rise over the city of Montreal.

Except Kirby was keeping his eyes on Y/N, admiring the sleepiness in her features. The three words were on his tongue as he wanted nothing more than to say them.

“You’re so quiet,” she mumbled before she pressed her lips against his chest. He hummed as his hand started to slowly glide up her skin.

“Just thinking,” he mumbled as she lifted her head up to meet his gaze, his lips curled upward.

She hummed, “Yeah?” she asked as she pursed her lips forward. He hummed as he bit his bottom lip. She furrowed her eyebrows as she smirked softly. “So are you going to tell me?” she asked as she glided her hand up his chest. 

He looked deeply into her eyes, “I love you,” he blurted out. His eyes widened as well as her own. Her lips parted as her heart started to race. “I’m sorry-”

“No, no, don't apologize,” she mumbled as she kissed him. She pulled away and stared into his eyes, “I just haven’t been able to hear those words without flinching in years,” she mumbled as she ran her thumb across his cheek, the beard scratching her skin. He ran his hand up and down her back soothingly. 

“I feel the same way,” she muttered, his smile faltering slightly. “I just don’t know if I can say those exact words,” he clenched his jaw as he furrowed his eyebrows, “I would use those words as a defense against my ex. I never really felt like they meant what they should’ve meant when I would say them. I don’t know if that makes any sense but Kirby, I truly believe you are my soulmate,” she mumbled.

His smile formed on his lips widely again as he scanned her features, “One day, I can say it back,” she muttered. He leaned towards her, kissing her urgently. “Say it again,” she mumbled against his lips, meeting his gaze.

“I love you,” he let out, her heart fluttering, “I love you so much,” he expressed.

“I’m gonna need you to say it a lot,” she mumbled as she pecked her lips against his.

“Don’t worry, baby girl, I’ll say it enough for the both of us,” he said before he devoured her lips with his.

[ghostedeabha]

hello :3

i saw that you really loved fluff fics AND I LOVE THEM SO MUCH ASWELL! so i was wondering if you could write something for dad!simon riley x mom!reader and they have somewhat of a big family like two teen kids and two younger kids and all of them go on a much needed vacation together🥹 like it could be anywhere you want it to be maybe a road trip to the mountains, beach, or just going out of state!

i would love to see what you do with this :3 im a sucker for fluff

have an amazing day/night :DD

gods absolutely yes, dad!simon 💳💥💳💥💥💳🥺 

i'm the biggest sucker for  family fics y’all you don't understand!!

i apologize if this is a lil shitty, i'm stoned writing this lmao

simon "ghost" riley x reader

warnings: none, lots and lots of tooth rotting fluff. reader is afab and referred to as mrs. riley once mom, mother, and with other fem terms but no specific pronouns are used and identifying gender isn't specified :)

word count: 655

a/n: simon and reader have 4 kids, twin son and daughter (4), a nonbinary teen (15) and a son (17), none of them are referred to with actual names except for the nonbinary child whose name is 'bug' (there is lore behind this i came up with while writing this if anyone wants a little fic extending on how bug chose their name), simon and the reader have been together for 18 years. i actually have no idea how old ghost is even supposed to be, i just headcanon him in his mid 30's but for this specific au he'll be 40 on the dot, reader is meant to be 38-40.

--------

"are we there yet?" you hear the whine of your four year old son come from his car seat behind you. it wasn't hard to tell the poor guy was getting restless and impatient,

"just 20 more minutes bud, keep watching bluey with your sister." your husband, simon responds to the squirrely child before you can speak up. you flash him a sweet smile and look over your shoulder to glimpse back at your children.

you were currently on a roadtrip up to scotland to visit one of simon's military friends and vacation at the beach with your family. you found it a little funny that on his break from work simon was so happy and eager about going to see one of his coworkers, but it warmed your heart to know he had such close friends especially in people he had to work with, people who he literally trusted with his life.

"how're you all holding up?" you ask the four with a sweet smile.

"good." your eldest son mumbles, not moving his attention from his phone, texting his friends.

"how about you my little bug?" you turn your attention to your 15 year old.

"i'm good mama, just playing a word search game." they replied, turning their phone to show you the progress of their game.

"nice, you're doing great. i didn't even realize that fritz was a real word."

it was just under another 20 minutes when you pulled into the driveway of simon's friend's, johnny, house. it was s beautiful, quaint thing, the ocean a few hundred feet away behind the home. as you unbuckled your seatbelt you saw the man appear from his home, holding his arms out with a loud chuckle for simon as your husband stepped out of the vehicle.

you smiled to yourself as you got out of the car, watching your husband embrace his friend gruffly as you removed your four year old daughter from her car seat. "hello darling, we're here now." you say gently to the child, who is just awakening from the nap she decided to take in the car.

bug removed your four your old son from his seat for you, holding the boy in their arms as you thank them and give their head a pat with your free hand.

you and the four children approach your husband and his friend, offering the scott a sweet smile. "it's good to see you again johnny."

"you to mrs. riley, kiddos."

"hi uncle johnny." the kids replied.

"why don't the four of you go and play on the beach? it's a private beach and there's not too many others out on it today." soap suggests to the kids with a smile, thumbing over his shoulder to point towards the beach.

it was a couple hours later, you were sat on a beach chair under an umbrella watching simon in the water with your daughter, hearing the four year old's loud and excited giggling made your heart swell. your eldest son and 15 year old playing water volleyball against johnny as your youngest son rested in your arms, tired of playing in the water and just wanting to be cuddled by his mother.

your heart felt full as you watched the scene in front of you, this vacation was well needed for everyone, your two older kids having worked incredibly hard on their schooling and grades, simon having worked hard at work as he always does. and being four is harder than it may seem, the twins needed this break just as much as everyone else.

and of course yourself, you had worked hard at home, taking care of the kids, the housework, and so much more. with and without simon, you worked hard and deserved the break too. it was nice to finally get the time to do something fun like this together as a family. you wouldn't trade it for the world.

[aroaceconfessions]

the fact that i realised i was aroace because of star wars, literally star wars, will never not be funny to me

to set the scene: i’ve never seen a star wars movie in my life (several months later though, i’ve watched most of them). i’m searching for fics on ao3. i read a star wars one. i find it interesting, and search for more (i still have not seen these movies, and only know one or two things about the franchise). i keep reading, and eventually search for fics with asexual characters (at that point, i knew i was ace, but i wasn’t sure of my romantic orientation).

i find fics with characters who are both asexual and aromantic. i’ve seen the second term in passing, of course, but i always thought it had something to do with smell (unfortunately and a little hilariously, this is true. i never really saw it in context and my brain always autocorrected it to ‘aromatic’… anyways—)

anyways, most of these fics are about the main characters of star wars, luke skywalker. i become really invested in a character whose movies i have never seen. i write fics about them and them being aroace. i still have not seen these movies, nor claimed the aroace label.

i return home (most of this happened while i was on a roadtrip). i watch the movies, and i feel comfortable enough with the label and one of my friends to come out as aroace to them a few weeks later.

…luke skywalker being my aroace awakening is honestly not at all what i expected from 2022. definitely not complaining, though! i love this community, and i love having words for my experiences, and i love knowing what kind of relationships would make me happy.

and of course, now i also love star wars.

(this does make me wish, even more, for well-written aro and ace rep — or, hell, any rep, any more than we have now. if fanfic for movies they’d never watched could lead one person here…)

it’s… honestly, it’s been a weird journey for me, and this is obviously a slightly simplified version.

but no matter the route, i’m so glad that this was the destination. i feel so seen and understood and validated here — and i want all folks who’ve ever experienced the feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and confusion that many of us did to find their way here, too. even if they haven’t experienced all of those negative emotions, i’d be glad to have them here too. even if they’re not sure if they’re aro and or ace, i’d be glad to have them here too. anyone is welcome to take a seat at the aro and/or ace table! no matter how long you stay, we’re glad to have you

[pinespittinink]

<insert obligatory blog intro here>

Goooood evening folks, i figured i would Get With the Times and make a legit blog intro to steal the throne of pinned post. i may add to and prune this post as time goes on, but i will be constantly updating it with wip pages and masterposts as they go up. have you seen me on your dash before? perhaps! i’m the weirdo behind the oc tea piccrew game and the deify yourself piccrew game, as well as the reblog your own stuff post and the read books if you want to write books post.

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💫 the necessities, fast and loose edition 💫 

catherine/cat ~ she/her (indifferent they/them) ~ capricorn ~ pansexual ~ 28 ~ 18+ only ➡  about page ⬅ follows from main blog @shireduchess​ ​

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🌿 the necessities, slowcooker edition 🌿

what to expect from me: a bit of everything in the writeblr kitchen sink. refs, prompts, wip and general inspo, memes, ask/tag games (i am friendly to both, but put priority on asks as i get a lot of tags nowadays!). i dig good aesthetics and vivid, sensory writing with emphasis on description and emotional content. i unabashedly write nsfw content, and do not follow anyone under 18. 

at the end of the day, i love writing about love. every story i write has some variant of a love story in it somewhere. that said, i am not a romance genre writer. i have made my bed with fantasy, and to fantasy i will always return, yada yada. my dad read The Hobbit to me when i was four and set me up for life. 

secondary world high fantasy is my specialty, but i also love space fantasy, fairytale and myth retellings, and cosmic horror. my wip Star White, about a man who spends a billion years searching for his lost lover when he is abducted by sentient dark matter, is a blend of all three. 

what a nice segway into MY WIPS <insert Will Smith showing off his wife meme>

you may know me from my 1920s-inspired theater with an interdimensional portal in the belly of the stage wip, The Great Glavenisean Theater, or my very strange giant tree wip, In The Deep of the Trees featuring Titus and Sabine. if you’re an oldie (circa 2018-2020), you might recall Bloodlines, a romantic high fantasy featuring original species, the Gelkins and the skin-changers. my other wips include the aforementioned space fairytale, Star White, a queer fucked up found family epic with trans wizards and missing gods called Solene’s Verse, and a very experimental novella about the worst walking roadtrip known to mankind (i accidentally blow up your village and kill your girlfriend, you get an existential crisis about the nature of reality), aka The Wasteland. 

i will continue to spruce up this space with wip intros as i refurbish everything, but my main focus right now is finishing the first draft of The Great Glavenisean Theater. i do aspire toward traditional publishing, and have had an eye on this industry for twelve years (i was actively querying at fourteen, we’re in this writing shit for life)

[ Romantic and indulgent prose full of filigree, worlds full of whimsy, mystery and a hint of danger, a core of tenderness rooted at the heart of every story. Your writing is always penned in the manner of a love letter not just to the craft or even as an ode to romance but to the subject of love in itself. ] -- @aninkwellofnectar​ 🌹

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🖋 a pinespittinink vintage 🖋

the great glavenisean theater 🎭 {wip intro} {general tag} in the deep of the trees 🍃 {wip intro} {general tag} star white 🌟 {wip intro} {general tag} my writing 📚 my edits  📚 my poetry 📚

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🎐 a quick guide to strange tags🎐

sap spill 🌸 {your one-stop shopping destination for all my thoughts and og text posts} uwu romance 🌸 {catch all tag for everything love and romance related} trope talk🌸 {umbrella tag for all things tropey. overlaps often with uwu romance} character work🌸 {what it says on the tin: non-specific character-related posts} compilations🌸 {don’t we all have a term for these? web weaving and such} i live here🌸 {stuff i jive with on a molecular level}

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🍋 your average writeblr food & fare 🍋

writing references 🌊  writing memes 🌊 worldbuilding 🌊 quotes 🌊 poetry 🌊 prompts 🌊

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“for whom / and to whom all this love, / all this light falling.” 

--@ragewrites, Film Still, for pinespittinink. 

[aggressivelymediocre-net]

29th August, 2023

29th August, 2023

After the utter demolition of my previous relationship, I’ve been trying to approach life differently in a lot of ways. The reason for this being that i want to get out of my former “routine” (or lack there of) and actually establish new, healthy, habits and interests. So I’ve started listening to music I normally wouldn’t listen to, watching TV shows or movies that are either new to me, or where brought into my life before my previous partner entered into it.

The things that we did, that we liked, that we had in common or shared seem so tainted now; after the way you’ve handled yourself during this entire ordeal. I also have started to reclaim things that she may have thought were “ours” but in reality, were established long before our relationship, i.e.: certain music/bands, movies, etc. I’ve been able to do this surprisingly quickly in comparison to my past long-term relationships. I’m not certain if this says something about me growing, and being able to separate things mentally; or, if it says more about you than it does about me.

So, I’ve started to listen to new music (lookin at you Taylor Swift, who admittedly, is great!), find new hobbies and activities, search new television or movie content out.

One MAJOR thing i did, which surprises even myself, is I removed all the photos of my ex fiancé from my all of my devices ‘photo’ app, so as they wont show up in any “memories” or similar things created by Apple using photos of places/people.

I also burned a heart-shaped lavender wreath her and I bought at a lavender farm in Washington (state), while we were on a two-week roadtrip throughout the western United States in a camper van. It was pure catharsis.. Now to only get the same motivation to burn all of her notes, letters, and other various correspondence from her.. it’ll be a good day.

During COVID-19, a lot of Telehealth, and mindfulness applications got a lot of press because everyone was so fucking depressed and sad at the world coming to a halt. So I’ve been exposed to mindfulness for a while, trying to live in the moment and let things come, accept them, and let them go. It really helps with my anxiety and my incessant need to plan for every situation, and have contingencies available just in case. Letting go is very hard for me, but its also incredibly freeing.

Something I’ve noticed, as we approach two months separated (boy how time flies when you’re homeless and despondent), its that if i let my mind wander, as it normally does, somehow it always finds it way to you, to us, to what could’ve and would’ve been had we been strong enough to hold on while the tempest passes. So i can’t escape you there.. If i am mindful, take things in, accept them, and let them go, I am free for a few blissful moments, but still, SOMEHOW, someway, you always find your way into my thoughts. It’s like a disease it seems.

[nishaparmar]

Enjoy Your Honeymoon at Best Place in India

Andaman The travel industry

Loaded with turquoise blue water sea shores and a touch of history, Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a little cut of heaven concealed around 1,400 km from the east bank of central area India. Port Blair, the capital of this association domain, has a significant air terminal and seaport associated with the remainder of the nation and with different traveler islands by means of numerous day to day ships. Havelock and Neil Islands are famous among sightseers for their white sandy sea shores and brilliant plunging choices.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands includes 572 islands, just 37 of which are possessed, and a couple are available to sightseers. Havelock Island is one of the biggest and the most well known islands of all Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Explorers regularly enter from Port Blair by means of flight or transport and spend numerous evenings in Havelock and Neil Islands that offer a few extraordinary hotels.

Port Blair is by and large utilized as a base city to get ships to local islands. Be that as it may, travelers likewise go through a little while here to investigate the town and close by sea shores. Individuals additionally require roadtrips to Ross Island and North Sound Island or Baratang and Carefree Float island from Port Blair.

Andamans have the most colorful ocean side and some of them likewise offer the chance of evaluating various water sports, for example, Scuba Plunging, Swimming, Ocean Walk and so on. North Cove Island close to Port Blair, Elephant Ocean side in Havelock Island and Bharatpur Ocean side in Neil Island are three famous sea shores to give a shot watersports.

Manali The travel industry

With marvelous valleys, stunning perspectives, snowcapped mountains, and lavish woods of oak, deodar, and pine, Manali is a mysterious slope station at the northern finish of Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh. Skilled to the world by the powerful Himalayas, being one of the most famous objections for Honeymooners is known. Manali offers sublime perspectives on the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges, shrouded in a thick cover of snow for a large portion of the year.

Throughout recent years, Manali has developed into a spot cherished by youngsters searching for additional long visits. With surrounding bistros, great wifi accessibility, little restaurants, and advantageous shops, Old Manali is among the most loved neighborhood for such individuals. What's more, numerous homestays and lodgings offer residence beds for inexpensively longer terms.

Aside from excursions and workations, Manali is a must-visit for travelers, as it's a great base for investigating this side of the Himalayas. Waterway Beas gives extraordinary boating choices in the close by town of Kullu. Connecting the Parvati waterway lies the Parvati Valley, with Kasol, Manikaran, Tosh, and little towns drawing in explorers for long visits. Atal Passage permits explorers to arrive at Sissu inside a couple of hours, making Spiti more open.

Vacationers run to Rohtang Pass and Solang valley for different experience exercises, including skiing, paragliding, horse-riding and zorbing. It snows the most in January and February, trailed by December and Walk. Assuming you're lucky, you could discover some snow in April.

Alleppey The travel industry

Authoritatively called Alappuzha, Alleppey is the truly amazing spot known for its lovely backwaters and the houseboats offering short term visits. The shore of Alleppey offers probably the best sea shores in Kerala with water sports during the dry season.

Alleppey is found near Kochi in the South Indian territory of Kerala. Its palm-bordered between interface organization of waterway backwaters draws in a ton of vacationers from everywhere the world. Combined with other lovely spots in Kerala like Munnar and Thekkady, Alleppey is frequently considered for a special first night or for an extraordinary family get-away.

There are a lot of houseboats, homestays, and reviving Ayurvedic resorts that make remaining in Alleppey splendid. The houseboats go through the quiet backwaters, where you can get looks at green paddy fields, ensemble making exercises, and witness the existence of local people in Kerala.

Make certain to get a customary snake boat race in the long stretches of August and September and evaluate some drink (palm wine) at a nearby drink search for adding a bit of validness to your movement experience in Allepey.

For more information please visit - Honeymoon Packages in India

[angelinthefire]

Destiel fic rec list: Things I've bookmarked in the last 6 weeks

There is zero theme to this. Just fics that I've read recently and enjoyed.

The Trapdoor by hal_incandenza: This one is a WIP and it's only getting started. But it's already incredibly interesting. An alternate s13 that deals with the aftermath of Dean letting Cas posses him, it's difficult to describe the story because I'm not sure where it's going yet. But it's already very tense, very mysterious, and feels deeply in-character. And I haven't even mentioned the way that the author plays with format, promising to break the narrative frame. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this one goes.

our lights in ashes by teen_dean: A post-15x19 fic that transports you to its world. As Dean is grieving, he goes on a road trip with Jack through the American South, solving cases and chasing the apparition of Cas. Meanwhile, Cas is trapped in an alternate plane of existence, searching for a way to get back to his family. This fic mixes Southern Gothic with cosmic philosophy to great effect. There's a reunion scene in chapter seven that does something different from what we normally see, that I went back and reread mulitple times. A fantastic combination of case fic and overarching narrative, where each individual case captures your attention, even as you're wondering, when are Dean and Cas going to get back together?

Don't Stop, Make It Pop by dumbassnatural: Cas gets TikTok famous posting videos about being gay. Sounds like crackfic, but it's a very well-balanced and sensitive exploration of Cas' feelings about his sexuality and identity; Dean coming to terms with retirement, parenthood, and his own sexuality; and Jack's need for positive reinforcement. And the slow-burn between Dean and Cas is excruciating. This is a WIP so go read it, and give the author some love and encouragement.

The Way You Did Once Upon A Dream by @icefire149: This fic goes in quite a different direction with its exploration of grief, and I love it. It doesn't shy away from the way grief hurts relationships, and the way that sometimes, you don't recover from it. The way it alternates between Dean's fantasy and the harsh reality is very effective. But my favourite thing about it is actually the way it treats Dean and Jack's relationship, how the author lets Jack be angry.

The Eightiesnatural series by spiderglass: There's two fics in this series: One Flash of Light (But No Smoking Pistol), and put on your red shoes (and dance the blues). They're roadtrip fics that have that relaxed road-trip-fic vibe that I love. But I'm rec'ing them mainly because they redefine the genre of songfic. It's a love letter to eighties music, and I've never read a fic that incorporates music so damn well in every scene, where every song sets the mood perfectly, and where the music is described so effectively.

[doodleimprovement]

The Roadtrip to Hell :: Stop 7 :: Barcelona, Catalona, Spain (With detours in Port Aventura and El Castello Del Hermosas Flores)

We are nearing our final destination, and mixed feelings are abound - and a little adventure is had

Warning - this is a long one! Onward we go!

Arrival

Jericho finds long term parking near a beach in northern Barcelona away from the dense city center, and the night comes quickly. Helena and Jericho spend the evening working on school and work, and the night comes quietly

Dreamscape:

Jericho asks Nethaniel where he thinks they should start in the search for where he was entombed, and Nethaniel says that perhaps they should take their time first - he asks if Helena had ever seen Barcelona and he says no. They’d only driven to Madrid- something that Nethaniel scoffs at, calling it a poor village in comparison to his native Barcelona. Nethaniel seems giddy, almost excited to see both how much has changed and how much has stayed the same, if anything. There’s anxiety there, but Jericho can’t help but feel excited for him.

Day 1

That morning, Helena asks what they’re doing, And Jericho states that they’re actually going to spend their first day doing some touristy things - if only to enjoy the city (and give Nethaniel a chance to see the city and all of the change that has happened). Helena asks if they can take one of those walking tours and Jericho thinks that's a great idea.

As they start the walk, Nethaniel’s feelings leak through to Jericho constantly, bouts of familiarity, confusion, and a few moments of anger and frustration. It's starting to exhaust the man. Helena asks him if they can go to the art gallery, and he agrees, the two of them entering the Sala Pares. They enter a portrait gallery full of medieval and renaissance portraits, and - near a corner towards the back of the gallery, Helena spots familiar green eyes. She abruptly grabs her father’s hand and drags him over there, then pointing at it, and asking Nethaniel if that was him. Neth takes over, and confirms this, shocked that the portrait was even there. He moves over and reads the placard, seeing that it was donated when the gallery opened in the 1840s, with the express wish that the gallery never sell it to private collectors per the wish of the royal family - at the wishes of the long dead king… Nethaniel’s brother, King Felipe Marke II. Helena makes a comment about lord Farquaad- Neth asks who that is. It’s very funny.

They return to the RV, and Helena is looking through the various things research papers that Muriel gave her, and she spots something about “The castle of Felipe Marke II” She shows Nethaniel, and he seems confused - as his brother lived in Avalon after his marriage, so far that he was aware. Helena tries to offer Nethaniel comfort, but  tells him that it will have to wait, because the castle isn’t open to the public on Sundays.

Day 2 - Port Aventura

The morning comes, and Helena asks what her and her father are going to do today, and suggests the theme park nearby, because she reeeeally wants to go. Jericho is, at first, not enthused. Helena suddenly gets an idea, and starts talking about what's at the theme park, and then asks Neth if he wants to try. Jericho sees what she’s doing but Nethaniel, who is just delighted at her machinations, takes over, and tells her that she’ll still have to convince Jericho, since you know. Neth can’t drive

Helena groans and begs, Neth finding her begging funny before Jericho, at last, relents. Helena is absolutely thrilled at this, letting out a WOOHOO as Jericho checks the ticket prices and times. Helena promises over and over to behave, and on the drive there starts looking over which roller coasters she wants to ride.

When they get there, Helena bursts through the gate as soon as her ticket scans and she’s jumping around with more energy than usual. She begs to ride Furius Baco, pulling him in the direction of the roller coaster. Jericho huffs, and Neth takes over, calling Jericho a coward in a light hearted way, and lets Helena lead him to the machinery. He’s, frankly, amazed as he stares at the coaster, baffled that humans made all of this just for entertainment purposes. They got in line, and Neth’s fascination kept him in line. Helena asks to be sat in the front, and the roller coaster launches them out of the station. By the end of the ride, Neth is absolutely LIVID and calls the coaster the work of the devil himself, getting a laugh out of Helena, who wants to do more rides.

Helena ends up dragging Neth on other rides (And a few more roller coasters) and by the end of the day she is absolutely exhausted. Nethaniel is carrying her back to the RV, and Helena asks him if he had fun, cause she had a lot of fun with him. He tells her that yes, he did, despite the devil machines. The two of them banter, and a tired Helena asks what will happen when he gets his body back. Neth admits that he is not sure. She asks if he’d want to, maybe, stick around. While the two sit in the back of the van, Nethaniel says, perhaps unwisely, that he would like to stick around for her, but he then gives up control to Jericho.

Jericho drives them back to the parking lot he’d found before, readying the RV for bed and thinking about what's going to happen next.

Dreamscape

Jericho, quite calmly, asks Neth if he meant what he said to Helena, and that if he didn’t, he needs to be honest about it. Neth says he’s not sure, but that it had made Helena so happy when he told her. Jericho admits that seeing his daughter makes him happy too, but… if Neth isn’t sure, it might hurt more in the end. Neth didn't have an answer to that, but told Jericho that he’d think about it. Jericho supposed he had to take that answer.

Day 3

The next day, Jericho and Helena head out to the castle, which functioned as a museum and UNESCO world heritage site - as one of the most well-preserved medieval castles/residences in Europe. Jericho remains in control, and sees the sign does in fact label the castle as Felipe Marce II’s. Helena goes through a hallway, with letters on display written by the short-lived king of Catalonia and Avalon. She sees that all of these letters are towards his sister, and father. She recalled that Felipe Marce was Neth’s brother, and wondered why there’s no letters between them. She ends up asking a worker and the worker - one of the historians, states that “no one wants to see any of that”. They stay in storage. Helena is offended on Neth’s behalf, but Jericho stops her, telling her that she can’t change it, and that it is okay.

When they reach the back of the castle, they find a carefully manicured garden with a historical gardener answering questions about it. When Helena overhears that the garden here is the oldest continually cared for garden in Europe, she asks who had taken care of it first, and when the gardener says that it was under the care of King Felipe Marce

Nethaniel finally breaks through and almost loses it, but before he can yell he feels Helena holding his hand, and he stops himself, clearly still upset. He pulls her away and they leave abruptly.

Jericho ends up in control almost immediately after they leave the area, and he admits that while he understands Nethaniels anger, he was shocked at just how intense it became. He doesn’t mention the abrupt and overwhelming sadness in his chest. The rest of the day is rather subdued, with Helena doing school work, and Jericho working on the blog.

Dreamscape

Once in the dreamscape, Jericho tries to ask what’s wrong, and Nethaniel practically has a breakdown, ranting and rambling about how that castle was called Hermosas Flores and how it was *his* home and that *he took care of the flowers* and he nearly has a breakdown before Jericho stops him. Nethaniel, calmer but sadder, speaks about how alone he is in this, but Jericho won’t have it, reminding him that he is, in fact, not alone, that he has Helena, and himself. The two are closer than they had ever been, and for the first time, the ghostly form that Nethaniel always takes is fading away, revealing green eyes. Before he can see anything else, Jericho shuts his eyes, and they touch foreheads before Jericho wakes up

Day 4

Jericho wakes from the dream and has an “oh no” italicized moment. Iconic.

Most of the day is spent catching up on work between the two of them, however both Jericho and Helena are really distracted, not getting a whole lot done. They both, independently, got an idea to investigate further. Jericho makes up something about driving back to the castle because the parking lot there is bigger, and Helena follows along.

That night, when Jericho thinks he’s put Helena to sleep he- for the first time - deliberately relinquishes control to Neth, who thanks him, and sneaks into the castle. Meanwhile, when Helena realizes that her father had the same idea as her, she figures she won’t get in much trouble, and sneaks out of the van, finding a different way into the castle, and sneaking back over to the letters.

With Neth and Jericho

 Neth sneaks towards the back of the castle, first checking on the flowers, appraising that they are in fact being well taken care of. He then moves about the castle like he never left it, and goes up a small hallway and spiral staircase. He finds a room being used for storage, it used to be where he slept. He finds, shoved into a goddamn box in the corner, his family crest - something ripped off of him before he was sealed away. He mutters in frustration that he doesn’t know how to find his tomb without any clues. He manages to sneak back out with little effort, checking on the flowers and offering his compliments to the gardener who had been taking care of them before headed back to the RV 

With Helena and “???”

Helena thinks about what she can do to help Neth, and sees a door that she thinks is storage, and is correct. But when she goes in there, she finds there is a man there, dressed in what looks like a costume. She tries to speak to him, but he doesn’t seem to understand her, until she sees what he’s trying to open, and opens it for him, seeing that it's a storage bin with more letters and their translation placards - the ones between Felipe and Nethaniel! When she mentions it, the man nods eagerly. She realizes that he might have been trying to do what she was, and asks if she can do it, attempting pantomime. He seems to understand, and nods, pointing to a desk that has a bunch of keys on it. They end up “working together” with Helena doing all of the work while the man points her in the right direction. They change over the whole exhibit and she is grinning wildly at that. She thanks him in Spanish, and he nods gratefully to her. Wondering what he knows, she asks if he knows where Nethaniel is buried. Surprised that she is asking, he approaches a map of Catalonia - one that was accurate to the time that King Felipe Marce II was alive. He points at a place on the map, and Helena takes a photo. When she does, the flash goes off, and all at ones someone calls out at her, and the man has disappeared. She manages to easily escape.

Back in the van

Helena gets back to the RV before Jericho/Neth do. However, she’s unable to get back into bed soon enough, and she ends up caught. Neth asks her what the hell they were doing up this late, and Helena blubbers nervously about how she wanted to see what she could find in there, and then recounts what occurred. She shows him the picture, and she tells him she thinks a ghost helped her, but she doesn’t know who. Neth is a tad overwhelmed by the information, but states that they can think about it in the morning. Helena agrees and finishes getting ready for bed. She asks him before she falls asleep if he’s figured out what he wants to do yet and he says he’s not sure. She tells him it's okay, her dad told her once that sometimes it takes your whole life to figure that out.

Dreamscape

Jericho is frustrated at Helena’s actions, but Neth convinces him not to punish her, since she has the only hint they could possibly use to find his body. Jericho relents, and asks how Neth is feeling. He admits that he’s anxious, and Jericho asks if they want to take a day before they start to search for the tomb, and Neth agrees

Day 5

Helena is woken up by Nethaniel, who tells her that he wanted to go exploring in the city with her today, and Helena asks why they’re not looking for his tomb. He doesn’t have a straight answer.

They go into Barcelona that morning (Jericho drove, but relented to Nethaniel to let him spend the morning and afternoon with Helena). Neth and Helena do some sightseeing in the gothic quarter, and Neth makes up a bunch of lies about different areas that Helena catches onto and they really make her laugh. He ends up helping her pick a new hat for her collection. They go into a museum, and while in there, Helena spots a portrait that makes her do a double take. She approaches it, and Neth follows behind her, expression somber. He tells her that this was his brother, Felipe Marce. She admits to him that this is the man that helped her, the man she saw at the castle.

Neth needs time to process that and gives up control to Jericho, who is absolutely fascinated by the fact that his daughter met a ghost, and the two end up taking some time at a cafe to drink coffee and people watch. She asks if they can go to the city history museum, and he says that’s a good idea, giving them something to do as they both think about their future hunt for the tomb.

The day ends with the two of them talking to different people over the phone - Jericho with Catrina and Helena with both Muriel and Bow in a group chat. Jericho is admitting to Catrina that he’s realized he might like someone, and Helena is admitting that she’s wondering if Neth will stick around once he has his body back. Murrie is skeptical, but Bow is encouraging, telling her that even if he doesn't stay, they could always stay in contact with him like Bow and Helena do. That does give her some comfort. 

[2000ghosts]

may 16, 2007

[findingjoynweirdstuff]

Dream SMP Recap (January 14/2021) - Dawn of an Empire

While the day is at first full of happy bonding moments with Techno and Ranboo, and Tubbo continues work on Snowchester, things take a turn for the sorrowful as Puffy questions her stance in the server’s conflicts and wonders what it truly means to be a knight. 

Later, Badboyhalo gathers a Roundtable on the Crimson together to discuss matters concerning the containment of the Egg, and the future of the Badlands.

Now that L’manburg has fallen, it might be time to take a step forward into a new age.

It’s the spark of a new alliance.

The rise...

Of the Eggpire.

---

- Dream whispers to Techno that he’s currently living at his mysterious house far away. 

- Techno comes up with a plan to name his dogs after donators.

- Dream also tells Tubbo he’ll kill him soon. (Uncertain if the things he said are jokes or serious)

- Ranboo gives Techno the axe that he made to replace the Axe of Peace.

- Ranboo tells Techno that he’s planning on going off to find another Woodland Mansion

- Techno’s dogs kill Edward. Rest in Peace.

- Tubbo goes to collect ice from the ice biome for Snowchester

- Ranboo shows Techno the stronghold.

- They then set off through the Nether on another roadtrip. Apparently, Techno still has some plans that may involve some violence in the future.

- They reach the Woodland Mansion and loot it.

- They then commit some mild arson, then head back.

- Techno says goodbye. Ranboo now has three more Totems -- three extra lives!

- Puffy looks out at the L’manburg Crater, saddened by all the loss and destruction. She’s unsure of where her loyalties lie.

She considered Techno and Dream her friends -- and her duckling! But can she really support someone who did this?

“Right now, this castle is a hollow nothing...it’s just a title...There’s no consequence, ever. It just happens, and people just get sad, and they have to suffer their feelings and move on...We need safety, we need security, and happiness. We can’t live in fear.”

“To Dream, my duckling...I might be a villain. I don’t wanna be, but it’s what needs to happen. I might have to sacrifice...”

She questions what her duty is as a knight of the SMP, and starts to write her statements in a book.

“Sometimes being a hero to others comes at the consequence of being a villain to those who you hold closest.”

- She goes to destroy the cottage she made for Dream.

“I did this ‘cause he didn’t have a home...and everybody, no matter how cold, or violent, or angry, or maybe even unforgiving they may be... Everyone deserves a home, a place they can go to at night to feel comfortable and safe.”

- She burns it down. A lot of the non-flammable blocks remain, though.

- Puffy starts listening to “TNT” by CaptainSparklez and TryHardNinja as she explodes the rest of the house with TNT.

- In the explosion, though, she exposes Dream’s old house as well (as it was directly below the cottage) and blows some of it up by accident, instantly regretting it. 

She’s very surprised that she built a whole new home for Dream right on top of his old base without even knowing it was there.

- She decides it was a happy accident, and now Dream is fully homeless. She still puts everything back in the chests, though, to clean up. 

- She finds in one of the old chests an abandoned copy of “Blocks” and decides to keep it. It isn’t Tommy’s canon disc, but she decides to give it meaning anyway.

“This disc might not have started canon...but it’s canon now...Red, because of all the bloodshed and wars that have been waged over them.”

- She goes back to the crater as it starts to rain and thunder, and questions whether she should keep the disc or burn it. Or perhaps give it to Tommy?

- Puffy decides that she has sympathy for Tommy. Sure, Tommy’s made mistakes, but he’s young and has been exiled twice now! He’s already paid for the things he’s done enough. Does he really deserve all of this? And poor Tubbo as well, being put in such a tough position, leading a country.

- She decides that the Glitch Cube can be her panic room for the time being.

- She goes to the Castle, thinking about how useless it is. It’s just a symbol with no real meaning behind it. Not by the fault of Eret, but because Dream calls all the shots. Eret is the king, but has zero control.

- Puffy then looks at the ruins of the Community House. Who’s to say it wasn’t Dream who did it? How do they know it was really Tommy?

- She thinks that when somebody’s made mistakes, you have to be there for them and help them grow instead of just exiling them and leaving them alone to rot. Tommy’s suffered enough consequences for his actions. He doesn’t need to be blamed anymore.

- She wonders why Techno can spawn thirty withers and not be exiled, but all Tommy does is grief George’s house a little and he gets sent miles away? There’s a double standard.

She believes in justice, not cruelty. And exile is cruelty.

- Skeppy comes online and she gets into the Skeppy Maid skin, as one does.

- Puffy goes to set up a beacon in her base. She creates it using one of the stars she got from the Doomsday withers. 

- Puffy then gets a pet spider named Peter Parkour.

- Bad comes online and Puffy shows him her Catboy Skeppy outfit.

- Puffy also gets a slime pet and names it Jream.

- Later, Bad comes online to gather a roundtable about the Egg. Punz, Puffy and Ant come online to join in. As Bad refers to them, the “Egg People.”

- Bad begins the meeting by saying that the Egg has become a problem. What is there to be done?

He also mentions the carnage that took place in L’manburg. They quarantined the Egg and kept it from spreading its Vines across the server. 

Bad proposes that instead of keeping the Egg contained...they break the containment and allow it to spread again.

- Ant insists that Bad must be corrupted somehow, while Bad claims that Skeppy has been cleansed of the Egg’s influence and that whole situation is just a matter of getting him back to normal.

- Bad seems convinced that L’manburg being gone has something to do with them keeping the Egg contained.

- Bad likes that L’manburg is gone, but it’s problematic that there’s so much chaos coming from Dream and other members of the SMP. He wanted L’manburg to remain a source of conflict, and now the Badlands lacks a consistent source of chaos for the server since Dream blew it up.

And he thinks that the Egg is just the right amount of chaos that is needed.

- Punz and Puffy, the Dream SMP faction members, both think Bad has lost it. What about peace? Who knows what the Egg could do?

- Bad points out that the Egg isn’t in the Badlands. It’s in the heart of the Dream SMP. 

If they let the Vines spread, it would give the Badlands an opportunity to take control with the one other large remaining faction weakened.

- Puffy loves the Vines, but she wants the peace to remain. Bad says that peace is never going to happen with the Egg’s power being concentrated in an isolated chamber. The potency of its influence will only grow.

- Bad suggests they look at the Egg to prove a point.

- He asks the Dream SMP members what they want, since he’s already made a case for the Badlands. 

Punz says that he’s “factionless...”

- The entire Egg Room is completely covered, and new growths seem to have appeared on the Egg. Its power is so concentrated that even Punz, who had before always had immunity to its effects, says that he’s starting to feel something.

- “Little Red,” the pet Vine that Ponk has in his Casino, has “flowered” and...turned green?

Ponk apparently poured holy Twitch Prime water on it.

- They go back to the Roundtable and Bad asks if Puffy and Punz want to join the Badlands. 

He says that he has a long-term plan, and that if Punz and Puffy join them in their forces? They could easily take over all of the Badlands territory.

He proposes they let the Egg go and wipe out the entire portion of the Dream SMP while the Badlands searches for a counter to it. They come in after the chaos, clear the Egg with their methods, being the “saviors,” and 

TAKE OVER THE ENTIRETY OF THE DREAM SMP TERRITORY, FORMING THE BADLANDS EMPIRE.

- Puffy says that she thinks Bad is turning into a tyrant. Bad says that he wants the Badlands to be a collective, all with equal say in the government instead of one ruler controlling everything. All the factions with one ruler have faced issues.

- Punz says that he’s willing to work towards chaos. He supports the idea that Bad has. Bad suggests that if Punz and Puffy agree, the Badlands can incorporate Punz’s territory and Puffy’s temple. Punz and Puffy are not a part of the Badlands faction, just part of the incorporated territories of the Empire.

- Bad wants an Empire name.

---

He declares that the Formation between the Badlands, Punz and Puffy shall henceforth be known as: 

THE EGGPIRE

“Let’s let chaos reign over the Dream SMP.”

---

- They go down to the Egg Room to destroy the barriers keeping it in.

“Eggcellent.”

As they destroy it, Bad says he’s grown fond of the way the Vines look. Wouldn’t it look nice if these spread all over the server?

He wonders if Sam would be in agreement with this.

Puffy is still having a few doubts, but Bad insists that all this current chaos will be in the name of achieving eventual peace once all other faction conflicts have been wiped away.

- What’s the best place to plant the seed of the Vines?

Badboyhalo suggests the Crater. 

The Ruins of L’manburg.

- Puffy thinks they all should have protected L’manburg. Punz hesitates...he says he “tried his best to help,” but that they should move on and upgrade the Crater with a little floral decoration.

- They head to the Crater and begin planting seeds of the Crimson all around the L’manburg Flag at the bedrock.

- Badboyhalo believes that, once they take complete control...

It will be the ultimate utopia.

- All they need to do now is convince Sam to go along with the idea. Punz suggests that they get him to go down into the Egg Room without a Prime Suit on.

- The egg puns are getting out of hand. This is an issue.

- Lastly, they gather together, the members of the new Eggpire, in the Church of Prime.

- Puffy still feels that she’s the only voice of reason, and wonders whether she’ll have to warn the others about the Badlands’ plan.

- Once he’s stepped away from the other members, Bad reveals that underneath his disguise, his red has been drained away to gray and white just like the Egg did to his statue. He doesn’t want the others to know yet, but thinks Antfrost was close to catching on.

- Meanwhile, Puffy continues to write in the Captain’s Log -- her journal from earlier. She is very concerned about these new developments.

---

Upcoming Events:

- Futuristic Tales From the SMP Episode

- Tommy’s plan to kill Dream

- The eventual reveal of Pandora’s Vault

[ffxvficrec]

POLYSHIP ROADTRIP ROUND UP 1

You can also check out the collection here: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/PolyshipRoadtripBigBang2021

We’ve listed the archive warnings and ratings, but please remember to mind the tags!

Broken Memories by Movielover52

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Mature Rating

Prompto wakes up in an old, abandoned medical hospital. He has no memory of himself other than a vague sense of his name, Prompto. Prompto does not know why he is here, but he is not alone in the building. Luckily, he manages to come across three other men who he can trust. There is something about these guys that spark a strange yet familiar feeling within Prompto. He feels safe around them. The four of them wander around to find a way to escape. However, they discover a much darker secret.

Relax and do nothing by SophiaHoppia

No Archive Warnings Apply

Explicit Rating

The boys agree that Ignis is in desperate need of a day off. Together, they spend a day and a night at Galdin Quay's luxurious hotel. They hit the beach, treat themselves to a nice dinner at the famous Mother of Pearl restaurant, and share an intimate night together.

What Noctis and Prompto hadn't known before is that Ignis really has serious trouble relaxing…

Remain (Where There is Light) by wickedorin

No Archive Warnings Apply

General Rating

Noctis had come to terms with his fate, saw the world as it had become and could not continue being, and made his sacrifice. Yet, in the fade that followed, there were cherished voices, one more pact made-- And he woke to a new dawn.

There is a future. And there is time.

Misinformed by Redfoxline

No Archive Warnings Apply

Teen Rating

Culture shock kicks Noctis in the face when he sets foot on Gralea’s campus where he’s enrolled. Why is everyone in the Empire so hung up about the Lucian Prince being an exchange student, anyway? It’s a hassle to ask the faculty to be discreet about it.

At least his three roommates don’t seem to be aware he’s a prince - that, or they are just nice enough not to mention his position.

And, well, if Noctis doesn’t say anything either it’s technically not a lie.

Merely misinformation.

Fealty, Devotion, Love by DistractedDream

No Archive Warnings Apply

Mature Rating

“Your vow, made before us, before our Court, and before our Crystal, is accepted.”

Three times Noctis stands before Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto to accept their commitments to his service. Three times he shows his appreciation through small gifts to keep on them always. And one time, Noct makes his own vow on his knees before them.

forever and a day (i've waited for you) by myeuphorio

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Mature Rating

Gladiolus, Ignis, Noctis and Prompto spend their whole lives trying to find each other, clinging onto the memories they've been blessed with and using them as a guide.

King of Nothing by ChiiwiFruit

Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Teen Rating

It has been decades since the once prosperous world of Eos fell victim to endless night and swarms of demons. Only hunters move between the fragmented remains of civilization. One such hunter is Noctis, the last descendant of the old kings of Lucis. Accompanied by his loyal friend Ignis, they search for their place in the ruined world. Along the way they meet Gladio, the last of the former King’s Shields, and Prompto, a gunslinger who fled conscripted service in Niflheim. Maybe their true place is with each other.

[noladyme]

My Only Sunshine - Chapter 7

Liv is as human as they come – faults and all. After a dark experience in her past, she is determined to live life on her own terms, and never let anyone claim her as theirs again. This becomes an issue, when she meets a 1000-yearold vampire, who is dead-set on claiming her as his own.

CHAPTER 6

The first blow to my face, as Thomas tried to wake me up from my drug induced state, was so hard that I immediately came too. He wanted me awake for what he had planned.

“There she is”, he smiled. “This isn’t exactly how I’d imagined this going; but beggars can’t be choosers… Here, look this way…”. He held up his camera, to take a picture of us together. My body felt limp, and my head fell to his shoulder. “Thomas, please…”, I croaked. He snapped the photo, just as I said please; and turned the camera around, so I could see myself on the small screen. “Look, such a pretty smile”. His voice was breathy, as he leaned in to put his lips to my temple.

I tilted my head to avoid the gesture, when Thomas grabbed a hold of my hair to hold me in place. I was shaking from fear, on top of whatever drug he had given me. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be. You know there’s something here”, Thomas said. “No. I don’t want this…”. He struck me across the face, and I felt a trickle of blood run into my eye from my eyebrow. For a moment, Thomas’ expression softened, as if he was surprised by his own action. Then he got on his feet, and began pacing the ground before me.

“You’re a real bitch, you know that?”, he growled. “Here, I’ve been the perfect gentleman, doing the right thing, asking you on dates, and keeping other men away from you; so you’d understand, that you belong to me…”. I used what little strength I had to crawl backwards. In the distance, I saw the back door to the club; almost in a fog. I just had to make it there, get someone’s attention; and I’d be saved. “Help… me!”, I croaked, as loudly as I could.

I felt a sharp pain in my side, as Thomas kicked me in the ribs. “Shut up! Shut the fuck up!”. He kneeled next to me, and hit me again. Blow after blow struck every inch of my body he could reach; as I tried in vain to cover myself. I knew this was it – I was going to get raped, and killed. I couldn’t move; the sobs escaping me were so weak, that I knew I couldn’t even speak, let alone scream. Thomas produced a small knife from his pocket, and began slicing at my meager clothing. As he went to cut up my sequined bra, he cut a gash into my breast, making me groan in pain. “This is all you’re good for, anyway. Lie back and take it. You’re mine…”. He began tugging at his belt, to open it, and forced his knee between my legs.

The was a sudden gush of wind, and Thomas flew across the alley; landing on the ground, out cold. Standing over me, was a young man, with intense and curious eyes. He was pale, and as his lips parted, I saw his fangs. “You…”, I rasped, still unable to speak properly. “He will not harm you anymore”, the man said. “But you are bleeding heavily, and the strikes he has dealt are severe”. “I… don’t want to die”, I whispered. He knelt next to me. “What is your name, woman?”. “Liv…”. A smile ghosted his face. “And so you shall… I can heal you, and make this man leave you alone”. He placed a hand on my cheek. “But I would like something in return”. “What?”, I asked. “I would like to taste your blood… Only a little. Just to remember different days”.

It was beginning to be difficult to breathe, and I knew the vampire – which I now understood he was – was right. “Who are you?”, I asked. “My name is Godric”, he replied. “But once this is over, you will forget it; and meeting me… None the less, I would like your consent”. I swallowed painfully, and tasted blood. “Alright”, I croaked. “Yes… Please just make this stop… make him go away”.

Godric nodded with a smile, and got back on his feet, walking over to where Thomas was laying. He was coming too, as Godric raised him by the neck. “Don’t… You have no idea who the fuck you’re messing with!”, Thomas croaked. “I think I have an idea… But it doesn’t matter”, Godric said, and stared deeply into Thomas’ eyes. “You will leave this woman be. You’ve never met her, and have no wish to go after her. You were never here. Walk away, and forget”. He let go of Thomas, who stumbled backwards – dazed. He turned around, and walked out of the alley.

Coming back to kneel by me, Godric gently put his arm around my back, to lift me into a seated position. The movement was painful beyond belief, and I almost passed out. Bracing myself for more pain, as Godric lowered his head to me, for what I thought was a bite; I was surprised, when he pressed his lips to my chest, sucking from the wound there. His skin was cold, and sent a shiver through my body. He made no sounds as he fed from me; his lips and hands didn’t travel anywhere. He simply drank. After a moment, he lifted his head, and I thought he was about cry, from his expression. “As it was…”, he breathed; before meeting my eyes. “Thank you”. He bit into his wrist, and put it to my lips. I felt the taste of my own blood mixed with something different – something cold and dark, but none the less lifegiving. I closed my eyes, and felt pain leave my body. After a final swallow of his blood, Godric moved his wrist away from my mouth; and I let out an exhausted breath. I could feel myself healing, and getting stronger by the second.

Opening my eyes again, they met Godrics. They were like deep voids into nothingness; and yet piercing at the same time. “You will go home and forget. Burn your clothes. This never happened”. I frowned. “I don’t understand…”. Godric looked confused for a second. “We have never met…”. “But you saved my life!”.

Godric let go of me, and got on his feet in a fluid movement. I got up myself, though with less elegance. “Forget me. Forget what happened!”, he hissed. I shook my head in confusion. Godric clenched his jaw, his expression a mix of fear and intrigue. “You are… It’s not possible!”. “What? What’s wrong?”, I asked. He stepped towards me again, and smiled in wonder. “I cannot glamour you”, he said. Someone laughed in the distance, and I saw that the backdoor to the club was slightly agape. Godric grabbed my arm, and looked intently at me. “Leave this place. Disappear. Do not ever tell anyone what happened here. Will you promise me?”. “Yes… of course”, I croaked. Another gust of wind, and Godric was gone.

Slipping back into the club, I grabbed my belongings; before leaving – never to return.

---

“Miss Sunday…? Liv!”. Erics voice pulled me out of my daze. His hand was on my shoulder, and he was hunched to meet my eyes. “I’m sorry, master”, I said. “You don’t remember, do you…?”. Both Eric and Isabel looked at me intently. I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. “I…”, I croaked. My mind raced. “Eric, I think miss Sunday had one too many drinks back at the suite”, Pam said sharply. Eric gave her a hard look. “Maybe she’d like to get some fresh air…”. “Akta henne”, Eric muttered. He reluctantly let go of my shoulder; and Pam led me towards a large glass door, leading to a large terrasse. The area was empty of people.

“Thanks…”, I said. “Whatever”, Pam muttered. “You looked like you were about to be sick; and I didn’t want that shit near my new pumps”. I looked down at the shoes in question; and internally agreed with her, that that would indeed be a shame. I searched my purse for my cigarettes; thankfully finding both them and a lighter. Putting the cigarette to my lips, I drew in a lung of smoke, hoping it would calm me down. “I can’t tell them I don’t remember…”, I said; looking out over the lights of Dallas. “I can’t lie like that”. “Why not? You’ve been lying about being Erics for days. Lying seems to come naturally to you”. “That’s different”. “Why? Because it’s not a lie?”. She smirked amusedly at me. I took another draw from the smoke. “Because… If I don’t tell the truth, Godric might get executed. And that will hurt Eric”. “And you care about that?”, she asked. I cocked a brow at her. “Are we girlfriends now?”, I smiled challengingly. Pam simply rolled her eyes.

“It won’t matter what you say. Godric is guilty until proven innocent. And one human’s testimony won’t count as evidence enough”. She nabbed my cigarette, and took a draw from it – surprising me. “They’re just putting you on the stand as a matter of process”. “Why is it illegal to feed from a human in dry states? If the human is willing…”, I said. “It’s not illegal to feed, technically. It’s illegal to bite”. Pam handed me back the cigarette. “What?”, I frowned. She shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s a good idea to read up on this shit, before you visit a somewhere new as a vampire… I have a bucket list for states I haven’t fed in yet. So far, I’m missing Illinois, North Dakota, Florida, Idaho and Alaska”. The thought of Pam roadtripping through the states to check of her list, made me quite uncomfortable. “So, you’re telling me that what Godric did wasn’t illegal?”, I asked. “He fed from you…”, Pam said. “But he didn’t bite me”, I retorted. Her eyes narrowed.

“And you remember that, how; exactly?”. Rose’s sudden appearance caught me off guard, and I coughed out a lungful of smoke. Rose nodded towards Pam. “Pamela…”. “Rose…”. Pam looked less than delighted to greet the other vampire. “You’re not fixing to throw our only witness off the roof, to help your grandsire; are you?”. Pam looked out the corner of her eye at me. “Can’t say the thought hasn’t crossed my mind…”. Rose laughed heartily. “I’d have to kill you if you did”, she said, and looked at me. “No, we need this one. I for one, am going to make sure that she stays alive until the end of the trial”. “That makes me feel so much safer”, I grunted; and immediately regretted my words, from the look both vampires gave me.

Eric and Carl joined us on the terrasse; and though I hated his stupid vampire guts at the moment, I was happy to see the Viking. “Is there a problem here, ladies?”, Carl asked. Eric came to stand by me; taking a halfway protective stance in front of me. “Your human is mouthy…”, Rose said. “She forgets her place”. “Which is, of course, on her knees, baring her neck for you”, Carl said. “We know, Rose… Mainstreaming is wrong”. Rose smirked venomously at him. “Well, I see you’ve chosen a side”, she said. “Where is your beloved human, by the way…? Javier, isn’t it?”. Carl didn’t say anything, but I could tell Rose had struck a nerve.

Rose turned to Eric. “And you, Northman? We all know where you stand…”. “I stand on the side of Godric… that’s no secret”, Eric replied. “If you weren’t still attached to him, I dare say you’d be on our side; wouldn’t you…”. It was more a statement, than a question. “I don’t know…”, Eric smiled. “Mainstreaming has treated us well in Area 5”. Pam joined him in smiling. “So, you’re fine with your human being disrespectful to a fellow sheriff?”, Rose sneered.

Eric turned to face me. “Apologize to sheriff Pence”. His eyes were serious, warning me. “Of course, master”, I smiled. “My deepest apologies, sheriff. I’ll remember my place, from now on”. Rose didn’t seem convinced, but none the less nodded at me in response. “You seem different than the humans Northman usually brings to conventions”, she said. “They normally know how to behave, before they arrive”. “She’s new to our ways. Still learning”, Eric said. “I can tell”, Rose said. “Careful, human”. “Yes, sheriff Pence. My deepest regrets”, I smiled, finding it hard to let the gesture reach my eyes. “Leave the poor girl alone, Rose”, Carl said exasperatedly. Rose gave him a cold glare. “I have opening arguments to prepare”, Rose said, and left the terrasse. “Pence… any relation?”, I asked after they left. “Might be. He seems kind of anemic”, Pam smirked.

“Ow! Fuck…”. I shook my hand. The cigarette had burnt down to the butt; and scorched my fingertips in the process. Eric looked angrily at me. “I thought I told you how I feel about you smoking!”. Rage seeped through every pore of me. “I’m so very sorry, master. Please forgive me for my misdeeds!”, I mock-pleaded. Eric towered over me, staring me down. “This is another one of those situations I’m too uncomfortable with to watch”, Pam said. “I second that”, Carl muttered; and the two vampires left us to it.

Eric grabbed my arm. “What was that?”, he asked. “I’m not sure what you mean, master”, I replied quietly. “Why are you behaving like this?”. I looked down. “I apologize, I didn’t mean to offend you. Do you wish to feed? Unless my just smoking has tainted the taste of my blood, of course”. I tilted my neck, to invite him into biting me. “You’re not being yourself”, Eric said. “I am just trying to do the job you expect me to”, I said, an edge to my voice. “If you don’t want to feed from me, maybe you’d prefer to have sex? I’m sure we could find a corner somewhere before the trial…”.

Suddenly, my back was against the wall, and Eric was pinning my wrists down beside me, and pushing his knee in between my thighs. “If I wanted to, I’d have you screaming my name in pleasure within seconds”, he hissed. My breath caught in my throat. “Are you expecting me to go along with that, because you’re paying me?”, I challenged. From his expression, I’d caught him of guard, and he didn’t know how to reply. “Let me go, Sheriff Northman”, I said coldly. He immediately did as I asked, and stepped back.

Erics eyes hit the ground in front of me. “The magister is going to ask you, what happened between you and Godric”, he said. “He didn’t do anything illegal. He never bit me”, I said. “You can’t remember that”. “Yes, I can, goddammit!”, I cried out. “No, you can’t!”, he bellowed. “Godric glamoured you. You have no memory of that night”. I threw up my hands in frustration. “I can help!”. Eric simply shook his head. “Godric doesn’t want you too help. Neither do I”. He began walking towards the door. “That’s bullshit”, I croaked. “You love him… want to keep him alive. Did he command you to ask me to lie?”. Eric looked over his shoulder at me, but didn’t respond. “He did; didn’t he…? Why?”. “To keep you alive… he knows the hurt it would cause, if…”. He didn’t finish. “For whom?”, I croaked. “I don’t matter to anyone here, anyway…”.

I didn’t get a reply. Eric simply walked over to the door, and opened it; gesturing for me to follow him inside.

---

After being told to sit on a chair near the center of the room, I regretted having played dress up with Pam again. Every vampire present looked at me, as if I was a meal just waiting to be had. I was the only one in the room who was sitting, save for the magister; who’d taken his place on a throne-like chair, about ten feet away from me, facing in my direction. All other humans had been sent away, leaving me alone with the vampires. Eric and Pam stood as near to me, as they were able to, without crossing some invisible line, set up by some of the guards surrounding me. Rose had been right; they wanted me alive, at least for the duration of the trial.

Godric was led into the room, with silver chains around his wrists. His face didn’t give away any kind of pain or emotion; but it seemed Eric felt it all on his behalf from his pained expression. Pam gave him a short pat on the arm. When he caught my gaze, Godric smiled softly, and nodded. He was content to face whatever he had coming.

Eric had been truthful about the briefness of vampire trials. Opening arguments on both sides took very few minutes; as if everyone knew that the verdict had already been made. Isabel spoke as best she could about Godrics good deeds as sheriff, and how he had always followed the Authority’s laws, along with human ones, after the great reveal. Rose enthused about how Godric had broken these same laws, by biting a human in a dry state. She was a good politician, I had to admit; as she managed to speak about how important it was to uphold these same human laws, while still making her stance clear on how she felt vampire and human relations should be. I was almost dizzy at the end of both vampires speaking, and realized I hadn’t blinked in a long while; when a tear escaped my eye.

“Thank you, sheriff. Thank you, deputy”, the magister said unenthused. “Miss Sunday… are you feeling too emotional to testify?”. He’d turned his face to look at me, catching me off guard. “No, magister… I just forgot to blink”, I said. The magister laughed overbearingly. “Humans…”, he said, holding out a nonchalant hand. A murmur of laughter went through the room. Eric was tensing up, and once again, Pam put a hand on his arm; seemingly holding him back. “Are you ready to give testimony?”. I swallowed hard. “Can I ask a question first?”, I said. The magister narrowed his eyes at me. “You can try…”. I took a deep breath. “It doesn’t really matter what I say; you’ve already decided sheriff Godric is guilty”. “That’s not a question”, the magister said. “I guess not…”, I muttered. “What will happen, if you find Godric guilty?”.

The magister leaned back in his chair, and turned his cane in his hands. “Godric is old enough to know better. If we find that he’s broken the law, he’ll have to face the consequences”. “True death”, I said. “Yes”. The answer came promptly, and sent shivers down my spine – and not the good kind. I sat up straighter in my chair. “Now I’d like to get to your testimony… If that’s all right with you, of course”. It wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t, I knew; so, I simply nodded.

“A year ago, you were a dancer, at a human nightclub; called Sugar and Spices – is that correct?”. “Sugar and Spice. Yes”, I said. A cold smile ghosted the magisters face. “And on your last evening of that job, you met sheriff Godric”. “I did, yes”. The answer to that question should be safe enough, I figured. “Now, on the picture shown last night – at the event you attended with sheriff Northman – Godric was shown feeding from you”. “Is that a question?”, I said. Eric frowned at me, and I sighed. “Yes… the picture shows, he fed from me”. “Do you remember the picture being taken?”. “No”. That was the truth. I hadn’t been aware.

Rose stepped forwards again. “Magister. Whether or not this human remembers being fed on, doesn’t matter. The picture is proof that it happened. And it happened in a dry state”. The magister nodded. “According to human law, biting is prohibited in California”, he said. “If this picture is indeed not fabricated, Godric put our community in danger, by disobeying that law”. “And where is the proof that it is not?”, Isabel chimed in. “Are you claiming a photo-shop defense, Isabel?”, Rose chuckled.

“Here’s your proof!”. Stan barged through the room, with Thomas in tow. I felt myself shrink in my seat; and looked towards Eric for some kind of support; though I knew he couldn’t give any at the moment. I wasn’t even sure he wanted to. “Who is this, Stan?”, the magister said. “This is Thomas Porter. The photographer who took the picture”, Stan said. “Stan, you can’t bring in another witness all of a sudden!”, Isabel growled. The magister lifted a hand to halt her. “I want to hear this!”.

Stan led Thomas forwards, leaving him to stand next to where I was seated. I felt cold all over. “I was at Sugar and Spice that night; taking pictures for my piece”, Thomas said. “I followed this woman outside, to take a photograph of her winding down after the show. I went a little way off to catch the angle I wanted, when I saw this vampire attack her”. He gestured towards Godric. “That’s bullshit!”, I roared; real tears escaping my eyes now. “You’re sick, you know that?”. Thomas sighed, and smiled softly at me. “I think you’re confused, miss…”. I was shaking in my seat, and looked up at the magister. “That’s not what happened… Thomas Porter attacked me! Godric saved me…”. Godric sighed; a strange gesture from the ancient vampire. “That’s ridiculous!”, Thomas guffawed. “I just took some pictures of you”.

“Order in the court!”, the magister said. “Miss Sunday, whether this man attacked you or not, is for your own human authorities to handle. I’m focused on sheriff Godric’s crimes… Now, Mr. Porter; did this vampire notice you taking his picture?”. “I don’t believe he did…”, Thomas said. “He doesn’t remember! Godric glamoured him”, I said. It was the only viable explanation for Thomas’ forgetting. These vampires didn’t care what he did to me, so he didn’t need to defend his own actions towards me to them. All he knew, was that he had taken photographs of me. That was what he had meant, when he said he hadn’t forgotten about me. “Well, at least he did one thing right; if what you say is in fact what happened”, the magister said. Rose shook her head frustratedly. “Magister, please!”, she said. “No matter what passed between these humans, fact still remains. Godric bit, and fed on this woman! He cannot be chosen for another term as sheriff; and more importantly, he must be punished!”. “Miss Sunday just told you…”, Isabel began. “Godric glamoured her, obviously”, Rose said. “Made her believe another human had attacked her, and not him”.

The magister looked towards Godric. “Is this true? Did you glamour this woman?”. Godric looked at me solemnly. “I used my glamour on her, yes…”, he said; not lying. He had tried. “See? He even admits it!”, Rose said gleefully. “He is guilty!”. The magister nodded. “It seems he is”. A murmur arose, as vampires on both sides either rejoiced over Godric’s presumed guilt, or wanted to find a different explanation.

Not one of the vampires in the room cared about what had happened to me that night. Even though I’d told them, what Thomas did to me, and that Godric had saved me, it wouldn’t make a difference to his sentence. But lying about remembering; standing by, as someone claimed that Godric had broken the law, which would get him executed – I couldn’t do that. Even if it was because he’d wanted my blood, he had saved me.

“Godric fed from me, from a wound on my chest. He didn’t bite me”, I said, breaking through the sounds of the muttering crowd. The room went silent again. I looked around the room; and saw that all eyes were on me. “He didn’t break the law…”. “He glamoured you to forget, my dear”, the magister said. “No… No, he didn’t…”, I said. Eric shook his head at me; willing me with his eyes not to go further. “How would you know?”. I took a deep breath, and braced myself. “I-i… can’t be glamoured”. The magisters eyes widened, and he got up to stand. “Sheriff Northman, is this true?”, he demanded. “Sheriff Northman didn’t know”, I said, lying through my teeth for the first time during my testimony. Eric parted his lips, and I saw his chest heave from a silent gasp.

The magister walked towards me slowly. “You have witnessed the entire sheriffs’ convention, including this trial; without anyone succeeding in glamouring you?”. “Yes”, I whispered. In the blink of an eye, the magister was stood in front of me, having raised me to my feet by my shoulders. He looked deeply into my eyes, showing me the void in them I’d seen in other vampires when they tried to glamour me. He willed me to listen, and obey. “Miss Sunday… Liv. Let me feed on you…”. “No…”, I said quietly. He frowned deeply. “You’re going to tilt your head now, and let me feed on you!”. My heart was racing, and I was sure – for the second time in my life – that I was about to die; but I couldn’t give in to fear. “I’m not doing that”.

The magister stared at me for a long moment, before stepping back from me. “It seems the most reliable witness to this supposed crime, is in fact this young woman. She cannot be glamoured, and doesn’t win anything from protecting sheriff Godric”. He went back to sit on his chair. I let out a sigh of relief; unsure what I relieved about, really. I’d reacted too soon. “This is bullshit! Can’t be glamoured? You can’t take her word for it…”, Stan roared. “I’m not taking her word for it. I just tried glamouring her myself”, the magister said calmly. Stan exposed his fangs. “Put those away, Stanley”. “Fuck that!”, the cowboy-vampire snarled.

In an instant, Stan was on me; having thrown me to the floor. I was too shocked to scream, and wouldn’t have been able to, even if I wasn’t; because Stan was squeezing my throat with his large hand. Eric pounced at Stan, and struck him hard in the head. Stan let go of me, and the two of them got in to a full-blown fight. I was shaking, and tried to pull myself away from the tussling vampires. The SWAT-vampires pulled the two of them apart.

“Sheriff Northman, remove this human from the room”, the magister yelled. “Do not let her out of your sight until you are told otherwise”. Eric was next to me within an instant; and more or less carried me out of the room, tucked into his side. Pam gave all the surrounding vampires a wary look, as she walked next to us; ready for a fight. One of the bystanders took a step forward, and Eric bared his fangs at him.

Once we were in the elevator, my knees gave in; and I blacked out.

---

My eyes flickered open, and I found myself in my bed in the suite. Eric was seated at the foot of the bed, with his back to me. “What happened?”, I asked. “You passed out in my arms”, he said, not turning around. “How long was I out?”. “A few hours”, he replied. “Javier has been watching you, while Pam and I attended the sentencing”. “Godric?”, I breathed. “They’re letting him go, on the condition that he doesn’t run for another term”. He got on his feet, while I sat up; and went to sit next to me. “I want to thank you, for what you did… Even if I did ask you to stay out of it”, he said. “You saved Godric’s life. It means more to me, than you can imagine”. I didn’t know how to reply. Saying you’re welcome didn’t really cover what I was feeling about the situation. “Stan?”, I asked quietly. “He’s been sent away, after the scene he made at the trial. He took the human, Thomas, with him”. He snarled the name. “It seems he was using him to take down Godric”.

Eric took my hand, and met my eyes warily. “Why did you tell the magister that I didn’t know?”, he asked. “What good would that have done? They’d have just punished you; and it wasn’t a fact that made any difference to Godric’s situation… or mine, for that matter”. I sighed heavily. “So, what happens now? Am I gonna be the magisters midnight snack?”, I asked. “No… You’ll be watched, to make sure you don’t speak of what you’ve heard or seen these last few nights…”. “But I wouldn’t do that”, I exclaimed. “I’m not suicidal!”. A smile ghosted Erics otherwise serious face. “You could have fooled me, sunshine”, he said. “One thing came from you lying about me knowing… They are punishing me… for being stupid enough to bring someone like you to the conference”. I felt my heart drop. “I’m so sorry, Eric…”, I sighed. He shook his head in response, and intertwined his fingers with mine. “My punishment is that I’m to keep an eye on you, make sure you don’t talk”. There was a warmth to his gaze, suddenly. “They’ll want monthly reports on your… situation”. “So, I’m a situation, now…”, I muttered.

I crawled of the bed, and got on my feet; but my knees gave, and Eric caught me against his chest. I was finding it hard not to savor being in his arms again. After a moment of us just standing there, he finally spoke. “What I said… it hurt you. And I'm sorry”, he said. They were strange words coming from his mouth, and I tried not to let them get to me; unsure if I could trust what I was hearing. “You were right… I knew what I was getting myself in to, taking this job… Hadn’t planned on the sex and blood-drinking part; but I should have known…”. Eric stroked my temple with his thumb. “Is that all it was? A job?”. I pulled away from him, and began walking towards the door; my legs not failing me this time. “I thought it wasn’t… But that’s what you said yourself.”, I muttered.

“I was jealous”. I spun around, my jaw dropping. Eric’s expression was earnest, and his arms hung by his side, making him look almost vulnerable. “Excuse me?”, I said. “You don’t get jealous about humans, remember?”. “I do about you". He hunched over a bit, looking at me intently. “You have men and vampires alike wanting you. And even though you’re not mine… or maybe because of that… let’s just say it rubs me the wrong way”. “Bill and Sam are my friends; my good friends… You can’t be jealous of every man that comes within 10 feet of me”, I said. “I’m jealous of the women, too”, he said with a slight smile; taking a few slow but confident steps towards me. “I still want you to be mine”. “Eric…”. I shook my head defeatedly. “You’re right. What you said hurt me. You hurt me… You can’t just feed me your blood to take that pain away”.

His face dropped from mischievous to somber, and he stopped in his tracks; stepping back to give me space. “I understand… I’ll let you rest, before the flight home”. There was clear pain in his voice. “What about your meeting with the Authority, before the sheriffs’ announcements?”, I asked. “Humans don’t take part in that”, he replied. “Your job at this conference is mostly over. I’ll see you home safe; and then you won’t have to see me again”. It was agony to hear him say that. “But… you’ll be watching”, I said. “You don’t want me there… and I trust you to keep quiet. I’ll make the reports without bothering you anymore”.

He walked towards the door out to the hallway. “Eric…?”, I said. He stopped in his tracks, and spun around to look at me. There was something hopeful in his eyes, and I almost felt guilty for continuing down a different path of conversation, than he seemed to have wanted. “What about Thomas? Will he…?”. “I’ll handle him. Make sure he doesn’t bother you again”, Eric said. “Godric commanded me to not kill him, but there are other ways. I’ll make sure you’re safe”. I looked down at the floor and nodded. “Thank you”. He nodded, and left the room.

I got out of the uncomfortable clothes Pam had Gingered me up in, and packed my suitcase; so that I’d be ready for when the limo would take us back to the airport. Feeling strangely jetlagged from having been on vampire-time the last few days, I couldn’t sleep; and decided to take a long, hot shower to calm myself down. Once I was once again dressed – in jeans and a tank top, not feeling comfortable using the clothes I’d bought with Erics card anymore – I grabbed a sandwich from the mini-fridge, and ate it whole; while curled up on one of the couches.

There was a knock on the door, and I looked out the peep-hole; surprised to see Godric standing there, alone. I opened the door, and stepped aside. “Eric isn’t here, but you’re welcome to come in and wait”, I said. “Would you like some TruBlood?”. The vampire smiled almost wonderingly at me. “No. Thank you. I came to see you; before you leave”.

Gesturing for him to sit on one couch, I went to sit on the other. “You risked your life for me. Thank you; but it was unwise of you”. “Lack of self-preservation on both our parts, I suppose”, I said. “They would have executed you”. “I was ready to face my end… It was an honorable cause, to keep you alive”. It was like a bucket of cold water in my face. “Don’t…”, I croaked. “I don’t want that burden on me. Why is my life more valuable than yours?”. “I’m not alive”, Godric smiled. I didn’t have a response to that.

We sat for a moment in silence. “I’m sorry you can’t be sheriff anymore…”, I said. “I’m not”, he said. “70 years is more than enough time on the sheriff’s post. I know very few with the stamina to hold the title for that long”. “It’s a powerful position”, I shrugged. “Power corrupts…”. Godric looked saddened all of a sudden. “You think Eric…”, I began. “Eric was born to power. He was the son of a king, before I took his human life. Power corrupted him in the womb”. My jaw dropped. “Oh… I didn’t know”. Godric must have been worried I’d think ill of him, because suddenly, he felt a desire to explain himself. “He was half-way dead, when we met. Had I not turned him; he would have died in agony”. “No, I meant, I didn’t know he was the son of a king”, I smiled. “I know you wouldn’t have killed him, just to turn him”. Godric tilted his head, and smiled. “How do you know that?”, he asked. “You just don’t seem like that kind of man… vampire”, I said. “And, you saved me… Even if you did only do it to taste my blood; you could have taken it against my will. But you didn’t want to”. He smiled, and shook his head in agreement.

I thought for a moment, on how to phrase my next question. “If you think Eric was corrupted from the beginning, why did you make him?”. Godric smiled softly, and seemed to slip back in a far away memory. “When I met him, I was lonely; closer to dead than alive in my heart. Eric had such fire in him, and reminded me that there was more to my existing than survival. There was companionship, joy… love for another being – in our case the love of family. Father, brother, son…”. “And the corruption?”. I was about to repeat the question, worried Godric hadn’t heard me due to his long pause; when he locked eyes with me again. “I know my child better than anyone, but one thing that will always amaze me, is how he manages to love with all his heart, as if it is not cold and hard as stone”.

I played with the tassel at the corner of one of the throw pillows. “You are… fidgeting”, Godric said. I stifled a smile. “Yeah, sorry… I know how your family hates that”. The vampire grinned. “No… It’s very human of you. That constant need for movement”. “Eric says it’s irritating”, I shrugged. “Eric is emotionally immature”, Godric retorted, raising a brow at me. “He doesn’t necessarily know the difference between irritation and infatuation”. I shook my head with a smile. “I don’t think you’ve read him correctly… I’m just a human”, I said. “Yes. Just a human”, Godric nodded. “To Eric, your humanity represents life itself; and the one thing he loves more than anything, is life”. I felt myself flush red.

The door to the hallway opened, and Eric stepped inside. I got up to stand by the window; almost as a reflex. Eric avoided my eyes, as much as I avoided his; whereas Godric seemed amused to be looking between the two of us. My soon-to-be ex-boss sat down in the spot I’d formerly occupied. “Isabel was made sheriff of Area 9”, he said. “The authority made a good choice. She will handle the position well”, Godric said contently. “What will you do now?”, Eric asked warily. “I haven’t decided…”, Godric replied.

Eric leaned forwards enthusiastically. “Come with us to Shreveport! There is a home for you with me”. “I think it’s best if I leave America for a while…”. The tall Viking suddenly looked like a small child, and I had to will myself to stay where I was; in stead of running over to embrace him comfortingly. “When will I see you again?”, he asked quietly. Godric smiled lovingly at his child. “I will come see you before I leave… both of you”. “Pam will be glad for the opportunity to say goodbye”, Eric muttered; making Godric laugh heartily. “Pamela only cares about me, because she cares about you…”, he said. “She wasn’t who I was speaking of”. His eyes travelled towards me; and I wanted to go hide under a rock. “Liv is going back to Bon Temps. I’ll be making monthly reports on her cooperation to the Authority; but we won’t be working together again”. Eric was very matter-of-factly in his tone. “Is that so?”, Godric said.

I cleared my throat uncomfortably. “We have a flight in about 5 hours. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to try to get some sleep”. Eric tentatively met my eyes, and nodded. “Of course. Pam and I will be at rest before you wake. Please make sure they load the right coffins into the car. Others will be leaving at the same time”. “I got it”. I looked towards Godric. “I’m glad that we met again, in spite of everything”. “As am I”, he said. “Take care of yourself, Godric”, I smiled, receiving a warm wondering smile in return.

Eric got up, and followed me over to the door of my room. “I said I’d remove those”, he said, and looked down at my neck. “Right…”, I said; and looked on, as he extracted his fangs, and pricked a hole in his finger. I met Erics eyes again, letting myself disappear into the vast blueness of them, as he gently stroked his fingertip over the fang-marks on my neck; and let his thumb brush against my jaw. “Sleep tight, sunshine”, he whispered.

I went into my room, and looked at Eric one last time; a pang of heartache streaming through me, as our eyes locked, before I closed the door.

---

I slept during the whole flight back to Louisiana. The sun was still up when we landed in Shreveport; so, I got in my old beat-up car – which was still parked by the airport – and followed the sedan taking the travel coffins to Fangtasia; where Ginger let me and the driver in to the bar. He and the carrier left the coffins in the back office; and after Ginger had finished flirting with them, they left.

“I can take it from here, sweetie”, Ginger said; startling me, as I stood in my own thoughts, looking at Erics coffin. “Great… that’s great”, I said. I lingered for a moment, letting my fingertips trace the smooth surface of the coffin-lid. “Are you alright?”, Ginger asked. “Yeah, just a bit jet-lagged, I guess”. “I know the feeling. I hardly ever see the sun these days. Makes it easier to work here, you know? Keep up with vamp-time”. I nodded with a slight smile. “I’m gonna take off”. “Do you need me to tell them anything?”, she said. “No… Just tell Pam that her Louboutins are in the small suitcase”, I sighed.

I left the office and made my way through the empty bar towards the exit. “And Eric?”. Ginger had followed me out. I thought for a moment. Thank you for the mind-blowing sex. Thank you for trying to protect me against a man that hurt me. Thank you for making me feel beautiful and special. Thank you for wanting me – I want you too, more than I can say. “Tell him… thanks for the opportunity”, I said, and hurried out of the door.

When I woke the next morning, I had received an envelope in my mailbox; without stamp or address. Inside was a check for 10.000 dollars, and a note. - Didn’t want to insult you by leaving a tip. You’re welcome for the opportunity. Thank you for your services – E I sat for a long while, just staring at the two pieces of paper. This is what my experience had boiled down to; as it should. Payment and a civil communication of gratitude. I should have been happy, and content to move on; but inside, I was screaming with frustration over how we had ended things. Everything seemed unfinished.

[theradioghost]

Do you have any podcast recs that are super easy for those of us with audio processing problems? For me specifically that means one voice (or maybe two if they’re very distinct) and minimal complexity in the soundscaping, though if you have recs that don’t fit those that you think might apply to other people w/ different audio processing issues you can talk about those too! :)

I can certainly try! I feel as though I should put it out there that I often have a difficult time gauging where a podcast sits re: audio processing/HOH listeners; the literal entirety of my day job is being good at telling what people are saying in audio, and my own audio processing problems mostly just result in my near-inability to keep up with actual plays, so if any of these are misjudgements on those terms I apologize in advance.

* means that I know there are also transcripts available for the podcast in question!

SAYER: scifi dark comedy/horror. In a morally questionable tech corporation’s moonbase facilities, advanced artificial intelligence SAYER directs employees about their daily routines; this then turns over time into possibly the best story about AI I’ve ever heard. Especially in the first three seasons, virtually all speaking is done by one voice. (Caveat that a few other characters come in later, and they’re actually all voiced by one guy with different filters, but the filters are pretty distinct and characters tend to identify themselves by default at the beginning of every conversation.)

*The Cryptonaturalist: comforting supernatural folksiness. The titular expert on all things strange and wonderful reads poetry, admires nature, and talks about wonderful creatures like foxes that live within library shelves, stick insects that camouflage themselves as whole trees, salamanders that swim in parking lot asphalt, and Owls.

*The Hidden Almanac: comforting supernatural weirdness. Hagiographer, avid gardener, and Mysterious Dude In Plague Doctor Getup known as Reverend Mord gives tidbits of the history of his strange and fantastical world, along with gardening advice. Sometimes his tequila-swigging accidental necromancer best friend coworker Pastor Drom shows up. Written by fantasy author Ursula Vernon and mostly voiced by her husband Kevin. Extremely relaxing to listen to; the show ended last year but they put out five-minute episodes three times a week for eight years so there’s plenty of it. The first year or so actually doesn’t appear on most podcatchers so maybe check out the website.

Everything Is Alive: poignant, heartfelt interviews with inanimate objects. While there’s a different object featured each episode, it’s mostly just them and the interviewer, plus occasional phone calls with an expert on some subject brought up during the interview. Hits so much harder than you could possibly imagine given the summary. You WILL be upset about a can of off-brand cola.

*Quid Pro Euro: bizarre comedy mockumentary. A satire of the European Union in the style of a set of instructional tapes for EU employees made in the ‘90s, predicting what the EU would look like in the 21st century. Their predictions are somewhat off. Only one voice and delightfully it is Felix Trench. I don’t know anything about the EU but I still think it’s hilarious.

*Glasgow Ghost Stories: spooky supernatural. A resident of Glasgow is unexpectedly able to see the many ghosts that reside in the city -- but the ghosts have started to notice her too, and not all of them are friendly. A beautiful and atmospheric single-voice show; plus the feed also contains the very good miniseries Tracks.

*Palimpsest: poetic and haunting. An anthology series about young women experiencing supernatural happenings, each 10-episode season tells a different story in monologue (I think there are literally two episodes with other voices in them). Poignant, gorgeous, and sometimes heartbreakingly sad in the best way. In season one Anneliese wonders about the strange neighbors at her new apartment. In season two, Ellen takes a new job as companion to a supposed fairy princess imprisoned in a strange showroom in turn of the century America. In season three, former codebreaker Josie begins to see the spirits of the dead on the streets of London during the Blitz.

*Within the Wires: alternate history scifi found footage. From a world where a calamitous global war resulted in the installation of a new Society where nations and family ties are banned, an anthology of voices telling their stories. Each season is a single voice. Season one, a set of relaxation tapes deliver unexpected instructions to a government prisoner in a strange medical facility. In sSeason two, a series of museum exhibit guides spin out the mystery of two artists and their work. In season three, a government employee dictates notes to his secretary and begins to suspect a plot. In season four, the traveling leader of a secretive cultlike commune leaves sermons for her followers, and instructions for her daughter.

*Alice Isn’t Dead: lesbian americana roadtrip weird horror. Keisha’s wife Alice was missing, presumed dead. Now Keisha is a trucker, traveling the vast American emptiness to seek her out; but she’s about to become embroiled in the same vast secret war that may have drawn away her wife, and she’s not alone on the roads. Starts with one voice, adds a new one each season for a total of three. Also is finished.

*Station Blue: psychological horror. Matthew takes a job as the lone caretaker of an Antarctic research station for several months. This goes about as well as you’d predict. Very much a slow burn, strange, brooding horror of isolation. Heavy themes of mental illness based on the creator’s experiences of bipolar disorder. 

*Mabel: dark, poetic faerietale horror. Live-in caretaker Anna attempts to contact the absent granddaughter of her elderly employer, the lone resident of a strange and ancient house in Ireland. A love story, a haunted house story, a fairy tale with teeth. This one might be hit or miss; it sometimes tends to the abstract a bit, and there’s more soundscaping and some other occasional voices besides the main two protagonists. Definitely worth trying out, though, this is absolutely an underappreciated gem.

*Janus Descending: tragic scifi horror. Two researchers, Peter and Chell, travel alone to a distant planet to survey the ruins of its extinct civilization. Unfortunately, they discover exactly how that civilization died out. Excellent if you like movies like Alien, and also being extremely sad. Only two voices. Really unique story structure: it’s told via the two protagonists’ logs of the events, but you hear Chell’s logs in order, and Peter’s logs in reverse, with their perspectives alternating. The result is a tragedy where technically you know the ending from the start, but it’s told so cleverly that just what happened and how remains a tantalizing, tense, heartbreaking mystery right until the end.

*I Am In Eskew: poetic, surreal horror. Only two voices and few sound effects. David is a man trapped in the twisting, malevolent city of Eskew, where the rain always falls, streets seem to lead the same way twice, and nothing can be trusted. Riyo is an investigator, making her way through rumors and questions in search of a man long missing and a place that seems not to exist. Maybe my favorite horror media ever? Deeply disturbing and yet even the most awful things are somehow beautiful. Like if Lynch, Escher and Mieville had a terrible, wonderful baby.

*Tides: contemplative hard scifi. When biologist Dr. Eurus is wrecked alone on a distant alien world shaped by deadly tidal forces, her struggle to survive also becomes a meditative exploration of the ecosystem around her, and a recognition that here, she is the alien. Mostly it’s Dr. Eurus; sometimes you hear from her coworkers. It’s got Julia Schifini, what’s not to love?

*Midnight Radio: ghost story/romance. A 1950s radio host who broadcasts a late-night show to her small hometown begins to receive letters from a listener and respond to them on air. I wrote this! It has a total of three voice actors and virtually no soundscaping. I promise it’s good.

[xtruss]

Double Standards of the US

Gabby Petito’s Death is Tragic. But I Wish Missing Women of Color Got This Much Attention

Considerable resources were dedicated to finding Petito’s body. Yet Indigenous people in Wyoming are more likely to disappear and to be killed, and their cases are barely noticed

— Akin Olla | Guardian USA | 25 September, 2021

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said extensive news media coverage of Petito’s death should be a reminder of the hundreds of Native American girls and women who are missing or murdered in the United States. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP

The apparent murder of 22-year-old Gabby Petito has been a consistent part of the American news cycle since she disappeared on 11 September. Her YouTube presence and participation in the Instagram #vanlife subculture, which involves young people travelling around the country living aesthetically appealing lives in vans and converted buses, provided plenty of content for internet detectives on sites like TikTok and Reddit to consume. Her story is heart-wrenching, especially after police footage has emerged of Petito and her fiance, Brian Laundrie, who is now a “person of interest” in her death, having a domestic crisis.

But the story also feels eerily familiar – so familiar, in fact, that there is a term for it: “missing white woman syndrome”. White women, particularly conventionally attractive middle- or upper-class white women, tend to receive disproportionate media coverage when they go missing. Petito’s case is tragic, but the media attention it has attracted replicates a systemic pattern.

Gabby Petito deserves justice; there is no doubt about that. Her death was ruled a homicide by a Wyoming coroner on 21 September, a few days after her body was discovered. She’d been missing for weeks after a roadtrip with her fiance, who returned from the trip without her and soon went missing himself. Her story quickly went viral on social media outlets: a Reddit forum created to track her case has accumulated more than 119,000 members at time of writing, and TikTok videos featuring her have received over 200m views.

“It is concerning when policy priorities are so clearly weighted toward victims of certain racial identities and social classes.”

The media joined in this explosion of attention, and public officials soon followed. The Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, declared online that he has directed all state agencies to assist with the search for Laundrie, who is on the run. I hope they catch him. According to 2019 numbers, however, there are well over a thousand other missing persons in Florida alone. Media attention influences how politicians and law enforcement agencies allocate resources, and it is concerning when policy priorities are so clearly weighted toward victims of certain racial identities and social classes.

It should be said that a lot of the attention that Petito received can be ascribed to the fact that she already had a devoted online following at the time of her death, vaulting her disappearance into an instant cause célèbre on platforms like TikTok and Reddit. But this does not remove racial bias from the picture. It is not as if media outlets conspire behind closed doors to prioritize white women, but producers, editors and news consumers have biases that influence coverage. This bias may even exist on an algorithmic level: Black TikTok content creators have long argued that their content is more likely to be suppressed. Dances created by Black teenagers are often scooped up and popularized by white kids who are able to amass a larger audience. One TikTok user has provided evidence that the platform feeds people content from creators of the same race as those who created content they’ve viewed in the past, further driving any other biases that may already be in play. There is nothing wrong with Petito’s case getting attention, but there is the lingering question of who isn’t getting the same attention – or any attention at all.

This is especially striking given that women of color are more likely to go missing in the US in the first place. The FBI believes that 33.6% of the Americans who go missing every year are Black, even though Black people constitute only 13.4% of the population. In fact, that number is probably an underestimate, because Black girls are often categorized as runaways and not as missing persons. Black children are also more likely to remain missing. Non-profit organizations like the Black and Missing Foundation have tried to fill the gaps in law enforcement priorities by shining a light on individual missing Black people and the statistics behind them.

Indigenous women have a lower official rate of missing persons cases, but there is considerable evidence that this is due to underreporting and poor coordination by law enforcement agencies. In 2016, for example, the National Crime Information Center, a federal database, found that 5,712 Indigenous women and girls had gone missing, but only 116 cases were recorded by the US Department of Justice.

Considerable resources were dedicated to finding Petito’s body in Wyoming earlier this week. Yet 710 Indigenous people have gone missing in Wyoming between 2011 and 2020. Indigenous people in Wyoming are more likely to go missing, and less likely to be found in the first 30 days. Indigenous women are 6.4 times more likely to be killed, and their deaths receive the least coverage in the state.

None of this reflects on Petito as a person or lessens the sadness of her death. The problem lies with our society, a society that passes anti-abortion laws that devalue the lives of women and those who can give birth, a society in which women who are murdered are usually killed by current and former romantic partners. The US needs to deal with the violence that exists within it, and must reckon with the reality that the attention and resources that go towards cases of violence are based on skin color. The harsh truth is, if Gabby Petito had been Black, her name would have long faded from the public consciousness, if it had ever been there at all.

— Akin Olla is a contributing opinion writer at the Guardian