#step right up adventure isle ruby

[klowncoreperson]

Escape

// lord I have not written here in a minute- this is somewhat based off an interaction that occurred in a rp once so I wanted to write down my view of it! There’s also a new character here too which is Enid from that series about Wednesday,, but anyway: TW for mention of meditation if that’s a bit of a trigger to anyone

Just swallow it. It’s not that hard.

Winnie told himself this, staring into the reflection of the lone mirror in the bathroom. He takes a deep breath, shoving a few of the medication in his mouth before swallowing. It was difficult to get this, he never really went to therapy or visited a doctor. So Augustine did it for him and lied to a pharmacist. He claimed he had the hallucinations instead so he could get anti psychotics. Winnie was doing anything at this point to keep HIM at bay.

He sighed before going back to his room to his friends, Ruby and one other girl he met named Enid. “Winnie! You doing okay?” Enid asked him the moment he stepped in. He didn’t really feel like talking, he just wanted the meds to kick in. “Yeah-! I’m okay.” He replied, smiling before taking a seat. Ruby was fast asleep. “I’m glad. I’ve just been watching over Ruby here. Still fast asleep.” She chuckled.

Winnie sat beside Ruby, he could feel the medicine begin to kick in. Maybe this time he’d finally be free..maybe it would work, and he wouldn’t have to be plagued by him any longer…

Then he felt it.

The flash. His vision blurred for a split second to that of the familiar planet. Pathos.

He sat up, trying to control his breathing. Enid looked over to him. “Is everything alright Winnie? You kind of look pale…”

“You pathetic worm…”

That familiar voice was enough to have Winnie looking around the room frantically. He stood up, and so did Enid. “Hey- Winnie! It’s okay! What’s wrong?” Concern was laced in her voice. He turned to face her, also seeing Ruby beginning to stir. “I- I gotta use the bathroom really fast!” Winnie said with quickness in his voice as he rushed to the bathroom.

I don’t understand. It should’ve worked.

“I may be dead…but you’ll never be able to escape me…”

The familiar voice rang out once more as Winnie turned to face him. To face Red. It was like he was there before he quickly retreated back into his shadow. Winnie took a step back, his back hitting against the sink in a panic as he turned to face the mirror, then slowly to the bottle of medicine.

It should’ve worked. Why won’t he leave? WHY WON’T HE LEAVE?

[mercurymarine404]

witness of the horrors

[godess-ofthe-underworld]

Love Finds A Way

(sequel to “See You Again) (A Harry Hook x reader story)

Part 9

"I… I…"

"You what?"

Harry stepped closer, the movement making Hadley look up from the hook.  Their eyes met, Hadley could see the emotions swimming through his ocean blue eyes.  

She let out a deep breath she didn't know she was holding.

"I love you…"

Part 9

Harry's crystal blue eyes widened,enhanced by the thick line of eyeliner around them, his shoulders slumped, his jaw slacked a little. 

Hadley saw the other vks close to the pipe and had to act fast.

"I'm sorry"

Harry snapped out of it just as Hadley dropped the hook over the railing and into the water. 

Harry rushed past her not saying anything as she ran past to join the others. 

A few tears prickled in her eyes as she fought more pirates.

Hadley helped Ruby fight off two pirates as Jay and Lonnie ran through the pipe.

They backed closer to it.

Hadley watched as Harry fought Ben, dripping wet. There was a rage in his eyes that Hadley never saw before. She snapped out of her staring when Evie pulled her back.

"Carlos! Smoke bomb!"

Carlos tossed the smoke bomb to Evie and she held it up.

Purple smoke billowed out from the broken bomb, covering them to escape.

"Ben go!"

Evie, Ruby and Ben went through the pipe.

Hadley and Mal made it over the bridge, stopping at the opening.

Together they kicked the bridge off the docks and into the waters below.

Mal smirked at Uma and turned away going through the tunnel.

Hadley lingered a few moments longer looking at Harry.

He was looking straight back, his blue eyes sad. He almost looked like he wanted to say something.

"i'm sorry"

Hadley turned and ran through the tunnel, throwing her sword in the trunk of the limo and climbing in.

When she settled in her seat a  silent tear slipped down her cheek.

The way back was silent, no one said anything aside from Dude saying things he shouldn't.

When they got back all Hadley wanted to do was sit in her room and cry.

Ruby ran off to the dorms as soon as her feet hit Auradon soil.

Evie pulled her and Mal away walking towards the dorms.

"We need to talk"

Hadley nodded, another tear dripping down her cheek.

"No."  Carlos stepped forward making the girls turn around.

"No?"

“You guys are always going off in a huddle, whispering your girl-talk or whatever.  And Jay and I are tired of it.”

Jay looked at Carlos wide eyes before holding his hands up.

“I'm not.” He shrugged.

“We're your family, too.” Carlos continued “We've been through a lot. Together. I'm not stopping that now. Okay?” Mal and Hadley shook their heads.

Carlos looked at the other four standing around him.

“Everyone, sit.” Carlos sat down cross-legged in the grass with Dude in his lap.

They looked around at each other before sitting down.

The five sat in a circle in silence for a few seconds before Carlos spoke again looking over at Jay.

“I don't know how to start girl-talk.”

Jay shrugged “what up?”

Evie chuckled and Mal spoke up.

“Um… Well…” she paused looking for the right words, “ I'm a mess. I'm such a mess.” Mal laughed nervously and Evie placed a hand on her shoulder and Hadley reached out for her hand squeezing it reassuringly “I mean, six months ago, I was, you know, stealing candy from babies, and know, everyone wants me to be this Lady of the Court and I have no idea how to keep up the act”

“Then don't” Carlos shrugged.

“See? This was dumb.” Jay sighed starting to get up.

Evie held out her hand stopping him from leaving the grass.

“Maybe not,” she readjusted to hold Mals other hand and face the others.

“we are always going to be the kids from the Isle.  I tried to forget it, I really tried. But those are our roots.  And we all did what we had to do to survive, but it made us who we are.  And we are never going to be like anyone else here.  And that's okay.”

“And we can't fake it” Carlos added.

“Yeah, I mean, especially without my spell book.” Mal sighed.

“Well of Ben doesn't love the real you, then he's not the one.  The same goes with Harry, Hadley.  If Harry can't see the way you feel for him and what you gave up, then he doesn't deserve you” Carlos gave a small smile.

Hadley laughed nervously and another year slid down her cheek.

“See that's the thing, Harry does know how I feel, at least he does now now anyway.” Hadley looked down.

“What do you mean?” Jay furrowed his eyebrows.

“I, um.., I told him that I loved him.” Hadley let out a sharp breath.

The others gasped.

“What did he say?” Evie looked wide eyes at her.

“He didn't say anything.” Hadley gave a sheepishly sad smile “ I said it right before I dropped his hook in the water, he dove in right after,” Hadley paused before starting again. 

“He thought I forgot about him, he thought I abandoned him there.  And I know you guys don't necessarily like him because he's on Umas crew and everything, but he does have a heart.  And to see the look on his face when he confronted me outside of the Ursals’, I broke my heart.  Knowing that I was the sole purpose of it.  Hell I wouldn't be surprised if he hated me now, I mean, I did tell him I was coming back for him.  And now I won't even get to know what his answer would be.” Hadley wiped away the tears that had fallen.

“Well, if he's dumb enough to not love you back then, you don't deserve him.” Jay nodded.

Hadley smiled sadly.

There was silence for a few minutes before  Evie spoke.

“ Hadley and I are going to go make some changes to your dress. And if you're up for it, only if you're up for it, it'll be waiting for you, okay?” Mal nodded slightly and Evie pulled her into a hug mounting 'thank you’re to Carlos who nodded.

Jay, Evie, Hadley and Carlos stood up and began walking away.

When Hadley and Evie reached Evie's dorm, Hadley flopped on her bed.

“E, what am I going to do?” Evie leaned against the post at the foot of her bed.

Evie gave her a small smile.

She sat down on the bed as Hadley sat up and pulled the girl into a side hug. 

“What does your heart say?” 

“That right now, I'm hoping for a miracle” Hadley sighed.

(Evie)

They don't always happen when you ask And its easy to give in to your fears But when you're blinded by your pain Can't see the way, get through the rain A small but still, resilient voice Says hope is very near, oh (Oh) There can be miracles (Miracles) When you believe (Boy, when you believe, yeah) (Though hope is frail) Though hope is frail (Its hard) Its hard to kill (Hard to kill, oh, yeah) Who knows what miracles You can achieve (You can achieve, oh) When you believe somehow you will (Somehow, somehow, somehow) Somehow you will (I know, I know, know) You will when you believe (When you)

(A/n: for those of you who read 'see you again' will know where this song came from :))

Hadley turned and hugged Evie tight.

“What would I do without you?” She smiled.

“Not sure. But now, we have a dress to fix.” Evie stood up pulling Hadley with her.  After getting changed from their Isle clothes, Evie gladly let Hadley borrow some clothes, together they pulled out Mal's yellow and blue dress, attaching it to the mannequin.  Evie cut and Hadley sewed.

Just over an hour later, there was a frantic knock on the door.

“Come in” Hadley said through the pins in her teeth.

The door burst open and in walked a tear streaked Ruby.

Hadley stood up and removed the pins from her mouth seeing her friend in such a state.

“Ruby? What's wrong?” Hadey and Evie both rushed over to console the blonde girl.

“I think I'm in love.” Ruby didn't look up from the floor.

“Well that's great!” Evie squealed.

“Ruby?” Hadley already had an idea on who it was.

“With who?” 

Ruby looked up at them.

“I think I'm in love with Gil.” 

Hadley and Evie looked at each other.

Oh boy..

“Okay, you need to talk and we need to work, let's go” Hadley shut the door and pulled Ruby over to the dresses.

Hadey and Evie resumed their work both listening to her

“Spill.”

“I don't know, I just, I felt something when we ran into him the first time on the Isle.”

Hadley urged her for more details

“After I was captured by Umas crew, Gil never left my side. He also didn't let any of the other crew members get close to me.  We got to talking, found out we have a similar interest in adventures and discovering new places.  He's really sweet." Ruby had a far off look in her eyes. 

"Gil always was. Granted he can be a bit thick headed but, nonetheless,  he is a great guy.  Harry's told me that." Hadley hadn't looked away from the lace she was sewing.

"I understand completely" she reached out and placed her hand on Ruby's knee. 

"I just wish there was some way to bring him over, you know?"Ruby sighed.

"Oh believe me, nobody knows about wanting to bring someone over more than Hadley and I" Evie said walking around the front of the dress.

"There are many people on that island that don't deserve to be there."

Hadley finished stitching, stepping back with Evie and looking the dress up and down. 

"Its even more perfect than before." Hadley high fived Evie admiring their handywork.  

Hadley walked over to Ruby and pulled her up holding onto her hands.

"We will find a way to get Gil off the Isle.  Even if I have to go back there and drag him out myself." Hadley smiled. 

Ruby gave a slight chuckle and pulled Hadley and Evie into a hug.

"Now, its almost time for cotillion." Hadley walked over to the rack of dresses and pulled off a large dress bag labeled 'Ruby'.  She held the bag out.

"Go back to your dorm and get some rest, ill be over in a bit to help you get ready i gotta help deliver dresses and help Evie get ready." She leaned in as Ruby took the bag,and whispered "and to be honest, Evie is the only one who can get me into my dress." Ruby laughed as she nodded her head and walked out the door. 

 I gotta say this part tor me up writing... anyways.. If you liked this part and would like part 10 please like and comment.  As always you can read the illustrated version over on my Wattpad (@phelpsphan).  If you would like to be added to the tag list please message me. <3<3<3

Summary: You would think that six months in Auradon would do any villain kid good.  Well, not Hadley.  After the events of the Coronation, Hadley's mood took a downward spiral; and for one reason, guilt.  She'd broken a promise and left her best friend on the Isle of the Lost.  How will she handle seeing him again when certain circumstances bring her back to the Isle? Will she finally tell him what she really feels?  

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters in Descendants.  Hadley and the plot between her and Harry are mine. 

Tag list: @unded-bride

[let-it-raines]

Playing the Waiting Game

For years, Emma was told to stay away from pirates and others who did not uphold the integrity of the crown she was raised to represent. Emma was never particularly good at listening, however, and while she can still hear the words of her parents in the recesses of her mind, there’s a louder voice that keeps calling her to one particular pirate captain.

rating: a soft m

found on ao3 | here | 

-/-

Birdsong rings out from above her, wings whipping through trees and rustling the leaves, and Emma uses the sounds to keep her own footsteps quiet. There are too many leaves and stray branches scattered on the forest floor, and while she doubts there is anyone else out here when most everyone has work to attend to, she still likes to keep her presence quiet. She’s old enough to know that she’s never truly alone, and lately there seems to be some kind of danger around every corner.

Or, at least, that’s what her father was always telling her.

She was brought up with these never-ending senses of freedom and adventure and hope, and while remnants of those three remain in some of her choices, there are voices in the back of her mind reminding her to be careful with her actions.

And with her heart.

One of those voices is her father. The other is very clearly her mother.

Right now, she’d rather not hear from either of them for once.

After a few minutes of wandering, she finally finds the spot for which she was searching. Beyond the trees but before the cliffs, Emma walks upon a spring with water babbling and then rushing away as it travels to the ocean. It is not salty like the water of the sea, isn’t constantly filled with fisherman and Naval officers and the occasional pirate ship , and she seeks the peace of it and how refreshing it is to bathe without having to listen to the commotion that’s always taking place in the tavern. Emma will be forever thankful for Granny and Ruby for giving her a room and work with good pay, but the simplicity and lawlessness of the place is not what she’s accustomed to.

Well, it is now.

Looking around once more, Emma decides there is no one around, and she shrugs off her cape before working around the buttons at the back of her dress. She doesn’t have on a corset today, can’t be forced into one unless she’s trying to earn more coin at the tavern or at the docks when she sells jewelry with Ruby, but undressing still brings her a sense of freedom and a lightness that couldn’t be found for many years.

“That’s the ability to breathe,” Granny always says. “Men take it for granted because they can wear whatever they damn well please, while we have to wear torture devices to keep our waists trim and our breasts high. Bloody ridiculous.”

When Emma’s toes sink into the water, it’s chilled. The month is not yet March, but it’s a particularly sunny day. Emma assumed the waters would be fine, and after a few minutes of shivering, they are. The Summer Isles are never too cold. Misthaven used to freeze every year, frost and snow covering all of the land, and while Emma does miss the snow, she at least doesn’t have to worry about losing her toes to frostbite.

Humming to herself, Emma takes her hair out of its plaits and then wades beneath the water, letting every inch of her long, golden hair soak, before she swims to the shore and reaches over for the lotions she brought with her. This one smells of lavender, and while she knows that Ruby is not fond of the thought of becoming someone’s wife, Emma selfishly wonders if Ruby might marry Graham so that he can continue to bring soaps and lotions to the tavern.

Then again, Emma is sure she could procure these all on her own. She has some coin stashed away, could sell some of her finer dresses and jewels that she managed to bring with her, but doing that seems like erasing her parents.

Their voices pop back up again, such hope and optimism there, and she pushes them away.

Not today, not today, not today.

“If it isn’t Ms. Swan lazing about in the spring.”

Emma’s eyes spring open, and she sinks further into the water while her heart beats an erratic pace. What the hell is he doing here? How did he find her here? How did she not hear him walk over the crunch of the leaves on the ground?

“What are you doing here?” Emma finally manages to ask. He smirks, eyes looking downward, and she crosses her arms over her chest to cover her breasts.  

“Well, I was going to endeavor to take a proper bath without being hounded by my crew, but it seems someone is occupying the spring. You’re making a mighty fine show of it, lass.” He raises his hands. “On my honor, I have seen nothing below those delicate shoulders of yours. Wouldn’t be proper.”

Emma rolls her eyes and starts floating toward her things while keeping an eye on him. He’s in nothing but his leathers and a long, dark shirt today that is open enough that it barely covers any of his chest. That’s not unusual, though, and she finds that her eyes linger at the dark patches of hair covering the strong muscle before they move up to the multitude of silver chains around his neck. Finally, though, they settle on the sharp, stubble-covered jaw and the white teeth showing in a smile that always makes her skin pebble up in gooseflesh.

One part of her wants to say that’s in a good way while the other is not so sure.

“Killian Jones, since when are you proper?”

He scoffs and places his hand on his chest, affronted. “I am always a gentleman, milady.”

“If you’re so much of a gentleman, why don’t you turn around and allow me to get dressed.”

“As you wish.”

“And don’t think I’m taking my eyes off of you for a second.”

He twists around and winks, the bastard. “I would despair if you did, but I promise to keep my eyes off of you, which is such a bloody shame.”

She has to bite her tongue. She doesn’t know if it’s to keep from laughing or scolding him, and since she seems to be at war with herself so much, she decides to keep her own mouth shut as she climbs out of the spring and moves to her clothes, pulling her shift down over her before dressing in more complete layers. The clothes cling to her wet skin, and her hair will take ages to brush through, but at least she’s no longer exposed to the elements and to Jones.  

She’s not a prude. Really, many around the village would call her a whore because she’s been in a man’s bed before marriage, but she’s not particularly interested in societal norms anymore. But she doesn’t have much of an interest in Killian Jones seeing her in the nude if it’s not on her terms.

Ruby would cheer her on for that thought. Granny would likely tell her to watch herself.

“You can turn around now.”

He makes a show of it, slowly turning and sauntering toward her, and when he’s standing but a few feet away, she gets a glimpse at overly blue eyes that she could swear he managed to steal from the sea.

“You cut quite the figure in that dress, Swan.”

“I’m not wearing a corset.” “I think it is apparent that you need not wear one.”

Emma rolls her eyes and reaches up to start braiding her hair. “So, when did you return to the Isles?”

“A few hours ago. I was planning on bringing the men to the tavern tonight. We had a successful voyage. Figured we all deserved a celebratory drink.” “There are other taverns.”

“Ah, but none with bar wenches as pretty as you.”

This time Emma can’t hold back her laughter, and even with her head tilted back to the sunlight, she knows that he’s smiling.

“I am not a bar wench, and you are not courting me.”

“Why ever not, love?” he asks with a wink. Even then, though, he steps closer to her, and she allows him to place his hand and his hook on her hip. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for them, and she knows herself enough to know that one day she’ll cave. Is it really caving when it’s what she wants? “I could court you. Believe it or not, I was taught how to properly court a woman. I simply believe my way is more thrilling.” “That’s because your way involves rum and sex.” “You forget the gambling.” Emma scoffs, and Killian leans in closer, dipping his head to her neck so that she can feel the softness of his lips and the slight scratch of his beard move against the sensitive cords of her neck.

Fuck, that feels good.

To think that at one time she would have never dared to utter that phrase nearly makes her giggle.

“How could I – however could I forget the gambling?” “Maybe you were distracted,” he teases as his teeth gently bite down before pulling away. Emma gasps before she can stop herself, and Killian’s chuckle is warm against her skin. “I have been told I can be a distracting man.”

“In your dreams.”

“Ah, well, you are indeed in my dreams.”

She allows him to trail his lips against her skin for a few minutes, letting the pleasure rumble over her and settle deep in her belly, but then the voices are back, telling her that she’s better than a pirate, that this isn’t proper.

She never did care much about proper. Why would she now?

“I’ll see you tonight,” Emma whispers as she pulls herself away, heart thumping. Killian’s cheeks are red, his chest heaving, and she knows if she looked down, his trousers would be tight. “I’ll find time to play cards with you, and you can tell me about your journey.”

“Your heart’s desire, Swan.”

And then she’s gathering all of her things and quickly moving away. By the time she’s out of the woods and back inside the perimeters of the village, she smells wood and salt, and she can’t decide if that is from the town or if it’s from Killian.

It’s been months since he’s been back. She doesn’t remember exactly when he left, but she always knows when the Jolly Roger is docked here. The tavern is usually the home to travelers and fisherman, but every few months, each bench and bed are filled with pirates. They may bring in a different type of man, but whenever they leave, Emma’s coin purse is always full from tips and Granny can afford to buy whatever materials she needs for upkeep.

They are all surprisingly well-behaved, but really, if one knows the captain, one knows that isn’t all that surprising at all. The man likes his rum and his card games, mostly because he keeps weighted dice and extra cards up his sleeve, and while a brawl or two does break out, it’s not what Emma thought to expect from a pirate.

“Pirates are no good, sweetheart,” her father once said as he paced back and forth in the library. “They come to our land and they plunder. They have been known to take women and ruin families. They threaten lives for gold. What could possibly be good about a pirate?”

What could be good about a pirate?

A part of her knows, but it’s her parents’ voices and their memory that keeps her from fully falling into finding out.

When she gets back to the tavern, Ruby is sitting in the corner on a bench with Graham, the two of them laughing at some private joke, and they don’t pay any attention to her as she sulks through and slips behind the bar and back into the kitchen where Granny is chopping up a few vegetables while water simmers over the fire.

“We’re going to be busy tonight,” Emma casually tells her, grabbing an apple. “I would get out the rum and whiskey.” Granny turns back to her and rises her brows. “How do you know that?” “I’ve heard a rumor the Jolly Roger is back.”

Granny puts her knife down and places her hands on her hips. “Did you hear a rumor, or have you seen that captain of yours already?”

Emma bites into the apple, and juices run down her face. “He is not mine.”

“Maybe not, but he’s sweet on you.” “And why is that a problem? Graham is being sweet on Ruby out there.”

“Graham is a respectable man.”

Emma opens her mouth to say that she knows for a fact that Graham isn’t quite as respectable with Ruby as Grammy thinks he is, but instead she takes another bite of her apple.

“Look,” Granny sighs, picking up her knife to cut her vegetables again, “you are a mature woman, and you are not my kin. But you also came here five years ago with a chest of expensive goods and not a lick of sense for how to live, so you cannot blame me for caring for you. That man is a sight for sore eyes, and if you want him to warm your bed over the next few weeks, I will not attempt to stop you. When he leaves, however, and he will leave, I don’t want to hear a word of melancholy out of you. Now help me cook dinner and then we’ll prepare for tonight, aye?”

Her parents would definitely be fond of Granny.

Emma helps cook and clean and knead the dough for the bread they’ll bake in the morning, and by the time the night falls and the tavern is lit by nothing more than candle and lantern light, every bench and barstool is full with the excess men leaning against walls and sitting on open window sills that allow the night breeze to waft in. None of them have had a moment to sit down or take a breath from constantly refilling drinks and serving food, and Emma’s feet are starting to ache from constantly standing. She should have had more time to soak them today during her bath, but there’s obviously something to be said about best laid plans being spoiled.

“You have an admirer,” Ruby tells her, nudging her shoulder. “I don’t think he’s been able to keep his eyes off of you all night.” “Yeah, well, we both know I’m his type. Look at all of the women surrounding him. He could easily pretend any of them are me.”

There’s a heaviness in the pit of Emma’s stomach when she looks over at Killian, at the way he commands his table with whatever tale he’s weaving and how the women bat their eyelashes at him and run their fingers over his shoulders.

“You are blind if you think any of them hold a candle to you, my dear. Why don’t you go talk to him, play a round of cards? It’s slowing down. If I need you, I can easily get you.”

“I don’t know, Rubes.”

“Why not? He’s handsome, he’s got a sense of humor, and he’s only ever here for a few weeks at a time. I know you’re not interested in a commitment. What else could you want?”

“I want,” she starts, but then she realizes she doesn’t know what to say. “I don’t know.”

Ruby sighs and turns to Emma, placing her hands on her shoulders and squeezing until Emma looks directly in Ruby’s eyes. “I don’t know who exactly you were before you came here, but I know you’re not someone who lets the opinion of others stop her from having a little fun. So don’t listen to my Granny. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. And don’t listen to whatever part of you says you can’t be with him because he’s a pirate. It’s just a job, Emma. It’s illegal in some places and not the most clean cut in others, but nearly everyone who walks through here is doing something that’s a little…crooked.” “That’s one way to put it.”

“Go,” Ruby insists with a shake of her head. “Have a good time tonight, and if you hate it, which you won’t, I will not bother you at all. I swear of it.” “I will hold you to your word.” “I know you will.” Ruby moves her hands from Emma’s shoulders and then loosens the laces on the front of her dress, exposing the tops of her breasts. Leave it to Ruby to do that. “Enjoy your night, and if you’re fortunate, your morning too.”

Emma rolls her eyes, but she listens…after she drinks a small glass of rum herself.

Killian isn’t paying her any attention as she shuffles through the tavern and moves to the back of the room where he’s sitting. He’s shuffling a deck of cards with his hand when she walks up while muttering something to the women ogling him, but he does finally look up when she learns over the table.

“What are you boys playing?”

He blinks, slowly, and his lips tick up to the right while his tongue flickers out, running over his bottom lip. It’s a look she’s seen before, but it’s not one she’s allowed herself to fully appreciate it.

That’s a damn shame.

“Smee,” Killian calls out, slamming the cards down, “come and take my place in the game.”

“But Captain – ”

“Smee – ”

“Aye, sir. I will gladly take over.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Emma chuckles. “I would have played with you.” “You would have lost,” he whispers as he stands and gets nearer to her. “It was rigged.”

Emma clicks her tongue. “I should have known.”

“Later, though, I might shuffle a new deck, and I give you my word that I will not keep any cards up my sleeve.”

“I make no such promise myself.”

He chuckles and dips his head until his lips brush against the shell of her ear. “Would you like to come back to my ship for a nightcap?”

Emma gulps.

“I don’t believe I can leave Ruby and Granny here alone when we have all of your crew.”

“Pity that. Still, have a drink with me. I did promise to tell you about my journeys.”

“That you did.”

They settle at a table in the corner of the tavern beneath one of the few closed windows. Ruby brings them a pitcher of ale and two small glasses, and before she walks away, she winks and makes a gesture that Emma hopes Killian ignored.

Or maybe she hopes that he saw it.

Emma does not know what she wants, truly, but she pushes down those thoughts and then downs a pewter of ale while Killian begins weaving a tale of his adventures. She can tell that he’s leaving parts out, that he’s curating this for her ears, and she tries to piece together the parts he is not sharing. He went to Misthaven, and she wants to know more.

How is it doing?

Are the people happy?

What about the flowers? Were any blooming despite the month?

Is there still a large rock with her name engraved in it sitting on the shore?

But why would he know any of that? He didn’t make the voyage there to quench her curiosity. He went to make a deal with another pirate captain, something about them both coming across an abandoned ship full of goods. She didn’t know pirate captains made deals like that. She thought they simply killed and attacked for what they wanted.

Then again, she’s starting to realize that maybe she doesn’t know anything about him past the rumors and few bits and pieces he’s shared over the years.

And yet she so readily lets him run his lips across her skin and was fully ready to share his bed tonight.

Emma sucks in a deep breath and slowly lets it out. Her heart is far from calm, and she suddenly can’t get enough air.

“Love,” Killian says, his thumb on her chin as he turns her attention back to him. “Are you quite alright, lass?”

Emma nods and swallows before plastering a fake smile on her face as her hand moves from her lap up to Killian’s hook, tracing along the metal. He watches her movements, and she knows she’s distracted him.

“I have a confession to make." 

"I find most women do."

“I want to know how you got the hook. You hear so many stories…”

“And what have you heard?” “Nothing that I don’t want to hear from you.”

His brows pinch together, but then he softens them while his lips stretch and she has a view of his pretty white teeth. “An enemy took it from me because he believed I took something of his.”

“Something more important than a hand?”

“More important, aye.” Blue eyes glance away before he leans in closer, his hand pressing down on her thigh. “If we’re sharing secrets, would you like to tell me how you became so educated? Or why your attention on me has increased when I was speaking about Misthaven?”

“I’ve read about it is all,” she lies. “My parents taught me to read. I was fortunate.”

“And where are these parents now? Do they know you’re associating with dirty pirate captains?”

“You bathed earlier.”

Killian tilts his head back with a big, booming laugh, and half of the tavern looks their way before he can contain himself and look directly at her, his eyes piercing. “I bathe quite frequently, but I don’t believe I could win the approval of any woman’s parents. So, where are Mum and Dad, love? Do I have to worry about dear old father want to chop off my other hand?”

“No, no you don’t.” A sob catches in Emma’s throat, and this time she can’t swallow it down. “What’d you take from your enemy?”

“That isn’t important for you to know.” “I want to know.” “Well, it’s none of your bloody business!” He picks up the jug of ale and takes a large swig directly from it, his throat bobbing as he swallows. “I think I best let you get back to work, sweetheart. I’m suddenly not in a mood for a night cap.”

He moves his hand of her thigh and reaches into his pocket before tossing a small purse onto the table. “For your trouble. Have a good night, Swan.”

And then he stands and walks away, coat swishing behind him until he disappears out the tavern door and into the darkness of night.

-/-

When the crew of the Jolly Roger comes into the tavern the next night, Emma lets Ruby deal with the Captain’s table. She feels Killian’s eyes on her the entire night, and she knows they’re a darker shade of blue than they usually are.

‘Tis no matter. If he wants to push her and wants her to talk but she can’t ask him questions, then they’ll stay at this stalemate. He’ll be gone soon enough, and he’ll be nothing but a distant memory until he comes back.

If he comes back.

She doesn’t need to be sharing her bed with him anyhow. It would be momentary pleasure only to be left and disappointed again. If she wants someone to sleep next to at night with no connection, there are plenty of other men in the village. She doesn’t need him.

So Emma lets him come and go as he pleases, serves him when she has to, sells jewelry to his crew on the days she works at the docks, and he seems to be choosing to mind his own business as well.

Good.

Days pass before they turn into weeks, and the sting when Emma sees him has dissipated to nothing but the smallest of aches, and he seems to be coming into the tavern less and less. Ruby and Granny have both mentioned it, but Emma has brushed them off, not wanting or needing to explain any piece of her life to them no matter how good they’ve been to her.

She is allowed her own bits of privacy.

Tonight she is taking that privacy by sweeping the alley outside of the tavern while Ruby, Graham, and Granny work inside. It’s unsurprisingly busy tonight. With spring sweeping in, warm weather has come too, and it has allowed the ocean breeze to settle into the air, leaving a warm salt. There’s no need for cloaks and gloves and several pairs of stockings, and Emma longs for the summer even more now.

“Where are you taking me, Captain?” Emma hears a woman giggle, and she sinks back against the building, her heart pounding as loud as horse hooves. “Are we going to your ship?”

“I’m giving you your coin, you will tell my crew I had a nice time should the question arise, and then you may go and enjoy your night.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“I’m not going to sleep with you, lass,” Killian mutters, his hook flashing in the moonlight. “Have a good night.” “Why don’t you want me to share your bed tonight?”

“My reasons are my own. Question them at your own peril.”

And then he turns and walks away, his boots crunching on the gravel.

Emma can’t quite believe what she’s just seen, and she swallows the ever-present lump in her throat before pushing off the wall and dropping the broom against the door. Her curiosity is going to get the best of her because instead of returning to her work, she follows the sound of Killian’s footsteps and then his shadow as he returns to his ship. She’s likely not welcome, but that doesn’t stop her from watching him bark at a cabin boy before he walks through the doors to his quarters.

She hesitates, lingering on her toes, and maybe she’s being dull tonight, but she quietly sneaks aboard the Jolly, making sure none of the remaining crew spot her, before she follows in Killian’s footsteps and opens the door that will lead her to his cabin.

“Jim, I said I was not to be disturbed!”

“My name is not Jim.”

There’s a clatter and a curse, and when Emma is able to climb off the ladder, she can see Killian picking up a stack of books, still muttering to himself.

At least he isn’t cursing at her. She would deserve it for having walked onto his ship without him knowing.

“What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing here?”

“Curiosity,” she admits, taking in the small room filled with books and a small table, as well as a bed that looks more comfortable than hers at the tavern. He seems to have quite the collection of small goods, and her mind betrays her again by wanting to know where exactly he acquired each of them. “Frustration also. I don’t understand you, Killian Jones.”

“Not many people do. Few know me well enough to, and I don’t have most people call me by my name. Most use my more colorful moniker.”

“I like Killian better.”

He huffs and picks up a pewter cup, placing it on the table next to what looks like a map. Are these his plans for his next adventure?

“What are you frustrated about, Swan? Have I done something else to offend you? Pushed you too much? Gotten under your skin? Or are you here to pester me about my past once more?”

Emma shrugs and sits down at the edge of his bed, running her finger across the blanket. “My parents always warned me about pirates, you know?”

“I imagine most did.” “They said you were all despicable and dangerous and that I should never trust any of you.”

“You shouldn’t.”

She hums, more unconvinced now than ever before. “But there’s this weird thing about you that makes me trust you despite everything in my head telling me not to. Would I be wise to assume that you haven’t been a pirate for your entire life? You noticed that I was educated. I have noticed the same of you. The Navy perhaps? But how does someone who was educated in the Navy become a pirate?”

“How does someone who knows proper grammar and etiquette start work in a tavern? How old are you, Swan?”

“How old are you?”

“Thirty-two as of next month.”

“Twenty-six for me. In October.”

Killian clicks his tongue, and she snaps her head up to look at him. He’s not smiling, but he’s pleased. She can see the mirth in his eyes and the way the corner of his mouth twitches.

“You know,” he sighs, pulling the chair out from under the table. It screeches against the floor and then groans when he sits down. “I heard a rather peculiar tale when I was in Misthaven.”

“Did you?”

“Aye. You see, Misthaven has been under a new ruling for the past few years. It seems the King and Queen were killed while sailing to visit the court in Arendelle. Since the law had not passed for a woman to be able to take the throne without a King, the deceased King’s brother took the throne. It seems the princess had been unwilling to marry her suitor and ran away. It takes a clever lass to avoid that many palace guards.”

Emma nods and picks at a thread in his blanket, pretending not to care too much for his story even as her heart explodes within her chest.

He knows.

She knows that he does, that there’s no way he wouldn’t have figured it out, and maybe she should run away, should try to find some kind shelter. There has to be a reward out for her, and Killian may want it.

But if he did, he would have taken her already? He’s been here for weeks. He would have had his opportunities.

“It’s said she had hair made of gold and eyes made of emeralds, but to me, it almost seems that her hair is the color of sunshine and her eyes are comparable to only the ocean on a summer day. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She finally looks up, her lips parted to refute his assumption, but she finds that the words die on her tongue. Instead, she decides to ask another question entirely.

“How long have you known?”

“Since the moment I heard the tale last October. It was your birthday. They have a celebration in the village square.”

“If you knew how I was educated, why did you pester me about it back in the tavern? How is it fair that you know so much about my life and yet I know none of yours?”

“’Tis not fair. Nothing about life is.” Killian stands from the chair, its legs scraping against the wood again. He shrugs off his coat, his shirt underneath clinging to his muscles before it loosens. She can see the way his shoulders heave, the way he’s taking deep breaths, and he’s still turned away from her when he starts speaking. “I have no interest in reliving my past, but I will tell you these truths for the sake of good form. I was in the Navy until I was eighteen. My brother was killed because of our corrupt king, and I turned to piracy. Sometime later I met a woman who was my first love, but her husband took issue with this. He took my hand and since she wasn’t interested in being with a broken man, she went back to her husband. Is that everything you need to know?”

“Killian – ”

“Don’t,” he sighs, turning around with his face buried in his hand. “I don’t tell any of that for sympathy. I share because I should have ages ago. I don’t enjoy being on unequal footing with a woman I fancy, so the moment I figured out your past, I should have shared mine. It’s only right.”

“Thinking you’re on unequal footing is inane. This is not a game.”

He drops his hand and smiles halfheartedly. “No, I suppose it’s not.”

Neither of them speak next, silence lingering in between the two of them, and she keeps waiting for Killian to break the silence and fill the cabin with words. He doesn’t. And the longer it goes on, the more she thinks that the air gets thicker, heavier even.

The more she wonders how she’s even breathing.

“If you enjoy being on equal footing,” Emma finally begins, standing from the bed and sauntering toward Killian until she’s standing directly under his gaze and can smell the leather from his clothes, “then I must admit that I fancy you as well.”

He blinks, and she knows that the corner of his lips tick up.

Good.

“Aye?”

“Aye,” she whispers before pushing up her toes to glide her lips over his.

Emma has felt Killian’s lips on her before, but never like this. It was always on her skin somewhere, sometimes brief, sometimes not, but she has never actually kissed him. She’s never felt how the softness of his mouth mixes with her own or how his beard would feel rough rubbing against her chin. She’s never felt the warm swipe of his tongue or the way that he knows how to push and pull, how to give and take, and how to keep the pace slow, almost reverent when she was fully intending for this to turn into something that would have a fire burning so brightly in her belly that the entire ship would burn down.

That fire is definitely there, warming her, but she thinks she might be able to contain it if this pace continues.

Then again, this isn’t what she was expecting, and the gentleness of it all might make her lose her footing more than if they were to strip out of their clothes right now.

Killian pulls back first, but he doesn’t stray far. His forehead rests against hers, and his thumb has moves from her hair to her chin, his thumb resting in the indent so that she can feel the roughness of his skin and the cool, smooth texture of the metal making up his ring.

“I imagine your parents wouldn’t be too fond of you kissing a pirate.”

“I imagine not, but at some point, I think they would come around.” She leans into him again, brushing her lips over his as she speaks. “Tell me more about Killian Jones, the man. I’d like to know him outside of the view of everyone in the tavern.” “I’m afraid you won’t find him to be as adventurous.”

“Try me.”

Killian chuckles, kissing her once more, this time quick and dirty and absolutely breath-taking, and for a moment, Emma almost tugs him back into her and pulls him down on the bed, but she’s not ready. Now she knows more about him, now she knows something past the physical frustration and the sexual desire, and she finds that she wants to talk to someone who knows about her past but isn’t trying to push her and pull her back into that life.

He’s got a past too, one as colorful and heart wrenching, and she craves knowing more of it.

If he’ll let her.

Killian nods and tells Emma to sit down. She settles on his bed, pulling her knees to her chest and watching as he pulls a series of leather-bound journals out of the ornate cabinet carved into the ship. He doesn’t say anything, simply sitting down on a wooden chair and flipping through the pages, reading a few words to himself, turning the page once again, and then he settles on a passage.

“Today, I set foot in Misthaven for the first time in over a decade. The journey here was full of calm, fall waters, and while a chill nips at my nose, I cannot deny how beautiful this kingdom is. Evergreen trees spread across the ground as far as they eye can see, but then, in the blink of an eye, there are vast stretches of white sand that link to the sea. It reminds me of when I was a boy, of the way my mother would take us to the beach before she died, and though I am here for work, I wonder of the possibility of staying here on a more permanent basis.”

Killian looks up to her, blue eyes cast in a hazy shade of gray, and she swears his cheeks may be shaded in pink.

“Though,” he continues, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, “I would be remiss to say that if I do not return to the Isles, I’ll never seen Emma Swan again. She’s fiery, that lass, and while I was first attracted to the curves that make up her body, I find that she is the only one who is not afraid to challenge me. I fancy that about her, even when she is yelling at me, and it would be a lie to say that I do not enjoy riling her up. Her cheeks turn pink, her lips press into a firm line, and then she shows me her wit that is purely unmatched.”

“You write about me in your journal?”

He doesn’t look at her. Instead he run his tongue against his teeth and flips through a few pages.

“With the information I’ve gathered today, I believe Swan to be the lost princes of Misthaven. This seems ludicrous, but I cannot turn my mind off to keep from thinking of this. The timeline, the description, the portraits of her in the village, all piece together. It is not my place to be intrusive, and while many would say that means I’ve gone soft, I cannot help but assume that she has run for a reason. She suffered a great loss, and as someone who has experienced many of those, I understand the urge to run. I live this life because of it.”

Emma studied anatomy in her schoolings, knows where each organ is supposed to be located, but she would be damned right now if her heart isn’t in her stomach, beating faster than it ever has while her throat constricts. Killian has obviously skipped over several pages and paragraphs in his journal, has not told her more than he has told her, but what he has told her is enough.

They understand each other, and maybe beneath the physical attraction, that has been there all along.

“Would you like to meet me by the river tomorrow?” Emma whispers as the ship rocks below them.

“Aye, love, I think I would.”

Killian meets her by the river a half hour pass noon the next day. The sun is beaming down on them, a gentle breeze whistling between the trees, and while the two of them share more than they have in the past, it is still but a bird pecking at the shallows. That changes, however, as more days come to pass. During the day, the two of them meet by the river, exchanging slow, lingering kisses that sometimes stay that way and other times leaver her entire body flushing, and at night, he comes to the tavern. There, life is almost as normal as it always is. He sits at his preferred table with his crew, women often trying to gain his attention, and while they are always unsuccessful, there’s a feeling of being unsettled that comes with it.

He has a reputation to uphold, and really, who is she to ruin that for him?

Captain Hook is who the world knows.

Killian Jones is who she is getting to know.

And as the spring melts into summer, that is who she is falling for in a way that she never allowed herself to expect.  

“Swan,” Killian whispers against the back of her neck, his breath warm as it ghosts over the expanse of her bare skin.

She shifts back into him, dragging her foot along the warm skin of his calf as he presses into her so that she can feel the rise and fall of his chest and the hard planes of a sea-worn body.

“Mhm,” Emma mumbles, tugging on his hand that is lying flat against her stomach.

“I’m afraid I have some news to share with you.”

The words do not truly settle in her mind. Instead, they stay on the outskirts, waiting and wanting to get in and settle, but her sated body and tired mind don’t allow that.

“And what’s that?”

“I received a letter a few days prior from an old acquaintance who says he has news of my old king once more trying to get his hands on the poison that killed Liam. I cannot let that happen, my love. He could kill thousands, and my men are getting restless. They need to be back on the sea before I have mutiny on my hands.”

Emma blinks and swallows while her stomach swirls, the words Killian is saying finally settling in her mind.

He’s leaving.

That is what Killian is trying to tell her, and she so wishes that she could fall back asleep and not hear any of it.

She knew this would happen, but she had allowed herself to feel comfortable, content even.

Emma had allowed herself to feel love despite knowing that it can be gone in the blink of an eye.

After her parents’ deaths and after many of her courtships in her youth, Emma always believed love to be fleeting, but in actuality, it is not. It seems that it takes no time at all to fall in the kind of love that would take a lifetime to get past, and she has allowed herself to do just that.

Stupid, stupid girl.

Emma makes an attempt to steady her breathing, to someone convince Killian that she has fallen asleep once more, but she knows that he doesn’t believe her when his lips press against her shoulder once more.

“I am a pirate, my love,” he whispers into her skin. “Tis the life I have chosen, and for now, I cannot settle down in one place. In the future, I am open to every possibility, but for now, I must go. Would I be a fool to ask you to come with me? I can show you a way of the world that you did not get as a child, and if you want, we can venture to Misthaven under the cover of the night and cloaks of disguise so you can be home once more.”

Emma opens her eyes again and takes in the soft glow of the candles still burning and the moonlight shining through the windows, a mix of a golden and silver glow, and she allows herself to imagine what leaving her safe haven would be like.

What going home would feel like even if that place is no longer hers.

“But it is your choice,” he continues, each word vibrating against her skin. “Everything is up to you, and if you choose to stay, know that I will count down every minute until I can get back to you.”

Nodding, Emma squeezes Killian’s hand once more. “How much time do I have to make my decision?”

“I will not leave until you have.”

She does not know what to say or how to put her thoughts into words, and while they are pressed together so that she can feel every inch of him, that is not nearly enough. So she glides their hands downward and shifts her leg back, hooking it over Killian’s calf, and he easily takes the hint, slowly touching her in a way that has her heart racing as his lips trail along her back and her shoulder, breathing her in as she does the same to him. The ship rocks gently below them in a soothing motion that Emma has grown to love, and the slowness of the ocean sets the slowness of their pace.

A gradual building that goes higher and higher and higher with each deft movement of Killian’s hand.

But then his hand is replaced, and he slides into her in a long, slow motion, heat radiating across her skin as he fills her. It’s familiar by now, and while she will admit that it is not always thrilling, there are times like this where she cannot imagine any other feeling beside being joined with him in the early morning hours.

The pace stays the same, sometimes slowing when Emma twists her neck to capture Killian’s mouth with hers, and she lingers in living on the edge of falling over, wanting to be there but being content to wait. She’s never liked waiting for much, especially good things, but with Killian, she’s found that waiting is always with it.

Waiting for him to flirt with her, waiting for him to be honest about who he is, waiting for him to come to the tavern, waiting for him to share his past, waiting for him to turn up in the markets with her favorite dessert when she thought he was working, waiting for him to fall in love…

And the thing that always gets her is that yes, she has bided her time and waited for him in certain aspects, but she has not sat idle. She has done her job, has spent time with those closest to her, has done things that she’s wanted to do. So much of her life was controlled, and she’s not yet done with experiencing the freedom of being the only person who has any right to tell her what to do. She may have been raised to wait for a man because he makes the final decisions, but that is not the life she is living now.

Heaven knows, she has made Killian wait for her as well.

Likely far more than she has ever waited for him.

And he is not making any decisions for her. That is all up to her.

Now, though, as Killian’s hand inches to where they’re joined, his fingers working what can only be considered magic, she knows that she is no longer waiting to fall over the edge into the bliss that leaves her warm and sated almost every time.

They do not move afterward. They do not speak either. Instead, they stay pressed together under the blankets in Killian’s cabin, and when they are ready again, they once again join together. This time is not slow. It’s hard and fast, and Emma can scarcely breathe as she holds on in desperation knowing that this could be the last time for a long time.

If not forever.

She wakes not remembering having fallen asleep, and she immediately knows she’s not sharing the bed with anyone else. The mattress is not nearly warm enough for Killian to still be here. When she blinks open her eyes, she sees him standing next to his dresser. He’s not yet clothed, but she watches as a finishes attaching his brace for his hook and then slips on one of his shirts, this one long and billowy and the darkest shade of black she’s ever seen. He doesn’t button the top, leaving his chest on display, and she finds that she can’t look away from him as he tugs up his trousers and tucks in the blouse before putting on his necklaces and rings on. Emma has grown so used to seeing a variation of his clothing nearly every day, of watching him methodically get dressed and then sit down over his logs, the official ones, not the ones where he writes about her, that she cannot quite imagine the day where she is not here to witness these every day moments that are the most ordinary she has ever had.

After a life filled with extravagant and extraordinary, Emma imagines that the thrill that runs down her spine at the thought of having her own normal is greater than any thrill she’s ever possessed before.

“Ah, good morning, my love,” Killian sighs when he sees her. He tugs one last lace on his leathers before sauntering toward her and leaning down to kiss her. He tastes of mint already, and she finds herself smiling about it. “Should I call to the kitchen to get you breakfast, or will you be joining the crew there?”

“Where are you off to?”

“First, to eat,” he smiles, scratching behind his ear before brushing his hair off his forehead. “Then I have preparations to arrange before we depart. Tonight, though, I am all yours, however you want me.” “Captain, that is quite the dangerous position you’re giving me,” Emma laughs before letting the blankets fall around her as she stands and walks to the wardrobe to grab one of Killian’s shirts. “However I want you?”

“Anything for you, milady.”

Emma shakes her head and then turns back around to him, pressing up on her toes in order to wrap her arms around his neck and brush her lips over his mouth as she speaks. “I want to go with you.”

“Swan – ”

“Don’t protest,” she whispers as his hand and his hook settle at her hips. “You asked me, and I’m agreeing. I don’t know if I’ll want to go to Misthaven, but I do know that I am ready for a new adventure with you, whatever that may be.”

-/-

-/-

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[blueangelicrose]

A New Beginning: Chapter 13: Just Dance!!!(part 1)

After a LONG and confusing day, Cuphead was eager to get this overtime at work over with. Apparently, it wasn't his boss that called all four of them in. In fact, when they came into work to discuss what was wrong, their boss just gave a confused look and said, "I don't know what you're guys are talking about. I didn't call you here, but whoever did, did an awesome job of impersonating me! I expected you three to fall for something so stupid like that. But honestly, Dice, I'm a little surprised that you fell for it. You're senses might be getting a little dull their buddy. Ha!" So the four of them were assigned overtime work for falling for something that, to the boss, was a pretty classic and easy prank. They were pretty much irritated by this. Whoever fooled them was either a very clever and talented prankster or they didn't want them to figure out something. (In this case it was the latter, but Josephine has been know to be very mischievous).

While the four worked overtime in the lobby and dining area, Joan was in her room going over all the information that was provided to her by Josephine. Apparently when Josephine was singing by her bay window seat, Dice wasn't the only one that heard her voice. Rumors soon spread like wildfire that there was a singing Angel of Allamac Street. The rumors even reached the ears of the Isles' famous recording company. They sent one of their agents to investigate. And when they found out who was singing, they asked Josephine if she would be interested in signing with them. She at first hesitated but when she thought it over, she agreed. I mean she returned the dagger to its proper place and her supervisors hadn't assigned any missions to her in a while. This was her chance to have a normal life like a mortal. So she later told her supervisors that she would have someone taking over her duties for a while. Remarkably, they agreed to the change of pace. Mainly because God said it was ok, but also because they thought that they had been overworking her for a while. And she would have chances to keep an eye out for her sister and provide backup if things went south at her "job". So Josephine was now an up and coming star of Inkwell Isle!

Also, due to her reputation, she and a select number of guests were invited to a charity ball held at the town hall. The charity was for services and money to be provided for the orphaned children of Nigeria. And for the potential orphans to be adopted by a good and a financially stable family. A couple of the bosses of the charity and orphaned children were to be the representatives for their cause. And hopefully some of those children would be able to find a potential family. So in order for Josephine's reputation to flourish as a star was to sing for and greet the children representatives. And also to build strong relationships with influential and famous individuals.

The reason why Josephine was dragging Joan into this was because she could use this chance to finally fulfill the promise that she made to Cuphead all those years ago. Plus, Josephine wanted to take a closer look at this "Mr. King Dice" for herself to see why he's so well regarded. Besides his position as the right hand man of the Devil, his charming voice and those eyes....... she knew next to nothing about him. She only ever felt this way for one other person in her life and that was eons ago. Only this time, this feeling was stronger and more desperate. She wanted to know this feeling, and she was determined to figure it out. So reluctantly, Joan agreed to her crazy scheme and was given strict instructions on what to wear for the event. She took one look at what she was given to wear and sighed. "Well at least this time she accommodated to my wants and needs."

Hours later, Josephine came strutting in the lobby wearing a sparkly royal purple "Hollow Out Lace Dress Low Collar Halter Long Sleeve Crochet Dress". (For visuals look it up on Google images). This dress had the classic leg showing sewn-in tear into the left side and the length of the dress was a tad bit longer that almost touched the floor. The ends of it elegantly curled in a way that showed how strong it was. The dress also hugged slightly around her body to show the curves to her hour Glass shaped body. Her hair was let down and styled with strong and flowing curls that drapped the frame of her face. Her make-up and jewelry choices were also done quite elegantly. Not too much but just enough to catch a certain someone's eye. And she wore dark and shiny royal purple stelleto heels, (which she pulled off quite well and as far as the balancing goes, she rocked it like it was a pair of tennashoes). She also wore purple ballroom gloves with a few rings to grace her slender fingers. She was shining to the point where even in a casino filled with glitz, glam, bright lights and loud noises that she still stuck out like a sore thumb. She wore her sunglasses to avoid any unnecessary eye contact and to shield her eyes from the bright lights from the casino games.

"E-excuse me ma'am? May I help you with something?" Mugman was nervously trying to ask her if he could assist her in any way. Though she was pretty, Josephine also held a certain dignity for herself that sometimes intimidated others. Although in this casino, intimidation was your best bet and weapon to use against some of its patrons and even the employees. "Ah, yes! I'm just waiting for someone. Can you go see if they're ready?" "Sure! Who're you waiting for? Is it one of the players or one of our employees?" "An employee and um, I have something for your brother. Can you make sure he gets changed into this fast please?" "Ummm.....sure. Do we know you ma'am? Because it feels like I know you from somewhere." "Oh, I'm sure you do. But for now can you please give the suit to your brother?" "Uhhhh.....o-k?" As he left, Josephine couldn't help but pull a little smile as she stared at Mugman giving his brother the rental tux with a red bowtie. It had been a while since she had seen her best friend from her childhood. Sure Joan and Cuphead might've been childhood sweethearts, but her and Mugman were practically like siblings. They both shared the same interests in various subjects and both cared for their siblings dearly. Her smile seemed a bit sad as she remembered the past of her once happy childhood.

Despite her intimidating aura she was still one of the most gorgeous women in the room. Which lead to some of the male customers and employees to surround her trying to see if one of them can get lucky. Josephine of course just rolled her eyes especially at the employee that resembled a cowboy. He seemed the most intent on trying to win her over, especially when he started to ramble on about his "adventures" out in the West. She thought to herself, "When is Joan coming out?! I mean, I know about being "Fashionably Late" but this is ridiculous! I don't think I can take much more of this!" As her patience was running dangerously thin, a familiar voice spoke up. "Alright gentlemen back to what you were doing. Don't you see you're bugging her?" She turned around to see King Dice shooing away the group of men that surrounded her. "Nice to see you again, miss....?" "Josephine. Josephine Mauve Star. And I'm guessing you're Mr. King Dice?"

Earlier he saw the commotion and asked Mugman about it. "Well a very pretty lady just showed up and apparently she's waiting for one of the employees. You know, I can't help but feel like I've seen her somewhere before, she kinda almost looks like Joan. But even I can tell that she's completely different from her. Do you think that they might be related?" Once Dice had a clear view of her face he immediately became amazed and enamored with her. So he stepped up and shooed away the pests, especially Chips. He had finally met her, Joan's twin sister. Josephine, what a beautiful name! And he couldn't help notice that she was dressed in all royal purple, (even her make-up), his signature color. Even her middle name was the color purple. "I've noticed that you seem fond of the color purple." She blushed a slight red around her cheeks and said sheepishly, "Y-yeah, it's my favorite color. Thanks for doing that by the way. I was about to....." Then she noticed that his eyes had turned green. This was the second time that he had done this with her. Why was that? "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice that you have a really nice shade of green in your eyes." King Dice flinched back. He didn't realize that she would notice his low volume of his magic eyes so soon. He wanted to know what was her inner desires and sins, but when she spoke up about his eyes, he stopped immediately. "Oh, um, yes, thank you. Their from my mother's side of the family?" He wanted to palm his face when he said that. He knew he couldn't say the real reason he had these eyes but that excuse was just ridiculous. "Oh, I see. They're very nice." Dice couldn't help but make a small chuckle at what she said. "So, miss Josephine. Who're you waiting for?" "Oh, I'm waiting for a relative of mine. She should be out here by now. And please, call me Josie, if you would." Josie, what a cute nickname! She only keeps getting better and better by the second.

Soon enough, Joan came out wearing a dress similar to Josephine's but with minor differences. Her dress was a nice shade of ruby red and that red lace covered the front of her chest. And though she had lace sleeves like her sister's, hers was a bit looser. They appeared more like an Arabian dancers' styled sleeves. Her dress didn't hug her curves but flowed elegantly loose and the only indication of her showing any curves was the red silken scarf-like sash that was tied around her midsection. The length of the dress was the same but there was no sewn-in tear nor sparkles and wore no gloves. And instead of heels she wore ruby red strapped sandals. She arranged her hair in the hair style of #5 Buns and Pin Curls written by Shannel Mariano. (Which you can find the image at latest-hairstyles.com). She also wore red make-up to match her dress. It wasn't much but since Joan hardly wore make-up at all, people noticed it right off the bat. She was a true gem. Something that Cuphead had noticed after he gotten done changing. His feelings for her that he had before shot through the roof and blushed a deep crimson. "W-w-wow, Joan. That's some get up you're in. By the way, do you know why I'm in this monkey suit?" She couldn't help but giggle at what he said. "Yeah, I do. I'll fill you in at what's going on."

End of chapter 13 (part 1)

To be continued in chapter 13 (part 2)

[e350tb]

Amedot Bomb 9: Wedding

AN: This one took a long time because I was trying to get it as right as possible. Hope you like!

#6: Wedding

It was a pleasant and sunny morning at the barn. It was also a very unusual one.

It had been three months since Peridot had proposed. She hadn't realised at the time, but preparing for a wedding was a long and difficult job, for a number of reasons. Thankfully, the other gems had been happy to help out, and finally the day had come.

It was most certainly not going to be traditional.

Garnet, Greg and Andy had just finished setting up chairs on the grass outside the barn. The wooden structure had been draped in white - if you didn't go too close, you could almost believe that it wasn't just covered in bed sheets Greg had found. There were also flowers, and those were actually real - Steven had gone out and picked them personally, returning with a wide variety of flowers and a wide variety of bug bites. An arch had been erected at the end of the isle, which had been made from junk found in Amethyst's room and spray-painted white.

Andy put down the chair and rubbed his hands together.

"Well, that's done!" he declared, "What time were we startin' again?"

"Twelve," replied Greg, "In about two hours."

"Alright," nodded Andy, "That's enough time to get you into that suit!"

"Do I have to?" asked Greg, "I mean, I'm sure the cherry sweater's gonna be fine..."

"Hey, we're gonna keep at least one thing here traditional," replied Andy, "C'mon, no gettin' out of this..."

He dragged Greg away.

Garnet glanced down at the chairs, which had been labelled with the names of those invited. Two were marked 'Ruby' and 'Sapphire', with a third label in between reading 'Garnet'.

Garnet shrugged, sitting down in between the two chairs.

The first problem had been finding somebody to actually marry Amethyst and Peridot.

"It's going to have to be somebody with legal authority," mused Connie, sitting on the couch between Steven and Amethyst and tapping on a notepad with a pen, "Otherwise it won't be considered official by law."

"Mayor Dewey's got legal authority!" suggested Steven.

"Not Mayor Dewey," said Amethyst bluntly.

"Okay."

"We could ask my dad, but you don't really know him that well," said Connie, "Or maybe some kind of lawyer..."

The door opened, and Blue Zircon walked into the beach house.

"'Sup Zircs," nodded Amethyst.

"Amethyst."

"Yeah, maybe some kind of layw..."

Connie trailed off as the three of them stared at Zircon.

"Um...is there a problem?" asked Zircon, nervously scratching her head.

Zircon paced behind Greg's van, anxiously fretting about what she needed to do. Steven and Connie stood next to her, trying to calm her down.

"I've only just started learning about human law!" exclaimed Zircon, "I'm not prepared for this!"

"You'll do fine," Steven reassured, "You've been doing really well learning from Mayor Dewey..."

"...learning from his legal team," corrected Zircon, "Dewey doesn't really know anything about law. Or mayoring."

"He tries," said Steven.

"All you've gotta do," said Connie, "Is read them their vows, ask if anybody objects and then declare them married. It'll be okay, Zircon, trust me."

"Vows, okay, got to do vows," nodded Zircon, "Uh...what am I saying again?"

"Here, repeat after me," replied Connie.

Zircon swallowed and nodded.

"Do you, insert name here..."

"Do you, insert name here..."

"Well, Greg, you came to the right place!"

Barb Miller led Greg, Steven, Amethyst and Peridot into her house, leading them right to the kitchen table and sitting down.

"I'm not an expert, but I did a course on clothing design at college," she explained, "My memory's a little patchy but I think I know a little about dressing a wedding."

"Why do we need 'dressing?'" asked Peridot.

"It's an Earth thing," shrugged Greg.

"Alright, let's see what we can come up with," said Barb, picking up a pen, "What'll you two be wearing - suit or dress?"

"Uh..."

Peridot scratched her chin before snapping her fingers.

"Both," she decided, "Why not both?"

"Uh...really?" asked Greg, "I..."

"Sure, I think I can make that work," nodded Barb, starting to scribble a design on a scrap of paper.

"I've got an idea!" said Steven.

He leaned in and whispered in Barb's ear. The older woman nodded and grinned.

"Oh yeah," she said, "That's definitely going in there..."

Greg fidgeted at his collar as he took his seat. He had suited up as Andy had insisted - he wore a tan suit with a waistcoat, although he had managed to convince his cousin to let him drop the tie. Steven sat down next to him - he wore a pink suit and tie, and was bouncing in his seat in excitement.

"Looks like Barb did pretty well with that suit of yours," nodded Greg, "Where's Connie?"

"She's just getting changed," replied Steven, "Apparently Pearl came up with something and..."

He trailed off as Connie arrived next to them.

"What do you think?" she asked.

Connie wore a blue, military-style tunic with red cuffs and collar, crossed with a black belt. Under this, she wore white pants and tall boots. She carried one of Pearl's swords on her belt (Rose's sword must have been too big for the purpose).

Steven tried and failed not to blush.

"Oh no, what're you two up to?" Greg asked half-jokingly.

"Well, I'm glad you asked," replied Pearl, stepping into place behind her student. She wore a similar outfit, except her tunic was pink.

"Are you doing some kind of honour guard?" asked Steven.

"Please tell me you're not giving Connie a rifle or something," said Greg.

"Oh, nothing so uncouth," replied Pearl, "Just swords. Apparently there's a human tradition called a sabre arch, and I thought it might be a good idea to do one of those."

She glanced towards the arch.

"Do you think they'll be okay?" she asked, "This is all very new..."

"They'll be fine," replied Steven, "I promise."

"Lapis?"

Lapis glanced over to Peridot from her hammock.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"I...need to ask you something," Peridot said nervously.

"No, I don't know where the remote is," said Lapis.

Peridot swallowed.

"Apparently at human weddings, there's supposed to be someone who stands next to the...'groom' when they get married," explained Peridot, "And I..."

"Groom?" quizzed Lapis, "Humans have such weird names for things."

"I know," nodded Peridot, "But that's not the point. The point is...um..."

She scratched the back of her arm.

"Lapis," she asked, "Can you be that person? Can you be my...what did Steven call it?...best gem?"

There was a brief silence.

"Sure," shrugged Lapis, "Can I go back to sleep now?"

"Thanks Lapis," said Peridot, smiling.

She walked away, letting her barnmate go back to sleep.

Twelve o'clock.

Everyone had arrived by now. The Crystal Gems were there, which went without saying - Garnet, Pearl, Greg, Steven and Connie were all right up the front, and even Lion was sleeping peacefully next to the chairs. The Off-Colours had also been invited - Lars, Rhodonite, the Rutile Twins and Padparadscha sat in the second row with Sadie, while Fluorite had taken a seat a little farther back due to her size. Having helped set up the whole thing, Barb and Andy had also been invited to attend.

Perhaps the hardest of all to bring to the barn had been Amethyst's family - the Famethyst. Steven, Connie and Garnet had gone on their own little mission on the repaired drop ship to bring them, which had been quite the adventure, but they had managed it (and once again, ensured Holly Blue Agate wouldn't report their temporary absence by reminding her that security breaches at the Zoo were technically her responsibility). The Amethysts, Skinny and Carnelian didn't really know what was going on, but they were clearly happy to be there for their Earthling sister.

The last guests were Sour Cream and Onion - not close friends of the couple, admittedly, but they were the children of what Amethyst had called her 'best girl', and Steven was friends with them both, so there had been no objections to their presence.

At the front, Zircon was nervously waiting to begin - Lapis stood to her left, Vidalia to her right. The lawyer gem breathed in deeply - she could do this.

In a human wedding, the groom generally took their place up front before proceedings began, while the bridge was escorted down the aisle. In this case, they had decided that they were both of these things at once. As a result, they both came down the aisle at the same time, to a recording of the Bridal March that Steven had made earlier with his ukulele.

Greg and Steven exchanged a small grin.

Barb and Steven's idea seemed to have worked like a charm. The two gems were wearing the top half of a suit over a wedding gown - green for Peridot, purple and white for Amethyst. At Steven's suggestion, they wore a flower over their lapels in the colour of the other gem. Peridot wore a purple bowtie, while Amethyst had gone for a green necktie.

Before long, they reached the front, turning to face each other. Both looked incredibly nervous - Peridot was visibly shaking.

Zircon swallowed, took a deep breath, and began to speak.

"Fr...uh...friends and family, we are gathered here today," she said, "To witness the joining in matrimony between these two gems, Peridot Facet-2F5L Cut-5XG and Amethyst Facet-5 Cut-8XM..."

As Zircon went on, Pearl sniffled quietly. Garnet glanced over to her, noticing her start to tear up.

"It's going to be okay, Pearl," she whispered, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I know," Pearl whispered back, smiling shakily, "I know."

"Before we go onto the vows," said Zircon, "If anybody has any reasons why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

There was a brief silence.

"Nah, I'm good," said Carnelian, shrugging.

There were a few chuckles, and Amethyst grinned and winked at the small red gem.

"Um...alright," nodded Zircon.

She turned to Amethyst.

"Do you, Amethyst," she said, "Take this gem to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"

Amethyst swallowed, and nodded.

"I do."

Zircon turned to Peridot.

"Do you, Peridot," she said, "Take this gem to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?"

Peridot glanced briefly to Lapis, who gave her a discreet smile. She looked back at Amethyst and smiled shyly.

"I do."

"You may now exchange rings."

The two gems produced their 'rings' from their jackets - they were in fact small donuts, like the one Peridot had used to propose, although these ones were iced simply in green and purple respectively. They exchanged them - purple to Peridot, green to Amethyst.

"I never knew swapping donuts could be so beautiful," croaked Steven, beginning to tear up.

"I now pronounce you gem and gem," said Zircon, "You may kiss."

Without hesitation, they did so.

The Famethyst erupted into a thunderous cheer as the rest of the audience began to applaud. Steven broke into tears, burying his face into Connie's shoulder as she smiled and patted him on his back - next to them, Garnet was doing to same for an emotional Pearl. Zircon smiled and mopped her brow.

After a while, Peridot and Amethyst split apart, turning to the audience. Amethyst laughed, grabbing Peridot and picking her up bridal style as she began to make her way down the aisle. As she walked, Pearl and Connie quickly ran to the end of the aisle and snapped to attention on opposite sides.

"Present arms!" Pearl shouted.

She and Connie drew their swords, raising them up as an arch over the end of the aisle. Amethyst smiled as they passed underneath, giving Pearl a thumbs up - Pearl smiled and nodded back.

And that was that.

With the wedding over, everyone headed for the barn, where the reception had been set up - Greg, Andy and Lars had set up a selection of food for anybody who wanted it, and Sour Cream quickly set himself up as a DJ. It was perhaps the strangest assortment of people ever to attend a wedding reception - but it was without a doubt one of the most entertaining ever held.

As night fell, Garnet, Rhodonite and Fluorite had wandered outside. The party in the barn showed no sign of slowing down, but it was peaceful under the stairs.

"You know," said Rhodonite, "I think I could've done with another permafusion around here. I mean, not that you guys aren't great, but..."

"As long as Amethyst and Peridot love each other as much as we do," Fluorite said sagely, "It doesn't matter whether they can fuse or not."

"Oh, I-I'm not saying that," replied Rhodonite, "I-I-I was just saying..."

She shrugged.

"I just like talking to other gems who know what it's like to be me, I guess," she said.

"You guys okay out here?"

The fusions glanced to Stevonnie, who had come out of the barn to see what they were doing.

"We're fine, Stevonnie," nodded Garnet, "Just having a conversation."

Stevonnie nodded.

"Well, let me know if you need anything," they said, heading back to the barn.

Rhodonite watched them go, furrowing her brow.

"Do you think they might..."

Garnet smiled and shrugged.

"Maybe," she replied, "But that's for another day."

She lay down on her back, gazing up at the stars.

"Here's to love," she said, grinning.

"May Homeworld understand it one day," sighed Rhodonite.

"Like Peridot and Amethyst," nodded Fluorite.

It was midnight in Beach City, and the reception had finally ended. Amethyst and Peridot sat by the cliff next to the lighthouse, looking up at the moon.

"So," asked Peridot, "Do you reckon this is forever?"

Amethyst chuckled, putting an arm over Peridot's shoulder.

"Nah man," she said, "It's, like, forever plus one."

"It's logically impossible for there to be a period longer than forever, Ames," replied Peridot.

Amethyst grinned.

"I love you, Peri."

"I love you too," replied Peridot, smiling back.

They were silent for a while, listening to the sound of the waves below.

"So," asked Amethyst, "Where to from here?"

[ecofinisher]

The Adventures of Super Nathan 3 - Chap 29

Chapter 29

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23301076/chapters/59508307

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13531960/29/The-Adventures-of-Super-Nathan-3

https://www.wattpad.com/901319165-the-adventures-of-super-nathan-3-chapter-29-deep/page/3

Kagami was strolling on her own next to the streets beside the Seine river with her kwami looking out of her jacket at the sidewalk they were going.

„I or Plagg should have stood around to witness the person whoever did that to you two“

„It‘s alright Longg. I don‘t want to know anything about that“ Kagami mentioned earning a nod from the kwami.

„Just try to talk with him again, after we‘re back home“ Longg suggested. „Just let each other talk everything from your heart. I know Adrien regretted the words he said to you,“

„I know…...but it‘s so annoying right now“

„Don‘t worry, you two can figure it out together. Believe me“ Longg assured earning a nod from the adult.

In front of her at the bridge, that led to the isle, where her mother and Adrien‘s father home for abandoned animals stood were a few people crossing the bridge and one of the pedestrians was the fencing colleague Kagami knew from Japan Raiden, which minded his own business along with everyone else.

Kagami arrived at the crossroad to the bridge, then Raiden widened his eyes as he noticed her, then he crossed the road to greet her.

„Hey Kagami“ The man greeted.

„Hey“ Kagami responded. „You‘re out too?“

„One of the kids in the family that sustains me talked about here and I was close to it and decided to pass by“ Raiden answered. „I didn‘t know your mother owned this place“

„She does it along with Adrien‘s parents“ The blue-haired woman answered.

„Cool…..uhm hey this might sound a little too private, but what happened in the house? I‘ve encountered something…...something Adrien didn‘t know about it and he got a little upset,“

„I have no idea“ Kagami answered. „I haven‘t done anything and he‘s feeling insecure about it and can‘t or couldn‘t get the idea out of his head, that I could have betrayed him“

„I was shocked, cause I couldn‘t see any of you two do such a thing. I‘m not sure about Adrien, but he seemed really surprised about my finding“

„None of us was it. Someone dropped it there to trick us“ Kagami mentioned. „Are you sure, it already was there, when you were there?“ Kagami asked glancing at the man, which shrugged his shoulders.

„I had stepped on it. If it was there or not I didn‘t see“ Raiden answered. „You‘re not blaming me for something I don‘t know, aren‘t you?“ The raven-haired man asked looking at a neutral Kagami, which shook her head.

„Nope, I can‘t blame you without a proof. I can just think of you and Adrien as suspects if you two were the ones to notice it first“

„Couldn‘t Adrien be the one who…..used it with someone else?“

„No, he would never do such thing“ Kagami responded. „Mostly getting intimate with someone“

„And how are you sure about it?“ Raiden asked. „Some people can do so many things when we expect it the least“

„Adrien was very anxious before we had our very first time. He needed a little encouragement, mostly from my side due to my good knowledge about him“

„Okay, but we never know. Maybe he doesn‘t need that anymore?“ Raiden mentioned making Kagami roll her eyes.

„Are you trying to make me feel better or to get me into thinking differently about Adrien?“

„Uhm more of making you feel better and also just wanted to point out, that there could also be another reason why we caught this“

„Alright, and hey I don‘t want to talk about this. I just want to take my walk in peace and think about my life“

„Sure, sure“ Raiden answered walking along with the woman on the sidewalk. During the walk, Raiden gazed at the woman noticing her necklace and her choker on her neck and Raiden took a closer look at it seeing the necklace have her name written on it.

„You‘ve got there some nice necklaces“ Raiden complimented. „Who gifted them to you?“

„Adrien…..well the one with my name“ Kagami answered holding it up to see her name with the saber passing through it.

„I saw this on the internet and thought you would love it like this, “ Adrien‘s voice echoed through Kagami‘s head, then she smiled at remembering the night he gave her the golden necklace.

„That means a lot to you, right?“ Raiden asked making the woman shrug her shoulders.

„He gifted me this on our prom night at the high school“ Kagami mentioned. „I never took this off, it became very important to me over the years. It‘s like a lucky charm for me, when he‘s not around, It always makes me feel his presence. I don‘t know why“

„How romantic“ Raiden mentioned a little sarcastically, then he looked at the red pearl of the beaded choker of the woman and touched it with his finger, making Kagami frown her face. „Oh uh…..did I get too close to you?“ The man asked stepping back, then Kagami held her hand over the two necklaces before speaking back at the tall man.

„It‘s okay…..this was bought by me“ Kagami responded.

„Where?“

„I forgot the store‘s name“ Kagami responded. „It was….a sort of secondhand shop“

„A secondhand shop?“ Raiden asked. „Shouldn‘t a woman like you wear things, that aren‘t you know…...outdated?“

„Well, I liked it the day I bought it“ Kagami answered placing her hand over the red pearl of her choker.

„For real?“

„Well now probably not as much as I did at the start…..why are you asking me that?“ Kagami asked making Raiden shrug his shoulders.

„I‘m trying to make a conversation with you, nothing more“ Raiden answered, watching Kagami take her arms down and look at the ground, then they had approached the road, that passed beside the Eiffel Tower and Raiden gazed up at it along with Kagami.

„I still find the Tokyo Tower, cooler, what about you?“ Raiden asked making Kagami shrug her shoulders.

„They‘re both fine in their own way“ Kagami answered and sat down on the wall next to the sidewalk to glance at the tower, then the man sat next to her, then she moved a little further away from him.

„Hey uhm are you feeling better about today or do you still need to talk about it?“

„It‘s alright Raiden“ Kagami responded. „I and Adrien can solve it together. We just need time to refresh a little“

„You think so?“ Raiden asked earning a nod from the woman, which held her hand under her necklace with her name on it. „You think it‘s worth trying?“

„Why shouldn‘t I?“ Kagami answered removing the necklace. „He did a mistake. He‘s not perfect he has flaws just like me. One of his flaws is acting before thinking and this was one type of case like that“

„Sure okay“ Raiden answered watching Kagami clean the zip of the necklace, then tried to put the necklace around her neck, then Raiden placed his hands behind Kagami‘s neck grabbing her on the fingers. „I‘ll do it to make it easier“ Raiden suggested taking the two ends of the necklace afterward he had put the necklace together, then he looked at the red choker of the woman and opened it letting it fall down on Kagami‘s hands.

„What are you doing?“ Kagami asked looking at Raiden, which furrowed his eyebrows bewildered.

„Weren‘t you going to do the same to it?“

„Not really, but well now that I got it…..“ Kagami cleaned the edge of the laces, then handed it back to Raiden, which held it up and looked at the material of the pearl and held it closer to his eye, while Kagami observed his strange behavior. „What are you looking at?“

„This looks like a real pearl“ Raiden mentioned. „Could it possibly be similar to a ruby?“

„Maybe, can you give it back to me?“ Kagami asked wanting to take it away from the man, which held it up farther from the woman, which stretched her arm to take it away from the man, which smirked at Kagami.

„Ah ha ha, do you want that?“ Raiden asked getting playfully for the friend, then Kagami grabbed his arm and tried to take with her other hand the miraculous off the man‘s hands, then Raiden waved around with the miraculous on his finger watching Kagami trying to take it from his hands afterward Kagami managed to touch it and he kept spinning it around his finger faster until it slipped out off his finger letting it flew into the river behind them.

„Oh no!“ Kagami gasped as her miraculous disappeared in the river.

„That was not supposed to happen," Raiden mentioned surprised at where the choker flew.

„I need to get it back“ Kagami warned. „It‘s very important“

„But it‘s deep down in the river. Wouldn‘t it be better, if we just get you a new one?“

„But the one we just lost meant a lot to me and I can‘t just substitute it with something else“

„Why is that so important?“ Raiden asked. „You just bought it in a secondhand store“

„It got over the time important to me, okay!“ Kagami added stern. „I get it, that it was a mistake, but we need to think of a way to get it out of there“

„What are you expecting?“ Raiden asked seriously. „To jump in and get it?‘“

„No, but at least lean me a hand. Afterall you caused that“

„Gosh you‘re doing such a theatre just because of a silly necklace,“ Raiden complained getting up from the wall. „If I get lucky I find somewhere a store that sells fishing rod or anything alike…..the necklace isn‘t per coincidence magnetic? „

„No, I think the fishing rod is the only solution“ Kagami pointed out. „Please go get one“

„Okay, I see what I can do, “ Raiden said leaving the spot and Kagami looked down at the river, then she stared at the river hoping there would be a way to get the miraculous out of the water.

Adrien stood in front of a door with a Chinese symbol and knocked on it normally, then the door got opened by Jin, which held a baby milk bottle in his hand and got surprised at seeing Adrien there in front of his doorstep.

„Hey“ Jin greeted while sealing the cap of the bottle. „You‘re back“

„Hey Jin, I came here to talk to you“ Adrien mentioned entering into the apartment, then Adrien looked at the raven-haired man and sank his head down before he started to talk. „Hey look…..I‘m sorry about today. I was a total jerk towards you, blaming you for something without having any proof. I should have investigated that case instead of coming with only one hint right here at you. Same with Kagami. I‘m also sorry for making your baby cry and eventually set up Xia in a little confusion due to my behavior“

„She really wasn‘t confused, more….surprised“ Jin corrected making Adrien nod.

„I hope we still can be friends and forgive me everything I did or said“

„Sure, we‘re friends“ Jin answered holding out his hand for the blonde to shake it. „But have you already solved the issue?“

„I might have an idea, but probably I should dig a little more into it“ Adrien answered. „Kagami isn‘t guilty. Someone just tried to either split us up or just pull a prank on us. The contraceptive wasn‘t used,“ „I know Ettore is a prankster, but he would not do those kinds of pranks. Someone either tried to sabotage your relationship with Kagami or something else,“

„Exactly“ Adrien agreed with a nod. „When I see Kagami home again I‘ll talk with her and justify her everything I shouldn‘t have done in the first place and eventually we try to figure out, who framed us“

„I hope you find out, who did that“ Jin said earning a small smile of the blonde, afterward Adrien‘s phone rang and Adrien attended it.

„Kagami?“ Adrien responded. „Why did he do that?….uhm okay, I‘ll be there as soon as I can“ Adrien promised and put his phone back after the phone call. „Sorry, Kagami necklace fell into the Seine and she asked me to help her,“

„Oh okay“ Jin answered a little bewildered at his story. „Be careful you two“

„We will be fine, don‘t worry“ Adrien assured leaving the apartment heading into the elevator, then opened his pocket for Plagg to come out.

„How in the world did her miraculous land in the river?“ The kwami asked estranged with the phonecall of his miraculous holder.

„Raiden tried to amuse her by spinning her choker around his finger until it flew away“ Adrien answered. „As Cat Noir, we can get it out of there easily“

„Ugh“ Plagg groaned making Adrien chuckle.

„Come on, we‘re not going to have to fight anyone for it“ Adrien mentioned earning a nod from the kwami.

„Alright, if we don‘t you owe me a large wheel of Camembert“ Plagg begged.

„Oh you‘d love to?“

„Nah not really, but I know I‘ll get like this the cheese“

„Sure, good luck“ Adrien wished jokingly, then he transformed into Cat Noir, soon as he arrived on the base floor he ran out of the building to head to the champs de mars.

[marymperezga]

20 Best Places To Vacation In North Carolina: Where To Stay In The Tar Heel State

Sweeping mountain views, impressive city landmarks, gorgeous barrier island scenery: the best North Carolina getaways come in all shapes and sizes. In a state where you can experience everything from sea cruises and beachcombing, to zip-lining, hiking, and mountain biking—plus world-class artwork and great downtown scenes—you really can cater your North Carolina vacation to suit your taste. But where do you start when you’re looking for a good place to stay? FlipKey is here to help.

Best Places To Stay In North Carolina

FlipKey offers affordable rental properties in destinations around the world, bookable right on our site. To develop our list of best North Carolina vacations, we analyzed all rental review scores across the state from FlipKey and TripAdvisor travelers (FlipKey is a TripAdvisor company), identifying cities and towns that have some of the highest-rated vacation properties. Locations needed at least 100 lifetime reviews and a minimum average score of 4.5 out of 5.00—the cream of the crop!

Travelers have rated the following destinations as some of the best North Carolina vacation spots for booking a rental, whether you’re looking at Oak Island beach houses or Blue Ridge cabin hideaways. A rental home gives you a private property all to yourself, complete with a full kitchen and amenities like laundry or an outdoor patio. Read on for FlipKey’s pick of best places to spend your North Carolina vacation!

Brevard

“A special slice of heaven here on earth. This place is absolutely wonderful!” – Guest Review

The mountain town of Brevard has been raking in the accolades in recent years, including making Budget Travel’s list of Coolest Small Towns in America. Arrive in its magical landscape of over 200 waterfalls and scenic trails, centered around a tight-knit artsy community. Start off outdoors, hiking through the bountiful local forests and paddling by kayak down the French Broad River. Then shop the galleries for arts and crafts inspired by the natural surroundings, have an old-fashioned soda at the 1940s lunch counter at Rocky’s, then finish the day back at your cozy cabin retreat. Perfect.

See all rentals in Brevard

Winston-Salem

Check out the city’s fascinating blend of architectural styles, wandering through Old Salem to soak up its preserved 18th-century feel, and stopping at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art to see its astonishing collection of paintings and furnishings. Gardeners will love the Moravian gardens in Old Salem and the flowers and maples of Reynolda Gardens. There’s also an exciting craft beer scene here, with plenty of pubs and breweries to welcome you in. Every first Saturday of the month you can even attend Beer School to hone your skills and taste a selection of local brews. Foodwise, you can try the regional cuisine in a range of contemporary eateries, or trace the city’s culinary history all the way back to its roots with an authentic taste of Moravian cooking.

See all rentals in Winston-Salem

Hendersonville

A forty minutes’ drive south of Asheville and close to the stunning waterfalls and hiking paths of Dupont State Recreational Forest, this picture-perfect mountain town is a fantastic choice for your North Carolina getaway—whether you’re planning a vacation that’s romantic, sporty, or family friendly. In the summer months, you’ll be treated to free live music every evening. Go from brewery to winery, browse the antique stores, then pick up fresh produce from the local farmers’ markets and head back to your rental for a meal to remember. Find yourself a cabin with a view and you’ll be all set for an unforgettable stay.

See all rentals in Hendersonville

Holden Beach

Holden Beach is a family-friendly coastal town that’s popular without being overrun, although things do get livelier in the summer months. The Intracoastal Waterway is great for paddle boarding and spotting marine life. You can also book a fishing charter to bring back a catch for dinner back at your beach house rental!

See all rentals in Holden Beach

Lake Norman

“We could not have picked a better place. The house is absolutely beautiful in every way and stocked with everything we could possibly need. We loved it here.” – Guest Review

The serene retreat of Lake Norman has over 500 miles of shoreline to explore—grab a rental with a lake view for the ultimate experience. This is the place for boating, wakeboarding, or even powering along on a jet ski, and if you feel like changing things up a bit, it’s just 20 miles to the big-city sights of Charlotte. With top-rated rental properties to boot, Lake Norman is one of the best North Carolina vacations you can take.

See all rentals in Lake Norman

Ocean Isle Beach

Holden Beach’s equally lovely neighbor is Ocean Isle Beach, another relaxing coastal destination. Here you can play games in the pier arcade and fill up on breakfast at the grill, or rent a surfboard or jet ski to master the waves. Back on land, you can play a round on the pristine 18-hole golf course, keeping those Atlantic views in your eyeline, or join a wine tasting at the Coastal Wine Room. The Museum of Coastal Carolina is particularly good for younger visitors, with its aquarium and touch tank full of inquisitive marine creatures.

See all rentals in Ocean Isle Beach

Franklin

Trout fishing, antiques shopping, do-it-yourself gem mining—Franklin’s a unique little North Carolina gem that’s great for a weekend getaway or longer summer stay. Blue Ridge Outdoors readers voted this place 2016’s Top Small Town, so it comes highly recommended. While you’re here, tour the Currahee Brewing Company for a tasting with spectacular views, mine for native rubies and sapphires and have them incorporated into your own jewelry design to take home. All you need now is your rental nestled in the forest.

See all rentals in Franklin

Asheville

“Wonderful location and beautiful cabin. We enjoyed a four day stay fishing, relaxing, and observing nature” – Guest Review

No stranger to accolades, Asheville easily makes our list of best places to vacation in North Carolina. Chilled-out vibes and mountain air combine with a budding downtown and stellar beer scene in this great American city. Head downtown to soak up live music and good eats, or escape up into nature on a peaceful hike with soaring views. The jewel in Asheville’s crown is the impressive Biltmore House, which you can tour with audio guides before exploring the Biltmore Estate Trails. If you’re vacationing with your pooch, you’re in for a treat: excellent dog parks and even a dog bakery await you and your four-legged friend.

See all rentals in Asheville

Beaufort

Beaufort enjoys a picturesque position on North Carolina’s coast, surrounded by pretty waterways. Spend a day kayaking through the Rachel Carson Reserve, island-hop to see wild horses at play, and watch pelicans soaring above you. The sunsets are just breathtaking, so book your beach home to be all set for the show.

See all rentals in Beaufort

Black Mountain

This super-pretty town has a small community feel and offers spectacular Blue Ridge views all year round. The center is big on local arts and crafts, so you can pick up some quality souvenirs before sinking into one of the town’s famous rocking chairs and taking in the views. For something more adventurous, pull on the hiking boots or waders and step out into the surroundings to hike and fish to your heart’s content.

See all rentals in Black Mountain

Raleigh

This forward-thinking college town really shines as a summer vacation destination, with outdoor movie screenings, brewery tours, and live music events. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to eating out: feast on barbecue at Brew N Que or a hot chicken sandwich at Ashley Christensen’s well-loved Beasley’s Chicken + Honey. Tours of the North Carolina Museum of Art run daily and are well worth a look.

See all rentals in Raleigh

Banner Elk

Escape the heat of the summer up in the welcoming Blue Ridge town of Banner Elk. This family-friendly destination offers tubing, rafting, and horse riding in summer, and there’s a sandy beach at Wildcat Lake. Take the car up to nearby Blowing Rock to appreciate the views and feel the unusual upward winds from the rock itself. For snowy stays, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain resorts provide all the ski terrain you need.

See all rentals in Banner Elk

Bald Head Island

Bald Head Island is one of the best places to stay in North Carolina…because it’s completely free of cars! That means a vacation without exhaust fumes or engine noise, just beautifully preserved surroundings. There are sandy swimming beaches, marinas full of bobbing boats, and a beautifully landscaped golf course, and you can choose to cruise down the Cape Fear River or take a guided kayak tour through the creeks. In summer, join a Turtle Walk to see loggerhead turtles nesting and hatching.

See all rentals in Bald Head Island

Wilmington

This port city is another great option, with easy access to nearby Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Carolina Beach (all about a 20-minute drive away). You can wander the historic district to see the town’s tree-lined streets and antebellum architecture, or follow the paths through Airlie Gardens, bordered with oak trees and sculptures. Be sure to explore the Riverwalk, stopping for Southern cooking at the George or one of the other excellent neighboring watering holes.

See all rentals in Wilmington

Boone

This Blue Ridge town is one of the best places to vacation in North Carolina—that you may not have considered! You can get a taste of pioneer history at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, chug along the Tweetsie Railroad, or roll along the ridiculously scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, a stunning drive at any time of year. We’re not sure there’s a better place for a treetop zipline adventure or spa stay.

See all rentals in Boone

Bryson City

There are relaxed vibes all around in this little mountain community, with its downtown lined with local stores, museums, and dining spots. It’s a quiet, unfussy kind of place, plus it’s right on the doorstep of some thrilling outdoor adventures, such as horse riding, mountain biking, and kayaking on the Nantahala River. There are fantastic rentals in this area too, from cozy cabins to imposing mountain lodges, making it one of the best places to stay in the state.

See all rentals in Bryson City

Atlantic Beach

Mind-blowing sunrises and sunsets over the Atlantic are in store in this Crystal Coast hub. Spend the days dolphin-spotting, shelling, fishing, cruising around the islands, or cycling to Fort Macon State Park, where you can see its five-sided Civil War fort. A short boat trip takes you over to Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses running free.

See all rentals in Atlantic Beach

Kitty Hawk

“It was very clean and well maintained. The kitchen had all you needed to prepare meals. The location is great for shopping, restaurants and going to the beach.” – Guest Review

The beach town of Kitty Hawk is a quaint Outer Banks vacation spot, home to the marshes and woodland of Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve—keep your eyes peeled for the gray foxes and otters. There are several sandy beaches here, plus a remodelled pier, and—the biggest draw of all—miles and miles of far-reaching ocean vistas. In nearby Kill Devil Hills, you can visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, which marks the place where the brothers’ first successful test flight took off.

See all rentals in Kitty Hawk

Oak Island

Oak Island has a pretty beach setting, complete with soft sands, rolling waves, and marshland—what’s more, you won’t have to share it with too many other people. There’s a sense of stepping back in time here, due to the relaxed pace and old-fashioned delights, such as kite flying, pier fishing, and rounds of mini golf. If that sounds like your ideal getaway, book your beach cottage and go.

See all rentals in Oak Island

Charlotte

Action-packed Charlotte rounds out our list of best places to vacation in North Carolina. The state’s largest city has so much entertainment to offer visitors: first-class museums and shopping, parks, breweries, and top-quality restaurants. You’ll find big family fun on the roller coasters at Carowinds Amusement Park, and there’s entertainment for racing fans at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, harboring works by Giacometti, Picasso, and Warhol, is a great choice for a cultured afternoon, and just outside the city you can escape into the calm of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, complete with fountains and tropical plants.

See all rentals in Charlotte

The post 20 Best Places To Vacation In North Carolina: Where To Stay In The Tar Heel State appeared first on The FlipKey Blog.

from Tips For Traveling https://www.flipkey.com/blog/2018/08/16/best-north-carolina-vacations-where-to-stay/

[klowncoreperson]

More info about Winnie in my little multiverse thing because why not-

// Might do this for other characters too..also there will be sensitive topics mentioned here such as self harm and suicide

- After everything that transpired with the NES, Winnie absolutely refuses to go near it or the cartridge. And on the off chance he did, he always feels afraid when near it.

- Every now and again he feels suicidal tendencies, but he doesn’t act on them. He wants to live for his friends, but when Red was defeated he attempted to kill off Winnie one last time by telling him to end it…and almost did, but snapped out of it.

- There was a time where Winnie had almost done self harm, but after the pain he felt during the final battle, he doesn’t want to put himself through more pain, specifically pain he’s inflicting.

- Sometimes he would freak out over the color red, but since Sebastian had given him some medication to help him out, he freaks out less over it. He still flinches upon seeing it.

- He doesn’t like looking at his own shadow a lot, due to past hallucinations where Red would be there instead of his shadow and emerge out of it.

- On the topic of hallucinations, there are times where they’re not as bad compared to really bad. Most consist of Red appearing to mock him. One really bad one was when he basically pulled a Redkiller on Winnie and made him witness the killing of the creatures in Pathos..even saw the instance where a family died.

- When Red attempted to paralyze his heart in the final battle, it had a few lasting effects. Winnie gets tired a lot easily specifically when it comes to running.

- Winnie faces the same consistent nightmare almost every night…he’s in Zenith, in the final battle and he sees all of his friends dead in front of him. And he’s mocked for being unable to save them. It’s happened for almost a few months for him. He’s gone through many sleepless nights because of that nightmare.

Bonus!!:

- Since meeting Ruby and seeing her toy Tattletail, he secretly believes it’s annoying but actually doesn’t mind it’s rambles because it helps get his mind off things, such as remembering what happened to him in the past from the NES.

[kevingbakeruk]

20 Best Places To Vacation In North Carolina: Where To Stay In The Tar Heel State

Sweeping mountain views, impressive city landmarks, gorgeous barrier island scenery: the best North Carolina getaways come in all shapes and sizes. In a state where you can experience everything from sea cruises and beachcombing, to zip-lining, hiking, and mountain biking—plus world-class artwork and great downtown scenes—you really can cater your North Carolina vacation to suit your taste. But where do you start when you’re looking for a good place to stay? FlipKey is here to help.

Best Places To Stay In North Carolina

FlipKey offers affordable rental properties in destinations around the world, bookable right on our site. To develop our list of best North Carolina vacations, we analyzed all rental review scores across the state from FlipKey and TripAdvisor travelers (FlipKey is a TripAdvisor company), identifying cities and towns that have some of the highest-rated vacation properties. Locations needed at least 100 lifetime reviews and a minimum average score of 4.5 out of 5.00—the cream of the crop!

Travelers have rated the following destinations as some of the best North Carolina vacation spots for booking a rental, whether you’re looking at Oak Island beach houses or Blue Ridge cabin hideaways. A rental home gives you a private property all to yourself, complete with a full kitchen and amenities like laundry or an outdoor patio. Read on for FlipKey’s pick of best places to spend your North Carolina vacation!

Brevard

“A special slice of heaven here on earth. This place is absolutely wonderful!” – Guest Review

The mountain town of Brevard has been raking in the accolades in recent years, including making Budget Travel’s list of Coolest Small Towns in America. Arrive in its magical landscape of over 200 waterfalls and scenic trails, centered around a tight-knit artsy community. Start off outdoors, hiking through the bountiful local forests and paddling by kayak down the French Broad River. Then shop the galleries for arts and crafts inspired by the natural surroundings, have an old-fashioned soda at the 1940s lunch counter at Rocky’s, then finish the day back at your cozy cabin retreat. Perfect.

See all rentals in Brevard

Winston-Salem

Check out the city’s fascinating blend of architectural styles, wandering through Old Salem to soak up its preserved 18th-century feel, and stopping at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art to see its astonishing collection of paintings and furnishings. Gardeners will love the Moravian gardens in Old Salem and the flowers and maples of Reynolda Gardens. There’s also an exciting craft beer scene here, with plenty of pubs and breweries to welcome you in. Every first Saturday of the month you can even attend Beer School to hone your skills and taste a selection of local brews. Foodwise, you can try the regional cuisine in a range of contemporary eateries, or trace the city’s culinary history all the way back to its roots with an authentic taste of Moravian cooking.

See all rentals in Winston-Salem

Hendersonville

A forty minutes’ drive south of Asheville and close to the stunning waterfalls and hiking paths of Dupont State Recreational Forest, this picture-perfect mountain town is a fantastic choice for your North Carolina getaway—whether you’re planning a vacation that’s romantic, sporty, or family friendly. In the summer months, you’ll be treated to free live music every evening. Go from brewery to winery, browse the antique stores, then pick up fresh produce from the local farmers’ markets and head back to your rental for a meal to remember. Find yourself a cabin with a view and you’ll be all set for an unforgettable stay.

See all rentals in Hendersonville

Holden Beach

Holden Beach is a family-friendly coastal town that’s popular without being overrun, although things do get livelier in the summer months. The Intracoastal Waterway is great for paddle boarding and spotting marine life. You can also book a fishing charter to bring back a catch for dinner back at your beach house rental!

See all rentals in Holden Beach

Lake Norman

“We could not have picked a better place. The house is absolutely beautiful in every way and stocked with everything we could possibly need. We loved it here.” – Guest Review

The serene retreat of Lake Norman has over 500 miles of shoreline to explore—grab a rental with a lake view for the ultimate experience. This is the place for boating, wakeboarding, or even powering along on a jet ski, and if you feel like changing things up a bit, it’s just 20 miles to the big-city sights of Charlotte. With top-rated rental properties to boot, Lake Norman is one of the best North Carolina vacations you can take.

See all rentals in Lake Norman

Ocean Isle Beach

Holden Beach’s equally lovely neighbor is Ocean Isle Beach, another relaxing coastal destination. Here you can play games in the pier arcade and fill up on breakfast at the grill, or rent a surfboard or jet ski to master the waves. Back on land, you can play a round on the pristine 18-hole golf course, keeping those Atlantic views in your eyeline, or join a wine tasting at the Coastal Wine Room. The Museum of Coastal Carolina is particularly good for younger visitors, with its aquarium and touch tank full of inquisitive marine creatures.

See all rentals in Ocean Isle Beach

Franklin

Trout fishing, antiques shopping, do-it-yourself gem mining—Franklin’s a unique little North Carolina gem that’s great for a weekend getaway or longer summer stay. Blue Ridge Outdoors readers voted this place 2016’s Top Small Town, so it comes highly recommended. While you’re here, tour the Currahee Brewing Company for a tasting with spectacular views, mine for native rubies and sapphires and have them incorporated into your own jewelry design to take home. All you need now is your rental nestled in the forest.

See all rentals in Franklin

Asheville

“Wonderful location and beautiful cabin. We enjoyed a four day stay fishing, relaxing, and observing nature” – Guest Review

No stranger to accolades, Asheville easily makes our list of best places to vacation in North Carolina. Chilled-out vibes and mountain air combine with a budding downtown and stellar beer scene in this great American city. Head downtown to soak up live music and good eats, or escape up into nature on a peaceful hike with soaring views. The jewel in Asheville’s crown is the impressive Biltmore House, which you can tour with audio guides before exploring the Biltmore Estate Trails. If you’re vacationing with your pooch, you’re in for a treat: excellent dog parks and even a dog bakery await you and your four-legged friend.

See all rentals in Asheville

Beaufort

Beaufort enjoys a picturesque position on North Carolina’s coast, surrounded by pretty waterways. Spend a day kayaking through the Rachel Carson Reserve, island-hop to see wild horses at play, and watch pelicans soaring above you. The sunsets are just breathtaking, so book your beach home to be all set for the show.

See all rentals in Beaufort

Black Mountain

This super-pretty town has a small community feel and offers spectacular Blue Ridge views all year round. The center is big on local arts and crafts, so you can pick up some quality souvenirs before sinking into one of the town’s famous rocking chairs and taking in the views. For something more adventurous, pull on the hiking boots or waders and step out into the surroundings to hike and fish to your heart’s content.

See all rentals in Black Mountain

Raleigh

This forward-thinking college town really shines as a summer vacation destination, with outdoor movie screenings, brewery tours, and live music events. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to eating out: feast on barbecue at Brew N Que or a hot chicken sandwich at Ashley Christensen’s well-loved Beasley’s Chicken + Honey. Tours of the North Carolina Museum of Art run daily and are well worth a look.

See all rentals in Raleigh

Banner Elk

Escape the heat of the summer up in the welcoming Blue Ridge town of Banner Elk. This family-friendly destination offers tubing, rafting, and horse riding in summer, and there’s a sandy beach at Wildcat Lake. Take the car up to nearby Blowing Rock to appreciate the views and feel the unusual upward winds from the rock itself. For snowy stays, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain resorts provide all the ski terrain you need.

See all rentals in Banner Elk

Bald Head Island

Bald Head Island is one of the best places to stay in North Carolina…because it’s completely free of cars! That means a vacation without exhaust fumes or engine noise, just beautifully preserved surroundings. There are sandy swimming beaches, marinas full of bobbing boats, and a beautifully landscaped golf course, and you can choose to cruise down the Cape Fear River or take a guided kayak tour through the creeks. In summer, join a Turtle Walk to see loggerhead turtles nesting and hatching.

See all rentals in Bald Head Island

Wilmington

This port city is another great option, with easy access to nearby Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Carolina Beach (all about a 20-minute drive away). You can wander the historic district to see the town’s tree-lined streets and antebellum architecture, or follow the paths through Airlie Gardens, bordered with oak trees and sculptures. Be sure to explore the Riverwalk, stopping for Southern cooking at the George or one of the other excellent neighboring watering holes.

See all rentals in Wilmington

Boone

This Blue Ridge town is one of the best places to vacation in North Carolina—that you may not have considered! You can get a taste of pioneer history at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, chug along the Tweetsie Railroad, or roll along the ridiculously scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, a stunning drive at any time of year. We’re not sure there’s a better place for a treetop zipline adventure or spa stay.

See all rentals in Boone

Bryson City

There are relaxed vibes all around in this little mountain community, with its downtown lined with local stores, museums, and dining spots. It’s a quiet, unfussy kind of place, plus it’s right on the doorstep of some thrilling outdoor adventures, such as horse riding, mountain biking, and kayaking on the Nantahala River. There are fantastic rentals in this area too, from cozy cabins to imposing mountain lodges, making it one of the best places to stay in the state.

See all rentals in Bryson City

Atlantic Beach

Mind-blowing sunrises and sunsets over the Atlantic are in store in this Crystal Coast hub. Spend the days dolphin-spotting, shelling, fishing, cruising around the islands, or cycling to Fort Macon State Park, where you can see its five-sided Civil War fort. A short boat trip takes you over to Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses running free.

See all rentals in Atlantic Beach

Kitty Hawk

“It was very clean and well maintained. The kitchen had all you needed to prepare meals. The location is great for shopping, restaurants and going to the beach.” – Guest Review

The beach town of Kitty Hawk is a quaint Outer Banks vacation spot, home to the marshes and woodland of Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve—keep your eyes peeled for the gray foxes and otters. There are several sandy beaches here, plus a remodelled pier, and—the biggest draw of all—miles and miles of far-reaching ocean vistas. In nearby Kill Devil Hills, you can visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, which marks the place where the brothers’ first successful test flight took off.

See all rentals in Kitty Hawk

Oak Island

Oak Island has a pretty beach setting, complete with soft sands, rolling waves, and marshland—what’s more, you won’t have to share it with too many other people. There’s a sense of stepping back in time here, due to the relaxed pace and old-fashioned delights, such as kite flying, pier fishing, and rounds of mini golf. If that sounds like your ideal getaway, book your beach cottage and go.

See all rentals in Oak Island

Charlotte

Action-packed Charlotte rounds out our list of best places to vacation in North Carolina. The state’s largest city has so much entertainment to offer visitors: first-class museums and shopping, parks, breweries, and top-quality restaurants. You’ll find big family fun on the roller coasters at Carowinds Amusement Park, and there’s entertainment for racing fans at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, harboring works by Giacometti, Picasso, and Warhol, is a great choice for a cultured afternoon, and just outside the city you can escape into the calm of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, complete with fountains and tropical plants.

See all rentals in Charlotte

The post 20 Best Places To Vacation In North Carolina: Where To Stay In The Tar Heel State appeared first on The FlipKey Blog.

from Tips For Traveling https://www.flipkey.com/blog/2018/08/16/best-north-carolina-vacations-where-to-stay/

[janetchavezcom]

20 Best Places To Vacation In North Carolina: Where To Stay In The Tar Heel State

Sweeping mountain views, impressive city landmarks, gorgeous barrier island scenery: the best North Carolina getaways come in all shapes and sizes. In a state where you can experience everything from sea cruises and beachcombing, to zip-lining, hiking, and mountain biking—plus world-class artwork and great downtown scenes—you really can cater your North Carolina vacation to suit your taste. But where do you start when you’re looking for a good place to stay? FlipKey is here to help.

Best Places To Stay In North Carolina

FlipKey offers affordable rental properties in destinations around the world, bookable right on our site. To develop our list of best North Carolina vacations, we analyzed all rental review scores across the state from FlipKey and TripAdvisor travelers (FlipKey is a TripAdvisor company), identifying cities and towns that have some of the highest-rated vacation properties. Locations needed at least 100 lifetime reviews and a minimum average score of 4.5 out of 5.00—the cream of the crop!

Travelers have rated the following destinations as some of the best North Carolina vacation spots for booking a rental, whether you’re looking at Oak Island beach houses or Blue Ridge cabin hideaways. A rental home gives you a private property all to yourself, complete with a full kitchen and amenities like laundry or an outdoor patio. Read on for FlipKey’s pick of best places to spend your North Carolina vacation!

Brevard

“A special slice of heaven here on earth. This place is absolutely wonderful!” – Guest Review

The mountain town of Brevard has been raking in the accolades in recent years, including making Budget Travel’s list of Coolest Small Towns in America. Arrive in its magical landscape of over 200 waterfalls and scenic trails, centered around a tight-knit artsy community. Start off outdoors, hiking through the bountiful local forests and paddling by kayak down the French Broad River. Then shop the galleries for arts and crafts inspired by the natural surroundings, have an old-fashioned soda at the 1940s lunch counter at Rocky’s, then finish the day back at your cozy cabin retreat. Perfect.

See all rentals in Brevard

Winston-Salem

Check out the city’s fascinating blend of architectural styles, wandering through Old Salem to soak up its preserved 18th-century feel, and stopping at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art to see its astonishing collection of paintings and furnishings. Gardeners will love the Moravian gardens in Old Salem and the flowers and maples of Reynolda Gardens. There’s also an exciting craft beer scene here, with plenty of pubs and breweries to welcome you in. Every first Saturday of the month you can even attend Beer School to hone your skills and taste a selection of local brews. Foodwise, you can try the regional cuisine in a range of contemporary eateries, or trace the city’s culinary history all the way back to its roots with an authentic taste of Moravian cooking.

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Hendersonville

A forty minutes’ drive south of Asheville and close to the stunning waterfalls and hiking paths of Dupont State Recreational Forest, this picture-perfect mountain town is a fantastic choice for your North Carolina getaway—whether you’re planning a vacation that’s romantic, sporty, or family friendly. In the summer months, you’ll be treated to free live music every evening. Go from brewery to winery, browse the antique stores, then pick up fresh produce from the local farmers’ markets and head back to your rental for a meal to remember. Find yourself a cabin with a view and you’ll be all set for an unforgettable stay.

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Holden Beach

Holden Beach is a family-friendly coastal town that’s popular without being overrun, although things do get livelier in the summer months. The Intracoastal Waterway is great for paddle boarding and spotting marine life. You can also book a fishing charter to bring back a catch for dinner back at your beach house rental!

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Lake Norman

“We could not have picked a better place. The house is absolutely beautiful in every way and stocked with everything we could possibly need. We loved it here.” – Guest Review

The serene retreat of Lake Norman has over 500 miles of shoreline to explore—grab a rental with a lake view for the ultimate experience. This is the place for boating, wakeboarding, or even powering along on a jet ski, and if you feel like changing things up a bit, it’s just 20 miles to the big-city sights of Charlotte. With top-rated rental properties to boot, Lake Norman is one of the best North Carolina vacations you can take.

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Ocean Isle Beach

Holden Beach’s equally lovely neighbor is Ocean Isle Beach, another relaxing coastal destination. Here you can play games in the pier arcade and fill up on breakfast at the grill, or rent a surfboard or jet ski to master the waves. Back on land, you can play a round on the pristine 18-hole golf course, keeping those Atlantic views in your eyeline, or join a wine tasting at the Coastal Wine Room. The Museum of Coastal Carolina is particularly good for younger visitors, with its aquarium and touch tank full of inquisitive marine creatures.

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Franklin

Trout fishing, antiques shopping, do-it-yourself gem mining—Franklin’s a unique little North Carolina gem that’s great for a weekend getaway or longer summer stay. Blue Ridge Outdoors readers voted this place 2016’s Top Small Town, so it comes highly recommended. While you’re here, tour the Currahee Brewing Company for a tasting with spectacular views, mine for native rubies and sapphires and have them incorporated into your own jewelry design to take home. All you need now is your rental nestled in the forest.

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Asheville

“Wonderful location and beautiful cabin. We enjoyed a four day stay fishing, relaxing, and observing nature” – Guest Review

No stranger to accolades, Asheville easily makes our list of best places to vacation in North Carolina. Chilled-out vibes and mountain air combine with a budding downtown and stellar beer scene in this great American city. Head downtown to soak up live music and good eats, or escape up into nature on a peaceful hike with soaring views. The jewel in Asheville’s crown is the impressive Biltmore House, which you can tour with audio guides before exploring the Biltmore Estate Trails. If you’re vacationing with your pooch, you’re in for a treat: excellent dog parks and even a dog bakery await you and your four-legged friend.

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Beaufort

Beaufort enjoys a picturesque position on North Carolina’s coast, surrounded by pretty waterways. Spend a day kayaking through the Rachel Carson Reserve, island-hop to see wild horses at play, and watch pelicans soaring above you. The sunsets are just breathtaking, so book your beach home to be all set for the show.

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Black Mountain

This super-pretty town has a small community feel and offers spectacular Blue Ridge views all year round. The center is big on local arts and crafts, so you can pick up some quality souvenirs before sinking into one of the town’s famous rocking chairs and taking in the views. For something more adventurous, pull on the hiking boots or waders and step out into the surroundings to hike and fish to your heart’s content.

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Raleigh

This forward-thinking college town really shines as a summer vacation destination, with outdoor movie screenings, brewery tours, and live music events. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to eating out: feast on barbecue at Brew N Que or a hot chicken sandwich at Ashley Christensen’s well-loved Beasley’s Chicken + Honey. Tours of the North Carolina Museum of Art run daily and are well worth a look.

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Banner Elk

Escape the heat of the summer up in the welcoming Blue Ridge town of Banner Elk. This family-friendly destination offers tubing, rafting, and horse riding in summer, and there’s a sandy beach at Wildcat Lake. Take the car up to nearby Blowing Rock to appreciate the views and feel the unusual upward winds from the rock itself. For snowy stays, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain resorts provide all the ski terrain you need.

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Bald Head Island

Bald Head Island is one of the best places to stay in North Carolina…because it’s completely free of cars! That means a vacation without exhaust fumes or engine noise, just beautifully preserved surroundings. There are sandy swimming beaches, marinas full of bobbing boats, and a beautifully landscaped golf course, and you can choose to cruise down the Cape Fear River or take a guided kayak tour through the creeks. In summer, join a Turtle Walk to see loggerhead turtles nesting and hatching.

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Wilmington

This port city is another great option, with easy access to nearby Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Carolina Beach (all about a 20-minute drive away). You can wander the historic district to see the town’s tree-lined streets and antebellum architecture, or follow the paths through Airlie Gardens, bordered with oak trees and sculptures. Be sure to explore the Riverwalk, stopping for Southern cooking at the George or one of the other excellent neighboring watering holes.

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Boone

This Blue Ridge town is one of the best places to vacation in North Carolina—that you may not have considered! You can get a taste of pioneer history at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, chug along the Tweetsie Railroad, or roll along the ridiculously scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, a stunning drive at any time of year. We’re not sure there’s a better place for a treetop zipline adventure or spa stay.

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Bryson City

There are relaxed vibes all around in this little mountain community, with its downtown lined with local stores, museums, and dining spots. It’s a quiet, unfussy kind of place, plus it’s right on the doorstep of some thrilling outdoor adventures, such as horse riding, mountain biking, and kayaking on the Nantahala River. There are fantastic rentals in this area too, from cozy cabins to imposing mountain lodges, making it one of the best places to stay in the state.

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Atlantic Beach

Mind-blowing sunrises and sunsets over the Atlantic are in store in this Crystal Coast hub. Spend the days dolphin-spotting, shelling, fishing, cruising around the islands, or cycling to Fort Macon State Park, where you can see its five-sided Civil War fort. A short boat trip takes you over to Shackleford Banks to see the wild horses running free.

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Kitty Hawk

“It was very clean and well maintained. The kitchen had all you needed to prepare meals. The location is great for shopping, restaurants and going to the beach.” – Guest Review

The beach town of Kitty Hawk is a quaint Outer Banks vacation spot, home to the marshes and woodland of Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve—keep your eyes peeled for the gray foxes and otters. There are several sandy beaches here, plus a remodelled pier, and—the biggest draw of all—miles and miles of far-reaching ocean vistas. In nearby Kill Devil Hills, you can visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, which marks the place where the brothers’ first successful test flight took off.

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Oak Island

Oak Island has a pretty beach setting, complete with soft sands, rolling waves, and marshland—what’s more, you won’t have to share it with too many other people. There’s a sense of stepping back in time here, due to the relaxed pace and old-fashioned delights, such as kite flying, pier fishing, and rounds of mini golf. If that sounds like your ideal getaway, book your beach cottage and go.

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Charlotte

Action-packed Charlotte rounds out our list of best places to vacation in North Carolina. The state’s largest city has so much entertainment to offer visitors: first-class museums and shopping, parks, breweries, and top-quality restaurants. You’ll find big family fun on the roller coasters at Carowinds Amusement Park, and there’s entertainment for racing fans at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, harboring works by Giacometti, Picasso, and Warhol, is a great choice for a cultured afternoon, and just outside the city you can escape into the calm of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, complete with fountains and tropical plants.

See all rentals in Charlotte

The post 20 Best Places To Vacation In North Carolina: Where To Stay In The Tar Heel State appeared first on The FlipKey Blog.

from Tips For Traveling https://www.flipkey.com/blog/2018/08/16/best-north-carolina-vacations-where-to-stay/

[klowncoreperson]

Masterpost

Hey yall!! This is officially gonna (likely) be my new pinned and the masterpost for something I call “5 Minutes to Midnight”, a multiversal crossover thing centered around the NES Godzilla Creepypasta!!

What’s it about?

The events of NGC still occur, but with a twist. At the moment where Zachary defeats Red, it wasn’t enough…when Zachary disposes of the cartridge believing Red is dead, it doesn’t go to Carl right away…instead it appears in the home of a man named Winnie Bosko. Thinking of the cartridge to be harmless and decides he should give it to his childhood friend Augustine for his birthday, he plays tests it…and it goes wrong.

Characters! (These are main/major ones for now, supporting cast will be made soon. Images are also down below in order of the list):

Name: Winnie Bosko

Age: 18, 19 (Post-NES when his birthday came around)

Summary: Originally secluded and introverted in childhood, he’s usually seen as very energetic to other people today. Upon discovering the NES alongside the anomalous Godzilla: Monster of Monsters cartridge, his life is turned to the worst due to what’s within. He serves as the protagonist.

Name: Augustine Orlov

Age: 19 (His birthday had passed during the events)

Summary: Winnie’s childhood best friend. He was like his present self when he was younger, but nowadays you usually see him distant. Throughout the events he consistently tries to contact Winnie to no avail. After no answer for about a week, Augustine goes to find him. All he finds is a distressed best friend.

Name: Daisuke

Age: 19-20 (personal headcanon)

Summary: Originally an intern on the Tulpar, this takes place if he ended up surviving the crash. He bumps into Winnie who ends up befriending him. He visits very frequently, even spending the night on a few occasions to talk with him. He never goes into detail about what happened to Daisuke, but he doesn’t mind (most of the time), he considers Winnie as a little brother figure.

Name: Sebastian Solace

Summary: He ends up escaping Urbanshade way before the story’s events happen, and meets Winnie during his navigation through Trance (after someone had broke the tv and accidentally made the game come to life). He takes care of Winnie even after the events.

Name: Sonic [Where Was My Hero]

Age: 25

Summary: From a universe where Tails never met him, Sonic feels guilt for having to kill him. When he meets Winnie during the events, he becomes protective of him and does whatever he can to keep him safe. He is considered as the deuteragonist.

Name: Marieanne “Manon” Vacher

Age: Late 20’s-30’s

Summary: The ex-girlfriend of Rody, she meets Winnie one day and ends up befriending him alongside Sonic. She’s unaware of what happened, but knows some of it.

Name: Oswald

Age: 10

Summary: One of the youngest of the group that is friends with Winnie. He had previously dealt with a killer rabbit that had taken his dad. After meeting Winnie, he begins to view him as a big brother.

Name: Post-Mortem Sonic

Summary: His world was destroyed, leaving nothing left except for him and his enemy…but then he escaped the confines of the game, landing in the real world. He meets Winnie shortly after his escape, becoming his best friend.

Name: Ruby

Age: 12

Summary: The second youngest and one of the recent Winnie has met. She opened her Christmas present early, having a toy Tattletail. But it came with consequences. She meets Winnie after accidentally leaving the front door open. She is usually almost always seen with him, seeing him as a big brother.

Name: RED

Summary: Also known as “Red” or “The Hellbeast”, he serves as the main villain. After failing to kill Zachary, the game falls into Winnie’s hands. Red takes this opportunity to try and cause more havoc, constantly chasing down the poor guy and attempting to indirectly murder him multiple times through the Not-Monsters. In the final battle, he murdered one of Winnie’s friends in front of him and attempted to murder him by paralyzing his heart. He was unsuccessful and was defeated…but it didn’t mean the end. Despite his defeat, Winnie is inflicted with nightmares and hallucinations…

[klowncoreperson]

Unintentional

// WOO MY FIRST WRITING THING HERE!! This is based off smth from a roleplay I did centered around NGC and other fandoms (multiversal thing basically) hopefully y’all enjoy

It was a Saturday. It was still pretty early, so a few of the early morning cartoons were playing. The young girl, Ruby, sat there besides Augustine. A lot of people were still snoozing, especially the owner of the home, Winnie, Augustine’s childhood friend. It was pretty quiet in the home except for the TV, playing Looney Tunes.

“…Hey. How about I start making some food?” Augustine had spoken up towards the girl. Ruby tilted her head to him, smiling and nodding. Smiling back, he stood up and went to the kitchen to get out some food and begin cooking. Ruby looked back at the tv, continuing to watch the cartoony antics of the characters. The air around the house was nice, although also a little cold, it was winter. It wasn’t long before one of Winnie’s buddies had bolted down the stairs, his friend Sonic (a variant of him from a universe to which he never met Tails/Where Was My Hero). He ran into the kitchen where Augustine was.

It wasn’t long before the air began to feel tense, even to the girl. Hugging onto her plush, she tilts her head towards the kitchen to hear a conversation.

“Augustine- you need to get upstairs right now.”

“W- What’s happening?”

“It’s about Winnie. I walked past his room and he seemed to be sitting there on his bed at first, but then he began freaking out. We gotta help him NOW.”

Not even a minute after the conversation ended, Sonic ran out of the room and up the stairs, Augustine following before stopping to see Ruby stare. “Ruby- stay here. Don’t go upstairs. Something’s wrong with Winnie, but we’re gonna help him. Just stay here, okay?” He told her with a serious tone in his voice. “Okay.” She replied, before Augustine bolted up the stairs after Sonic.

Ruby couldn’t help but glance to the stairs. She had a sense that Winnie had went through things in the past before they met, but she couldn’t help but worry. Clutching onto her stuffed animal tightly, she got up, approaching the stairs. Upon reaching them, she stopped. Was she sure she wanted to do this? She wanted to know what was wrong with the guy she viewed as a sibling..surely it wasn’t too bad. Maybe he had fallen ill? Taking a deep breath, she walked up.

As the girl entered the halls of the upstairs area in the home, she could hear yelling. Her quiet steps barely being heard as she navigated through the halls to get to Winnie’s bedroom. The yelling felt more loud and intense the more she approached. Words began to be heard more clearly.

“Winnie! Please calm down! Snap out of it!”

“GET BACK-! GET HIM AWAY FROM ME, PLEASE!”

Ruby looked over to see Sonic and Augustine, Augustine shaking what appeared to be a wide-eyed Winnie. He was yelling things she couldn’t comprehend. But she knew something was wrong because of how afraid he sounded. She couldn’t piece it together. She didn’t understand. It felt like hours had passed, when in reality it was only a few minutes before Winnie’s cries came to a standstill. She could hear the concerned voices of the other two.

“Winnie..?” Augustine had called out. The silence from him was uncomfortable. She could see Augustine gently let go of him, as he urgently looked around his room, as if he was looking for something. To avoid being seen, Ruby retreated back to the wall near the room, and all she could hear now was her brother figure beginning to sob. “Oh god, Winnie-“ Augustine pulled his friend into an embrace.

“I..I don’t understand, Augustine…you got me medicine and everything- so why won’t he go away? Why won’t he leave? He hasn’t left…” Winnie had managed to get out while still sobbing quite a bit. Ruby stood there, unable to comprehend what was going on…but she felt scared. She heard the three say a few grown up words she couldn’t understand, but all she could get through her mind currently was the mentions of a “he” Winnie had claimed to see. What was he talking about?

Ruby had quickly and quietly ran back the way she came, racing down the stairs and going back to the couch as if she wasn’t there to begin with. She hugged her plush for comfort, to try and mask how she was feeling.

She didn’t mean to hear all that. That wasn’t her intention.