#still a pox on school

[dark-raven-feathers]

Hi

Plague Doctor posting will be pushed back a couple of days due to yours truly filling its Feburary schedule to the brim. If you really want to know: -Instrument repair tmmr -Concert performance and robotic comp this Saturday -ID replacement next Tuesday -AIBF on the 25th -Side project I need to finish by the end of the month -This stupid 9/8 measure I can't friggin figure out -Another smaller side project +weekly marching band meetings Also I'm just tired. Satan made school and we are the victims.

[1-ufo]

I’m bout to get on a plane in a few days and I was feeling nervous about that because I’ve had earaches so I thought I had an ear infection right? And well, I had a coworker get on a plane with an ear infection and his whole eardrum burst and he went deaf in that ear and I guess bled all over the place and had such bad vertigo he couldn’t enjoy his vacation.

So obviously I went to the doctor about it bc I do not want that to happen to me and also my ear hurts so like… I also don’t want that.

But it turns out I have this thing called tubal dysfunction and there’s basically nothing I can do about my ear pain except plug my nose and blow through my ears because the pressure on the inside of my ears is less than the pressure on the outside of my ears because for some reason the tube that connects to your sinuses is like… partially collapsed and causing pressure in differences and it’s just really annoying who knew this was even a thing.

[happybird16]

I just noticed that I still have some chicken pox scars even as an adult, so i'm curious. If you have scars from it, are they more on the left side of your body or the right? Mine are all on my right!

I wasn't given it on purpose, but I had a very miserable summer break in elementary school where i just stared out the window and tried not to itch.

[deesblanketfort]

Sick and regressed ☆´ˎ˗ ︶︶︶ 

Well, while I'm writting this I'm bedridden (likely with covid), and for some reason I really want to spend my sick days regressed and take something good out of it at least.

Getting comfy!

🧦: Pajamas time! Is there anything more regressor-coded than cozy printed pajamas, an animal kigurumi or onesie? I'd say no. And since I'm staying on bed, I'm surely wearing those all day long.

🛏️: Bed setup! When you're bedridden, a bed table ends up being really useful in case you want to do stuff that requires a flat surface. If you have one of those, lucky you! I, however had to improvise with a smooth wooden board standing on my lap, therefore any kind of long, resilient and flat surface can do the job just fine.

🧦: Blanket fort! Alternatively, if you're able to roam around your house or have someone to help, you can build a blanket fort over your bed or a comfy surface to stay in!

🛏️: Sick gear! Runny nose? Bring tissues. Got a fever? Make a cold damp towel for your forehead. Tummy aches or localized pain? Make a hot water compress. And make sure to keep track of the meds you're taking, of course.

🧦: Get your plushies! Since what I got is very contagious close contact with anyone is out of the table, but my stuffies are completely immune to sickness and ready to cuddle! (I'll have to wash them afterwards to disinfect them though)

Games and activities!

🎮: Viddy games! Either on computer, phone or a console (handheld preferred), videogames are perfectly stationary and don't require much movement from your part.

🖍️: Table games! Table games are also stationary and can be played right from your bed if you have a bed table, although most games need other people to play with you, your plushies can serve this purpose.

🎮: Play pretend! Playing pretend can be limited when you're bedridden, but there are some scenarios you're perfectly able to do! Such as pretending you're a shop owner and your stuffies are the clients, pretending your stuffies are your doctors/nurses taking care of you, or vice versa. Things like tea parties and pretend schools are still on the table!

🖍️: Arts and crafts! Being sick won't stop me from wanting to draw and color, since I can do it from my bed anyways! Aside from drawing and coloring, I might as well do some collage and paper craft, just might need help to clean up afterwards.

🎮: Cartoon time! No better opportunity to (re)watch your favorite cartoons than when you're sick, bedridden and bored, right? And since this brings me comfort, here are some cartoon episodes that center on being sick: Bumpy and the Wise Old Wolfhound (Bluey), Steve Gets The Sniffles (Blues Clues), Bear Flu (We Bare Bears), Doctor Daisy M.D (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), Arthur's Chicken Pox (Arthur)

Snack time!

🍼: Hot drinks! Specially if you're with a cold or a sore throat in general, hot drinks such as hot cocoa and tea are perfect for warming up an icky throat.

🧁: Spices for a sore throat! Like mint, honey, ginger and lemon. I'm sure there's plentiful of drinks you can make using these!

🍼: Give preference to healthy snacks and meals! Like fruits and veggies, yogurt, noodles, soup or sandwiches. Bonus points if they're arranged in a fun shape (animal, plant, star, etc)!

🧁: Keep your appetite in check! It's pretty common to lose your appetite when sick, therefore I'd say it's ideal to keep your meals smaller (and sometimes eat more often) than usual.

Taking care of yourself!

🧸: Stay hydrated! Water is always good, and if you're sick you likely need it more than usual, drinking from sippy cups, baby bottles, straw cups or any kind of fun themed cup is usually more fun and encouraging than boring adult cups.

🧶: Keep your temperature in check as well! Besides from checking if you have a fever ever so often, it's also good to keep yourself warm with blankets and heating if your body feels cold, or alternatively, turning on fans and using lighter sheets instead of blankets if you're too hot.

🧸: Beware the germs! If you got a contagious disease (like me), make sure to properly wash and disinfect anything you bring to your mouth such as pacis, teethers, bottles and cutlery before and after using them. Plus, it's important to wear a mask or ask others to wear a mask when near you as well.

🧶: Resting is key! Some of these days I'm too tired to do anything above, and I'd rather just nap the whole day, and that's okay! Sometimes being sick means not being able to do anything at all and it's important to have your extended napping time to get better.

[cher-rei]

afterglow- pt 6 [ T.A.A ]

pairings: trent alexander arnold x fem!reader

summary: young and aspiring marketing and business major jamie carter (you) is privileged with working alongside the liverpool marketing and public relations team while also getting entangled with their star player and right back, trent alexander arnold.

genre(s): friends to lovers, workplace romance, fluff

[wc: 4.6K] [part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [part 5] [part 7] [part 8] [part 9] [part 10] [part 11] [part 12]

notes: this chapter is a bit longer but it was so funny to write. and of course, it was sitting in my drafts for like 50 years... enjoy!

if someone were to ask you to pick between your mother and your father you wouldn't be able to answer the question, much like most people in the world. they both offered qualities you needed respectively and you were grateful to have them both in your life. kind of.

seeing as you spent most of your life in london, despite being born in liverpool you grew up with your mother and spent a solid 22 years in her presence with nowhere to go. you loved it in london, it was your home and you couldn't let it go. but what it lacked was your father— your best friend.

you were living with him right now because of the whole "alex has chicken pox" situation but you were welcomed home to a facetime from your nephew so that was fun. it was easier with your father, you didn't have to walk on eggshells around him, you could talk about anything and laugh about everything together and that's what you loved about him— his neverending support.

it started with taking you to football practice without your mother knowing, her thinking that he was accompanying you to weekly ballet. when instead, he'd have your kit in the car ready at all times, and supporting you from the sidelines all the way until high school.

and then when your mum was against your university major in marketing instead of law as you had "agreed" upon, your father took the drive from liverpool to london so that he could have a chat with her. and to your surprise she gave up and let you do as you pleased with much reluctance.

so when they got the divorce when you were 16 and he moved back to liverpool, the decision was seamless but you still stayed with your mother seeing as maya already had a job position on that side. after all, you couldn't leave your mother alone. the woman gave birth to you for crying out loud.

all that just for you to move to liverpool eventually because of a really bad break-up. which brought you to your current point— the one where your father wanted to wring every single man's neck no matter how they looked at you.

you felt like a teenager sneaking out like this but you had no other choice. you were going on a drive to lord knows where with a freaken football player, "the most unloyal men on this planet", as your father liked to say.

but of course, he had to catch you in the act, a look of confusion plastered on his face as he stood in the living room, getting ready for bed. "why are you walking around like you did something wrong?" he gasped at your guilty expression, "are you leaving me already? you're just like your mother."

your anxiety vanished in an instant at his joke, an attempt to get the truth out of you. "it's too late to be making jokes like that."

he crossed his arms over his chest. "and it's too late for you to be walking around the house like you're in the 'quiet place'. seriously jamie, why are you tiptoeing?"

you raised your hands in defence, "I thought you were sleeping. my bad for being considerate."

he let out an unconvinced hum and eyed you up and down. he took in the fact that you were in a pair of sweats and a navy blue zip-up hoodie. "you're not a teenager anymore." he shook his head and let out an amused chuckle.

you watched as he made his way to the kitchen and you couldn't help but follow behind him, "what's that supposed to mean?"

he didn't answer your question for a moment and continued to rummage through the fridge for something, happily taking out a box of doughnuts you two had bought earlier. "it means that you can leave the house when you want to. just tell me first."

it was times like this that you forgot you were an adult. to be fair you never really considered yourself to be one, or to act like one either. "oh." there was a moment of silence that passed but it was interrupted by your phone going off.

the way that you darted to check the message said enough to your father, and he let out another amused chuckle. "go on now. don't keep the boy waiting."

your eyes widened in shock, your mouth dry in disbelief but he waved you off. "leave before I go outside to meet him. or should I just--"

"--stay here! I'll be home soon!"

"so do you always drag girls out of bed to keep you company in your car?"

trent rolled his eyes at your question from the driver's seat but kept his attention on the empty road, only the city lights illumating the dark night. "first of all: I didn't drag you out of bed, you could have said no. and second: no I don't usually do this."

you looked at him with your eyes narrowed, not sure what possessed him to call you at 10 in the evening for a drive. "oh so I get special privileges now? care to explain why?"

"I just wanted to go for a drive that's all," he answered honestly with a shrug of his shoulders but that still wasn't quite the answer you were looking for.

you fought back your amused smile. "you have friends for that trent, I'm sure."

the car stopped at a red light which allowed him to look over at you sitting comfortably in the passenger seat of his car. it wasn't the first time after all— there were many trips to the academy, sometimes having to shoot content with him and even that one morning when he picked you up at your sister's apartment for work.

you'd never forget that day and the innocent look on his face when he called you to say that he was outside just as you were grabbing your car keys. it was strange but you didn't mind it.

he let out a sigh and continued to drive after the light had turned green. "all my friends prefer to spend their evenings with their girlfriends and wives so yeah no thanks. and besides--" he shot you an appointed look, "--are we not friends?"

your mouth dried up. that was a little more than you wanted to get out of him, not sure how to respond. colleagues? definitely. banter buddies? sure. but friends?? you were sure that there was some sort of boundary for that and you were never sure if you two had managed to get there yet.

"you could have asked skylar."

oh shit.

you bit your tongue in immediate regret. it was a genuine accident at how quickly it left from your lips and telling by the flicker in trrent's expression, you had hit a nerve. you were just about to apologise when he interjected.

"skylar," he emphasized her name, his lips curved into a smile as he spoke to you, "wouldn't be caught dead eating takeout in a mcdonald's parking lot at 10 in the evening with me though."

you didn't know what to think of his answer, but instead of overthinking it, you decided to make the most of the moment at least. there was no point in making this awkward and it's not like you didn't enjoy his company. trent was easy to be around. most of the time.

so that's how you found yourself parked at the far end of an empty mcdonald's parking lot with hardly any street lights in sight. you unbuckled your seat belt and reclined the seat further back for some more leg room, trent watching you as you did so.

"oh, you're definitely not new to this."

which was true, you weren't. you've had your fair share of late-night drives to get some fresh air back in london. the only difference was the person you were with, a distant memory that you weren't too fond with but maintained at the back of your mind.

you were sat with a large fries, a chocolate milkshake and a mcflurry. you dubbed it the ultimate late-night combo and trent was eager enough to take your word for it, and to his surprise it did not disappoint despite being so simple.

it didn't take long for the atmosphere to clear and for you to ease into conversation. dabbling a bit in random aspects of your lives, to movies, to football and to just nothing. you loved how easygoing it was, not much thought had to be put into anything you said which left you with room to just relax.

"so your mum's not from liverpool?"

you shook your head and took another sip from your milkshake. "she's from london, my dad's from liverpool. but they lived together here for a bit, and two or three years after I was born we moved back to london."

the explanation made trent tutt in disappointment. "and here I thought you were a purebred brit. your accent's probably fake too."

"the accent is real thank you very much," you defended with a hand to your chest.

he quirked a brow, "let's be honest here. you probably dated colwill. you were probably neighbours or something."

your eyes widened a fraction at his comment in utter shock. "levi?" well wasn't this just lovely, you couldn't help but laugh at the thought. "he's three years younger than I am."

trent scrunched his face at you, not convinced by your answer almost as if he knew something you didn't. "age is just a number or whatever they say. but no," he thought for a moment, "you couldn't have been with him because he would have said something by now."

it was strange to see this considering that trent literally played with levi in the england team, so the dots would've been connected long ago if you were in fact in cahoots with levi. it was quite the compliment, knowing that you were paired up with someone that attractive.

"if I were with levi then I wouldn't be in liverpool right now. I'd be back in london living my best life." your answer seemed to pique trent's interest, questions bubbling at his throat the more he found out about you.

"why is it that you left london?" he leant back into the seat, his full attention now on you in the dimly lit car. "I'm sure it's not just because of work."

oh definitely not. you just happened to get lucky there.

your lips pursed as you thought, not sure just how much he wanted to know or how much you were willing to tell. but it wouldn't hurt right?

"uhm," you cleared your throat, "bad breakup."

trent's intrigue increased at your answer, one that he wasn't expecting to be honest. he was expecting something more along the lines of running away from home because your parents' divorce or to be closer to maya.

"you don't look like the relationship type," he answered truthfully and your eyes widened in slight shock, feelings mixed and a bitter taste in your mouth.

how were you supposed to interpret that? negatively? positively? was he calling you independent?? the internal struggle was mind boggling.

you pushed the comment to the back of your mind and let out a hum. "no yeah, he cheated on me."

"oh fuck."

"with my best friend."

"oh fuck."

a laugh escaped your mouth at his reaction and how it got progressively more concerned with each passing second, and your nonchalance wasn't making him feel any better. he fumbled over his words for a bit, switching between the usual "I'm so sorry" and "you've got to be joking right now".

you assured him that you were fine, a closed lippsed smile drawn across your lips. "but like hey," you raised your hands jokjngly, "his name was michael so..."

trent blew out a breath at that and quirked a brow. "yeah, no you definitely asked for it then."

your rolled your eyes and played along for a moment, "I know right. and it didn't help that she was literally his best friend before we got together."

it was every cliché in the book to trent which only made the situation less serious, and seeing that you weren't showing any sort of discomfort towards it he didn't stop himself from laughing and getting back at you. "you just love making horrible life choices."

you nodded eagerly in agreement, saying that it was actually your forte— a gift that you just happened to be born with. it didn't take long for you to ask trent how he didn't know about the breakup. "I'm not famous but it was all over twitter for quite some time."

you came to learn that he wasn't a social media buff and preferred to keep to himself by just staying at home and enjoying his own company and you respected him for that. for you however, it was slightly different because your entire life was on social media but you didn't regret it.

the people that you met and the content that you had the opportunity to create were more than you could ever ask for. but obviously there were the downs— public breakups, hate comments, death threats. nothing out of the ordinary. quite a bit of your life was on display for the world to see so you understood trent's want to keep his life as private as possible.

you were getting to that point as well. you had a total of two friends— maya and clara. your daily routine consisted of waking up, going to work, pilates, pop into a barnes and noble, settling in at home and going live for a few hours. that was your quiet life and you were thoroughly enjoying it.

and trent did a damn good job at keeping his life private, skylar was an absolute myth to everyone. that and you felt that it was time to shift the attention to him for a bit.

"so what happened between you and name not to be mentioned? seeing as we're getting emotional here."

he wouldn't use the word "emotional" but a heart-to-heart was blatantly taking place, even though it wasn't planned. there was a look on his face that screamed how do I explain this? and it had you chewing on your lip for answers, any sort of answer.

it took trent a moment but he eventually let his guard down. "well rumors say that I cheated on her with some random youtuber's girlfriend— which is insane by the way."

not really.

"we dated for nearly two years, she was nice, came to my matches, said I made her heart do flips or something like that." the way it fell from his lips wasn't the slightest bit tasteful, no good reminisce or fondness in his tone at all.

you continued to listen to trent as he explained his relationship with skylar a bit more, furthering into how they met and whatnot. it wasn't anything crazy, just through a mutual friend and he decided to take her on a few dates just for fun, until they're eventually hit it off.

"I thought it was going well but then she said she needed a break out of nowhere, and I was like excuse me?" he said with just as much enthusiasm as if he were still in the moment, his forehead creased in confusion as he looked at you.

he was hurt and it was subtle but not subtle enough to miss. "and she just left without explaining?"

"no," he sighed. "she said she couldn't handle the restriction and needed some time to live her life but obviously the lads thought otherwise. robbo said it was emotional manipulation but I don't know."

"that girl is insane trent. she uses your bank card more than you do. she flakes out on most of your dates and when you try to speak to her about an issue or how you're feeling she gets emotional and starts playing the victim, while you try and apologise. get her out of your life."

this was at least a ten times worse than your situation and you were sympathising at this point. skylar was in fact a manipulator and trent wholeheartedly did not want to admit that.

"and now what? she just shows up and you're fine?" the question came out a little harsher than you intended so you immediately apologized, not wanting to ruin the moment and make him feel awkward. but it was a genuine question and you were borderline worried for him.

there was a moment of silence that enveloped the two of you, filled with even more uncertainty than before. "I don't know to be honest. she hasn't said anything yet but I haven't really been in the mood to confront her yet— I have bigger things to worry about right now."

okay, that was true. his head had to be in the game, and with his team, not some girl who came to lounge around for whatever reason. but you genuinely felt bad for him, a new light shone over him after this evening— one that revealed a little more vulnerability than he let on and it tugged at your heart strings.

driving home about an hour later with that knowledge sitting at the back of your mind wasn't the easiest and you just knew that it was going to keep you up tonight. plaguing your mind, sounding over your other thoughts that were probably more important, for example— the script that you had to give to one of the p.r members for an episode of Up the Reds!, the schedule for certain uploads and how the accounts had to be managed, as well as certain photoshoots and interviews that needed to be prepared beforehand and the packing you had to finish before--

"hey sweetheart," you cooed into the receiver end of your phone which just happened to catch trent's undivided attention but yours was out the window, as you adorned a soft smile.

"don't 'hey sweetheart' me," the voice of the teenager bit back but you swear you could hear him smiling. "you didn't tell me you were making the trip."

oh, he just had to go and tell the entire world huh?

you huffed out a breath, "in my defence, I only made the decision today." an unconvinced hum rang through your hear and you stifled a laugh. "are you going to be there?"

"no duh."

you rolled your eyes at the attitude he was giving you, which was nothing out of the ordinary. "I'm leaving in two days for the week so--"

"a week??" the shock in his tone was evident and you knew were this was leading. "he convinced you to stay for the week? and you said yes?!"

"I said yes so I could spend more time with you I swear. if you really think about it, I'm doing this for you."

"hm, oh really?" he dragged out and you pursed your lips to stop the laughter from escaping your lips. "I'm holding you to this. bye I'm leaving to try and comprehend the amount of lies that just came from your mouth."

"come on you can't be a--" you interjected but the boy was adamant.

"--bye!!"

you laughed sheepishly. "I love you."

"liar!"

that was nothing short of the usual phone call you seemed to get, a ghost of a smile still on your lips as you put your phone back down into your lap while trent mustered up the courage to say something.

"so." he gained your attention, his gaze immediately averting in front of him to the empty road as he drove a little slower than usual. "you're going somewhere?"

you perked up and nodded. "It's supposed to be to relax but I'm pretty sure I'll be more stressed out on that side of the world. I'll be back by next week though."

he probably should have asked where you were going but before you knew it, you were in front of your dad's house. and as suspected, all the lights were off but you knew he wasn't sleeping. he wouldn't even think about it until he knew that you were at home safely.

it was exactly 1:42 a.m., and only then had it hit you just how long you had stayed out. trent got out of the car and watched as you walked to the front door— the urge to say something tickling at his throat. something other than "goodbye" but it wasn't there yet.

you gave him a small wave and put your hand on the door handle, but before you could turn it, it was pulled open from the inside— your dad stood against the doorframe with a sly grin that you were so close to slapping off his face but he was quick.

he put his hand out and waved at trent, the footballer slightly amused at your reaction and harsh movements to push your dad back inside, a laugh echoing as he waved back politely. "good evening mr carter."

you whipped around and sent a glare trent's way but he was far more than pleased.

"jamie, why didn't you say that your boyfriend was a footballer?"

your heart dropped to your stomach. "dad! i swear I'm going to--"

your father continued on playfully. "and he plays for us? so you do have reasonable taste in men. and here I thought I raised an idiot."

trent was as a loss for words by now, his eyes flickering from you as you tried to loosen yourself from your father's grip on your shoulders. he knew you were blushing, but his was masked well by the lack of lighting.

"anyway, thank you so much for returning my daughter in one piece trent. I hope she didn't bother you too much." he tightened his grip on you and ruffled your hair. "she's rather irritating in my opinion."

"not at all," trent managed through a laugh. "she's great company."

your father didn't agree with his answer at all and he made it blatantly obvious until he finally bid trent goodbye and got back into the house where you basically jumped onto his back, your arm wrapped around his neck in a chokehold.

"why are you like this?? I have to see him at work!"

"that's your fault for dating a colleague!"

"we're not dating!"

"that's exactly what your mother told me about her and shawn. and now look where that led us!"

[yichuuonvenus]

Pomegranate Seeds

Tom Riddle x Reader

~Description~

It’s your last year at Hogwarts and Tom wanted to celebrate with you…

~Warnings~

Rape/Non-consent, Dacryphilla, Ravenclaw reader, Innocent reader, Forced pregnancy

You looked at yourself in the mirror, slowly smoothing out the strays in your hair. You looked over to your friend, quietly snoozing without a care in the world. She was still knocked out cold from sneaking out to the astronomy tower. 

You sighed a bit and walked over to her bed. 

“Eva…” you called out to her. 

“Eva, we have to leave soon.” You lightly shook her a bit, giggling when she shook awake. 

“Is it time already?” She complained looking at the bright sky and then grumbling. 

“Yes! Myrtle and Arianna already left.” You smiled at her and helped her up. 

She immediately threw on her uniform and grabbed her bag. You both greeted your friends and made your way out of the common room. A few of your friends were escorting you guys down to the great hall. 

As you guys neared your table you couldn’t miss a bone-chilling tingle going up your spine. 

It was like something or perhaps someone was watching you. 

You turned and thought nothing of it to possibly meet its owner. You frowned when you didn’t meet the gaze of what you thought was watching you. 

You simply sighed and sat down, head tilting a bit to the side. 

“You okay?” Eva asked. Her lips curled into a soft frown. Her eyebrows throw you a look of concern. 

“Yeah… I I- I’m okay,” you quietly said. 

“She’s probably already thinking about her newts,” Myrtle laughed. 

You laughed too or at least tried to. 

“But really what’s wrong with you?” Arianna took your hand and squeezed it slightly. 

“Uh um… I’m just so upset that we all won’t be in Professor Slughorn’s club together,” you said signing a bit.

You didn’t like lying but you really were upset at that. That was the only thing your mother talked about growing up making sure you and your friends got in Slug Club. 

“It’s okay… how many times do we have to tell you that,” Eva iterated. 

“Yes, precisely. It wasn’t like we were going to get in anyways,” Myrtle laughed. “I’m a muggle-born, and Ari almost failed her owls.”

You joined in laughing, this time it was genuine, getting a hit from Arianna to the both of you. You still couldn’t help that twisted feeling in your stomach. The conversation lightly shifted after that. The usual small talk took place. 

“Have you all heard the rumor of Minerva?” Myrtle whispered.

“No, what happened?” Eva leaned down. Trying to whisper but doing a horrible job at it. We all gathered our heads towards the middle. 

“I’ve heard she turned into an animagus!” Myrtle announced making Arianna cover her mouth quickly. 

“Myrtle, you can’t just yell that!” Arianna said her voice as commanding as her mother’s.

“There’s no way…” Eva said. “You have to keep a mandrake lead in your mouth for an entire month! Ugh, there’s no way I could do that.”

“I swear to you… When you’re like me you hear things in the bathroom all the time,” Myrtle said matter-of-factly. Myrtle continued to ramble about other rumors going around the school. 

“Ah Myrtle’s muggle club is all here today,” a girl with blonde curly hair said. 

You all looked up to find who the voice belonged to. 

Olive Hornby. 

A rude pure-blood from Gryffindor. 

“Right, why are you even here Olive… the tables are separated by houses. Please scuttle off like the rat infestation you are,” Eva said uncaringly if Olive came from a pure-blood family. 

Olive stood there for a moment mouth agape eyes wide. The rest of you snickered a bit. 

“Well then… I will but not before I give a few tips for Myrtle’s terrible case of dragon pox… oh wait it’s just her acne.” She giggled before finally walking away. 

“Get a life, Olive!” Eva said. 

You swore you could’ve felt Eva’s anger throughout the air. 

Your mind was only on Myrtle and she left before you all could even console her. 

“I’ll go check on her.” Arianna rushed to follow after Myrtle. 

“I’ll go too,” you say wanting nothing but to comfort your best friend. 

“Hey, I got it. You guys go to class and we’ll meet up later,” Ari said half smiling and half frowning. 

“Oh… alright,” you silently said. Unable to resist a frown forming. 

“Hey, Myrtle is going to be okay. She’s the biggest firecracker out of all of us,” Eva laughed and you nodded your head laughing too. 

You both parted ways and you felt a twinge in your gut. You hugged yourself and kept your eyes on the floor. 

. . . 

You walked alone to class and drifted through classes like you were running on autopilot. You couldn’t help but think about Myrtle. As much as you wanted to protect her from everything bad in the world you knew you couldn’t and that broke your heart. You loved your friends like they were your sisters. 

You walked to your final class, potions. 

Potions was your favorite class because of your favorite professor, Professor Slughorn. You knew that he chose favorites it was very apparent which house was his utmost favorite. He didn’t need a big sign or microphone to announce it. Most of the slug club was filled with Slytherins. It wasn’t exactly your favorite thing ever but it was just how it was. 

You felt a pair of eyes on you again. You couldn’t stop but look at and this time. You found a pair of eyes. Dark blue crystals were peering into your own. You stared back not knowing when to look away. Only when he gave you a mischievous smirk did you look away. 

Tom Riddle. 

You didn’t really like him much. You haven’t known anything bad he’s done but you just knew. You had this feeling you couldn’t shake when you shared a room with him. You avoided him the best you could. You just didn’t trust him. Something about him just rubbing you the wrong way.

It was like you knew the secret before anyone else did. You seemed to find that you knew it was always him. That some type of trouble or problem was because of him but you could never prove it. 

When you turned your head you felt arms circling you like a devil's snare. The classroom was filled with darkness and a man quietly chuckling making the pit in your stomach grow from fear. It held you everywhere almost swallowing you whole. You screamed only causing it to wrap around your neck and mouth

You could fill the life draining slowly, quietly before…

“Hey?? You okay?” Arianna asked eyebrows up and mouth pinched. 

You lifted your head. Your breathing was out of control and you were shaking, sweat beads were falling from your forehead. 

“No, um yes I- I’m not sure what happened?” You asked as Arianna started to fan you with her notebook. 

“I don’t know if I can ever explain it. You were here and then your eyes… turned a grey color. I- I are you sure you’re alright?” 

She was shaken by whatever happened you couldn’t even imagine what she saw while you were being choked. 

“I- I don’t even know what happened. I was standing and then the room was dark and the-“ 

“Okay, class let’s begin today's lesson!” Slughorn playfully spouted. 

She took your hand giving it a light squeeze letting you know everything was going to be okay. You sighed and looked up to Professor Slughorn and your mind couldn’t help but drift throughout the lesson. Especially when there was a pair of dark eyes following your every move. 

. . .  

“Would you care to stay behind?” 

Professor Slughorn had the brightest smile on his face.

“Of course professor,” you said. You waved your goodbyes to Arianna and then made your way back to your table.

“I hope you all got my letter for the party?” Professor Slughorn stood proud.

“Yes, I did professor,” One boy said.

“I got my letter,” another one followed. 

You nodded when he gestured to you. 

“Good good. I hope to see you all there. Remember this is a celebration for you all!” he smiled brightly as that same dark blue-eyed boy from earlier caught his attention. 

“Yes yes, you all can go.” He smiled before turning and whispering to Tom. “What do you need my boy?” 

You watched as Tom’s eyes bore into yours for a moment. You held your shaky hands to your stomach trying your best to calm down. 

You couldn’t be in there a second more so you immediately walked out as Tom and Slughorn talked very intently about something. Slughorn’s eyebrows furrowed when their conversation deepened. 

You knew a place where you were safe, the common room. You were happy just to finally get out of the class and be with your friends.

. . . 

You throw on your favorite and best dress. You loved events like these. You could finally wear whatever you wanted instead of the uniform. 

You smiled at yourself in the mirror unable to tear your eyes away from yourself. 

You looked gorgeous. 

Eva stopped to stare at you, a smile crawling over her face. 

“As pretty as a princess,” she said. 

“Thank you, Eva,” you giggled. “I’m going to be back in an hour or two I’m not expecting to stay there the whole time.” 

“Okay but do bring back some of the food. I hope they have crab cakes again.” 

A laugh left your mouth as you agreed you’d get more crab cakes for her. You gave your goodbyes and left promptly. 

Your way down was a fun task. Slughorn ensured everyone in the club had a different route to follow to get to the destination. It was designed for what that person was capable of. 

You had the fun task of going through a maze. You were a pretty good navigator, already knowing where to turn before you ever got there. 

You rounded another corner as a pair of trees and vines twisted to create a door. A beautifully shaped door. You went through and found a bustling party. You smiled as you found people dancing and people just talking and enjoying themselves. 

You just wished your friends were here to see it. 

You took a drink from a tray and started to down it before you grabbed another.

It was probably several minutes in when you found yourself in another dark room. 

Stone painted the floors and walls it was covered in water. But this time you got to view yourself through the water-covered stone. You found your reflection crying as it stared at you. A pair of hands came around your reflection’s throat. You gasped as you could feel those hands around yours as well. 

It felt like how you did during potions like all the life was draining from you. A pair of real hands were on top of your shoulders bringing you back from this horrible daydream. 

“Are you alright?” A voice asked. A voice you knew all too well. 

“I’m okay, Tom.” 

You quickly moved his hands from your shoulders, like his touch was searing your skin. 

Tom noticed it, his eyes slightly glinting before going back to their original soft stare with a smirk on his lips this time. 

You looked away suddenly feeling like a deer caught in a headlights. 

“You look beautiful.”

You were taken aback by the compliment but accepted it anyway with a thank you. You felt no need to push him away immediately. 

It was still quiet for a couple of seconds before Tom spoke up yet again. 

“How are you enjoying the party?”

“It’s all right,” you replied wanting to keep it short and sweet. 

“Oh dear, is it not to your liking?” Tom asked his dark eyes doing that thing where they try to break you down and find out your every secret. 

“Um… no it isn’t that,” you said and for some reason, you wanted to tell him why. “I just- I just wish my friends were here.” 

He nodded like he was truly listening to you and for some reason you to keep going. You didn’t know why but you did. 

“One of them you see has been getting bullied-“ 

“That muggle-born girl.”

“She’s not just a muggle-born,” you said tight-lipped. “No one understands how hard it is for her.” 

“Hmm I see,” Tom replied with a nod. “Why won’t you guys tell the professors?”

“She doesn’t like it… she rather just let it be than make things worse,” you said, remembering the day that Myrtle was so upset about you guys for telling the head of Ravenclaw. 

“Don’t tell anyone I told you this please.” 

You couldn’t stop the shaking that filled your hands. You don’t know why you kept telling Tom everything. 

“Don’t worry. It will be our little secret,” Tom whispered with a smirk.

You felt like you told him something you shouldn’t have and you couldn’t help but blame yourself for whatever the consequences will be.

. . . 

“Y/n! It’s Myrtle I can’t find her anywhere,”  Arianna woke you up with a harsh whisper. 

“What, she never came back from the restroom?” You sleepily mumbled. 

You got up rubbing your eyes a bit when Arianna also woke up Eva. You turned to the window the sun wasn’t even on the horizon yet. 

“It’s Olive, I knew it. She must done something. I knew Myrtle was hiding something,” Eva shouted tears pooling in her eyes. 

“Please calm down and keep quiet. We need to have level heads.” Arianna pleaded. 

She gripped Eva’s hands holding them tight to her chest. Eva sighed staring at her before nodding. 

“We need to be careful with the prefects and the professors. If we are caught we have to tell them immediately what happened,” Arianna stated. 

You swallowed staring at the ground and nodded with Eva following suit. 

“Let’s go.”

You all left the dorm, deciding to split and look at different parts of the big castle. You took to the higher level bathrooms, while Eva took to the lower levels, and Arianna the common room bathrooms. 

You heard some chattering before you entered the bathroom. It was loud but not loud enough to draw attention. 

You looked around and no one was patrolling this section of the castle. 

You guessed it was because no one came here. As you went deeper into the bathroom there was water flooding the place. You stared at the ground wondering what transpired here. You could’ve sworn you screamed at the sight before you. 

Myrtle. 

Myrtle was on the ground. Lifeless eyes staring into nothing. You immediately fell to your knees. You couldn’t stop sobbing and shaking as your hands tried to touch her face. She was cold. No sight of life in her eyes at all. 

“Myrtle… wake up please,” You knew deep down she wouldn’t say anything but a part of you was expecting her to say it was a prank and that she was playing. 

“Please wake up,” you cried harder. 

You cried for some time until you heard some pipes moving and the sounds of water flowing. You moved your eyes toward the direction of the sounds. The sinks were opened and there was a hole in the middle of them. 

You shook as you walked closer. You didn’t know why or how but your body moved on its own and walked in. 

You don’t remember anything after that. Only waking up to Tom inspecting you. 

He smiled not one of warmth but one of triumphant. 

You shook underneath his gaze unable to move or to scream. You didn’t know why or how but something in you told you he was the blame for all of this. 

“What did you do to Myrtle?” You silently demanded. 

Tom only smiled and looked at you with the tip of his nose. 

“Nothing that she wasn’t going to already to go herself.” He said with no remorse in his eyes. “She was just a means to an end.”

You wanted to murder him right then and there. You wanted to hurt him.

“No no! How could you!?” You screamed tears threatening to fall. “You won’t get away with this.”

“I already have. What are you going to do?” He coolly replied. 

You pushed him away but he didn’t budge. You scooted back and Tom just watched you. Almost like he was letting you. 

You stood up and readied your wand, shaking as you held it.  You were never the dueling champion it was always Eva but it wasn’t too late to try now. 

“Expelliarmus!”

“Crucio!”

You both held onto your wands tightly. You knew you weren’t going to win this from the way your hands were shaking. You stood there until you weren’t. You didn’t know what happened but you fell to the floor screaming. You couldn’t even hear Tom’s laughing through the torturing. Full-on waterfalls were pouring from your eyes as your screams filled the chamber. 

You didn’t realize it finally stopped until Tom was on top of you. You couldn’t even register what he was doing. Your mind was fuzzy and your brain was feeling like mush. 

“You put up a good fight,” he chuckled as he threw you in your back. His eyes drifted to your face holding your jaw harshly. “You’re just too perfect to kill.”

He smiled at you as he brought his face to yours and gently licked the salty tears from your cheeks. You couldn’t stop him because you couldn’t feel anything. You couldn’t do anything as he ripped the top of your night dress in half. 

You would’ve sobbed if you had the chance but you couldn’t move your body, not even twitch your fingers. 

His lips were on your chest. Like he wanted to savor this moment. You could feel tears pooling in your eyes but you couldn’t do anything about it. You wanted to close your eyes but you couldn’t even do that. 

The rest was a blur. All you could feel was the ripping of underwear and the smell of blood. 

Your breath was knocked out of you as he shoved himself in. It unfortunately brought you back. You couldn’t stop the tears from falling from your eyes. 

You wanted to scream. To scream for help. Anything. But you knew it would be useless. You were trapped down here with a monster. 

“Get off,” you breathed, you truly didn’t know how your hoarse voice spoke without tearing out your vocal cords. 

“And why would I do that?” He said happily. His thrusts were painful and his nails were breaking skin on your thighs. You needed something to grab onto. To ground yourself. 

You felt his cheek press against your cheek. You would’ve thrown up right then and there if it wasn’t for the hand around your throat. 

That’s how you figured out this wasn’t about you. It was the power he wanted. The power he held over you. 

Blood joined the watery floor and surrounded you both. You didn’t know whose blood it was. 

The only thing you noticed was how it egged him on. His thrusts went harder and faster as he stared at himself through the bloody reflection. 

You felt his hand move up with your jaw. A kiss was pressed onto your lips. You wanted to puke. He took everything from you and he’s smiling while kissing you. 

You lay there unmoving and barely breathing. You didn’t know what else to do. You couldn’t fight him off. Not with the aftershocks of the cruciatus curse. 

You laid there until he was done. You didn’t miss the warmth that entered your. A gasp left your mouth as he pressed himself deeper making sure to mark you from the inside out. 

He pulled himself out. Admiring the work he’s done on you. 

“You truly are so beautiful” was all you heard before blacking out again. 

. . . 

As soon as you opened your eyes you knew you weren’t at Hogwarts. You took in the sight around you. The room was in disarray. It was dusty, the ceilings were covered in spider webs, and the air was stale. 

The bed you were on had almost no cushion. You tried to sit up but when you did you were pulled immediately back down. You looked up to see ropes digging into your wrists. The more you pulled the tighter they seemed to get so you quit altogether.

You wanted to cry, you didn’t know what else to do. You weren’t at Hogwarts. Your friends surely didn’t know what was going on. You were alone with nobody to help you. 

That was… until you saw movement at the corner of your eye. The boy who did this all just a few steps from you. 

"You're so pretty when you sleep, so peaceful."

You wanted to shout to scream but all that left your lips was, “I want to go home.”

He laughed at you like you had told the funniest joke ever. 

You didn’t want to cry in front of him and yet tears still welled up in your eyes, disappointing you. 

“You are home.” 

You felt your hands tremble and your heart race. You were scared. You didn’t have your friends. You didn’t have your mother with you. You had no one but this monster. 

He walked around the bed and held your face, lightly stroking your jaw with his thumb. In his other hand, he held something red and mushy. 

“This is what you’re going to eat,” he began to explain. “Its sole purpose is to help you confine yourself to your new life.”

“H-how?” 

His mouth moved close to your ear, his lips practically kissing it. 

“By making everyone you’ve ever loved, seen, spoke to, forget about you.” 

Your eyes went wide and your head shook. 

“No… no! I’m never going to eat that you cannot force me,” you screamed. You couldn’t. There was no possibility that that was something you were going to eat. 

His hand pinched your jaw and you could feel it go numb from how hard he grabbed you. 

“Fortunately for you, it doesn’t work if I force you… so lucky me I got a way to sway your decide your decision.” 

His hand that gripped your jaw let you go roughly. He summoned something in his hand, it was a piece of paper that you screamed at the sight of. 

Your mother lay dead on the paper. Blood smeared her face and her body. It was like you were looking in a window. Everything was so clear that you could see the small birthmark on her cheek. 

You sobbed loudly trying your best to come up with ways she might’ve survived. To come up with anything. You knew that it was real that that was your real mother on the paper. You couldn’t stop crying. 

"Hey hey you’re alright,” he said with a smile before it disappeared entirely and he gripped your throat. 

“I made my sacrifice, now it's your turn,” he said with no sympathy. 

There was a moment where it was only your whimpers and sobs before Tom rolled his eyes. 

“If you don’t eat it willingly I will murder the rest of your friends. What were their names again…? Eva and Amy? Oh, Arianna.” 

You sobbed unable to control the tears falling. 

He brought the fruit to your lips and you couldn’t avoid this. You knew only one outcome was going to happen—one where Tom wins. You sobbed harder as it reached your tongue. 

Everyone you ever loved was going to forget about you. As if you never existed to them. 

As you swallowed it you collapsed unable to hold yourself up from the pulling of the ropes. You didn’t even fight it. You couldn’t. You just let the darkness crawl over you. 

. . .

You couldn’t shake the feeling of Tom’s breath all over your face as he held you down. 

You felt sick and you were to the point of exhaustion. You could barely remember how you got there. Who you were. You could only think of him in between your legs. 

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered and it reminded you of a time before. A time of happiness long forgotten. 

He spilled himself into you for the fourth time in a row. He softly cooed at you, a smile forming on his lips. 

“When my seed takes…. You shall be blessed with a child of Gaunt,” Tom moaned. The idea makes him rut into you harshly. 

“You would like that wouldn’t you?”

[toctua]

🥀 TOCTUA'S FRIENDS TO LOVERS [PART I] 🥀

🥀The acquaintance and then friendship of Tom and Noctua was an ordinary coincidence: a filled Hogwarts Express and the only almost empty compartment where she boarded. They are 11 and both of them are eager to see Hogwarts from the inside and learn its secrets.

🥀Tom thought that he would tolerate her for a while, especially since Noctua turned out to be a pureblood. young Tom was going to take EVERYTHING he needed out of her and leave her. But this did not happen.

🥀Noctua was surprisingly flexible and, what Tom liked most, knew how to keep secrets. He loved the way she ignored conversations that didn't concern her, losing herself in her own thoughts. He liked that she seemed not to notice his inclinations, apparently due to the fact that she grew up in a completely deserted place.

🥀The first time he opened up to her, it all turned into a search for his magical roots and the terrifying truth about his origins. Tom didn't seem to care at all that he and Noctua were second cousins, and she was confused. He took advantage of this too, putting pressure on pity little by little, forcing her to become more and more attached to him.

🥀They often hushed this up among themselves, until one day, as a joke, she began whispering to him in Parseltongue, saying all sorts of stupid things. It was such a boring day that Tom didn’t even notice how he picked up this fun from her. And this is just one of the little things that have been following them since that day.

🥀Thread by thread, their friendship grew stronger by connecting themselves with such seemingly trifles. Tom was sure that she was the only one he could truly trust. His blood. A piece of his puzzle that so perfectly fills in the missing pieces of the picture.

🥀And over time, their constant presence with each other became an integral part of Tom Riddle’s life. They explored the castle together, year after year, collecting bits and pieces of knowledge that was not taught at Hogwarts. They studied everything inside and out, but working as a team this always seemed not enough.

🥀And when Noctua became seriously ill (in the fifth year of Hogwarts), and Tom remained separated from her, something inside him grated unpleasantly. Although he had followers, he missed the feeling of her walking side by side with him. For the first month, he came to see her in the hospital wing, until Noctua was sent to St. Mungo's for 3 long months.

🥀It seemed to Tom that a chink had appeared in his armor. It was as if he was walking with his back bare, into which the gun was constantly pointed. He missed this carelessness and the confidence that Tom felt next to her. He decided to fight this caustic feeling.

🥀This was the year they wanted to find the Basilisk, and Tom set out to do it alone, to prove to himself that Noctua was not so important. He definitely got carried away, so much so that half-giant Hagrid was eliminated and poor Moaning Myrtle died. Tom liked it, it wasn’t perfect, his hands were still shaking nervously, and something clearly clicked in his head.

🥀Noctua returned to school. She noticed changes in Tom, it was not difficult to guess that something had happened. He became emotional in front of her, swore that everything had happened so suddenly, he thought the toilet was empty, and then… His voice trembled… And she believed. He got away with all this theater so easily. Noctua was exhausted from dragon pox and Riddle happily took advantage of this.

p/s/ omg I'm so sorry this is taking so long. I have already written the full text, but I have one more illustration to do. I'm currently overloaded with my hyperfixes and therefore I'm taking on everything a little bit at a time… I hope the second part won't take much time…

I know it's not perfect, but I tried to convey their relationship as best I could. It was much easier to do this from Tom's perspective, since the previous sketches from Noctua's perspective were slightly chaotic and did not give a complete picture of the canon…

[daughterofruins]

No my scars are not a sign of imperfection. The one on my knee is from that time in grade 4 when I was having so much fun that I accidentally slipped and went tumbling down the playground stairs. My friends all accompanied me to the nurse.

The one on my breast bone is what connects me to my mother, because she has the exact same scar that she got because of the poxs around age 15. I got it at the same age.

The one on my forehead is from that one time my partner in sparring accidentally punched me too hard and fouled. I sat with her till late and I like to think I helped pull her out of her misery, even just a little bit.

I have just one tiny scar on my hands, and I still remember how I got it, when my sister and I were babies and playing tag and I fell from the bed and hurt myself. All I remember after that is the blood, and how she vowed never to hurt me again.

The one on my navel is a sign of my first ever surgery, at 14, showing my bravery, my strength and just how goddamn much I wanted to live inspite of everything.

The one on the right side of my stomach is from the same surgery, that reminds me I missed an International Debate competition because my school wanted me to get well. They had to keep my asleep all day to stop me from crying.

The one on the left of my lower abdomen is again from the same surgery. It reminds me of my bravery, and courage to go back to school in just two weeks because I had important exams I needed notes for. It reminds me of my foolishness because I fell sick immediately after.

Do not even for a minute tell me my scars are not beautiful. They have made my life beautiful, and that is all that matters. If you cannot bear to look at them, if you flinch at the mere sign of them,

I shall know.

You have not lived, son. You are no man you claim yourself to be. You are a timid little boy, dreaming of everything he's not.

Tagging(lmk if you want to be added or removed):-

@alhad-maharani @hawa-hawaiii @om-is-not-ok @desiacademia @boringlyfofkannu @panchaalis-blog @kajra-re @just-avi-youknow @astrocatfizziks

[zerbu]

Project Squealer BIG REVEAL

Calling all mystery buffs, adventure seekers, and gumshoe wannabes!

I am developing MY OWN INDIE GAME under the working title PROJECT SQUEALER! In this action-packed adventure RPG game, a disease called Laughter Pox has plagued the town, and it's up to three kid detectives to investigate!

These days, I'm mostly known for making mods for The Sims 4, but I've been interested in game development as far back as 2009. In fact, I originally bought The Sims 3 for PC back in 2012 as a tool to plan out characters and worlds, before becoming hooked on the gameplay. For a long time, The Sims was my main creative outlet, but I was still coming up with game ideas in the background.

Skip ahead to mid 2016: while playing with my Go to School mod, I needed to create some child characters to fill the school with. I created two rival teams of kid detectives, and came up backstories and mysteries for them to solve. I ended up liking these characters far more than any other characters I had created. They felt like my creative masterpiece, begging for something bigger than just creations made in a character creator.

That's when "Project Squealer" started brewing in my brain. This indie RPG wasn't just some vague idea; I was developing full-blown stories, environments, and gameplay planned for my kid detectives. I also had the perfect art style in my head. Emphasis on in my head.

Turns out, bringing my dream art style to life was way harder than I thought. So hard, in fact, that I spent the next few years learning how to create art. It took until 2020 to finally have character and environment art that could (almost) pass for pro-level game stuff. Not only that, the project was undergoing what indie devs refer to as scope creep. I kept adding more and more ideas to the design doc, making the game more complex and pushing the release date even further into the future. In 2018, I even decided to move from 2D to 3D, and switched engines from MonoGame to Unity (and later to Unreal Engine 5 in 2023).

Now, it's 2024, and I'm finally, finally ready to announce what I've been working on for the past 6 years!

Project Squealer is the working title for my own indie game about a team of three kid detectives: Orlo (middle), Von (left) and Zoros (right). Together, they go on adventures and solve mysteries… or at least they would, if they weren't constantly having their business stolen by a rival detective team.

In this action-packed adventure game, a mysterious disease known as Laughter Pox has plagued the town, causing people to laugh hysterically. Where is it coming from? How can it be cured? It's up to our detectives to find out! If they can convince others to trust them with such an important mission, that is!

Project Squealer uses a hybrid of 2D and 3D graphics to create a 2D cartoon look with full 3D movement. Characters and some organic objects are 2D sprites that move with the camera. Most environments, objects and buildings are 3D, but have texture-based outlines to give it a 2D look.

The game features a variety of different quests, characters, abilities, enemies, locations, weapons and items. In addition to the main storyline, you can help out NPCs by performing "errands" for them, which will unlock cool rewards and even side missions.

Unlike many RPG games, Project Squealer won't include a character level system, because I want the player to be able to progress using their own skill, not by grinding levels. One of the game's main design philosophies is that there are few, if any, permanent upgrades. Weapons will eventually break, status effects that make your stronger will eventually expire, etc.

Project Squealer is still in relatively early development. I plan to post more information, screenshots, and eventually even videos, as it gets closer to release. Follow my Twitter for quicker updates: https://twitter.com/ZerbuTabek

Your support and feedback is welcome, and will help improve the game!

[yangjeonginsbbg]

Reunited - Joel Miller

A/n: I just finished watching episode six of HBO TLOU, I haven’t played the game so I have pretty much no idea what happens after the ending of this episode, don’t come for me

Genre: Fluff, angst, some suggestive stuff

Summary: After almost twenty years of being apart, Joel makes his way back to you in Jackson, and also finding out someone else had came along too

“Honey, I’m taking Sarah to school now,” Joel’s voice called through the house, searching for yours. A quick shout back gave him the go. You soon heard the door shut, and the house became quiet, besides the radio that played quietly downstairs. Today was your husband’s birthday and you wanted to make it great, but being a doctor meant you’d get called in at random points, whether it be Christmas, your birthday or the middle of the night.

You met Joel after he brought Sarah into the ER with chicken pox, he was so worried and it warmed your heart to see that he cared so much for her. He brought her in a couple of times after and soon decided to ask for your number. About a year after, your casual dates developed into going to each other to fool around, and soon became a proper relationship and you became a proper family. You, Sarah and Joel (and Tommy).

“Alright, present, check,” You mumbled to yourself. “Cake, still at the bakery.” You made your way towards the mirror and looked in it, breathing slowly. You ran a hand over your stomach. “And you too, we’ll tell him later.” You’d been pregnant for a week at this point, but with Joel’s birthday coming up and your busy schedule, you never had the time to tell him.

That night, when you left for work, because a woman had a ‘seizure’ and was brought into the ER, you never once thought you wouldn’t see Sarah or him again, and that you’d have to raise a young boy by yourself.

Fifteen years later, you arrived at Jackson with Xavier, the fourteen year old you’d given birth to in the middle of an abandoned hospital, trying to make as little noise as possible as a way to not attract any infected. Upon arrival, you immediately recognised someone, someone who was stood on top of some scaffolding. Tommy had arrived in Jackson not long before you, he wanted to stay but you wanted to go out an look for Joel, but the depression of finding out about Sarah kept you grounded there.

“We’ll be safe here for now Ellie,” Joel said to the girl on the horse in front of him, just before he spotted a familiar figure. His concerned expression dropped, fading into relief. “TOMMY!” Joel got off his horse as Tommy climbed down the stairs, before holding each other in an embrace. Tommy chuckled, holding his older brother. Maria and Ellie stared at the reunion, and Ellie cracked a smile.

“What the fuck are you doin’ here?” Tommy asked, pulling away from the older.

“I came here to save you,” Joel answered plainly, a chuckle from him turned into a laugh and they pulled each other in again. Tommy pulled away after a couple of minutes, before smiling and nudging Joel’s shoulder.

“There’s someone you’ll probably want to see,” Tommy smiled.

You, on the other side of the town, were stitching up a young girl who’s slipped on some ice and split her knee open.

“Your doing really well Beth,” You praised. “You’re so brave honey.”

“Thank you Dr Miller,” She whispered, holding onto her stuffed bear. You grabbed a bandaid from the first aid kit, and placed it on her knees.

“You know, that’s gonna leave an epic scar,” You smiled, helping her up. “Now, don’t run, and make sure you keep the bandage on for two weeks, otherwise the stitches might open again.” The young girl nodded and walked out the door, you turned around as you heard her speaking to her mother, or at least you thought it was her mother, and began repacking the med-kit.

“Y/n? There’s someone here for you,” Tommy’s familiar voice came from the other side of the room.

“Another kid?” You asked.

“Not exactly.” When you turned back around to face him, you were met with someone else, someone familiar, someone who had aged a lot since you last saw him.

“Joel?” You whispered, your voice barely audible, you slowly made your way around the table. He came closer to you and pulled you in gently, before squeezing you tight. “Oh my god.”

“Oh honey,” He muttered, barely believing that it was you, mostly because he thought you’d been dead for twenty years.

“I’ll give you two some privacy,” Tommy nodded, taking a step back.

“I thought I was never going to see you again,” You mumbled against Joel’s shoulder.

“I thought you were dead,” He whispered back. His arms held your whole body against him. “My girl, my beautiful girl.” You pulled away and held his face in your hands, stoking his prickly cheeks with your thumbs.

“You got old,” You sniffled, tears brimming in your eyes.

“You aged well,” Joel grinned, and you hummed before pulling him into a kiss. You had missed the feeling, you’d never gotten over Joel, after all, your son was pretty much a spitting image of him. You wrapped your hands around his neck and smiled into the kiss, Joel returned the action, holding your hips and placing you onto the table. He bit your lip, causing you to whimper a little, and reached for the buttons on your shirt.

“Oh Jesus Christ! I’ll come back later!” A different voice yelled, it scared you and caused you to kick Joel, who groaned at the action. You closed your eyes before sighing and pushing Joel away a little, who held his stomach. “Mom, who’s this?”

“Mom?” Joel repeated. You buttoned your shirt back up.

“Xavier, this is Joel,” You introduced slowly, and you saw Xavier’s eyes widen. “Joel, this is Xavier Joel Miller… your son.”

“It’s um, nice to meet you sir,” Xavier nodded politely, Joel was shocked to say the least and looked at your for reassurance.

“I’ll tell you about it in a bit,” You said, Joel turned back to the nineteen year old and shook his hand. Xavier wrapped his arms around the taller man and Joel was a little stiff before hugging him back.

“My son,” Joel muttered.

That day you spent catching up with Joel and getting to know Ellie, who when you first saw her, thought was Joel’s daughter, but turned out they were only moving her to somewhere else. You were a little relieved to hear that. You lived opposite Maria and Tommy, so naturally Joel and Ellie moved in with you and your son.

“Dude, you’re so cool for a nineteen year old,” Ellie laughed as Xavier spoke with her. “All the nineteen year olds in FEDRA are fucking assholes.”

“Ellie!” Joel hissed.

“Wow, she may not be your daughter but she sure as hell has your mouth,” You laughed, placing a coffee in Joel’s hands, “Have you ever had Cocoa sweetheart?”

“No,” Ellie smiled, taking it out of your hands. “But I heard it’s good.”

“How’s he my son?” Joel asked as you sat down next to him.

“Well do you remember that night when you were laid off,” You started. “A week before the outbreak? Sarah had gone to visit Tommy and you were stressed, so I told you that you could do anything to me.” Xavier gagged and stood up.

“Ugh, I could’ve gone my whole life without hearing about my conception, but here we are,” He scoffed. “You coming Ellie?”

“Absolutely,” She chuckled.

“Don’t go to far!” Joel yelled as they walked out the door, you placed a hand on his leg and kissed his cheek.

“They’ll be fine,” You smiled, Joel leaned back and placed the coffee on the end table.

“How long have you been here?” Joel asked.

“About five years ago, maybe four,” You answered.

“So you didn’t give birth to him here?”

“No.”

“Where?”

“The middle of an abandoned hospital, I was alone there until some gang found me a couple of weeks later, they took me in,” You explained, Joel looked at you with a sadness in his eyes.

“Has there ever been anyone else?”

“No, never, what about you?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“I don’t like the name Xavier though,” Joel smiled after a moment of silence, you chuckled.

“Why?”

“Too formal, you know, if I ever had a boy I always thought I’d call him Jack, or Charlie,” Joel smiled softly.

“Jack?” You repeated. “Jack Miller?”

“Yeah.”

“Doesn’t it remind you of the guy from The Shining though?”

“No baby, that’s Jack Nicholson,” Joel laughed, you returned the laugh and he wrapped arm around your shoulder before you curled into him. “I missed being with you like this.”

“Me too,” You sighed. “I love you Joel Miller.”

“I love you too Y/n Miller.”

“I love you more.”

“I love you most.”

[vomitdodger]

👆this last paragraph is why the commies SPECIFICALLY went after these two. The FLCCC continue to save countless lives, tell the wonders of off label drugs, and have been some of the most prolific publishers on critical care with a documented record to support their positions.

Many providers have been threatened or fired under the lawfare strategy from the beginning. Many good ones just walked away. Those that remain either “just don’t say anything” or are true believers. Morale cowards or idiots. A select few still speak up but are riding the chaos wave of intimidation, legal and financial challenges and threatened loss of board status. And in the interim, wait times skyrocketed, the quality of care crumbled, and the training went woke and is filled by foreign medical school graduates. Pending near future collapse of the entire system. Which is what the commies want. The fix? Government run healthcare of course.

And we are ramping up to do it again with both Monkey pox and avian flu.

Whatever happens next do not comply.

[junkiepunkie]

Post-Prank realization -Remus Lupin oneshot

[remus wakes up in the hospital wing post-full moon, brutally hurt and still bleeding, no one is there. Madame Pomfrey is busy with a patient loaded with dragon pox so he excuses himself, saying he needs to go to the loo, and hobbles back up to the gryffindor common room, on the way Snape and him collide]

"oi! Watch where you're..." Remus cut himself off, seeing the petrified, yet slightly sympathetic look thrown by Snape, who looked seven shades too green to be feeling fine "...going... You know what never mind"

Snape gulped heavily, his eyes looked almost glassy upon seeing Remus and his hand was clutching something so agressively in his hand that Remus could see the tension radiate throughout his whole body.

"Snivil- Severus, what is that?" He asked tentatively, in that moment the hatred for Snape faded to increadible concern. He looked like he'd seen a ghost- or well, an unplanned ghost.

The words had no sooner left Remus' mouth than Snape had lunged forward, grabbing Remus' forearm and harshly yanking up his sleeve.

"hey! What the fuck-" an unholy scream wracked Remus' entire body, cutting his complaint short. In that moment Remus turned the same green as Snape. He knew that burn well, dispite the rarity of feeling it, the few times he had had left their scars, just as incurable as those made by his own claws. 

Silver.

Shit.

Now, Remus was smart enough to know that this could only be bad, Snape could tell the whole school, his clueless friends, Snape could probably get Remus expelled.

"I'm not going to tell anyone" He hissed, quiet as a doormouse but with the power of an army.

For the first time in his life, Remus truely felt he understood why Lilly called Snape a great wizard, he had a drive behind his eyes, hidden in all aspects of life apart from his fits of rage. In this moment -though it sickened him to say it- Remus knew Snape could very much kill him. "I'll say nothing because it wasn't your fault, it was theirs, and, though I hate your guts and your friends, I have a slither of respect for you. But don't believe that I'll deny it if anyone asks, and do not test me, because that layer of respect is thin and extremely fragile. Now run along and for the love of god get new friends. See you later, Moony."

Ouch. Both from the silver and Snapes mouth, Ouch.

Remus turned away the second Snape lifted the silver to reveal a burning red knife shaped mark on his arm that Remus knew would not fade for a long time. He all but ran into the fat lady's portrait, spitting out the password as He fled inside. He went straight for the staircase, hoping to make a beeline for his bed and tell the marauders everything, maybe he could even have a cry with Sirius later on, anything to distract him from thoughts of Snape's speech and whatever he meant by 'it wasn't your fault, it was theirs'. Unfortunately for Remus -and his plans for a quiet night in- no sooner was he up the stairs to his dorm than Sirius was dashing past, sobbing his grey eyes out as if someone had died. Shit what if someone's died. Remus groaned at the thought. Today was not the day. Despite Remus' urge to ignore all commotion and just try and sleep off the sting of silver, this was Sirius and he needed to make sure he was ok. Immediately. Remus turned on his heel and went to follow after his friend/sexual tension partner/much needed emotional crutch, but James had his arm out, blocking Remus from descending any further as Sirius dashed from the common room, quicker than Remus had ever seen him.

"James move! I want to check that he's ok!" Remus exclaimed, anger slowly bubbling due to a mix of his increadibly rough full moon and the Snape commotion.

James continued to hold Remus back, both boys thankful that the common room was abandoned at this early sunday hour. 

"listen mate, we- erm- well, you'd better sit down" James stated. A few steps down Peter nodded sadly, too afraid to speak lest the words come out wrong.

Remus laughed coldly

"you're telling me! I just saw Snape and look what the cock did!" he rolled up his sleeve as he finally caved and let James lead him up the stairs. He was cluttering at almost indecipherable speeds "you know what that means right? Snape knows! James, Snape knows what I am and-"

"i know Remus... Remus if you'd just listen-"

"and then he had the fucking nerve to somehow blame you guys! Like what the fuck even was that?! Fucking batshit am I right?!?"

"REMUS!" James exclaimed, quickly catching himself and swallowing thickly as though it would help him develop some very called for empathy and patience. "Moony... Mate... It is our fault, or, well.."

"its Sirius" Pete butted in. Turning vivid pink as he realized what he'd done. Turning on his heel he exited the room.

Remus breathed shakily and sat on the edge of his bed, the forgotten aches caused by the injuries he suffered the night before hitting him like a ton of bricks. The entire right row of broken ribs and his fucked up calf were now gruelingly aparent. 

"what did Pete mean? How could Sirius be responsible for me being a werewolf?! That’s just dumb” he laughed nervously.

James closed his eyes and took in a deep breathed, before talking. Remus did the same but It seemed to do nothing.

"Remus, you know that none of us were there last night don't you?" he started "well, thats a lie, Pete was -and he tried his best- but a rat and a werewolf.. It didn't make much difference. After two hours he knew It was better to just leave"

Remus wanted to interrupt, say that he was fine with no one coming because It wasn't their responsibility to look after him and, if thats why Sirius is upset then he should know that it’s fine. He wanted to say all that and more, but he didn't, he just sat and listened.

"well, we were coming, we really were, only Sirius told us there was something he had to do first and, well, he'd had an argument with Snape earlier that day and something didn't feel right, so I decided i'd wait for Sirius before I followed Pete into the whomping willow." Remus nodded along, although he really wasn't sure where this could possibly be going.

"he turned up an hour after the full moon came up, I- well I had to listen to you screaming the whole time while I couldn't do anything about It like i usually would, so i was pissed off when he showed up, more so when i realised he'd brought Snape. And way way more so when i saw him show Snape the knot on the tree..."

If Remus could rank pain, silver would be an 8.5, transformation would have to be a 9. But this.. This implication, the silence in which Remus realised what had happened last night, the moment in which his whole would came crumbling down around him and everything made such painful sense. Well, this was a clear ten. 

Dispite this, James continued.

"So I jumped in, just as Snape was about to follow Sirius, I screamed that he had to leave when Sirius turned back and started telling Snape It was all fine, that It was just you studying in there. I- well, I tried to think on my feet, so I petrified Snape and I- I punched Sirius in the face, kicked him too, started proper fucking him up. He started crying and I was going to leave him and join you, but Pete came out and me and him had to carry Snivelous back in. But Remus before I petrified Snape we all heard you howl and- well…"

Remus bit his gum hard and forced himself to adopt an eerily calm demeanor . He sat and breathed and waited for James to say something, anything, but he didn't. Dispite himself Remus closed his eyes and asked the only question that mattered to him, the one question he wanted to ask. Unfortunately, It would be the one that hurt him the most.

"is he alright?" the question was caring and quiet, but the tone was scathing.

"what?" James asked, stunned.

"Sirius. Was he ok?" 

James faltered, pausing for a long time before answering, when he did his voice was soft. As If he was talking about someone dead. To Remus he might aswell have been.

"eh, I knocked him out, broke his nose. When he woke up this morning It look him a while to even remember what happened. When he did he freaked right out, you saw him, he's-"

"James humour me and just tell me he's alright" Remus snapped, the calm had gone now and in its place was rage.

James did that singular breathy chuckle one does when shocked and frustrated before speaking.

"alright, moony, physically he is fine"

Remus nodded meekly and collapsed back so that he was strewn across his bed. James followed his lead, laying himself directly beside Remus on the bed. In a moment of solidarity the two boys elbowed eachother, both offering the other a weak unhappy smile. Remus had said It once and he'll say It as many times as he could: James Potter is a fantastic friend.

As soon as the moment of content came, It was gone, both boys letting out defeated sighs as they turned to look at eachother, no funny buisness, just words and two pairs of honest eyes.

"I'm going to hate him forever now, you know?" Remus stated. It was true, he could never see things going back to how they were ever again. Sirius had gone and fucked It up, all of It.

James smiled again, a small, sad smile, but there was an undetectable trace of some genuine happieness.

"maybe you’ll hate him, but you'll forgive him eventually Moony." he said, as though it were plain as day.

Remus raised his brows in unfriendly challenge.

"I will not. He's fucking ruined it all James. This is- I mean, it's unforgivable!"

James nodded "oh yeah no, it's the worst thing he's ever done. It was dangerous and inconsiderate and down right psycho and he deserves no mercy, but let me ask you this Remus. Tell me why I think him 'ruining it all' means more to you than if I were to do the exact same thing he did?"

Remus sat bolt upright, the crushing pain in his chest strinking him as insignificant at that moment in time.

"what’s that meant to mean?" he asked defensively

James smirked as he too sat up. The smirk he gave was still tinged with unhappieness, but now there was a slight playfullness behind it.

"it means Moony, that I don't think that your friendship with me and Pete makes you feel the same as-"

"of course it makes me feel the same! Why wouldn't it, we're all good mates -great mates- we're family! I feel equally about all of you! So don't be- don't be so fucking daft Prongs! What was that even supposed to mean?!? Haha" Remus was panicking, badly. His hands were sweaty and his heart was all but palpatating. He could feel the green colour from earlier making a comeback.

James' face returned to its previous state of severity but his eyes stayed kind, welcoming. They were an ocean of comfort against his deadly serious features. He seemed to manage to make his face both intimidating and strict while also staying reliable and homely. He never once looked away from Remus as he took his hand in his, giving it a much needed reassuring squeeze.

"it means that I see the way you look at him when he can't see you. And I hear how to hum his favourite song when he's not around. I notice when you wait for him to agree to things before you make up your mind, and i've seen how he can calm you down when you're about to change on a full moon and you cry" He said each word gently, never letting go of Remus' hand, even when Remus began to tear up in fear that he'd be rejected

"He's your Lilly" he continued "and Moony -Remus- that is absolutely fine by me."

Wow. Hearing those words, not feeling any loss of contact dispite what James now knew, it triggered a full on breakdown. Remus collapsed into James' arms like a bundle of rags, his head resting on James' shoulder as his body wracked up and down violently. James didn't hesitate to hug Remus tight into his chest, patting his back as he cried and humming gently in an attempt to calm him down. Remus recognised the song "love reign o'er me" by the who, one of Sirius' favourites. It should have made his blood boil, but It didn't, not at all, no it just made the poor boy tired, so much so that he calmed down almost instantainiously. James sighed happily as Remus' sobs faded to cries, the whimpers before dying completely, leaving him just breathing shakily.

"this doesn't change anything James" Remus spoke up after a while longer being cradled by his friend, for once in his life feeling a sense of platonic understanding. "I'm still dead set on hating Sirius"

James smiled "thats fine Moony"

"and you know we're not dating" Remus yawned, his eyes fluttering closed, blinks becoming slower and slower.

"still fine Remus" 

"and the fact I like him, and that I'm gay doesn't mean i'll put this all behind me" Remus eyes shut fully now, his words turning to soft mumbles "anyway, he doesn't like me and now I don't like him. So we're even..."

"still fine Remus," James looked down at the sleeping boy in his arms and moved to gently lay the boy down so he could sleeping properly. "but just so you know sleepyhead, i've also seen how he looks at you when you can't see him"

Remus didn't hear that last sentence, and if he did he probably wouldn't have believed it, but James knew that it was a fact that made all the difference, whether Remus knew it or not. Remus may be stubborn, but Sirius was more so, he would try to make this better until Remus cracked and let him.

That night, Sirius limped back in to the dorm, eyes red and puffy, one stained purple and black from the night before. The first thing asked was how Remus was doing. James had only just begun to explain how Remus was first defeated and then angry, and how his chest seemed dented from his rough night, when Sirius snapped and said:

"James humour me and just tell me he's alright!"

James could have laughed. Yeah, he thought, everything was going to be just fine.

[twistedworld101]

Chapter 10: The Fall of The Lord of Malevolence

Book 1: The Vengeful Teen

Chapter 10: The Fall of The Lord of Malevolence

[Classroom]

Malleus: For the last time, it wasn’t me!

Crowley: Malleus, this is for your own good.

Malleus: But I didn’t do it!

Crowley: Cease your excuses, isn’t this yours?

*Crowley shows Malleus the Roaring Drago that Yuu, Grim, Ace & Deuce found.*

Malleus: *Gasps* I was missing that last night and-

Crowley: Of course it is yours! Now, sit down.

*Malleus sits down in a chair*

Crowley: Draconia, for now on, you are going to be here instead of participating in any of your classes, by the end of each day, you can return to your dorm. And instead of going to your classes, you go and stay right here! And in fact, if I hear one more incident, I will expelled you and have one of the Diasomnia students who helped Idia from YOUR Overblot. Sliver to be the new Housewarden. Do I make myself clear?

Malleus: Crystal.

Crewel: Professor Crewel will be the first teacher to keep an eye on you.

*Then some of the Staff Ghosts appear*

Ghost A: Don’t worry, we’ll have eyes on him too, just as you requested.

Crowley: Splendid, I’ll be heading towards my office. And remember Malleus, 1 more incident and you’re expelled.

*Door shuts*

Malleus: 💭(I swear, I didn’t do it, I couldn’t find it last night. Lilia said that we can find it tomorrow, but I wasn’t expecting this.)

[Infirmary]

Trein: Was it really Malleus who injured you?

Idia: Well, I was trying to find a book that Ortho lost for his exams, so I did what any big brother would do. Finding it for him.

*Flashback*

[Interior hallway (night)]

(Last night)

Idia: Alright, it has to be here somewhere.

???: Looking for something?

Idia: Gah! Who are you?!

*It was a mysterious shadowy figure that looks like Malleus in his ceremony robes*

Idia: Malleus?!

*The mysterious figure beats up Idia*

Idia: What’s the big idea?

*Idia hits on the ground*

Idia: Wait a minute. You’re the guy who-

*Then a blast of green light brightens Idia*

Idia: Gahhh!

*End of flashback*

[Infirmary]

Idia: And that’s it.

Trein: Alright, and don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on him.

[Library (night)]

(After school)

*2 mysterious figures were having a chat*

??? #1: Why having a chat here?

??? #2: Because, there’s nobody here. Thanks for framing Malleus, to be honest, you’re a real bruiser.

??? #1: Your welcome, doing a great voice expression and putting on ceremony robes and a headband of Malleus’s horns was just perfect.

??? #2: Yeah, and we had to ensure that Malleus is behind the chickenpox spell on the twins, thanks to me. Anywho, the others are almost done with the “Thing” I been planning.

??? #1: Good, and soon, am I going to get what I wanted?

??? #2: Yes, once we soon activate the plan.

??? #1: Good. We should head back to our dorms anyway, night.

??? #2: Night.

[Diasomnia Dorm, Malleus’s Room (Night)]

Malleus: *Sighs* Tomorrow is Thursday and then 2 more days til the Youth Festival. And I didn’t injured Shroud, yet people still think I did it, I wish that just at least a few people will know that I didn’t do that awful crime.

*Malleus goes to sleep and begins to have a dream*

(In Malleus’s dream)

Malleus: Hmm? Why is it so dark?

*Malleus uses his magic to lighten up the scenery*

[Disasomnia Dorm, Lounge (During Overblot)]

Malleus: Why are there thorns all around here?

???: Why? Why? Why nobody wants to be friends with me?

Malleus: Hmm?

*The voice was another Malleus but in Overblot form*

Malleus?: I tried to be nice, everyone fears me no matter what, I don’t understand. And now everyone hates me, why? why? WHY?

Malleus: Is that me? How dreadful!

Malleus?: Dreadful? Everyone fears us and hates us, surely we just want at least, a true friend.

Malleus: True, everyone feared me because of my powers, and I didn’t injured Shroud and didn’t poxed him and the twins. Rollo Flamme was right before about that I one day bring disaster to the world, I never mean to hurt anyone especially Child Of Man. You are me and I am you.

Malleus?: Hahahahaha! That is true, I am you! Lilia, he and Grandmother been keeping such secrets from us for years! We been trying to find someone to be our friend, for years!

Malleus: True, but I have changed my ways and even so, everyone fears me and now they all hate me because for what I did to them all.

Malleus?: Yes, true, but I won’t let you do that reformation nonsense!

*The appearance of the dream Overblot Malleus changes into Malleus’s Overblot Phantom*

Malleus: Is that a dragon, like the one the Thorn Fairy transformed into?

Malleus?: They hurt us! You will get stabbed and fell off a cliff with me! And even though you’ll be turned into ashes, everyone will still fear you in their hearts! For all eternity!

Malleus: They didn’t hurt me, I did it myself. No one to blame but myself.

???: We meet again.

Malleus: Huh?

*It was Rollo Flamme*

Rollo: Hehehehe, hahahahaha! Malleus Draconia.

Malleus: (Angry) Flamme!

Rollo: Indeed, in the flesh. I was right all along, you ARE a villain!

Malleus: Perhaps, but I shall redeem myself and starting by facing my demons, which is you both! Now you’ll deal with me and all the powers of the Abyss!

*A green aura was getting many drops of black guck, then a Diasomnia magic pen’s green Magestone was getting drops of black guck and then turns completely black*

*Malleus went Overblot but still remain conscious*

Malleus: Let’s settle this, once and for all.

Rollo: So be it. You vile monster. Dark Fire!

*Rollo transforms into his fiery form*

*Then a battle begins*

(Before turn 1)

Rollo: You will face my judgement!

Malleus?: You will fear my wrath!

Malleus: No, it is you who will fear my wrath! And your new salvation will end tonight!

Rollo: Never again! Malleus Draconia!

Malleus?: RAHHHHHHHH!

(After turn 1)

Malleus?: Give up, face it, we all know that you will always be alone!

Rollo: Exactly.

Malleus: You’re both wrong. I will have Lilia, Sliver and Sebek to keep me company. And even if they’re gone, I won’t care what people think of me! And I don’t care if I’m alone!

(After the final turn)

Malleus?: NOOOOOOOOO!

Rollo: Impossible!

Malleus: GAHHHHHHHHHH!

*Malleus unleashes a huge wave of green fire against his monster and Rollo*

Malleus? & Rollo: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

{To Be Continued}

[todaysdocument]

Letter to Superintendent concerning a possible outbreak of small-pox.

Record Group 75: Records of the Bureau of Indian AffairsSeries: Letters Received from Day School Teacher Clara D. True

In reply to: Department of the Interior, INDIAN SCHOOL SERVICE, OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT. Espanola, N.M. Feb 2, 1904 Mr. C. J. Crandall, Supt U.S. Indian Schools Santa Fe, N.M. Dear Sir: There is no well-authenticated report of a small pox epidemic neared than Antonio and most likely there is no individual case in this vicinity. The Indian Geronimo Tofaya who reported a case Sunday still insists that a Mexican laborer en route home from the infected district stopped in Geronimo's house and that the Mexican had small pox. The Indian has been to me twice to have his children vaccinated. He himself has had the disease. He is one of the people who refused to be vaccinated some years ago and a little later took smallpox. He says he does not know where the Mexican is by this time. The doctor will be here today. I vaccinated myself and the housekeeper yesterday and as many of the children as I could. Very respectfully, Clara D. True.

[chrisbitchtree]

When Steve was little, he used to dream of sunny beaches, surfers dotting the waves on the beautiful blue water, and happy families eating picnics and swimming around in the shallow water close to shore.

Not always, but usually, a blonde boy named B was also there. Steve and B would run around, down the shore, in and out of the water, building sandcastles and collecting rocks and shells to show B’s mom, a beautiful lady with blonde hair just like B’s, who told Steve to call her Mary.

Every night, Steve would get excited before bed, ready to visit B again, and every morning, he’d run to his mom and dad’s room to tell his mother all about the previous night’s adventures with his friend.

When Steve started asking to take naps instead of going on playdates or to the park, so he could see B more, his mother, worried about how much space this other boy was taking up in her sons mind, took him to a child psychologist.

She was told that Steve had most likely created an imaginary friend to fill the sense of loneliness that can come from being an only child. They told her to let him be, and he would grow out of it in time.

Steve did grow out of it, when B started showing up less and less in his dreams, until he wasn’t there at all, and Steve was left to build sandcastles alone.

He started making friends at school, and eventually, B, and with him, dreams of the beach, became a hazy memory, something he only thought about on the really bad days, when his parents hadn’t been home from their business trips for a while, or when his friend Tommy was out of school with chicken pox.

***

The first time Billy Hargrove came flying into the Hawkins High parking lot, Steve recognized him immediately. It was B, back again, but something wasn’t right about him.

Gone was the soft, shy smile, gone was the warm, summery glow B always had about him, an air of happiness and calm that had always brought Steve such joy and peace. He looked wrong, taken from the beach, from his home, and dropped here in this Midwest high school parking lot on this cool fall morning.

This wasn’t right. They were meant to lay in the sun, meant to watch the tide roll in, watch the water wash over their feet as they turned their tongues blue from the popsicles B’s mother would buy them from the ice cream man.

Steve wondered if he still liked blue popsicles and picking up shells and neat looking rocks, if he’d ever become the surfer he promised he would. He wondered if B remembered him too.

[33max]

red bull td au feeds my soul…any tidbits to share?

YES. I've been thinking about something this afternoon.

Max catches chicken pox.

He catches it from Hannah’s little daughter, who is off sick from school and Hannah’s husband drops by the factory with their little girl so they can give her mumma lunch. They end up bumping into Max, and taking a photo with him…

Nobody at the factory knew that Max hadn't had chicken pox before. Nearly everyone catches it as a child, they thought Max would have too.

Except he didn't.

He starts to feel sick a few days later, he's still in the factory doing a simulator day. But now he’s got a fever and a headache, and it causes him to drop. Unable to stay in a big headspace while he’s feeling so poorly.

Daniel isnt in Milton Keynes, he's in Faenza doing his own simulator days… so GP steps in to take care of the boy until Daniel can fly in.

Max is really tearful and irritable, nothing seems to be soothing him. GP has tried everything, he’s even put some paracetamol into a bottle for Max and tried to give him that. Max wouldn't even drink it.

It's only when Max starts squirming and itching, little angry red spots blistering on his usually milky skin, that GP realises it's chicken pox. Max has chicken pox. As an adult. He knows how bad that can be 😐♥️