#tess lives

[be-an-echo]

Merry Christmas guyyyss🎄

[messrmoonyy]

- of smoking and dancing

Tess servopoulos x reader

Request- I know smoking is bad but seeing gifs of Anna smoking made me desperate to see Tess smoking it’s so hot somehow 😭😭 flirting and sharing a pack? Ahhhhhhh! ‘ combined with a bunch of requests for some kind of fluffy follow up to this drabble here

Warnings- I guess slightly ooc Tess. Shes a little awkward. A little soft. ( WC- 2.2k )

A/N- don’t smoke kids lmao. I really didn’t feel like posting this tbh. Some of my tess readers have been VILE in my ask box lately. Pls remember I am a human being. And not a word machine ready to churn out fic as you demand it.

Tess masterlist

“ you are a hard woman to find “ Tess tensed slightly as you spoke behind her, her hand loitering a little awkwardly half raised between her mouth and her side, cigarette balancing between her fingers. She collected herself quickly, bringing it back to her lips.

“ maybe you just don’t look hard enough “ that made you laugh a little, the small quiet kind meant to be shared between two people only. The kind that meant you weren’t trying to draw attention.

In all honesty she liked to think she was a little hard to find. Prided herself on her ability to go unnoticed when she chose it, slip around and keep herself to herself. She didn’t like company much. Not really. Yours though… she didn’t mind that. On the times she allowed herself to have it.

“ didn’t know you smoked “ you mused moving to stand beside her, tucking yourself into the shadowed spot behind the Bison that Tess had secluded herself to. She’d only left her house in the first place because Joel had asked, making stupid comments about you as he did. Acting like some burly Texan Cupid. Ass. But she had slipped away as soon as she’d seen the opportunity to. Not that she’d gone very far.

She didn’t quite know why she hadn’t just gone home. Or maybe she did. Maybe she knew exactly why she had chosen to hang around a little. Smoke the pack of cigarettes she’d been slowly making her way though since she’d found them. As if by some miracle they’d make her pluck up the courage to well… do something.

“ I don’t “ she didn’t. Not really. It’d never been her thing. She preferred the burning warmth of liquor than smoke. But she wanted an excuse to be outside and not look like some creeper loitering in the dark. And maybe they didn’t have the stress relieving factor of a glass of god knows what Tommy had been brewing. But they did have a little. And didn’t come with a free headache.

“ funny that… can I? “ Tess shrugged, half expecting to see you reach out and take it from her hand. But instead your leant forward a little, lips parting slightly in a way that made Tess’ skin flush. She placed it between your lips and watched you smile as you leant back, taking it from her fingers “ smokings so gross “ you sighed, blowing out a steady cloud of smoke “ specially these. How fucking old are they? “

“ I’m not forcing you to take the damn thing “ that made you smile again, tipping your head to the side to watch her light up another “ also… I don’t know. Found them in a house in the town by the creek trails “ you hummed a response, nose crinkling a little as you blew out some smoke and turned your wrist to look at the stale thing in between your fingers.

“ why you hiding away out here anyway? “ Tess shrugged leaning her arms down on the fence in front of her. You moved to stand beside her and she knew you were looking down at her without even needing to see your face. Could feel it.

“ just wanted some air “

“ sure “ you scoffed, holding your hand out over the fence to tap away the ash “ I always see you you know. How you turn up at these stupid things, hang around a little then slip away “ Tess shrugged again, glancing up at you. You flicked away your cigarette half smoked and turned to lean back against the fence, something clearly going on inside your mind that she could not figure out yet.

“ I don’t really like crowds “

“ I figured that much “ you said with a smile, glancing back down at her again in a way that made Tess’ skin flush “ you might like it if you involved yourself a little. Even just danced some “ it was Tess’ turn to scoff and she too tossed her cigarette and straightened herself out, resting her hip against the wood.

“ I don’t dance “

“ so you won’t dance with me? “ it was the first time you’d asked since she’d rejected you the last time. In the months in between you hadn’t seemed deterred by it. Had taken it on and acted as if it had never happened, continuing to try spend time with her and Tess had been trying her best not to push you away.

In fact she had been trying her hardest to actively try and be… friends. But sometimes those weird hopeful feelings would surface within her and she terrified herself. Would take two steps back from the one step she had taken forward. Not that you ever seemed particularly put off by it.

She still hadn’t answered you and gave a small sigh.

“ one dance. And if you absolutely hate it then you can run off back out here, hide away in the dark like some little cave troll and smoke your stale ass cigarettes and I’ll leave you to it “ the smile on your face as she spoke had her mind made up before she could even truly decide that she did or did not want to go back inside.

“ one “ you beamed at her as she said, truly a utter ray of sunshine on her moody and miserable self.

She tucked her cigarettes and matches down into her jean pockets and followed you back inside. As the night was wearing on it seemed a little less crowded than when she had first arrived, which she liked. Less people to look at her. Less people to talk.

Though Joel and Ellie clocked her the moment she stepped back inside, Joel looking incredibly smug watching you grab a hold of her hand and lead her out into the empty space that was serving as a dance area.

“ I think- “

“ don’t back out on me now Tess “ you said in a challenging tone, smile so cheeky she wanted to kiss it right off of you. And wasn’t that one of those terrible two steps back kind of thoughts.

“ I don’t know the steps “

“ no one knows the steps you just.. go with it. Just hold my hand I got you “ but before you could so much as twirl around the music switched from the previous upbeat song, to something slower. Her eyes darted over to where the music was coming from and she narrowed her eyes in annoyance.

Her eyes found Maria who looked incredibly proud of herself, even with Tess giving her a glare that could kill the woman she was sure. She froze as your arms looped around her neck, eyes leaving Maria to look at you instead.

“ this is better, no steps to this kinda song “ she felt like an awkward teenage boy at his first school dance, with no idea how to even look at a girl never mind dance with one.

But it felt nice. To have you holding onto her like that, standing so close there was barely an inch between the two of your bodies. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around your waist and you smiled.

“ see “ you said “ easy “ she could feel Maria’s eyes on her. Joel’s. Ellie’s. But it almost didn’t annoy her as much as it had at first. Because of the way you were looking up at her, the at you were so close together she could smell the shampoo you used. She was hyper aware of every part of your bodies that touched, skin burning and prickling at the sensation.

“ I don’t think you can class this as dancing “ you laughed a little and shrugged.

“ hmm maybe not. But it’s nice right? “ you were talking softly, directly to her and not for the prying eyes or ears of anyone around you.

She mulled over the question. Of course it was nice. It was beyond nice. It was what she had spent months pining for and moping around about. Hating herself for wanting you close and hating herself for how far she seemed to be from the woman back in Boston she had shaped herself into.

“ it’s nice “ you smiled warmly, arms tightening a little around her.

“ you’re doing me a favour too you know. Some guy from farming rotation? Been asking me to dance all night. Think he’ll get the picture now “ that made her chest tighten a little. Some stupid worry that, had you only asked her to dance to scare off some guy? “ I only really wanted to dance with you though “ you said silencing her fears before she could ever even dream to make them vocal.

The slow songs continued to play. And you both stayed there in that gentle swaying embrace, occasionally speaking about random things and fess listening diligently to everything you had to say to her. Eventually the crowd grew bored, demanding something a little more upbeat. And as much as Tess hadn’t particularly wanted to be there with you at first, she now didn’t want it to end. But unfortunately it had to.

You sighed as the song changed, taking a step back from her and rolling your eyes. Tess felt awkward again. And annoyed at herself for feeling awkward. She was ready to flee back outside and hide but you took her hand.

“ do you wanna go get some air? “ you asked her. She wondered if you sensed her discomfort, could feel the heat radiating off her “ kinda hot in here huh? “

“ yeah “

It was chilly outside. The temperature having dropped a lot since she had gone inside with you. But it was a nice contrast on her overheated skin, a nice break from the noise too. There were a few people lingering around, a few kids running around and playing with sticks as if they were swords. It made her smile.

“ I love being outside at night“ you mused, sitting yourself down on one of the benches outside. She slotted herself in beside you, chill escaping her as you shuffled close to her “ pretty. Calm “ Tess noticed you still hadn’t let go of her hand that you had grabbed to lead her back outside

Tess said nothing. Instead tried to internally process the entire situation. The night as a whole. How much she had enjoyed allowing herself to be in your company.

“ oh oh look. See him over there? That’s the one I told you about “ you said and nudged her with your shoulder, nodding over to a man leaving the bison looking a little worse for wear.

“ he seems… nice “ you laughed at that and snuggled a little closer to Tess “ you cold? “

“ hmm little “ she hesitated for a moment before freeing the arm trapped between you both and looping it around your shoulders. She felt you physically relax against her, sighing softly. The feelings were creeping again. And the fear that came alongside them. The fear of being vulnerable. Of letting someone in.

“ so you don’t. You don’t like him? “ she spoke in some attempt to derail her thought process.

“ I don’t like him “ you said immediately, not even a second thought “ I like someone else “ her chest hurt. A pang deep down that she couldn’t ignore if she tried.

And she hated it. She hated it so much. That she had allowed herself to feel. To strip back the layers of scary Boston Tess, leave herself some silly little crush and let herself be vulnerable.

“ I’m sure they’re very lucky “ she practically whispered.

“ they don’t even realise “

You turned your head slightly, cold nose brushing against her neck. She suddenly felt warm again. An anxious warmth radiating from her chest in a way she was unfamiliar with. Her old self would be laughing at her.

“ have you told them “ she felt you smile, felt the way your cheeks lifted and a small laugh vibrated past your lips.

“ the signs are obvious “ your face lifted from her neck and was suddenly incredibly close to hers. She licked her lips nervously. She wanted to kiss you. God did she want to kiss you. Old Tess would’ve. Old Tess would’ve kissed you months ago.

But that wasn’t her anymore. This was her. Sat with her arms around a girl that she liked. But didn’t like her. She was a fool. Really she was.

“ you’re a very smart woman Tess “ you started, voice low. Soft “ But fuck you’re oblivious as hell sometimes “ and then your lips were against hers, kissing her softly but with a quiet determination. She froze at first, unsure on how to react. But then she was kissing you back, hand reaching up to cup your cheek. Your hand twisted into the collar of her sweater like you didn’t want her to let go.

And she didn’t plan on it. Kissing you softly, slowly, savouring every single moment in case you decided you regretted it and she’d never get to kiss you again.

It seemed to last forever, so sensual and slow and she forgot where she was. Forgot about everything other than how incredible it felt to kiss you, to feel your cold hands in the collar of her sweater. To feel your cheeks flush with warmth under her fingers. She could taste the smoke, smell the fruitiness of your hair, the softness of your skin.

She didn’t want it to end. Didn’t want to stop.

But all good things must eventually come to an end.

When you did finally pull away it was barely a few centimetres, brushing your nose against hers before pressing your foreheads together. Her thumb was brushing softly across your cheekbone, reluctant to let you go.

“ you should’ve let me do that a long time ago “ you whispered, a smile tugging at your lips.

“ maybe I should’ve “

[stealingpotatoes]

consumed by joel & tess thoughts and pretending tess lived and everything is fine (lyrics from touch tank by quinnie)

(ko-fi requests are open!)

[actual-changeling]

rewatched episode 3 because apparently i love being in emotional pain but just.

imagine frank didn't get sick, tess lived, they got to wyoming and occasionally make the trip to visit bill and frank in a "two weeks with your grandparents" way???

just the thought of ellie, an orphan, getting a whole ass family that actively chose her, chose to love her and care for her, doing everything to make sure she's safe.

frank teaching her how to paint and draw, bill (against joel's explicit rules) showing ellie all kinds of shit about weapons and she leaves with a new gun every time they visit. ellie coming out to them cause she knows they'll 100% be fine with it and feeling comfortable to do so with everyone else, too, cause if they love bill and frank, they'll love her regardless, too.

family dinners and fresh strawberries and paintings of joel, of tess, of ellie, all of them, around the house. the hope that maybe they don't need to save the world. they already have theirs right where they need it.

found family has me by the throat man (it's the severe childhood trauma)

[hypnotisedfireflies]

Hear me out here. This is based on the set of gifs you recently reblogged of Tess kicking the clicker off Joel.

I love the way she steps over top of him so effortlessly, so completely and like you said Joel so easily just rolls away knowing she's got it taken care of.

You know, you just know that if they had had a spare moment after this Joel would have found some closest to take her in so they could work out the adrenaline that just went running through their systems.

Any thoughts on this (or possibly any drabbles?).

This is the gifset we’re talking about and it is mighty.

If you had to encapsulate the Tessjoel dynamic in a gifset this is kind of it, so please all go give OP love for making it and capturing this perfect fucking moment for us to lose our collective minds over!

I have no drabble today but I do have thoughts.

Can we also talk about how Ellie’s hanging tough there in the back.  One of my favourite elements of the game and show is the tease of the relationship we might’ve had with Ellie and Tess (and DO have, because I’m too far down Dululu Drive to accept canon anymore).  Like, can you just picture how it was for Ellie?  Tess is absolutely the kind of survivor Ellie would want to be.  She holds her own, she brings this strong man to heel, she’s made it her way in this world and she seems to have absolutely no fucks to give.  And Ellie is just watching her boot a clicker off Joel and just take care of it.  There’s no panic, there’s no scramble, it’s just business.   And then as @wordspinning points out, there’s her muzzle control too – the whole time, that arcs above Joel’s head.  This woman is a fucking pro and you can just see the lil stars in Ellie’s eyes.

I really love the whole concept that Tess left a positive impression on Ellie – game and showverses – in the limited time they had in Boston.  And it’s little moments like this that really capture that burgeoning relationship …

… Which continues in Jackson …

… Because Tess lives.

[mariatesstruther]

ellie and baby miller both doing the “dang mom said no, lets ask dad” thing, except it’s “dang my dad said no, let me go ask his brother” because tommy lets ellie get away with everything and joel lets baby miller get away with everything

neither of them ask tess or maria because they’re too smart for that obviously

[adhdprincess]

Canon was wrong.

I just posted chapter 2 of my 'Tess Lives' fic and now live in pure, shameless denial that Tess ever died.

There's No Road That Will Lead Us Back

Summary: Ellie, Joel, and Tess learn to live on the road together without wringing each other's necks in the process. Ellie is feral, Joel is savage, and Tess is trying to get everyone to Wyoming in one piece.

Set during the 3-month timeskip before winter. There are wonderful character arcs and nice campfire scenes, but it gets dramatic as hell—buckle up.

One-way ticket to Ao3. Choo choo! 🚅💨

[bumblepony]

Are you still taking requests for the kiss ficlets? If so, can you write a Joel/Tess one for #34, “we can’t do this” kiss?

Thank you, anon, for this request. I had a great time writing this. I'm gifting this to another Tess/Joel Truther Glitter_Gecko. , who loves the little scene from TLOU Part 1 that I put in her as much as I do.

“Ellie, stay here. I gotta talk to Tess for a minute. Do you understand?” Joel points to a space on the ground in the small clearing they’d decided to bunk down in for the night after trekking out of Boston. 

“Yeah, sure.” Ellie folds herself down onto the ground in a way that only a teenager can and then shoots a glare at them. “You’re not gonna fucking leave me here, right?”

“No, we ain't gonna fuckin’ leave you here, alright. Just stay put,” Joel grates, rolling his eyes. He pulls off his jacket and hands it to Ellie before taking Tess by the arm and leading her toward an opening in the trees. Tess doesn’t miss the small tremor in his hands when he gives Ellie the jacket or the way he kept grinding his teeth the whole way out here from the statehouse. Joel was holding on to something, and they were about to have it out. Tess sighs and makes her way in the direction he motioned to. They go a far enough distance that Tess knows the girl won’t be able to easily hear them, and then she turns, words already on the tip of her tongue, to try and forestall the argument she knows he is fixing to start.

But she doesn’t even have a chance to open her mouth before his comes crashing down against hers. He crowds her up against the nearest tree, her back slamming into the trunk with enough force to knock a gasp from her. He presses into her fast, his hands moving over her like he hasn’t touched her in years. She’s been caught off guard, but she dives in quick as soon as she understands where his head is at. 

Their kisses are messy and heated, teeth clacking, tongues clashing, lips clinging. Joel’s hands are up under her shirt, pushing her sports bra over her breasts as she reaches down to undo his belt buckle. His fingers roll and pinch her nipples as his mouth moves down her jaw, teeth leaving sharp nips, which he then soothes with a swipe of his tongue. Her hand slides down into his boxers, and her fingers wrap around his already half-hard cock. He grunts as she gives him two firm pumps, and then he's grappling to unbutton and pull down her jeans. She helps him get them down her slim hips, and then she’s hopping on one foot as he tugs one of her boots off and a single leg of her pants, leaving the jeans dangling from her other leg still just in case they need to get dressed in a hurry. Once she’s free, she only has a moment before he’s hoisting her into the air, her legs wrapping around his waist and her arms going around his neck. He presses her back up against the tree as she reaches between them to pull him loose and line him up with her entrance. He’s just about to slide inside when they both hear a branch break somewhere in the forest around them. 

They freeze, their chests heaving, mouths open as they try to pant as quietly as possible, and they listen. Suddenly, a rabbit shoots out from behind them, and they both groan in relief. They lean their foreheads together for a moment as they try and catch their breath, and then Tess cups his face and places a gentle, lingering kiss on his mouth and says against his lips, “ We can’t do this.”

“I know.” Joel sighs and kisses her softly back while carefully lowering her to the ground. He tucks himself in, then helps her get her jeans and boots back on. Once they’re both put back together, he leans into her and cups her face. “Tess, I thought I was going to lose you today. We was this close,” Joel says, holding his thumb and pointer finger up, held only centimeters apart.

“I don’t know what I woulda done If… shit Tess. This fuckin’ close.” His hands shake as he pulls her body tight against his. She wraps her arms around his back and presses her palms firmly against his shoulders, trying to show him the best way she can that she’s still here, still very much alive. She remembers the feeling of the clicker’s hands on her shoulders dragging her in, its hot, putrid breath wafting over her face, teeth gnashing in its mouth. Second away from biting down, Joel had pulled it off her and planted a bullet in its head. She had been so close to leaving the earth without ever telling this man what he means to her. But now is not the time, not when they had a kid waiting for them, not 30 feet away. No, it would have to wait. They would have to wait.

“Joel, it’s going to be okay. You didn’t lose me,” Tess whispers into his ear placing small kisses down his jaw. He lets out a ragged breath and takes her lips with his once more. This kiss is delicate, careful, his breath mingles with hers, and she melts into it. His tongue runs along her bottom lip, and he moans softly when her tongue comes out to mingle with his.

Joel pulls away reluctantly, chuckling, “We gotta stop, or I’m gonna put you up against that tree again.”

“I’d rather you didn’t, honestly. Not that I wouldn’t mind the experience, but I’d also like to avoid your back going out when we have a five-hour hike in front of us tomorrow,” Tess laughs as she steps away, patting him on the chest.

“That was one fuckin’ time,” Joel grumbles under his breath as they head back to their makeshift campsite.

“Well, it was pretty memorable, cowboy. It's not often I have to knock on your brother's bedroom door to ask for help getting you to the couch from the floor while we’re both half-naked,” Tess says, dodging a root on the forest floor.

“I told ya to at least put my jeans back on.”

“Really? After you whined and bitched the whole time I was helping you get your boxers back on, no, thank you. You were lucky I covered you with a blanket after that,” Tess scoffs, and Joel huffs with fake indignation. 

After a few moments of silence, Joel says, “You know we ain't been out here in a while.” Then he moves ahead of her a little so he can push a branch out of the way.

“It's like we're on a date,” Tess says sarcastically.

“Well, I am the romantic type.”

“You got your ways,” Tess smirks and raises an eyebrow at him as they shuffle back into the clearing where Ellie sits nervously fidgeting against a tree.

“He’s got his ways with what?” Ellie asks, nose scrunching up in confusion.

“Nonya,” Joel grits.

“Excuse me?” Ellie’s brows scrunch down to meet her nose in bewilderment.

“It’s Nonya business,” Joel quips in response. Tess can’t help laughing as Ellie rolls her eyes.

“Oh, har har,” Ellie says, giving him the two-finger salute. Joel just waves her off, turning his back so he can rummage through his bag. Tess catches just the hint of a smile curving his lips as he shakes his head at the girl's antics.

Tess suppresses her own smile as she thinks maybe this trip won’t be so bad after all.

[apolloskazoo]

TESS SURVIVES AU WHERE THEY SETTLE DOWN IN JACKSON WITH ELLIE AND EVENTUALLY TESS & JOEL GET MARRIED??? AND THEY HAVE A LITTLE WEDDING WITH FAMILY AND ELLIE GETS A LIL SUIT HELP SHE’S THE FLOWER GIRL BUT SHE JUST CHUCKS CHUNKS OF FLOWERS AT PEOPLE CACKLING BC SHE’S A MENACE BUT WHEN THEY OFFICIALLY GET MARRIED SHE CRIES A LITTLE BIT BC HER FOUND PARENTS ARE FINALLY GETTING MARRIED <33333

stop :((( joel & tess don’t want anything too big so it’s mostly just sitting and talking, but there’s a cake and ellie is only allowed to have one piece because sugar gets her way too energetic. however the cake is Very Good and she wants more, but she keeps getting caught sneaking it off of her parents’ plates, so tommy (who is the best man, just so you know) sneaks her extra pieces and they sit in the corner laughing together when joel and tess have No Clue that ellie is getting extra sugar and it’s all Uncle Tommy’s fault

they sit around after eating and they all decide the best way to congratulate the newly weds is to share embarrassing stories about the groom, and joel just has to sit there and suffer through it as they all humiliate him. even tess contributes to the stories, to his betrayal, and ellie laughs so hard she cries at the story of him falling through a roof on his first contracting job. he can’t be angry, though, bc it’s his wedding day and he could never be more happy

even though it’s a small wedding, there’s still some music and tess, joel and ellie all dance together and joel and tess try and teach ellie how to do the waltz and stuff and they all suck at it but they’re laughing and they’re happy and they’re all family so it doesn’t matter that ellie is stepping on their feet or that joel has no coordination at all or that tess doesn’t remember how to do it, because they’re all okay and they’re going to live long lives with each other

at the end of it joel and tess tell ellie they’ve got a surprise for her, too. she 100% full on cries when the surprise is adoption papers that maria managed to get for them, and when they’re all signed she cries even harder because the three of them are all now officially family <3

they eventually all go home and crash onto the couch, still in their wedding attire, ellie snuggled up in between the two of them as they put on some dumb movie to mindlessly criticize. all three of them pass out on the couch that night, and all three of them could never be happier <3333333333

[frizz22]

We’re Shitty People ch. 10

Read on AO3

Start at chapter 1

At what point, Tess wondered, were they doing more damage to themselves than to the people they wanted to hurt?

[seethesunny]

Hi! So serious hypothetical question.

How would Tess survive the capitol? With everything, the bite, FEDRA... Have you ever imagined some kind of loophole?

You know what's funny about being sick? You can get so restless one day then be totally exhausted the next haha but hi anon!

Honestly you don’t specify what version you’re talking about bc idk forgive me for what I’m about to say, I really wish that wasn’t the case, however show Tess didn’t have a chance at all 😭 Like legit she was cornered bc they made her death way worse which I took personal lol so take in mind I’m talking about the game!

As far as fanon goes, most of us have got the idea that if she was alive despite the bite and bullet wounds and if someone had intervened in the right time be fireflies or someone else then welp I guess she could’ve had survived! See I suck at this lmao but even if she wasn’t immune they could’ve tried to minimize the effects of the infection and as far as FEDRA goes they probs assumed she was gone for good, don’t think they would stay bc they had to get Joel and Ellie. Otherwise, playing it risky she could’ve followed them instead of being left behind and wait it out (yes I’m being delusional I have a point tho), so maybe just delay the inevitable or another immune person idk it’s like a Russian roulette lol the chances of Tess surviving were slim but she could’ve had survived if she wasn’t doomed by the narrative let’s start there 💔

[be-an-echo]

Happy bday Joel!

[messrmoonyy]

I’m slamming my head against the wall

Credit to holssj on tiktok 🫶🏻

[elpickett]

a hint of what I'm working on...

this is for the new Tess Lives / fungus fuckery fic I'm working on. I wanted the first chapter to be up but the fic as a whole is requiring more planning than I expected (read: my science education kicked in and I've had to come up with full fungal evolution plans which has required a shit ton of show research because my brain kept picking wholes in what I had. this is the result of a STEM degree apparently)

the current plan is alongside our favourite characters that each chapter will contain some sort of FEDRA / fireflies notes and or propaganda about what they know about cordyceps, so have the first one now!

A formal announcement of the changes to Quarantine Procedure 48.1.3, 48.2.3, 48.6.2, and 48.6.4, authorised by FEDRA Director for the Denver QZ, Andrew Wirral, 19th January 2024. The new Quarantine Procedures read as follows, with changes in bold, followed by the previous rules in italics: 48.1.3 Testing positive for cordyceps is thus defined as meeting any of the following criteria: - A positive test using a FEDRA regulation scanner. - A visibly infected bite (defined as tendrils further than 3mm (extending) from the teeth marks). - At least two (any of) the below symptoms: Severe and continuous muscle spasms Slurred speech Increased aggression Coughing combined with yellowing eyes 48.2.3 On arriving at a Quarantine Zone, anyone testing positive for cordyceps will be subject to humane euthanasia. If the arrival tests negative for cordyceps, they will be held in a quarantine cell for no less than 72 hours (a maximum of 36 hours), at which point they will be retested. If they test negative again at this time, they will be allowed into the Quarantine Zone for a probationary period of three months, after which they will be recognised as full citizens of the Quarantine Zone. AND 48.6.2 In the event of a suspected outbreak within the rules, FEDRA is explicitly permitted to (may) ignore the normal rights of the residents (detailed in FEDRA Regulations 48.9) until the outbreak is under control and there is no further risk to the integrity of the Quarantine Zone. AND 48.6.4 After suspected contact with an infected in the event of an outbreak, FEDRA retains the right to place the resident into a quarantine cell for no less than 72 hours (a maximum of 36 hours) to ensure no further transmission.

[animations-daily]

FREAKY FRIDAY (2003) dir. Mark Waters

[hypnotisedfireflies]

And one year ago today ...

... I posted the first chapter of Drifter's Dawn!

So that means it's been like a year of writing other stories and entering spinoff universes and answering prompts and asks and best of all, getting to know so many other mad, lovely, Tessjoels. I've made the best fucking friends in this fandom. <3

I think most of you know before Dawn it had been a long time since I'd seriously written fic (I'd updated a very old story shortly before, but that was all) and coming back to writing has been the very best thing for my soul.

It is so WEIRD. A whole year, what the actual...

Thank you all for being here and loving these stupid smugglers as much as I do. xoxoxo

And thank YOU, Blessed Recluse Queen Anna Torv, for building so beautifully on a character I'd loved for years that I could not help but finally write about Tess.