#we get along now that they've grown up enough to want to talk to me

[mollywog]

Complicated

They've finally made it to a place where they’re stable enough that he doesn’t need to spend every Sunday out in the woods. The girls have stopped outgrowing their clothes and with the spring, Katniss’s morning hauls bring what they need for the week. He still loves it beyond the fence, but after years in the mines, six days a week, even a favorite pastime can make a man weary. So lately he’s forgone his hunts for time on the porch rocker.

But this morning he’s back in the woods at his wife’s insistence. She’d said she was worried about Katniss in an unusually cryptic way that suggested she wanted him to judge for himself. Katniss and Ruth are both headstrong, two peas in a pod, though he knows better than to speak it to either aloud. As a result, the tough conversations come better from him.

He’s paid particular attention all morning, but can’t seem to pinpoint the source of his wife’s anxiety. Though she has only just turned eighteen, Katniss seems to have grown into a woman overnight. Or maybe this has been a long time coming and he’s missed it in the dim light of evening. If anything, she seems to be alight from within.

It isn’t until it’s time to dress their kills that he understands his wife’s concern. Katniss’s glow vanishes, replaced by a palid green hue before she loses her breakfast behind a bush.

Shit.

He crouches beside her, his water flask in hand, “let’s sit down and talk Catkin.”

“Do we have to?”

“I don’t need the particulars, just a few questions,” Where her mother would lecture and fret, he knows there’s no use in the would’ve/should've - what’s done is done. “How far along?”

“Not long, but I’m keeping it, if that’s what you’re after,” she says, clutching her midsection protectively.

He nods, “and you know who the father is?”

“Of course,” she snaps and he’s glad to see she’s still got fire despite her exhaustion.

“I’m sorry, I just didn’t realize you had a boy. Does he know?”

“Not yet.” He lets his silence speak for itself. “It’s complicated,” she adds defensively.

“Is he free?”

“One final reaping. Same as me.”

“That’s not what I meant. Is he free?”

She scowls, “No papa, he’s not married nor bound.”

He tisks, “Then I can’t figure what could be so complicated about it. Unless you don’t think he’ll do what’s right? Or maybe you don’t want him?”

She sighs, “it’s not that either,” she rubs her eyes, “I’m gonna tell him, but if I do it now he won’t want to wait to get married and that would ruin things for him.”

“Hmm, Is he a fool?”

“What? No!”

“If you trust him, you should tell him. If he respects you, he’ll heed your concerns. You’re a smart girl, I’m sure you can figure it all out. If not, you'll always have a home with your mother and I.” He means it, but he feels ten years older than he had just this morning, with the thought of their present security gone.

“Thanks papa,” she says, and he smiles despite his concerns. “I’ll think on it.”

Their trip to town is made in silence as he tries to imagine the man and the circumstance but comes up blank; not even a guess.

Their first stop is the Mayor’s, then Cray’s, then the butcher’s. He stands back and watches Katniss handle the trades. It fills him with pride.

When they arrive at the bakery, she falls in step behind him, and he takes the hint to lead. He’d bet she’s looking for a buffer if the baker’s witch of a wife is around, but fortunately for them one of the sons answers today; the youngest if he recalls. “Is your father in?” he asks.

The boy straightens, “Yes sir, but I’ll be handling trades from now on. Come summer, I’ll be the new baker.” The kid’s eyes flit to his daughter then back to him, “I just got word that my loan was approved. I close on the bakery July 5.”

“Really?!” Katniss’s voice catches him off guard and he turns to find her open delight at this seemingly trivial piece of town news, before she drops her eyes to her bag. He looks back at the boy who’s still beaming at his daughter and the pieces fall into place.

‘It’s complicated’ - hadn’t that been what Ruthie’d told him all those years ago when he’d asked her to marry him? He supposes it might have been even more so if her parents had been considering selling her the business and she’s been expecting his child.

The pair regain their composure enough to complete the trade, though neither quite successful at hiding their giddiness.

“Complicated huh?” He says as they walk back towards the Seam, “let me guess, a little less complicated come July 5?”

“Maybe so.”

He hums, “just don’t wait till then to tell him.”

What If?

[thirteen-jades]

Finally got around to playing Armored Core 6 (thanks @self-loving-vampire!) and I’m loving it so far. The movement is a hell of a lot of fun, which is a good sign as movement is usually the first thing I start complaining about in a game (this is mostly a me thing, I just like being fast and zippy and it’s very easy for games to start feeling sluggish if they have fairly normal movement). The weapons feel nice, I’m getting a feel for how it plays, and I quite like the aesthetics. Mechs are cool!

I had some vague knowledge of the game before playing but even so I wasn’t really prepared for just how blunt and on the nose it is about the fact that you’re the bad guy here. In one of the early missions, you come upon a pack of trash mobs and a radio line plays of some guy talking to his comrades. He says something to the effect of "there's just one of them, we can do this!" in the wavering voice of a man who has never fired a gun before trying to find any amount of confidence before he puts his life on the line for his home. And then you unceremoniously blow him and all his friends straight to hell and move on. It doesn’t even tell you which enemy was talking, he’s just another faceless mook for you to brush aside on your way to destroying the objective.

Every now and then one of them will ask why you're doing this, and there's literally no answer to give them even if you could. The game doesn't even pretend that you're fighting a ~just war~ or something, they're just like "yeah, these guys are the Rubicon Liberation Front. They're getting in the way of our corporation exploiting their world, go destroy them" and then you do. And it's not even very difficult. They've got terrible equipment and no training whatsoever and just don't stand a chance. But you keep getting to hear their comms, and those comms keep painting an ever clearer picture that you’re not a soldier fighting a war so much as a grown adult beating a bunch of children to death. Nobody tries to justify what you're doing in any way whatsoever, your handler in the intro makes a comment like "y’know, if we make this job work then we'll strike it rich and you can buy your life back" and that's it. Regardless of what “buy your life back” is referring to here, it’s plain that you’re in this purely for selfish motives.

And that’s to the extent that 621 is even deciding to do this at all. So far it’s also done a great job of dehumanizing the main character completely, and you never really make any decisions beyond which of two missions to do first and how to build your AC. People keep referring to them as their handler’s dog, nobody expects them to have anything to say or any opinion whatsoever, and that’s great because as a matter of fact they don’t have any opinion about any of this. They’re just here to blow up whatever they’re told to.

The most memorable instance of this so far, and what really made it clear that this isn’t just the game not wanting to voice the MC or something, was one of the early mission briefings. You’re tagging along with some ACs from one of the corps, and the guy in charge of their in-house fighters at the end of the briefing says something to the effect of “now sound off!”, followed by a beat of dead silence. Then he says “eh, good enough” and ends the call. This makes it clear this isn’t just a pre-recorded message; it’s someone talking to 621, expecting a response, and not getting anything. It’s a little detail that I laughed about in the moment, but I really like how telling it is about your character as a person.

[closetsof-backlogged-dreams]

opinions on morgwen

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHDSJFH;DAJKSDJ

hot take of the day: morgwen, when looking at just the plot and its existing holes, actually makes more sense than merthur

ik!! ik!! outrageous. proposterous. INSANITY. but morgwen would actually ASSIST in fixing my biggest problem with the entire series, the biggest hole in morgana's very holey character arc: her hatred for arthur.

ive actually talked about this before, in this post:

"for example, when morgana began to hate arthur and want him dead and stuff—that development came out of nowhere. for the entire series up until that point, she had loved and cared for him. now, all of the sudden, she wants him dead?? now, it had made sense for uther. he had done terrible things to morgana and could very clearly see the line between her love and hate for him. you could to watch her tip-toe along it in real time until she began plotting his murder. that arc made sense. but arthur? there was no point where we saw arthur do anything that would make her hate him the way she did. he was just randomly lumped together with uther as another pendragon she had to kill to get the throne. but, again, it doesn't make sense! she never lumped them together. in the episode To Kill the King, morgana directly compares arthur and uther by telling him that, 'You're a better man than your father. Always were.' again, she never lumped them together! yet, later on, that's exactly what she does."

expanding on the beginning of that quote: in my opinion, this is what a character arc should look like: (and behold, the reason this ask took me a hundred years to answer... a CHART (made by moi))

^that is a very basic idea of a character arc, when a person starts one way and ends in another, all because of different inciting incidents forcing them to change. a slightly more complex version of this will look a little like this:

In this one, there is a very clear "Point B" where you can see that they've changed—that there is still more change to come, but that they have grown. this is how Morgana's character arc is shaped. in season two, you can very clearly see that Point B, and it's actually why it's my favorite season of Morgana's character development. season two showcases her gradual downfall as she struggles being a sorceress in the center of Camelot as Uther's own ward. everything you see her feel and struggle with feels very real.

season three is when it all starts to go awry. we obviously know that this is the season that she reaches that horrible Point C, when her character arc is complete and she turns into that wretched villainess we all know and love.

the issue with this is that there is a very important checklist-style of things she needs to believe in order to turn into this person:

✅find out about her magic

✅hate Uther

✅meet Morgause and believe in her goals

✅hate Arthur

i fully believe that she would not and could not change into the person she became without hating Arthur, because that was why she wanted to take the throne—she believed that both Pendragons couldn't be trusted to repeal the magic ban, and would continue the endless cycle of genocide. if she still cared about Arthur, still had faith in him, then she wouldn't have been so desperate to be crowned queen.

do i think that Morgana's faith in him was already wavering? absolutely. but i also believe that something HUGE had to happen to shatter her faith in him entirely. what could have been one of the best ways to do this?

eating away at her affections for him, slowly, with one or two issues before wiping out every good feeling she has ever felt for him with one big incident. how does morgwen tie into this, though?

it's simple: make arthur and gwen's relationship very obvious to morgana. force her to encounter it often. make her uncomfortable, because SHE loves gwen, has always loved gwen, and now her brother who spent years not even knowing who she was is supposedly in love with her?? that would be enough to eat away at anyone's affection for their brother. morgana wasn't stupid. she figured out their relationship very quickly, and was obviously disgusted with the idea. BUILD on that disgust. and then, once its obvious morgana is heart-wrenchingly jealous of arthur, make arthur do something stupid or harmful towards magic. shatter morgana's faith in him.

it would work so perfectly!! everything would fall into place!! all those weird plot holes surrounding morgana's downfall would make a million times more sense. imagine really only loving two people in the world: your best friend, your maidservant, the love of your life and your childhood friend, your ever-lasting nuisance, your brother. imagine them both falling in love while you can only watch helplessly. that's a perfect villian origin story, paired with uther's abuse, morgause's manipulation, and her own alienation from the people around her.

so, i know this was a lot, and took me a hundred million YEARS to respond to, but i'm literally so passionate about this its not even funny. if you want me to expand on anything or if you have any questions, please let me know!!! i love talking about this part of the show:)

[lunar-years]

what tswift (or others) define the ot3/the legs of the ot3? i think renegade is a v. s2 roy keeley song!

YESSSS renegade is THE roykeeley s2 song to me. It is so perfect. I also think it works for the larger ot3 as well.

Anyway this is such a fun question and something I have already thought about at length because, well, I am me 😂 Here's my playlist (with a few bonus songs from other artists):

JamieKeeley

Now That We Don't Talk - This is post-breakup s2 jamiekeeley when they've grown distanced from one another and they only hear about one another through the press/Keeley is watching from the outside as Jamie burns his life up on Lust Conquers All. The "You part the crowd like the Red Sea, don't even get me started / Did you get anxious though, on the way home?" line is sooooo them, because they know one another beyond their public images and can see past the facade.

Gorgeous - they're both gorgeous people <3 enough said, really. But yeah this gives me biggg early relationship vibes when they first meet at a club or agency party or what have you. :)

Lunar Years (Maisie Peters) - I have had in my head the vague outline of a relationship-spanning jamiekeeley fic titled after this song for like 2 years lmao. lord knows if it will ever see the light of day. But this is my VERY favorite jamiekeeley song. It's about breaking up and getting along better for it afterward, but still sort of being in love, and EVERY LINE is about them my god. fav: "I'm a nicer person now I'm not your person, funny how that works, and funny that we're working now"

RoyKeeley

Renegade - (ultimate roykeeley song)

Everything Has Changed - s1 roykeeley. "Dust off your highest hopes" is sooo applicable to them because before getting together they both have kind of resigned themselves to meaningless relationships (Keeley) or no relationships (Roy) because they assume that love like that is unattainable for them. Then they get together and everything changes, and for both of them it's kind of their first truly serious, life-altering relationship. ahhhhhh!!

My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys - breakup RoyKeeley from Keeley's pov :( "the voices in his head called the rain to end our days of wild" "saw forever so he smashed it up" "I'll tell you that he runs because he loves me" "I felt more when we played pretend than with all the kens" wow i'm so sad.

How Did It End? - this is also about RoyKeeley's breakup and dealing with the fallout of a very public relationship with an undefinable/hard to explain ending. The reaction we see at the club of the team finding out has got to be just like...the tip of the iceberg :( Everyone they know wants to know Why this seemingly perfect couple broke up and Roy and Keeley can't even explain because they (well, Keeley in particular) still don't understand it themselves.

RoyJamie

I Can See You - This is the s2/s3 unresolved sexual tension royjamie song. they want to get it on soooo bad. soooo bad!! nobody can ever find out about that tho. obviously. 🤪 "I've been watching you for ages and I spend my time trying not to feel it"

invisible string - idk the soulmatism is so strong with these two tbh. Like, it's literally off the charts. something something the signed poster on Jamie's wall. 69. all along there was some invisible string tying you to me wasn't there!!

OT3:

cowboy like me - they get each other on a really deep level because they match each other's freak :) and they all have anxiety about forever but ultimately decide it's worth the risk for each other. "and the skeletons in both our closets plotted hard to fuck this up"

delicate - to me this song is perfect for the beginning of their relationship when they aren't out or public and they all are trying sooo hard to hold on to this precious thing with one another because they know it means more than anything that's come before and they don't want to f it up again.

Long Story Short - it took them a long ass time to individually get their shit together and then all be on the same page as a unit, but they got there eventually! ❤️

Mastermind - Jamie literally masterminded the three of them oh my god. posters on the wall part 2. "What if i told you none of it was accidental, and the first time that I saw you, I knew I wanted your body." I mean, YEAH.

Shade of Yellow (Griff) - Okay, so this is my current favorite rjk song. it's soooo soft and simple and beautiful. their home is where the others are. they are one another's comfort and peace. i'm crying. "there's a light in your room and it burns like a shade of yellow / And it makes me feel sane in the head and I swear that's rare these days"

Isimo (Bleachers) - something something emerging out of your damaged past to a bright future with people who love you and are willing to help you carry the load. realizing you've survived. "I'd follow you down down down down to the water, way down to any kind of chance"

[fromtenthousandfeet]

"...but the when Jimin congratulated Jungkook on his BB Hot 100 #1 it took the wind out of my sails..."

Of course he did! What did you expect?

This is just who Jimin is. Remember when RM said Jimin was the ONLY one who didn't get jealous, but sincerely rooted for everyone?

We may have to face the fact that he genuinely likes JK. Maybe JK is a better friend than he appears. Or maybe he's not.

Remember this interview with GMA? https://youtu.be/9FM9LiKmOTs?si=atqp_macXXi8wLsb

People of the jury, please check out the section starting at 1:10. He's asked--innocently enough--about Jimin, who is apparently backstage somewhere--and man, it sure looks like JK does NOT want to talk about Jimin...Besties? Yeah, no. That was not a normal response. That certainly wasn't the response Jimin would have given if their positions had been reversed

Oh, and if only they had been! That was a painful interview to watch, and you know Jimin would have had that woman enthralled. Fans will say JK was nervous and that he got better as he went along. Well, sure, true enough. But this is the guy BangPD and Scooter put all their hopes (and money) on? While ignoring the cutie, sexy, lovely and acknowledged charm fairy of BTS?

Okay, I've been mean enough; now I'm going to say something sad. I try not to think about it too much, but sometimes I feel that Jimin is the giver here and JK is the taker. And that Jimin is not being adored and loved and cherished the way he should be, the way he deserves, and the way he loves and adores and cherishes. And I can't stand the idea of Jimin being heartbroken.

Okay, now I've made myself sad. Sorry.

Your sentiments are the same as mine.

Jimin has all the innate talents necessary to be a huge star as a solo artist. He's charming, intelligent, engaging, funny, friendly, good looking, sensual, enigmatic. He's also a stellar dancer with insane stage presence. He writes heartfelt music and sings with soul. He's got it all going on! JK is a harder sell. I have yet to watch an entire solo performance of his because I'm always overcome by secondhand embarrassment. Dreamers? Yikes. GMA performance? Double yikes.

sometimes I feel that Jimin is the giver here and JK is the taker. And that Jimin is not being adored and loved and cherished the way he should be, the way he deserves, and the way he loves and adores and cherishes. And I can't stand the idea of Jimin being heartbroken.

It's worth remembering that we really know very little about the members beyond the company narratives. Each one of them has really surprised me in chapter 2 - like, they're actual grown men with good and bad qualities. Up until now, except for the occasional leaked footage of their private lives, BigHit has decided what they want us to see and I'm sure they've picked content based upon what would create maximum viewer engagement.

Frankly, I don't care about Jungkook enough to try to figure out why he dotes on Jimin one minute and then acts cold as ice the next. What I do find comforting is just how often JImin brings up his friends. We know he drinks with them, eats with them, travels with them, and more. Teamin and Sung-woon both seem like really nice people, plus we now know his friends care about him enough to express their concerns about his mental health. I reserve the right to believe Jimin has people in his life who love and cherish him the way he deserves to be loved and cherished. Maybe Jungkook is part of that group, maybe he's not. With every passing I day I care less and less.

Long story short, don't be sad yet! Jimin is shining in the military (of course he is). He's got a super bright future ahead of him as long as he gets fair treatment going forward, or better yet, escapes that dumb company. I'm dying to see what happens in 2025.

[kharmii]

Someone posted more garbage blaming male isolation on 'white guy culture' and 'capitalism', and then, like a coward, they made it so a person couldn't reblog. I still wrote something in reply:

No, it's not the usual bullshit sheltered left-wing college kids want to blame it on. No, everything isn't the fault of 'capitalism' or 'eeebul white guys'. Again, secular progressivism has caused more death and misery worldwide than all religious wars combined. If anything, leftwing culture has made everything more effed up for men with screw around culture creating an environment where we now have the greatest percentage of unmarried men in recorded history. For sure, it's not healthy for men to treat their SO as their only source of emotional support, but now they don't even have that.

Everything started going wrong during the Carter and then Reagan administrations in the 70/80's. Before then, men could get good paying jobs in a factory near where they lived and make enough money to support a wife being a stay-at-home mother and a couple of kids. Pushing women to enter the workforce 'for independence' is a huge scam foisted on us, because now we have a culture where both parents often have to work to barely afford a couple of kids and a mortgage. Women find it more noble to be cogs in the machine. Some people can't even manage the kids, (or they are lazy and selfish) so they end up with a butt-licking poop-eating stanky dog-child to get extra weird about.

Next thing you know; they're leaving rude comments about Kristi Noem shooting a damn dog (it's a fucking dog, calm down weirdos) while gushing, "I love my dog so much! Look at my shit-breath baby that just got done eating its own ass and is now licking off my ice-cream cone! Isn't that cuuuuute!"

Anyway, another problem we have (that goes along with the point about men in social clubs) is that we don't have close knit communities anymore. We don't have neighborhoods where everybody knows each other. How many people live in isolation on social media and don't even know their neighbors? How often do you see block parties or guys inviting the other guys on the street over for a cookout? Less people have children, so you don't meet new people having other peoples' kids knocking on your door asking if your child can play. (I suppose theoretically you could meet new people letting your stank-beast 'child' run around a dog-park).

-So then you have isolated men who have to meet other male friends through work. How would that work out for me if I was a male? It sure didn't work out for me being a female. I married and had children with a man from the other side of the goddamn planet while the losers I worked with labeled me as no fun because I wasn't into the Dem voting blue state party culture.

If you are a man in my place of employment, you have to be into the casino boats, betting pools, smoking pot jokes, telling the same stupid stories about getting drunk at bars and ballgames during your long-ago youth....and it's no wonder half of them ended up childless, unmarried weirdos in their forties and fifties. There was the one lowlife into fuck-and-dump culture, (and even he lived with his mom until age 40) but most of them are incels who are getting fatter and balder. None of them have grown into mature role-models with great character. None of them are the elders at the church or the guy you'd go to if you needed advice.

Side note: The guy they've talked into stalking me doesn't fit in with the culture. Under better circumstances, (like if he wasn't a misogynistic patronizing asshole who isn't even attracted to me, and I'm not really sure what the deal is.....) I might be into him, because for an older man, he's physically fit. He's into one of those Sierra Club type groups full of people doing outdoorsy shit, such as camping, hiking, canoeing..etc. He belongs to a lot of co-ed social clubs where they play cards on Thursdays or whathaveya...

Meanwhile, the flabby lowlife goobers complain that 'there's nothing to do in a small town! This is why so many men are dying of fentanyl!'

I've taken the piss about this so much. The Kharmii be like.......you mean there's not enough lowlife shit for low lives to do in a small town? Low lives have to OD on fentanyl out of boredom because there's not enough for dirty rotten low life scumbags to do? You have to drive all the way up to the suburbs for strip clubs and casino boats, and the Biden economy has made gas over $4/gallon?

[bebestay]

I think what upsets me the most about woojin posting about his departure and about everything is that it feels like he's using the SKZ name to draw up traffic and use them to promote himself. (Also please note that I could not stomach watching the video fully because I apparently have some unaddressed anger towards him that I should REALLY get sorted out.)

I honestly think he's releasing all of this to try and paint himself in a better light since he is now signed with an SM subsidiary and will likely be getting more opportunities to perform since he's no longer independent (?). Like this is damage control 101. However to do it 4 YEARS LATER AND PUBLICLY?! Like did you even talk to them or did you think this would be enough?

In my own eyes, I don't like him. Honest to the above when I say that I forgot he was even active. I stopped following him when instead of just denying his allegations, he used that post to promote his solo debut. Literally one line of "hey its not real" and three lines of "my debut's coming please continue waiting" in the same post. Then I just dropped my support of him altogether when he used those allegations and turned them into a documentary for his debut. Like it was punch after punch.

-

As someone who went through that dreaded period of October 2019 and saw how torn up the group was, it is an absolute dick move to do this. The boys and JYPE have already wiped their hands of woojin, but he seems to be clinging to that one thread with an iron grip cause it keeps him relevant. Do I hope he finds success? Yes because he's a very talented vocalist and performer. Do I want him to get the success by allowing the media to continuously connect him to his former group? No. Absolutely not. Like what use is it to go out to make your own name if you allow them to keep you attached to something you've said you want no part of. Do I hate him? No but I don't like him either.

Something I always see pointed out is that it seems like Woojin always wanted to be a soloist but knew it would be tougher to gain recognition as an unknown . So he accepted Chan's invite and the rest was history.

-

SKZ wanted to leave us with the good memories they had as 9. Chan even let him say goodbye one last time on Channie's Room before the month of radio silence. He wanted us to remember the good in him. Then everything happened and we got the re-recordings in 2020. They had officially changed their story and dropped him. District 9 became Bay 8. The lore was rewritten. The world was restarted.

Whatever bond the group had from pre to post survival show, it was gone after the first year. Sure they got along on camera, but that could've been just that. There are videos that I go back and watch, and I get this energy that he's not a friend but a coworker. Like, I can't imagine the pain that must have gone through Chan as he built this group, chose each one of them, and got hit with a big betrayal. He even apologized for woojin's departure! Something he shouldn't have had to do!

After woojin left, I saw a change in the group. The boys were more open and energetic with each other. They were happy, but also scared. A lot happened in a short amount of time with little time for recovery. Sure, they still find it tough to look back at that era with smiles but they know that they've grown from it and are even stronger than before. They've grown into their sound, finding a tone that fits their voices - a sound I fully believe would not fit woojin.

The eight of them have moved on and are thriving, but he still seems to be clinging to that one line of connection and it's starting to fray and give.

I won't forget what he did. I will not forgive.

That's all for now.

This is the last time I will talk about my feelings towards woojin and his history with Stray Kids.

[bitletsanddrabbles]

Modern AMEW

Not today, writer's block! I'mma write a THING even if it is stupid and short and just exists to say I wrote a THING!

-

"Mama, I can't find the kittens," George pouted, looking under the sofa.

Mary sighed. Sybbie had wanted a kitten, so for her birthday Tom had taken her to see Mr. Mason whose cat had just had a litter. Of course George and Marigold had come along and by the time the birthday girl had selected her new pet, the others had fallen in love with two of it's litter mates. Fortunately Marigold's kitten went with her back to Brancaster, but given that it was a litter of four, none of the children could abide the idea of the last kitten being left all alone, so it had been taken for Caroline, even though she was too young to care. It had all gone well enough, so far, but George was having problems with the notion that kittens, unlike toys, could move and therefore wouldn't always be there when you wanted them. "They've probably fallen asleep somewhere, Georgie, and you should let them be. Kittens need to play, but they also need a lot of sleep."

The boy sighed, but obediently stood and nodded. At least he was old enough to understand things the first time he was told.

Mary smiled and ruffled his hair. "I'm sure they'll turn up. Why don't you see if your father has time to play a bit of cricket? He normally has a bit of free time about now. And speaking of finding things, I need to find Thomas. We were going to do the roof inspection today."

"Alright, Mama!" Apparently concern for the missing kittens was easily overruled by the possibility of maybe hitting the ball this time. He was getting better at it. He started to run out of the room, then immediately checked himself to a fast walk, apparently remembering the rules about running in the house.

Mary watched him go with fond pride, then, checking her watch, went in search of her third butler. They'd agreed that three o'clock would be the best time for the inspection, so it was odd that Thomas wasn't already there. Although he had his faults (although he'd grown out of the worst of them, thankfully), he was normally Johnny on the spot when it came to punctuality. He wasn't in the office. Thinking that perhaps he'd gotten talking and lost track of time, she checked the staff break room, but he wasn't there. Andrew was there, though, so she asked him.

"Last I knew he was going to the library, m'lady," the young man replied. "There was something he wanted to look over for the event tomorrow."

'The event' was Edith giving a reading from her most recent book. It was being held at Downton rather than Brancaster because the book was set in Yorkshire...and, Mary was quite certain, because her sister wanted to drive her insane. Really, she wasn't always popping up to hold events at Edith's house! Still, that wasn't Andrew's problem. With a nod and a word of thanks, she turned and headed to the library.

As she walked through the door, Mary immediately spotted Thomas sitting on one of the sofas. "There you are. I've been wait-" she stopped, her notice moving beyond 'butler' and 'sofa' to take in the entirety of his situation. She sighed. "Oh. Oh dear."

Thomas gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry. I sat down." He grimaced. "In my defense, my shoe had come untied and I just meant to lace it up, but before I was done the grey one got me and...well."

"Yes, I see." Mary looked at the butler, firmly pinned in place by a small pile of fur in his lap. If you knew the colours you were looking for, you could pick out all three kittens - grey, black, and multi-coloured. They were clearly all asleep.

Thomas simply looked at her. She'd never seen the man look so helpless in her life.

After a moment of debate, she did the only thing she could do under the circumstances. Shaking her head, she sighed and looked at the mantle clock. "I suppose we can do the inspection a bit later. They're kittens, they can't sleep that long." She gave the butler a smile that was probably more confident than she felt.

"I'd think not," Thomas replied, although he didn't sound as certain.

"Right then, aim for four?"

[rickie-the-storyteller]

Another snippet (this time from El's POV):

"Never been in trouble before."

That's what my mum said when I told her. Shows how much she knows... because that isn't actually true.

I had a lunchtime detention back in Year 8. Which was nearly five years ago, so I guess it's understandable that my parents wouldn't remember that all too well. And it likely wouldn't bother me quite as much as it does if they weren't so busy with being all successful that they forget other pivotal moments in my life. And my brother's, when he used to live here. I know they never mean to push us aside, and to their credit, they've gotten better at not doing that. But they straight up forgot to do anything for my 17th birthday last year. I brought it up the night before, and Mum was actually shocked! Which is just so... bad. I told Adam over the phone later that day, and he just laughed and was all like, "Glad I don't have to put up with that crap no more!"

I'm glad somebody was able to enjoy themselves that day.

As for the rest of us at home, we had to order some last-minute food and cake. We ended up pulling off a nice little super short-notice party just for us. And then the following weekend, Steph put together a surprise party at her place which cheered me up.

Mum and Dad did make it up to me at Christmas a few months later, though. I got a ton of cool stuff. Including my car!

I love my parents so much, and I appreciate everything they've done (and continue to do) for me. But sometimes I almost feel envious of Adam. The freedom he has now. Even though it has come with the price of never seeing or talking to either of his parents ever again. And not being with me anymore. Since I'm still stuck here and all.

Life is so complicated for no reason... Why can't we all just get along?!

But yeah... I've been in trouble before. It's not a common occurrence for me, but it has happened before. I remember that day so clearly. Not even really because of the detention, but because of the conversation I had during detention. It was the first time I made a connection with Alice Johnson. She was a relatively new student at the time, and we're still friends to this day!

___

Here's how the conversation went (more or less):

Mr Peters (our main supervisor for the hour) had briefly left the room, and I used that as an opportunity to go talk to B. Alice had apparently overheard our conversation, because as soon as I got back to my seat next to her, she immediately felt the need to address it.

"Wow," she murmured to herself, her tone dry.

I turned my head to face her for the first time since I got there when I heard that. "What?" I asked, wanting her to elaborate.

And then this... imp, this short, ginger-haired little brat has the nerve to elaborate with this: "Watching a wholesome nerd pretend to be all cool for the sake of flirting is always the saddest thing ever…"

Can you believe her?! There are so many problems with that sentence... like for one thing, who the hell is she calling a nerd?

But there's also the implications behind what she's saying. The hidden meaning. The unspoken words. The innuendos, if you will.

“Hey!” I immediately pushed back. Admittedly, I was at a loss for words... but I still tried to argue. Because that's just me sometimes. The debate team captain spirit has always been with me, I guess.

Alice, smug as ever, retorted, “Oh, come on, Elise. You know I’m right."

"Right about what?"

"You’re a nerd that can’t flirt to save your life. And there’s no shame in that.”

Can you believe that this was one of the first real conversations I ever had with this girl? She barely knows me, but she believes she knows enough to know what my intentions are when going across a room to talk to a friend.

"I wasn't flirting," I argued.

"You sure?"

"Yes!"

"Ellie. Honey. Sweetie," Alice chirped in her chillax-it's-not-that-serious tone that she often uses in situations like this. I've grown to be quite used to it over the years, particularly when she's jokingly criticising someone. "We all know you’re into Bret. It’s obvious.”

This comment had me shook for a brief moment, because... well, I had never thought about that. I didn't think that I was being "obvious," or that others might pick up on a change in my behaviour or anything. It wasn't even obvious to me before this point (which I guess is another reason why this conversation has stuck with me for so long, I suppose. This was the moment I realised my true feelings towards Bret. Not that I properly admitted it or confirmed Alice's theory to her in the moment, but still).

“What?!”

“Yeah. I mean, for what reason, I’ll never know," Alice went on. "But people have picked up on it. I bet everyone in school knows except for him. Cuz he’s an idiot.”

At this point, I felt the need to defend B, since I know him well enough to know that he isn't nearly as hopeless as the majority of people seem to think he is. “Ok, stop. Bret isn’t an idiot. And again, I’m not flirting with him. Nor am I 'into' him.”

Alice frowned. “Really? You’re not even the slightest bit interested?” She looked somewhat disappointed with that. Good. I mean, she was right. I know that now. But this is why people shouldn't make assumptions.

“No! I… I just care about him. A lot." I shrugged. "He feels like home to me.”

"Oooooh-"

"Stop."

Alice laughed at my deadpan cutoff. “Sorry, sorry. But like... that sounds like love to me.”

"Right. And what would you know about that? You're 12 years old."

"Uh, I know more than you think. I've seen all the best romcoms."

Like that means anything... she didn't stop there, though.

"I've read all the best chick lit!"

Which, me too! I love to read a good love story. Still doesn't mean anything, though.

"And I just believe in true love, you know?" Alice continued. "I'm a romantic at heart."

"Mmmm." At this point, Mr Peters had returned to the room, so we all settled down and got back to work. But Alice wasn't finished yet...

"Meeting your soulmate is like finding home in another person," Alice whispered to me. "Or so I've heard."

“Shut up," I whispered back. I tried to explain myself. "I didn't mean anything when I said that. It's just that we grew up together. We went to the same primary school, so I’d see him every day. And before I met you and Dylan, he was, like, my only real school friend.”

"AW! I'm your friend?!"

At this point, Mr Peters chimed in and lightly chided Alice for her little disruptance of the quiet room. Fortunately, she was able to brush it off, and we were both able to laugh at it. Quietly, of course.

"Sorry about that," I mumbled.

"Oh, it's alright. It's not like it was ALL your fault... it just mostly was."

"Hey!" I gently nudged her arm and pretended to be offended.

Eventually, the hour came to an end. Alice and I left the classroom together since we both had biology class next.

"So, yeah. There's nothing going on there," I reiterated on the way there. "We're just very good friends. And I mean... lately, things have been feeling a bit different with him, but-"

"Right. That's because you're in love!

"STOP."

I love Alice. I did back then, and I still do to this day. But she needs to learn when to shut her mouth. She's going to get herself in some serious trouble one day.

(This snippet is an early draft of book 1. El is recounting her small bit of history of getting into trouble in school, as well as the beginning of her friendship with Ally.)

[marvellouspinecone]

Hey :) I have a River/Doctor related question and thought maybe you would like to help me by giving me a second opinion?

So, the thing is, you might remember my post that I would have chosen the sunrise on Darillium for 13's regeneration for angst reasons? I have written a few too many words following up on that now (because of course I have) and obviously River reacts to the old new face. And the first thing tenteen does is hurt her - because the Doctor is an idiot and because it happened to me on accident and then I quite liked it and decided to keep it.

And then I realised that generally 10 must be the face that hurts River the most because of the way their timelines flow (and because of that one big finish audio book I listened to) and I want one of the two to comment on that. Something along the lines of meeting the doctor was always the most heartbreaking in [10's] body. It would have been surprising to see that change.

Until now I have River make that comment and in my opinion she absolutely deserves saying it. But I feel like she might not do that for hiding the damage and because it is a pretty cruel thing to say and all that. Then again, this is Darillium!River, she might feel safer showing the damage.

But also 13 has become more self-conscious (I think?) and might realise this and 10 is self-loathing enough to make such a comment. So now I am considering giving it to them instead?

Anyway, what I wanted to ask is: Could you see one of the two (River and the Doctor) saying/thinking something along those lines and who?

Thus is a tough one. The trick is, i can totally see them both thinking it, but i don't know if any of them would voice it. The Doctor might be more self-aware since Thirteen, but Thirteen is also the one who never talks about how she feels, and even though we kinda know Tenteen's character from Ten, i doubt that all those lives wouldn't leave a mark.

I think a way around that would be to have the Doctor say it out loud when they think that River can't hear them (from your description i didn't really get if they hurt her physically, like with regeneration energy, or emotionally by being a jerk, but if it's the physical hurt situation, she might be unconscious/semi-conscious), the Doctor tends to be very chatty alone with themself. I think it's unfair to the Doctor to say that they need to be more self-aware to recognise the hurt they deal on River, they've always known, but because of how their story is told it's hard to 1. not see it as unavoidable and 2. talk about it because of what the Doctor knows about River's future. The hard part is, of course, to admit it to River directlydirectly and to apologize.

River, on the other hand, is a more probable candidate to say something like this to the Doctor's face, we see her expressing her hurt in Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead (whether it's bc how she has grown to trust the Doctor and be vulnerable with them or bc her pain there is too much is unclear). She would absolutely say hurtful things to the Doctor if she thinks it's for their own good (see The Good Man Goes to War), and this situation can kinda be interpreted both ways, so River being the one to express this idea for them both would be realistic.

While River absolutely deserves to say it, i'd argue that she deserves as much, if not more so, to hear it. I don't think the Doctor ever admitted the damage they make, but we do see River kinda voicing it in The Angels Take Manhattan and The Husbands of River Song. Giving this line to River would be an easier road. I suggest giving it to the Doctor instead, partly because it's harder for them, and partly because it would have much greater impact on both of them and their journey. River deserves to hear that the Doctor realizes how hurtful their behaviour is and how sorry they are for everything, the Doctor needs this moment of emotional honesty, to get at least this one thing off their chest, and i think it would make their relationship go one step up, being open with each other in a way they weren't before. It would provide an opportunity for growth for them individually and together.

So here are my thoughts on the matter. I'm so honoured that you've decided to ask my opinion on something like this! I hope it would be of help, this is just my thought process, i'm sure that you can make your fic work beautifully regardless of the perspective you choose. I'm so looking forward to reading the complete story!

[the-trinket-witch]

Practically Perfect Ch. 4

(Ch 5|Ch 3|Ch 1)

"Ace and Deucy legit challenged Riddle to a duel?! You for real?" Cater called between Trey and Albert off on the sidelines. 

"I tried to stop 'em," Trey muttered. 

"Neither could I. - sigh- I'll have to leave early to prepare one of the rooms for good, it seems…" Albert lamented. 

     It seemed by the time the three turned to move attention to Crowley and the others, starting the match, the collars that had been removed were immediately placed back on. 

"Damn, we didn't stand a chance, did we?" Ace whined.

"Didn't even take five seconds. I told you: rulebreakers are useless. You thought to challenge me? How embarrassing. Mother was right…" Riddle chided.

Deuce growled, "Yeah, rules should he followed-but enforcing such absurd ones just makes you a pedantic tyrant!" 

     Riddle gritted his teeth at the defiance. "Excuse me?! Break the rules and you have no one to blame for losing your head but yourself!"

>That's Completely Wrong!

>You don't get to do what you want just because of some 'rules'!

" I decide who's wrong! You can't follow simple rules, I can't imagine what kind of education you must have grown up with!" Riddle continued, "No magic, no sense of order-pitiful."

" Riddle , please-" Albert finally stood to intervene. The tone of his voice came off a little harsher than he wanted. He didn't get far walking over, as Riddle's attention being diverted opened him up to a fist right across the jaw.  

"Shut your damn mouth!" Ace barked. "I don't even care anymore; being dorm leader, this stupid duel, none of it! Kids aren't their folks' trophies, and what they do doesn't reflect on the parents. It ain't your parents' fault you're a little bastard-that's your own damn fault! No wonder you can't make a friend with the balls to tell you off for being a little dictator!" 

"Hey!" Albert snapped. "You're crossing a line I'd really advise you don't cross." His eyes burned, almost daring Ace to take a swing at him next.

"You're not helping any! All you've done is coddle him like a baby since you two met!"

"A-a baby?! You know nothing about me! " Riddle shrieked. 

"We don't, but we can-" Albert tried to say but was cut off.

"Enough Enough ENOUGH! Mother was right-so that makes me right!" His eyes could bore holes in those he oversaw with their intensity.

Crowley injected, "Mr. Rosehearts-please! The duel is over. They've  been disqualified!"

      An onlooking resident yelled, tossing out one of the croquet balls, "I'm fed up with this whole thing too!" The projectile rolled out landing at Riddle's feet, breaking up the argument. 

"WHO THREW THAT?! You're fed up? I'm fed up with all of YOU! All you rule-breakers just keep breaking them no matter how many times I take off your heads! Nobody wants to come forward for this?" Riddle pointed towards the ball, "Nobody wants to come forward?? Fine. Nobody? Then I'm taking off ALL YOUR HEADS!" 

     Riddle flung his arms out, pointing out targets to shackle with the magical collars. His face twisted with his increasing anger. Cater voiced concern for Riddle’s overuse of magic, but all too late as a surge of magic ripped the hedges and trees from their roots. Riddle’s fury directed the projectiles, and everyone braced for impact. When the crash of trees didn’t connect, everyone stared back to find the deadly timber replaced with cards. 

“What? What’s happening?” Riddle howled. Grim noted the collars being gone, along with the floating foliage changed to cards. Riddle’s breathing quickened, trying to stem another screech.

“I told you, my ‘Doodle Suit’ can override anything for a small time-I overwrote Riddle’s magic with my own,” Trey explained. Riddle skeptically tried slapping collars back on everyone, only to find the collars be transmuted to cards. “Riddle, please, stop this; we can talk!”

“So...your magic is stronger than mine?”

“No, but please, let’s talk it out.”

“I’ve endured and endured…We upheld the rules here together… And now you want to tell me that I’m wrong?! I. AM. IN. THE. RIGHT!”

     A small miasma surrounding Riddle’s crystal erupted into a flame of darkness, replacing his form with something entirely twisted. Ink dripped from wherever it could, his body hung suspended in air by sheer force of magic, and a large fiend that hadn’t been there before towered over his form with a large inkwell in place of its head. 

“Those foolish enough to defy me have no place in my world! I am the Law, I am the Rules. I AM ORDER INCARNATE. No other response than ‘Yes, Lord Riddle’ is acceptable!” Riddle bellowed with a reverberating cackle. 

“What’s happening?!” Grim yowled.

“Young Rosehearts has Overblotted! He’s been caught up in a whirlwind of negative emotions and overusing his magic!” Crowley explained, “His life is in danger if this continues-I have to evacuate the students!”

     As Crowley disappeared, Ace took to slinging flames at Riddle, with Deuce at his side summoning a cauldron of all things. Trey stepped up to further provide time replacing Riddle’s magic with his own. Albert snapped to attention with his umbrella at the ready like a sword, ready for battle. 

“Riddle! You have to be in there-you’re better than this!” Albert called. 

“I am already better! That guy, this guy…Even you, of all the nerve-I’ll have all your heads!” Riddle shrieked before attempting to attack again.

     Trey’s magic was able to stave off most devastating attacks, and Albert’s hold over time was able to allow more opportunities to attack the viscous figure behind their friend. Fire, cauldron, magical swap, time stop, repeat. Their attacks seemed to do some kind of damage to the figure; the movements between it and Riddle seemed to interchange between who was the puppet and the master. Trees flew when Trey couldn’t change them to cards, one sending a resident flying, another almost impacting the main group before Albert halted its trajectory with time, pulling it out of the way. The crowd volleyed magical shots at Riddle, with one seeming to make the final deciding impact.

The spell dropped its target out of the air, at last felling the inky beast. At last free, the tether the monster had over Riddle cut, sending him dropping to the ground. Albert took one last opportunity with his magic to throw himself under Riddle to lessen the impact of gravity. He propped him up in his lap and flagged others over. The crowd surrounding the redhead, who hadn’t come back to consciousness, but seemed more wrestling with a nightmare. Al directed a resident to get first aid equipment, as the only thing else he could do was watch his friend fight with something in his own mind. Beads of tears mixed with ink welled in his eyes, before said eyes sprung back open with a gasp.

“Wha-what happened? What’d I-?” Riddle pleaded.

“Hey, now-don’t worry about it now-how do you feel?,” Trey assured. 

“You keep coddling him like this, and this is what happens! He goes berserk just by getting a little mad!” Ace muttered to Trey. “Look around. The place is a disaster and I’m sure we’re in big trouble now.”

“Really-it ain’t any good bottling your stress like that,” Grim chided alongside everyone else. 

     Riddle diverted his eyes from everyone around him, more tears beading in the corners of his eyes. The garden was in shambles. porcelain lay shattered and tossed around from his outburst. Shrubs and furniture lay twisted and torn from their original positions.

“I-I really did want to eat that mont blanc," Riddle sniffled. Everyone looked between each other in confusion. “The roses were fine white…I even like honey over sugar cubes in my tea. I don’t even like lemon tea-I like milk tea. I really want to try that rose syrup you gave me in it. And-” he choked out, “I wanted to spend more time with Cater, Trey, Albert…” His confession opened the floodgates, unleashing the tears he’d been holding back. He buried his face in Albert’s chest as he wept; his shoulders shuddered with each sob.

“Woah…Didn’t think there’d be a day I’d see Riddle cry like a lil kid,” Cater muttered. 

Ace interjected, “Oh quit, we ain’t forgiving you just ‘cause you start bawling like a baby!” Al whipped his gaze to stare daggers at him; Deuce gave him a reminding elbow to the side to remind him about reading the room. 

“I’m sorry, too,” Trey said, “I saw you suffering with all this but I just assumed you could handle it, but, I gotta say it: You’ve been going about this all wrong. I think you owe a lot of folks an apology.” 

“I-I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Riddle choked out between sobs. He attempted to catch his breath from his crying. Al could only help by keeping a hand to his friend’s back, rubbing it in reassurance and grounding. 

Ace spat, “There’s something I’ve been wantin’ to say to you if you ever tried apologizing for everything: WORDS DON’T FIX EVERYTHING. Don’t think I’m willing to forgive you so easily!” Cater chided him like Deuce before, but he continued, “Why not? He put us through the damn wringer! He threw out that mont blanc we took all that time to make; why should I forgive him so easily?”

Grim muttered, commenting about how he’d never met someone who could hold a grudge like him before. 

“But, what should I do? What can I do?”

“Well, my birthday isn’t for a bit-How’s this: a Revenge Unbirthday? We didn’t even get to enjoy this last one. This time, you make the tart. No help from Trey, either, got it?”

Albert rolled his eyes while Yuu chastised Ace for his hypocrisy. Riddle fumbled out of Al’s lap to hold his hand out to shake. 

“Got it.” Riddle replied. His hand was met with Ace’s in agreement.

     With the agreement, everyone’s attention diverted to the state that the dorm’s garden sat in. Most sighed in resignation that they would have to clean up. Albert picked himself up to help assist, making a mental note about Grim wolfing down some black rock off of the ground. He just rolled his eyes with the assumption that beasts’ digestive tracts were just built differently. 

______________________________________________________________

     Days had gone by before Heartslabyul’s garden was in fit enough shape to host an Unbirthday Party again. Decorations had been set, Trey and Albert helped Riddle along as he was still recovering from the other day, and roses were being finished painting, albeit with the Dorm Leader’s help and direction. 

“How’re you feeling?” Albert asked. He had been kicking himself internally for not doing what he thought would be more, for the past couple of days. He and Trey worked closely in hand making sure Riddle had been taken care of; Trey brought food, Albert retrieved homework and other materials. 

“I’m fine now. Thank you, again, for helping with the tart, as well. You really didn’t have to, but I appreciate it all the same,” Riddle said.

“Ace said you weren’t allowed Trey’s help, but he didn’t mention mine,” Al beamed with a signature cheekiness. 

Trey noted, “It does look good for a first try-you got the strawberries glazed beautifully, even if the rest is an…interesting shape.”

     Everyone seemed to chomp at the bit to try the tart, after Cater had his way with photographing it, of course. A toast with forks, and all took a bite…only to immediately spit it back out. 

“Salty?!” Everyone remarked. Ace wondered if Riddle had somehow trapped the ocean into the thing.

“Albert measured all the ingredients, I added them. WAIT-is it because of the oyster sauce?” Riddle mentioned. Albert’s face twisted in confusion as he didn’t add any, but was cut off. Riddle noted, “You didn’t measure out any so I thought you’d missed that part of the recipe; I took to adding it while you prepped the oven.” Albert tried stifling a giggle, but erupted into a burst on the realization. 

“I’ve heard a spoonful of sugar helping the medicine go down, but never oyster sauce !” he smiled. 

“Trey said all good tarts have it as a secret ingredient,” Riddle tried explaining. 

     Ace shook his head, telling Riddle to try using his own. Cater wondered how much he’d put in, noting it wasn’t as bad as everyone seemed to make it. Trey could only laugh at the confirmation of his suspicion. As everyone had a moment to laugh, a familiar giggle joined in. Riddle and Albert turned to recognize a splash of purple hair and cat ears. 

“Che’nya, what’re you doing here?” Riddle asked.

“Oh! Alchemi, it’s erm, good to see you,” Albert greeted stiffly, as if his presence had been caught red-handed.

“Nya, I came to celebrate an Unbirthday Party; congrats, Riddle,” Che’nya replied. “Oh, hey, Nya’lbert, how’ve ya been? New school treating you okay?”

“Well, yes. I’ve got to meet a friend of yours too, it seems,” Al replied. 

     The attention paid to Che’nya by the group had also attracted the attention of other Heartslabyul residents, who protested a student of Royal Sword in their midst. 

“Oop, time to go-got my tart anyways,” he sang before disappearing piece by piece. 

     The rest of the afternoon was filled with conversation, tasting sweets, and the first time Riddle had been able to enjoy tea with rose syrup instead of sugar cubes. Albert was more than glad to offer Trey the recipe, with the two diverging from the group to talk further about cooking and swapping recipes. Afternoon turned to evening, and signaled the party to eventually close. Yuu, Grim and Albert made their way back to their dorm, with Ace and Deuce’s status as residents of their original dorm finally restored. 

“It’s going to be a bit quiet without those two living here full time, though I have a feeling this won’t be the last they’ll be over. Do keep me informed if they do, I have to make sure I make enough food for everyone,” he smiled. He took notice of the green flickers of light dancing through the headstones as they passed, “Hmm, the fireflies seem rather lovely tonight. Any thoughts, yet on a name for this Ramshackle Dorm of ours?”

[the-firebird69]

Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus - Doctor (Work It Out) (Official Video)

We don't want to miss this but we're having a hard time here it's very hard but it's going to be harder and it's going to get more difficult and we're throwing everything we have at it and doesn't do anything and we keep doing it and this guy is nuts next door and the other guy is nuts and they don't know anything really weird stuff facing some really weird stuff soon enough. The max are unkind and mean and have huge facilities gigantic ships and we're in a lot of trouble. He was going to say something and that he's grown five and he's growing to 5'9 and a half from 5.8 and a half and everybody is talking about it going over the math checking it and I said I want a concourse with you said where'd you hear that word is it on the internet and he said okay it's over this height change so start talking to the pseudo empire people and now it's going on everywhere to argue with them and it's kind of our way and we're doing it cuz we have a problem and it's mutual and we noted it they're getting hit too. Not the same people and I came up too his height is really helping you didn't think it would but it is and they're going over over and over it and Big Joe is finally happy and he thought it was funny that you guys got a candy bar and he grew and he started remembering and yeah I'm kind of annoying but the robot could be taken over and the technology taken and yeah they would follow them up there and take stuff and that's what they would be up to. So you explained it on the radio I do tell you something this is working this method and it really was a lot to overcome and thinking things and he's trying to help himself and he's working through it and he might have a force like us though we're part of other people's Forest as rebels we have to learn to get along together I'm going to work on it and really he grew an inch fairly later on in a human's life is not normal and people are checking the hormone and some people have samples of hair eyelashes and those hold the hormones and he doesn't have any in him that are foreign and spit a lot of that okay it spits all the time and sometimes expensive put it in the trash and people take it out we don't have any samples of his special stuff poop they've been testing poop and sometimes he misses sometimes he flings it by accident I don't know how the hell that happens he's got really fast fingers he says and makes a mess and he moves real fast sometimes and doesn't know it he's trying to control it he's a child he's doing a funny thing like he wears diapers and he says sometimes the stem cells make tons of antibiotics and I noticed something he's having trouble with it now and it's true he thinks the other way around it could be and we're testing it and yes maybe he's on Pepto because of that but there aren't many of them because there's nobody drinking Pepto like it's fuel but it is hilarious it's kind of hilarious because people say look he grew an inch and tell us something because he's been that height for a while about 2 months he says and he thinks that that's what I think it's not that long but he's getting bigger and if he takes in coffee for a while he would be 6 ft almost one and he says maybe 6'1 because the disc get bigger and the bone gets bigger and they say almost 6 ft 1 and it's been trying to break that barrier for a long time and it's kind of funny because he says I don't think so though like 3 in or something 2 and 1/2 in and you're right he was thinking something else I guess almost 6 ft 11 okay 5'11 he says he's tired and he is tired and I'm tired so I'm going to sleep on it but really that's going to be a mess out there and we shouldn't fall for it but we do but he says there's some chips in there or something and it's true so to all I say good night and this is me

Miley Cyrus

Hope you don't get too happy when I get hurt and he thinks that she puts her liquid in it makes my brain solid and we have that stuff and I went off into the right and shrunk that's how it works good

Brad

Olympus

[joyliiejolly]

Future Spouse Reading - ENHYPEN's Sunghoon (spread by @bluerabb)

Disclaimer: This reading is for entertainment purpose only, so please take it as a grain of salt and live laugh love all the way besties!!

This reading is done by one of my dearest friends @bluerabb (biggest shout out to her!!). She also gave me permission to post it here. I took note during her reading and added some of my own thoughts along.

Without futher ado, enjoy the reading!

This reading focuses more on the current energy of Sunghoon's future spouse. Their energy will/might change in the future, since we as human being are always on the go.

They are creative, it's one of their most standout traits and they have many potentials to achieve well in the creative field. They have a lot within themselves and they know it.

They know that they are good, they see their own possibilities and what they can do, how far they can reach. They're not cocky about it though, they just have a certain level of faith in themselves (as they should!). Sometimes, they might think that they're a little bit delusional about their abilities, but they aren't, they really really can achieve that much if they try. And the fact that they are not at their limits yet (do they even have one?!?!). They are still growing, they can still get better. There're still more rooms for development, more rooms to unlock. So much will power, and so much patience at the same time. They will be one hell of a successful individual later on in life (what a goal).

They have the tendency to plan things out, a future-focus person. They expect a lot about their future. But the funny thing is, they just like to make plan, they don't want act on it :D A planner, not a do-er. This explains why they are in a delay mode at the moment, and why they are not the best version of themselves yet. They're still waiting for something, a chance, an opportunity, but the truth that they don’t really need it. They already have more than enough to be successful, they just need to act on it. And again, they know this. They know that they should do something about it, hell they might even have all their goals figured out, they just don't know what to do first, what should be their priorities.

Another reason why they are not in their best elements yet is because they restricted themselves. They might have grown up in a strict household/environment. They feel that a part of them is really stiff, rigid from all the strictness they've gone through, they worry that it will take over their whole personality once they let loose and they will become a bossy person to others. They know how bad it feels to be bossed around, to feel stuck, and they don't want other to go through it like them. Their mind is so strong, so logical. It keeps their bad side down so well, too well that some of their good sides are undercover, too :D They're trapped by their own mind. This makes it their biggest enemy for now. They know that they have to change, but the thought of changing frightens them, they don't see themselves being able to adapt. There is a frame, an image that they desperately want to keep. But the truth is, they're already more than that image, their own selves have out grown the frame they put on, they can actually go with the flow real quick. I think that they need to do some shadow works to deal with all of these childhood traumas, and some moving, too. Where they are living now is definitely not a good place for them to grow.

They're a problem solver. They prone to think logically in most situation, even in emotion matters. If you come to them, talking about your struggles, the first thing that they'll do is not to ease you, but to analyze your problems, go down to the core of your problems and find a way to resolve it (big INTJ vibe from here). This make them great at giving advice to others.

They're definitely more knowledgeable than most. They're intelligent and have a great work ethic. They can learn many different things from different areas, somes even totally opposite from each other, as they have each personality for each subjects. My friend gave an example like this: There is a practical side of them who love science, this side allows them to learn and excel in practical matter like math, physics, biology,…. At the same time, there is a part of them that interested in spirituality, so they enjoy diving in things like tarot, astrology, psychics,…To them, knowledge is knowledge, whatever it is and wherever it comes from.

Bonus: I almost forgot about this 🙇‍♀️, but the whole spread has no cups cards. Relationship is certainly not on their priority list. At present, Sunghoon’s future spouse doesn’t really have room for romance in their life. Or, they do have thoughts about romance, but it’s gonna be about the future, like thinking about their person (in this case, Sunghoon, but they don’t know it yet), how will they met them, how will it be once they’re together,…I get the feelings that even if there’s someone who comes at them with a love offer now, they wouldn’t be able to tell and wouldn’t care much in general 😆. They already got so much on their mind.

Some advices for them from the oracles:

Don't let others stop you from achieving your goals. You’re different from them, and it’s okay. Don’t let their standards tie you down.

Embrace the self. Do whatever you want to do. Be whoever you want to be. You got this!!

[crimsonbubble]

Biker Boy and His Lady

(warnings: slight 90s au, strangers to lovers au, biker!Wooyoung, fem!reader, waitress!reader, brief moment of sexual harrassment, light suggestive themes, mentions of beer)

*more and taglist after the cut*

note: this fic is the reason why I posted this video beforehand

---

When Wooyoung became a regular at your diner, you felt like the days got brighter. He ignited a spark in you that made you slowly fall for his charms. But you weren't going to give in so easily, you gotta make him work for it. He was notorious for flirting; yet when he met you, you were everything he wanted.

As the regular customer he was, he always walked through the door for a cup of coffee and some pancakes; then come back later in the evening for a few beers with friends. You've met a few of his friends and they've grown quite fond of you. Anyone at the diner could tell just how much you captivate him; he was head over heels for you.

As Wooyoung slowly got to know you, he found himself denying other women who threw themselves onto him; that alone made you fall just that bit deeper in love with him. He knew he wanted you when you didn't give in so easily to his flirty and borderline lame pick up lines. He liked the push and pull, and he wanted more.

---

From the few years you've spent waiting tables, you've never met anyone like Wooyoung. He was good looking, almost too good looking. His easy going nature and flirty attitude made it easier to find yourself infactuated with him. "Well if it isn't the man himself." Another regular had exclaimed as he walked through the door. The bell singing as he pushed open the door. Wooyoung smiled, giving the man a pat on the back as he walked to his usual morning seat by the bar stools.

"Good morning, biker boy." You set down the mug of steaming coffee, tucking a napkin under it. "Good morning, pretty lady." He smiled brightly, sending you a quick wink, making you scoff playfully. "Did you want your usual?" He laughed softly, a bright smile on his face as he leaned forward on his arms. "You always know how to start off my mornings, don't you, sweetheart?" You hummed gently, walking off back into the kitchen to grab the plate you had already set for him.

You brought it out, setting it down in front of him, before walking around the counter to take people's orders. "Enjoy your food, darling." He whistled lowly, a smug smile on his face. "Will do, beauty." You shook your head laughing, before greeting customers at the tables. You took orders quickly, bringing them back to the kitchen. You went to walk back out to take more orders, before being called. "Hey, can I get a refill on my coffee please?" You stopped one of your coworkers, gesturing to the table behind her.

"Can you take the order for table 4 while I refill his coffee." She nodded, walking back out to the table with a gentle smile. You carried the coffee pot to the man, taking the five off the table before filling his cup. As you went to step away and head to the kitchen, the man sitting beside you decided to slap your ass. You jolted, nearly dropping the coffee pot. "Honey, I have a steaming pot of coffee in my hands and if you don't want to end up with third degree burns, I suggest you pay and leave right now."

The man scoffed, pushing a five into your outstretched hand. You stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "The full price, not just the coffee." The other workers and customers watched in awe at how the man quickly shoved a twenty into your hand before scurrying off. The diner burst into loud cheers and claps, making you step back in surprise. "Alright alright, settle down now folks. Finish eating your breakfasts please."

The cheering quieted down, yet the chatter between people was as bustling as ever. You walked to the counter picking up the mans dishes and bringing them behind the counter, setting the coffee pot down before making your way into the kitchen again. "I gotta say, that was pretty cool." You laughed along with the others before nudging them back to work. "Alright, let's focus here, we can talk after work."

---

Wooyoung had left shortly after you came back out, sliding you a ten before hurrying off to god knows where but not before saying how hot you looked telling off that guy. You took his plate into the kitchen, placing it by the sink before letting out a tired sigh. You plastered on a smile as you walked back out greeting new customers and leading them to open tables.

---

The work day had gone by and the busy bustling of the diner was now nearly empty and a lot quieter. "You can close up for me, right?" You asked one of your coworkers who smiled and nodded. "I know where the keys are, go and enjoy your weekend, sugar." You gave her a quick hug, waving to the others as you slung your bag over your shoulder. "I'll see y'all on Monday."

As you stepped out of the diner, a voice called out to you. "Need a lift, pretty lady?" You turned to the voice, visibly relaxing when you see who it was. "And what makes you think I do?" You quirked an eyebrow, smiling softly at how he laughed. "Come on, I know you want to ride it." Wooyoung held an infamous smug smirk, leaning forward on his bike. "Whether you're talking about you or your bike is the question." You walked over to him, leaning closer to him just enough to brush your lips over his. "And my answer is yes."

Wooyoung grinned softly, tilting his head to the head with a light giggle. "If I kissed you right now, would your answer still be yes?" Your eyes were hazy as you looked into his. "Kiss me and find out." Wooyoung pushed forward that small bit to slot your lips together, letting out a soft sigh. You pulled him even closer by his neck, moving your hand over to cup his face. You smiled into the kiss, making Wooyoung smile as well. You both pulled away with smiles on your faces, your cheeks feeling too hot after that kiss. "So, about that bike ride.."

Wooyoung patted the seat behind him, scooting forward to make proper room for you. A sudden breeze made you shiver lightly, the small movement not going unnoticed by Wooyoung. Wooyoung shrugged his jacket off, pulling you to his side to give it to you. You went to argue but he had turned you around and slugged it over your frame. "You're cold and I'm not gonna let my pretty lady get sick." You laughed at his words, turning on your heels to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Wooyoung."

He smiled gently, planting another kiss to your lips before motioning behind him. You swung a leg over his bike, adjusting yourself behind him. You wrapped your arms around him, resting your cheek against his back. Wooyoung nearly freaked out as you tightened your grip on him, starting his bike before he could let you see how flustered he was. He drive off into the night, a small smile on his face as he felt you drawing circles on his stomach.

He couldn't ask for someone better, he wanted you and only you. You became the sole reason he wanted to get up in the morning. You became his sun and in return he became your moon. Showing you the way when you thought you were lost. Guiding you through the night to escape the world of harsh realities.

He was the biker boy and you were his lady.

---

@a-soft-hornytiny @berryberry-joongie @cometoceantrenches @ddeonghwva @hanatiny @hyetiny @multidreams-and-desires @minhyukmyluv @serialee @strawberry-joong @woowommy @yungisstar1117 @yunhofingers @yunhospuppy @yunsangoveryonder

[belphies-cuhm-sluht]

Hi! I love your writing 💖 and since your requests are open, could we getvthe brothers with a plant-loving MC?

I personally really love my plants and am so proud whenever I see that they've grown or have a plant baby and show them to everyone who's willing to listen to me ramble about my plants 🥺

Brothers With A Plant Loving MC (Headcanons)

Lucifer

Keeping plants alive in the Devildom is a hard task, at least it is when trying to keep human realm plants alive.

There’s no sun, so, there’s no way that the plants would be able to thrive. So Lucifer does the next best thing he can think of.

He buys you a little light thingy, it’s kind of like an artificial sun for your plants, he also, unbeknownst to you, does a spell to help give them the nutrients that the artificial sun lamp can’t give them.

He loves listening to you talk about your plants though. He finds it interesting and he’ll always listen when you excitedly tell him about new sprouts or how much they’ve grown.

He had never found interest in plants until you came along, but you sparked a new joy in him.

Or maybe it’s just that he finds joy in seeing you happy…

Mammon

He knows absolutely nothing, nothing about plants. Nothing at all.

What he does know though is that they make you happy, and that’s all he needs to know.

He’ll definitely try to get involved in some way, just so that he can share that happiness with you. He wants to be a part of the things that make you happy.

Watering the flowers has become his self appointment job, but please let him know if he’s over watering or under watering because he doesn’t know what he’s doing, he just knows they need water because he watches you.

He doesn’t notice the small changes, not as much as you do. He’ll only notice if new leaves start sprouting and things like that.

When you get excited though, he’ll ask what happened and then he’ll get excited with you. You both are the best plant parents in the entire universe because he said so.

Leviathan

He doesn’t know much about plants that grow outside of water, that’s not his forte. He does know a lot about aquatic plants though, although they’re not very similar, but he thinks he can help, which is pretty cute.

Finds out that the plants that you’re growing are not at all like aquatic plants… You can’t just stick them in Henry’s fish tank and call it a day.

Realizes that he actually knows very little about how to care for plants, and now he’s watching you take care of yours because he thinks it’s neat.

You give the plants so much love and attention, he wishes it were him. Yes, he slightly envies the plants for making you smile so much, for making you so excited, but he also really likes them because they do make you smile so much and make you excited.

He will ask to keep one in his room so he can sit it on his desk. It makes him think of you, and whenever he looks at it it makes him smile, and since having it on his desk he’s won a lot more games, so it’s like a lucky little plant now.

Also having it in his room means that you stop by every day to take care of it and check how it’s doing, so it’s a win win for him.

Satan

There’s books for this, and he’s read them. He knows all about plants from all three realms.

He is highly interested in what kind of plants you have and if he’s ever seen them in any of the books he’s read, and if he has, he’ll even tell you the scientific name for the plant and the subfamily it comes from.

Honestly though he just wants to seem smart about it all so that maybe you’ll want to have him around more often when you’re working on your plants.

It’s nice being around you when you’re happy about them, and your excitement about their changes is contagious, he feels himself getting excited whenever you tell him about them.

He’ll even start recommending Devildom plants (that aren’t dangerous or poisonous or lethal to humans because he doesn’t want you hurt or anything) that he thinks you’ll do a great job at taking care of.

He just genuinely and thoroughly enjoys being around you because he can talk about the books that he’s read on the subject, and you’ll actually listen to him and you seem interested. It’s nice to have someone who’s interested in the things he reads about.

Asmodeus

He absolutely loves your plants! They’re beautiful, and they smell amazing, and they make you happy! How could he not love them?!

Only thing he won’t do is touch the dirt that they’re growing in, but he really admires that you do. He’s got no problem with other people getting their hands dirty, that’s sometimes the price for beauty, he just doesn’t want to pay it.

He does know a lot about certain plants and their benefits for hair and skin care. He’s not as knowledgeable on the matter as Satan is, but he does always make sure to read the back of his beauty products to see what’s in them.

Please do tell him all about your plants though, he loves listening to you talk about them. If you have no news to give him, he’ll actually get really sad.

He heard that talking to plants helps them grow, so if you ever see him having a full conversation with your plants about how pretty they are, he’s doing it to help.

He might nonchalantly bring the prettiest plant and place it in his room because with the prettiest plant comes his favorite gardener in the house… you!

Beelzebub

Plants are nice, sometimes he stops on his way to the gym to look at the flowers that grow along the sidewalks in the Devildom. Your plants are nicer though because you come with them.

They also smell really nice too. Some of them even smell sweet, really really sweet and he has to keep himself from taking a bite out of your flowers because he knows it’ll upset you if he ruins them.

He likes to hear you talk about them, your smile is really nice when you get all enthusiastic about them. It’s really nice.

He also likes to be around you when you take care of them, especially if you talk about what you’re doing while you work. He takes it all to heart, and he remembers every single thing you say.

He’ll even start taking care of them too once he thinks he knows enough to not ruin them. He wants you to be proud of him like you’re proud of your plants.

He really enjoys spending that time with you and doing things together that make you happy because your happiness is important to him, it makes him happy.

Belphegor

He doesn’t know much about plants… but what he does know is that there are some plants that can help people sleep better, and that’s pretty cool to him.

He also doesn’t really like having to leave the house to see nature, so the fact that you brought it along with you is nice.

He’ll ask you to bring the plants up to the attic, and he’ll say it’s so that Mammon doesn’t mess with them or so that Beel doesn’t eat them, but really it’s because he likes looking at them, he likes having them around.

Having the plants around means having you around, and sometimes he’ll even pretend to be sleeping when you come up to check on them, hoping that you’ll talk to yourself about how good they’re doing because it’s just so precious and he loves hearing it. But you don’t know that.

He doesn’t trust himself to actually take care of them, but he does enjoy watching you take care of them. While your back is turned he’ll be smiling the entire time, especially if he sees you get excited about something. Please tell him about it.

He’s not really the best at showing that he cares, but he does, he really does, and things that you love and things that are important to you, they’re important to him and he loves them too.

[not-poignant]

Pia I'm curious, FFS feels so unlike a traditional story, sure it's got it's arcs and ups and downs but it feels like we're just following alone in someones life. How do you wrap up a story like that? Or do you plan on just continuing it until it stops working for you or a natural conclusion presents itself?

Hi hi!

(Just a heads up there's some spoilers for future plot points in this).

The story is actually slowly already starting to wrap up. While I don't have a concrete final chapter in mind, I do know that we have very few beats left to hit basically before the end.

I always knew this story would end around the point where readers could feel like Efnisien had grown enough to basically keep growing in the 'right direction.' I.e. We can trust that he's reaching out to his support network, he's better at communicating, he has a positive hospital experience which sets him up if he needs future ones, he gains not only one therapist and another partner, but friends (and groups) he likes outside of that.

Because this story is ending on a hopeful ending, it's important to me to end where basically it's possible to feel like Arden and Efnisien have a handle on things.

So the few beats we have left to hit are things like - I'd like Efnisien to visit Professor Adayemi, he needs to have his talk with Gwyn (in fact this was probably one of the biggest signs that FFS is ending sooner rather than later - we came full circle on something introduced in chapter one as an open and unresolved plot point, that is now approaching its resolution), there needs to be at least one more scene with Arden, and there needs to be a couple of specific conversations with Dr Gary. And then... well, that's it! (That's not the order, they're just the beats I'm looking for before the end).

Idk how many chapters that will take, but I do know we're very much heading towards the end now. That's why the tone of the chapters recently have been a little different, even when things are stressful. There's always support there, things are working out, even when Efnisien is crying or upset, someone is caring for him, slowly but surely, we're seeing that Efnisien's life has kind of radically changed from where he was at in the beginning. He's safer, he's more resilient, he's more emotionally authentic, he doesn't shame or hate himself in the same way for crying anymore, he admitted he's a person, he's admitted he doesn't want to be abused or treated badly by Gwyn anymore.

A lot of my stories - both those with traditional and non-traditional structures - always tend to end around the point where my MCs are mature enough that once they get their hopeful or happy ending, you can generally trust they're going to keep going in the right direction. So even if everything isn't resolved it's like 'oh that's okay, they've got this, I believe in them.'

As a result, I've actually been getting a lot of comments from people along the lines of: 'I feel like this is going to end soon' or 'I feel like this story is winding down' and that's exactly what I'm going for. It is winding down, Efnisien is not the same person he was, and he's got a pretty clear road towards becoming a much more comfortable and self-accepting person, slowly, and with time. He'll never completely heal, so that was never my aim. I just wanted to get to a point where we could all have some faith in him and his support network, and then...shore that up a little.

Once Falling Falling Stars is over (which I suspect will be around the 150-160 chapter mark, which sounds like a ton of chapters, but really isn't in the grand scheme of FFS), I've definitely left myself open to writing kink oneshots and more for this story! It's such an open and expansive story I don't plan on 'leaving it for good' (though I absolutely am not writing a sequel), I think there's a lot of potential to explore Efnisien/Arden's kink life, for example, that might weight down FFS itself, but might be really fun to read anyway.

So yeah! That's basically it! I do kind of know how I'll wrap it up because I'm doing it. FFS gets a long, comfortable denouement with some angsty and hurt/comfort moments. There's going to be nothing as painful as the bridge/hospital breakdown coming up, we hit the most painful part of the story, the one that really tested Efnisien to make a choice between life and Dr Gary, or death and Crielle.

A few more beats to go, and then the story will reach its own natural conclusion. :D

(ETA: I should probably add that I write more like someone writing a TV drama than a novelist. So I actually am following a pretty traditional structure in terms of serial TV storytelling with A/B/C storylines! It's probably important to mention here that if you think I'm writing like a novelist, when I'm not writing novels, and I'm writing serials, you'll come up against a 'how is this working.' It makes way more sense if you look at it like a TV show broken down into seasons and episodes - and then in that sense, I do actually follow quite a few structural rules).