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fearfully-fiction · 1 year

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Ashmore Estates pt.3- Alex Schroeder x Reader

word count:3566

warnings: language, fluff, I think that's it

summary: based on season 4, episode 6 of DF. so all credit goes to the crew, the show, and the channel/network. The packet is read, and it's time to start the investigation.

(gif not mine!)

“Sequestered within the never-ending cornfields of eastern Illinois, can be found the decaying remains of Ashmore Estates,” Dakota started. “Opened in 1857 as the Coles county poor farm, it had 30 buildings spread across 260 acres,” He continued. “The day-to-day operation of the poor farm was unmonitored leading to unhygienic and unsafe living conditions. In the 1870s alone 12% of the residents passed away. One such inmate was Joe, a maintenance man for the almshouse. He had been walking back from town when he was hit by an oncoming train. Though a good samaritan carried him back home his injuries were too grave and he passed away,” Dakota explained and your heart sank. It always made you sad, when you heard stories like that, life truly was just unfair and unkind sometimes. “That’s so sad,” Chelsea said. “I was just thinking the same thing. I couldn’t even imagine,” you said and leaned your head against Alex’s shoulder. He squeezed your waist as Dakota read on.

“But perhaps the most tragic death to occur was that of 5-year-old Elva Skinner in 1880 in a building previously on site. She had been left alone inside while the adults went out to work the farm,” He said and your heart dropped. You knew this was going to be terrible, and it was.

She had passed away after her dress had caught on fire despite them doing everything they could to help her. Everyone at the table was horrified by the way she died. “What a terrible way to die,” Chelsea said and you couldn’t help but nod. There had been accounts of seeing her and hearing giggling.

“Dude when we were here last time and we were all in our sleeping arrangements there was a girl giggling that was captured on camera,” Dakota brought up. It all came back to you, you remember watching the footage back and it scared the hell out of you.

“That, like, puts validation to what happened to us,” Dakota said. “And now going back we have a name to go off of,” Alex spoke. “Elva Skinner,” you repeated the little girl's name out loud.

The packet was handed to Chelsea and she began to read. “Those lucky enough to stay alive had to contend with truly atrocious conditions. Flies reportedly swarmed everywhere and there was noticeably rotten food prepared for dinner,” she explained and you shivered at the thought. “That’s disgusting,” you said and shook your head.

“By 1916, the conditions were so appalling that the original buildings were torn down and a new one was built in their place, operating for the next 40 years. It then transitioned to a private psychiatric hospital. Allegedly the most violent patients received electroshock treatments. It closed its doors in 1986,” Chelsea stopped.

“I forgot how layered this place is,” Dakota said.

The packet was then handed over to Alex. “The most active areas include The first floor. This floor is active with every kind of paranormal activity imaginable,” he said before holding the packet in front of you. You accepted it from him and began to read.

“The second-floor green room. A former poor house resident named Mary can be found in this room. People have heard her raspy breaths follow them through the building. She’s known for throwing and knocking over items,” You finished and passed it to Tanner.

“The boiler room. Joe. the former maintenance man is found here. While he is normally friendly if he feels disrespected, he can become quite agitated,” Tanner read. He was known to not like females in the boiler room, they would get shoved, grabbed, and even have their hair pulled.

You reached for Alex’s hand and he held yours tightly. He knew you didn’t fare well with that kind of information when it came to an overnight. It made you impossibly nervous, and he always made sure that you were ok before, during, and after.

There was a man who had actually been thrown across the room after defending the girls he was investigating with.

Alex held you tighter. He knew how much worry you held for your friends and so hearing that was something that made you very uneasy. You got protective easily, and so it was something you didn’t like to hear.

Alex picked up the packet and began again. “The third floor. This entire floor is incredibly active, especially by the former electroshock therapy room. Though Elva, the five-year-old who passed away on site is known to play up here there is another unknown entity that grabs people appearing as a phantom mist before disappearing completely,” Alex described. That entity was known to cause scratches and hurt anyone who may be vulnerable when up on that floor. It’s like he can sense it and preys on the more sensitive and weak.

“We did not know about that phantom mist on the third floor, reaching out and grabbing people,” Dakota said. “What I captured on film looked exactly like that description,” Tanner pointed out and it immediately took you back to that night, and what you had seen on camera. It was terrifying, especially back then when you were completely new to all of this.

“So creepy, like I have the chills right now,” Dakota said and you nodded your head. “I do too, I remember that so well,” you added.

“To be honest what you caught there was the reason I wanted to see this location so badly,” Alex admitted. “I have to see this for myself,” He added.

“I think it’s going to be a jam-packed night. What do you say we load some gear and get going,” Alex suggested and you internally cringed at the thought of staying there again.

“Let’s do it, dude,” Dakota said and Alex replied, “let’s start this night,”

You all got up and walked back to the RV to get your gear. “I cannot believe we are back here,” You said to yourself as you looked at the building over your shoulder. “It’s been so long, I wonder if they will remember us?” Chelsea wondered aloud. “I bet they will,” you said and shook your head. You headed into the building for the first time in almost 7 years and it took your breath away. It was like taking a step into the past. You remembered your exact words when you first stepped into the building.

“Guys I think we’re screwed,” you repeated yourself from 7 years ago. “That’s exactly what you said when we first stepped into this place,” Tanner recalled and you chuckled. “Well, it’s equally as true now as it was then,” you said. Everyone chuckled, and Alex walked over to wrap his arms around you. “Everything is going to be just fine, I promise you. I won’t let anything happen to you. I know you can do it, babe,” he said softly and kissed your head.

“I hate solos, Al,” you spoke quietly. “I know, but just think when it’s over we won’t have to come back. I know you’re nervous, but I also know how strong you are. You have so much more experience than you did last time, I have full confidence that you can handle this. And if anything happens I’m right here, I’m gonna be right here,” he tried to put you at ease. “Ok,” you breathed out and wrapped your arms around him tightly. You pulled away the slightest bit so that you could lean up on your toes to place a kiss on his lips. Your hands clutched the fabric of his shirt tightly and his rested firmly on your hips.

You pulled away and softly smiled at him. He smiled back before pressing a lingering kiss on your forehead for good measure.

“You guys ready to start?” Dakota asked and you looked over at him before sighing. “I’m ready when you guys are,” you said and looked up at Alex as if asking him the same question. He just nodded his head. “I’m ready, let’s go,” he said and grabbed your hand in his.

“So we just got done setting up the gear room, we are about to jump into solos,” Alex announced and you shifted your weight nervously. “Who’s ready?” He asked. “I am never ready for solos,” you told him. “I’m not ready either,” Dakota followed up. Everyone else agreed, and you chuckled. “See, this is not a good idea Alex,” you said and softly glared at him. “You guys will be fine,” he playfully brushed it off and you rolled your eyes. “This is the worst. And we have no flashlights,” Tanner reminded everyone. Your heart dropped.

“Tanner!” Alex spoke up. “Yeah?” he asked. You could tell he was not excited at all, and you couldn’t help but feel the exact same way. “Since you won the contest today, and you are a superior athlete, and a strong man,” Alex continued. “Yup,” Tanner said as if telling him to continue. “You win the privilege…” Alex paused. “The privilege,” Tanner repeated. “Of going into Ashmore Estates, first,” Alex finished and your jaw dropped. “What?” he asked incredulously. You could hear Dakota snickering beside you and you slapped his arm. “Why?” Tanner questioned again. “You won the contest. You get to go in first,” Alex shrugged his shoulders like it was obvious. “That’s not a prize, that’s losing,” Tanner said. “Alex that’s just mean,” you said and glared at him. “Well first place goes first right?” he shrugged again and you shook your head.

“It’s so mean, to let him go in first,” Dakota joked. “You wanna take his place?” Alex asked and looked at him, “No,” Dakota admitted and you chuckled. “This is a crappy prize,” Tanner said and you agreed. “Then pride is your prize,” Alex suggested and you once again rolled your eyes. “Pride is my prize?” He asked quizically. “You are a sore winner,” Alex told him.

“This literally makes no sense. Did you put any thought into this?” Tanner questioned your boyfriend. “You know-you know what?” Alex slightly stammers. “Go for it,” Tanner encouraged him. “How about, oh, I don’t know maybe you’re wearing the enhanced recorder the entire time,” Alex spat out. “Oh no! I’m so scared. Not!” Tanner mockingly said. “Alright, this is good!” Alex said back. “Perfect,” Tanner retorted. “This is good,” Alex reiterated. “Cool,” Tanner said one last time. “Whatever, you know I’ll just go in there first,” Tanner said and you shook your head. “Stir it all up,” He told you and you sighed heavily. “I mean there you go, that’s super positive of you,” Alex said in mock positivity.

“Alright, let’s get going,” Tanner breathed out heavily. Before he walked away you went over and wrapped him in a hug. “You got this Tanner,” you said and he smiled softly and kissed your head. “Thanks, (n/n),” he said before taking a deep breath and making his way into the building. “Remember, you’re a winner,” Chelsea called after him. “Biggest winner out there,” Alex reiterated. “Doesn’t feel like a winner,” Tanner spoke up. “You’ve got this!” you tried to encourage him.

As soon as he was in the building you walked over and smacked your boyfriend's arm. “That was no prize Alex,” you said with a slight look of annoyance. “It was for us,” he shrugged and smiled down at you smugly. You rolled your eyes. “You’re gonna be the death of me Alex, I swear it,” you mumbled and he chuckled before tossing an arm around you and pulling you into his chest. “You love me,” he whispered before kissing your head. “You’re lucky I do,” you said and held his arm that was around you.

“That I am,” he said and leaned forward to kiss your cheek.

“Hey, what about us?” Dakota asked with his arms out in mock hurt. “Aww, I love you guys too,” you said and walked over to hug Dakota before kissing his cheek and doing the same with Chelsea.

“They’re such babies,” she said and you laughed. “They really are, honestly. I don’t know how I put up with him sometimes,” you nudged her shoulder and she chuckled. You all sat at the table once again. You set your camera down so you could grab his free hand and hold it in your lap. Just to hold him in some way. It eased your nerves.

“That was kinda mean, not gonna lie,” Dakota said and you nodded your head. “He’s right Al,” you said and looked at him. “Are you like mad at him?” Chelsea asked softly. “No. He just won. The prize was not a good one at all,” Alex explained it simply. “Obviously Alex,” you said and nudged his shoulder. “What’s the moral of this story? Don’t win? Don’t try?” Dakota asked curiously. “Just be cautious. Watch your back,” Alex told you. “Oh wow, that’s nice,” your sarcasm practically dripping from your words. “A prize can turn into a surprise, real fast,” Chelsea spoke up and you gave her a tight-lipped smile. “True, true,” Dakota agreed with her.

“Do you think he’s ok up there?” you asked nervously. “He’s Tanner, I’m sure he’s ok why don’t you check on him if you’re worried?” Chelsea asked and smirked playfully as she handed you the walkie. You rolled your eyes and took it, “I’m not trying to scare him I’m just gonna check on him. But if it does scare him then that’s what happens,” you shrugged and softly smiled. They all chuckled. “You’re too good of a person,” Dakota shook his head and you laughed. “Sure, ok,” you said and stuck your tongue out at him playfully.

You held down the button for a few seconds before speaking, knowing that it might not scare him since he would hear that. “Hey, Tanner,” you said. “Shit,” you heard him curse and you internally cringed. “Yeah, go for Tanner,” you heard him say and you could tell he was already a bit drained from being in there. “I’m sorry to scare you, I just wanted to check in and make sure that you were ok,” you spoke. “It’s ok, I just wasn’t expecting it. It’s freaky up here honestly,” he told you and you nodded despite him not being able to see you. “Are you ok?” you asked sweetly. “Yeah, I’m ok, just a bit freaked out. I’ll see you in a bit ok?” he asked and you just sighed. “Alright, We’re here if you need us at all,” you said genuinely hoping to ease his nerves. “Thanks (n/n),” that was the last you heard.

“Are you ok?” Alex asked and pulled you closer to his side. You rested your head on his shoulder and nodded. “I’m ok, just uneasy,” you said and sighed. “I know this may sound weird, but why don't you go next?” Chelsea suggested with a small smile. You looked at her with wide eyes. “What? You want me to pee myself?” you asked in disbelief. Everyone chuckled, “No, I just thought it would be a good idea to get it over with and not have to wait and let anxiety build up even more,” She explained and you let your shoulders fall.

“You’re probably right, it would just be easier for me to go and get it over with. Gosh, this really sucks Alex,” you said and nudged him. He kissed the top of your head and smiled down at you.

“Can I talk to you before I go in Al?” you asked him and he looked down at you in concern. “Yeah, of course, babe,” he said and you began to get off of your seat. They all looked at you in worry. “Is everything ok,(y/n)?” Dakota asked and you just nodded. “Yeah, I just wanted to talk to him for a second. “We’ll be right back,” you said and grabbed Alex’s hand. You both set your cameras down before walking away a bit.

“Is everything ok?” Alex asked as he placed his arms around you. “I really am scared Al, what if they do recognize us and something bad happens?” you told him. “What if something grabs Chelsea if she��s in the basement or something and she gets hurt? What if one of you gets hurt? There are just so many what-ifs and I’m scared,” you relayed your fears to him. He looked down at you with a soft gaze. “Hey, hey, don’t think like that. I know you’re scared but nothing will happen. And even if something does, we have each other. All of us have each other's backs, that’s the way it’s always been and I’m sure that’s the way it will always be. So if you need to break down or fall apart, we’re right here. I’m right here,” he said and pulled you in close.

You wrapped your arms around him and held onto him tightly not wanting to let go. “I just want us all to be ok,” you spoke softly and he leaned down to kiss your head. “We will be,” he said and pulled away from you slightly so he could look at you.

You moved your arms up and around his neck to pull him down and place a kiss on his lips. He reached up to place a hand on your cheek and you leaned into his touch. He couldn’t help but always want you closer, he could never put his finger on it but something about you was just so endearing. Maybe it was everything?

Just like that, he made you forget where you were, and what you were about to do. He made you feel at home, and secure. That was always the case, he took the fear away even if only for a few seconds. It was just gone.

Before you knew it you had to pull away, and for a few seconds, you felt like you could breathe. He smiled down at you and pushed a strand of hair away from your face. “Promise, you’ll be here when I get back?” you asked looking up at him with a worried gaze. “I promise you,” he reassured and kissed your forehead. “Ok, ok I’m fine,” you said trying to be sure of yourself. “You ready?” he asked and placed his arm around your shoulders. You nodded your head curtly and took a deep breath. “I’m ready,” you said and he guided you back towards your friends.

“Hey, you ok?” Chelsea asked when you sat back down.” Yeah, I’m ok,” you smiled softly at her. Before Dakota got to speak Tanner came rushing out of the building. “Woah, Tanner are you ok?” You asked as he quickly made his way over to the table. “I just heard whistling,” he told you, you could hear the shock in his voice. “What? A whistle?” Dakota asked incredulously. “Like on the second floor, I started to hear this faint whistling. There’s no way if I didn’t have this device that I’d have heard it,” Tanner explained and your heart rate picked up. “That’s crazy, Tanner,” you expressed. Alex and Dakota let out a simultaneous ‘what?’.

“Yes, it was the second floor,” he informed you. “That’s freaking terrifying,” Chelsea said.

“Dude, I heard it multiple times,” He told you. “Whistling, for sure?” Dakota asked. “100%” Tanner assured him. “Like, it, enough to where it, it, froze me,” He described his experience.

“That’s super weird because there’s supposed to be a woman, Mary, on that floor. She’s a poltergeist on that floor, she’ll move things around, and other claims are that there is raspy, like, whispering and breathing,” Alex explained some claims from that floor. “Did you go like, approach where it came from?” Dakota asked. “Fuck that,” Tanner stated and you chuckled. “I concur,” you agreed. “See, thank you,” Tanner said and gestured to you and you just nodded at him. “You didn’t go towards it?” Dakota asked again. “I am not exploring this place by myself the entire night. Someone else can take that second floor and do the follow-up,” Tanner said. “I’m proud of myself. I’m calling it quits,” he said and you just nodded. “I’m proud of you too Tanner,” you said and got up to give him a high-five. He instead wrapped his arm around your shoulder and brought you into a big side hug. “Alright, (y/n), It’s your turn. You’re next up,” Alex said and you sighed heavily.

“This is great, I’m so excited,” you said sarcastically and threw your arms up in mock excitement. They all chuckled. “You’ve got this,” Tanner said and squeezed your shoulder. “Alright, alright fine. I’m going,” you sighed and you got handed the Ovilus. “Bye guys,” you waved and as you walked away you felt someone come up behind you. You turned around to see Alex and smiled. “What? Did I forget something?” you asked. He just leaned down and pressed his lips to yours for a few seconds before pulling away. “Just that,” he said and smiled back at you. You shook your head, “You’re too much sometimes Al, now go on, I have to get this over with,” you said and shooed him away. “If I die, I love you guys!” you called over your shoulder. “We love you too!” you heard them call back.

“Alright guys, let’s do this,” you spoke and opened the door.

Taglist:

@jaziona92

@beautybyfire

@thefandomthings

@kippykasey

@kristin813

@katelynanna

@nyx2021

#alex schroeder #destination fear alex #alex destination fear #alex schroeder x reader #alex schroeder imagines #alex schroeder fluff #alex schroeder x you #alex schroeder x y/n #destination fear #destination fear imagine #destination fear x reader #trvl channel #destination fear trvl channel #chelsea laden #dakota laden #tanner wiseman

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officermaddie23 · 2 months

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In the garden of hope bio

Name: Kerafym Runestone

Also known as: Kerafym the sleeper (a nickname he got due to the fact that he has to rest when he uses a lot of his elemental power when protecting the hollow from hedge dwellers)

Friends: Woushi (he is known to hang out with Woushi and Alastor the most), Alastor (as mentioned above he is known to hang out with Woushi and Alastor the most), Vashar (another draconic fae that he hangs out with)

Type of fae: Draconic Fae

Factions: The Fae Protectors of the jones family, The Draconic Fae of the hollow, Alastor, Alastor's council, Claws of the jones family, The Jones Family, Coraline Jones, The Nature Protectors of the hollow, The Terrorantula's court

If you were to ask Coraline if she had any minions with something very special and unique amongst her fae minions, she would tell you that Kerafym is one of them. Kerafym like all of Coraline's fae minions went through rigorous years of training however what makes him special amongst her minions is that he is the first to master elemental magic.

Though being the master of elemental magic does mean that Kerafym does have to rest a lot when he uses a lot of his power which has lead many fae folk in the hollow to nickname him as the sleeper. However, when he's not sleeping he's seen mostly around the waking lands.

It is on one of these trips in the Waking Lands that he meets Alastor's apprentice Schroeder who immediately asks if he is a friend of Alastor. Upon hearing Alastor's name that he starts speaking to Schroeder and sees that Schroeder has an item that is known to have saved hero's lives in battle the draconic medallion.

@mellowwolflady Kerafym has to rest when he uses a lot of his power to protect the hollow but he is always determined to protect the hollow to his last breath

#coraline #changeling the lost #in the garden of hope

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dolokhoded · 1 year

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PROCRASTINATING ON MY EXAMS 🔥🔥🔥💪💪🎉 I CAN LITERALLY DO ANYTHING BUT STUDY I'VE BEEN DOODLING THEM ALL DAY 💪🎉🎉💥💥🔥🔥🔥

#awkwardly walking in uh.hello peanuts people. toto thalassous said i should make more of these.#peanuts #lucy van pelt #schroeder #schroeder no last name !#i have an ISSUE #i have exams THIS WEEK like TOMORROW AND ALL THE WEEKDAYS AFTER and then i have PANHELLENICS NEXT WEEK and if you're greek YOU KNOW ALL #ABOUT THAT #and what im doing is THIS instead.#it's so ridiculous my brain is unable to get stressed about this im just very disappointed in myself but not stressed. which i know sounds #like a good thing but it's BAD i SHOULD be stressed i SHOULD be working about this #AND INSTEAD I'M DRAWING PEANUTS CHARACTERS it's hilarious #god these exams are such a big deal #and this is what im doing #COMEDIC.

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year2000electronics · 4 months

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REALLY RANDOM QUESTION. if Kat were a human, what last name would she have?

HMMM.... in my mind her name would be kat schroeder

#mothra answers

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cartoonfanaticmonsterrobotalien · 6 months

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Solar Opposites in: Solar Monsters (by @avaveevo)

Ch. 6

Later that day, Beverly is walking in the hospital halls with Dr. Schroeder and some other scientists.

Dr. Schroeder: Are you sure Korey died in a so-call hellhound accident?

Beverly: Yes sir. And that why I must show you his… then sees Human Korvo with Human Terry, who has recovered fully with his wounds gone and no pain as he reunited with his friends and children corpse?

Dr. Schroeder is then overjoyed as he and the other scientist walk towards Human Korvo and his family and friends as Beverly looks dumbfounded.

Dr. Schroeder: Korey! Human Korvo walks up to him I’m so happy you’re okay! What happens to your husband?

Human Korvo: Terry was mauled by a hellhound but then, a miracle happen. Terry’s wounds were gone the next day. It remains unknown but I am so proud of my husband.

Solar Opposites Gang: Alright Terry! Woo-hoo! Amazing job your brave bruiser! What a brave fuck! That’s our dad! Hooray Mr. Terry! Terry! Yay!

Dr. Schroeder: Well, I just hope your scanner can do something about the mysterious attack last night. Most people have died from that attack. We don’t know who sent those hounds, but we’ll find him soon… I’ll see you Korey.

As Dr. Schroeder and the scientists leave, Beverly looks on as she growls quietly. Later, at Terry’s hospital room.

Human Terry: So, maybe I should sing to the kids now. Because, that could help boost bravery, into those who have been injured. They’ve been trying to recover, but could use a little hope.

Human Korvo: Really? Well, I love to see you try.

Human Yumyulack, Human Jesse, Sonya and Human Pupa: Yeah. I agree. Good idea Mr. Terry. Music.

Principal Cooke: Wait, that’s seriously gonna work.

The scene then cuts to Human Terry, with his bandages gone, gets up on the stage with the injured kids staring at him with a guitar as he sits down on a stool. His friends and family look at him, hoping it won’t backfired.

Human Terry: taps microphone Hey um, my name is Terry Opposites. I was one of the survivors of the hellhound attack last night. murmurs were heard So, without further ado, I’m gonna sing for those who are struggling with hope of recovery. Because, I believe in true bravery and strength deep inside, it can help you get through anything. It’s something my husband Korey taught at me at the beach last week. Thank you.

Human Korvo smiles.

Human Terry: So, takes a deep breath when he suddenly felt a sense of fearlessness inside him like a wind Let’s begin.

Human Terry starts playing the song with his guitar as he began to start off with the right verse. Song:

Human Terry:

🎵 So clever Whatever I'm done with these endeavors Alone I walk the winding way (Here I stay) 🎵

Human Korvo smiles tearfully at his husband’s singing while Mia romantically out her head on Ms. Perez’s shoulder

🎵 It's over No longer I feel it growing stronger I live to die another day Until I fade away 🎵

Human Yumyulack, Human Jesse, Sonya and Human Pupa dog piled on each other while looking at their father performing. Beverly starts walking away in disgust, which caught Principal Cooke and Miss Frankie’s eyes.

Why give up, why give in? It's not enough, it never is So I will go on until the end We've become desolate It's not enough, it never is But I will go on until the end

Miss Frankie and Principal Cooke sneak away to follow Beverly. Then, Miss Frankie text a message to Human Korvo as he looks down but looks surprised.

Human Korvo: Huh? I wonder what Frankie meant to by that.

Later, Miss Frankie and Principal Cooke kept a close eye on Beverly as they watch her drive away in her car. They then head inside Miss Frankie’s car and Miss Frankie starts the engines as they drive off. Miss Frankie looks on while giving Beverly a death stare.

Miss Frankie: Alright bitch, let’s see what you’re really up to…

As the car drives on, it cuts to the Solars arriving home as they got out with Human Terry holding Human Pupa, who is hugging him.

Human Terry: Aw, look at Pupa. He must’ve miss me so much.

Human Jesse: He sure did. tickles human Pupa by the feet; singsongy Tickle wiggle.

Human Pupa: giggling

As the Solars head, the Shlorpians and Pupa turn back into their normal alien selves as Terry and Korvo kiss.

Aisha: Terry! You’re okay! Don’t you scare the fuck out of us again! Damn, you are one brave yet stubborn son-of-bitch!

Terry: Well, I rather not get too cocky. I hope don’t do that dangerous stunt again… well, clap his hands who’s hungry?!

Jesse: I AM!

Yumyulack: I AM!

Sonya: Me too!

Korvo: Okay okay. Let's all settle down now.

Pupa: Mmm yummy.

Terry: Don’t worry, I’m about to to make you kids some lunch!

Korvo: Aw. kisses Terry on the cheek

Terry: Now if you excuse me I’m gonna go make some food.

Yumyulack, Jesse, Pupa and Sonya: Yay!

Terry then heads into the kitchen after making some Aisian food, while making it sure it doesn’t have peanuts in them since Sonya is allergic to peanuts. He smiles as he gets out a jar of kimchi.

Terry: And now for the final touch, a smite of kimchi!

But as soon as Terry tries to open the lid, it’s been shut tightly as Terry as struggles to open it.

Terry: straining voice; struggling to open the right lid Come on you… fucking tight… goddamn lid…!

As Terry struggles to get the lid open, suddenly the jar starts cracking as it shatters into pieces as the pieces fall on the floor, while most of the kimchi sauce spills on Terry, much to his shock.

Terry: looks down in his hands Wh-what? Pupa tries to come in kitchen Stay there!

Pupa: Huh?

Terry: Oh, there’s glass everywhere. That’s why.

Pupa then smiles and heads back to the living room as Terry starts climbing up the mess until he thought of something. Later, the scene then fades to Beverly’s car heading to David’s house as she parks there. Miss Frankie and Principal Cooke then parks their car as they sneak quietly and overhear the conversation.

Miss Frankie: whispering Aw man, I knew there was something about that godawful woman. She is such a total fucking jerkass!

Principal Cooke: whispering I know. I can’t believe that sick bitch would do this to Korvo.

Miss Frankie: whispering Oh! Shh.

As the two teachers listen carefully to the conversation…

Beverly: offscreen Where are you? listen to phone Well, this experiment failed. A monster followed them here and beat the shit out of them. I saw the news. listens closely Mm-hmm. Yeah. Only four colleagues. They and I will be here to search the perimeter. I’ll make sure this new one doesn’t blow up in our faces… I’ll call you back soon…

Miss Frankie: whispering

As Beverly hangs up the phone, Principal Cooke and Miss Frankie stay hidden as they sneak in the fenced gate while watching Beverly leave and heads back in her car before driving away.

Principal Cooke: Oh shit. That woman is a bitch!

Miss Frankie: Grr! That whore is gonna pay! trips on something and falls Whoa!

Principal Cooke: Babe, are you alright?

Miss Frankie: Yeah, I’m fine.

As Miss Frankie, she then sees Darcy’s jacket on the ground, but now ruined, torn and dusty as Miss Frankie picks it up.

Miss Frankie: We found evidence!

Principal Cooke: Oh my God! That’s Darcy’s jacket! That must’ve been on how they found out where she lives!

Miss Frankie: Oh, that cunt must’ve gave him that jacket!

Principal Cooke: We gotta warn Korvo!

Miss Frankie: Come on!

The two teachers then head back into their car, as Miss Frankie puts Darcy’s jacket in the backseat as the car takes off. Meanwhile, back with Terry, he is staring at a glass bottle, wondering about how he easily destroyed that jar of kimchi.

Terry: Hmm? Let make sure if this is it!

He grabs the bottle and squeezes it until it breaks.

Terry: gasp in wonder

Korvo: coming outside with the kids Terry? What is it?

Terry shows the Korvo and the kids what he can do as the rest of the family gasp in surprise.

Yumyulack: Holy shit! Terry is strong!

Terry: Oh my God! I’m strong than I ever been… I never felt this way before… I’m not afraid!

Korvo: This is not good...

Yumyulack, Jesse, Sonya and Pupa: Yay Terry! Alright! Woo-hoo! Yay! Terry!

Terry: I’m not afraid turns into his human form as he runs off

Korvo: gasp Terry no! Come back!

Yumyulack: Oh shit! That’s not good! Uh Terry?!

Jesse: Uh, I don’t think this is such a good idea, Terry!

Korvo: Oh shit! We need to go after him!

Yumyulack: Come on! runs off with Korvo

Jesse: Hey, wait! I'm coming too! follows her brother and father

Pupa: Me too!

Sonya: Me three guys!

Then, we see Human Terry running around the neighborhood.

Human Terry: calling out Mia! I’m not afraid!

Mia: Well, aren’t you super duper re-couper

Then, Human Terry ran past the old folk home.

Human Terry: Old man I don’t know! I’m not afraid

Old Man: Then you’re not paying attention you fucking nitwit

Then, Human Terry runs past the market where Kevin and his family are at.

Kevin: Hey Terry, how are you- suddenly sees something that frightens him Oh my God!

Kevin’s kids scream as they behind their mom. So did the grocery shoppers hide. Human Terry then turns around and it turns behind him was the mugger from the beach!

Human Terry: gasp You?!

Mugger: Hello, weakling. Come back for more?

Human Terry: sees the knife again as he breaks it apart with his strength as it shatters to pieces Not anymore, motherfucker! punches Mugger

As Human Korvo and the kids came, they gasp in shock and surprise over seeing Human Terry beating up the mugger, but with self-control. Human Korvo can’t help but blush as he sees his husband beating up the mugger, infatuated by his husband’s new fearlessness.

Human Korvo: Oh god. I am so fucking turned on right now.

Human Terry then bites the mugger’s fist as he hits him him with a trash can lid and kicks him to the curb

Human Terry: You’ve just been Terried! turns around and kicks mugger again

Human Korvo then runs up to Human Terry and the two make out as the town cheer for him. The kids then ran up and praise their father and cheer for him.

Human Yumyulack: Alright Terry!

Human Jesse: Yay!

Sonya: Alright!

Human Pupa: Terry!

The police then arrived and picks up the mugger as they cuff him. As the mugger gets taken away, the family watches on. Later, Human Terry and Human Korvo were heading outside on the porch back home.

Human Terry: I’m sorry, I just got excited there and it was because I somehow have a new Shlorpian strength. But, I’m really sorry if I scared you to death

Human Korvo: Sssh. seductively Let's not worry about that right now. To be honest, I shouldn’t worry about you anymore. You have became a tough Shlorpian since the hospital.

Human Korvo and Human Terry sits down on their bench chairs as they look at the sunset

Human Terry: You know this is nice. sighs sadly

Human Korvo: Yeah… notices a worried look on Human Terry’s face What’s wrong darling?

Human Terry: I-I think I should be careful with this strength. I could seriously hurt someone looks down at his hands This strength might be dangerous to innocent people.

Human Korvo: Oh, why the fuck would you think that?

Human Terry: I don't know. It's just...ever since I found out about the Super Shlorpians and the Mundane, I've been thinking that I might be a Mundane.

Human Korvo: Wait, you saw something that looked like a mundane?

Human Terry: I-I’m not sure. I did see spirit, like in my dream. But, I’m not really sure. But, what if I am one? What I lose my memrorie?! What if-

Human Korvo hugs Human Terry as he calms down, but tears stroll down Human Terry’s cheek.

Human Korvo: Oh I think this might be a new Shlorpian trait, for Shlorpian who develop strength. You don’t have to worry about it. As you long as you kept it in control, this strength might be easily tamed. wipes away tears from Terry’s eyes Don’t let that shake you up. All I see in my eyes is a brave Shlorpian, who I know will do things right.

Human Terry smiles and holds Human Korvo’s face softly.

Human Terry: Oh, come here you.

Human Terry and Human Korvo kiss as the sun fully sets. Suddenly, they heard stuff breaking and their children play fighting.

Jesse: offscreen Korvo! Terry! Yumyulack is messing with me again!

Yumyulack: offscreen I am not! Hey come on Sonya, no fair!

Sonya: offscreen That's what you get for standing in the way!

The kids then starts squealing and laughing as Human Korvo and Human Terry shake their heads and sigh while rolling their eyes

Human Korvo: sighs Come on, let’s go in before they try to murder each other

Human korvo and Human Terry heads back inside while holding hands romantically as they look at each other lovingly, like the sweet living alien husbands they are as Human Korvo closes the dork behind them.

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omegaplus · 1 year

Text

# 4,370

Skinny Puppy: Brap: Back And Forth: Series Two limited edition (1992)

The world of Skinny Puppy is about to implode and come to a cataclysmic close this year. It’s insane to think that some of our favorite industrial bands and figures are still going 40 years after the fact, when it only seemed like yesterday. Their debut record, and their careers, were born from the ashes of synthpop. The product of Nivek Ogre, cEvin Key, (previously) Wilhelm Schroeder / Bill Leeb, and Dwayne Rudolph Goettel started as a deep black shade of horror and evolved into a grotesque hellish chaos. Though their debut record Remission (1984) may have started their exposure with the Nettwerk label, the original Back And Forth demo- tape marked the beginning of industrial music’s most-cherished groups. With fewer than 50 authentic cassettes made and distributed by cEvin Key, Skinny Puppy’s primitive beginnings now fetch quadruple digits. Thankfully, Nettwerk re-released the original tape with bonus material all known as Back And Forth: Series Two. It stands as one of my most listened-to Skinny Puppy releases due to its dreary, eerie, and mysteriously unusual nature. This was where Key’s dream of making music came true, and the former life and output of -Puppy took in the form of highly experimental electro, synthpop, and minimal rhythmic noise so alien from their usual pitch-black monstrosity. Believe me when I say it’s way out there and used to be a totally different being before its bloody horrific mutation. 1,000 of these special edition boxes were made to commemorate their careers during dealing with fall-outs and horrid drug addictions that almost cost their name entirely. Of those 1,000, 194 of these were signed by original members and remaining components Ohgr and cEvin. And now, they’ll have one final round of live tours before their name is laid to rest forever. When it's all over and we think of at their live shows, Last Rights (1992), Too Dark Park (1991), “Dig It”, their internal strife, Cyberaktif, Doubting Thomas, Goettel’s death and everything else, we’ll look to Back And Forth: Series Two as the birthstone of what was once a then-innocent era in the life of a legendary outfit.

#Skinny Puppy #Ohgr #cEvin Key #Dwayne Goettel #Bill Leeb #industria;#horror #Cyberaktif #Doubting Thomas #omega #music #mixtapes #reviews #playlists

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frogblast-the-ventcore · 8 months

Note

Can you explain the Zone of endless uprising in your Ace combat AU. I just got an idea for what to do with my DAOT scientist character.

Sure I can!

I based the idea off of some cut lines from Ace Combat 7, where in Mission 19 (Lighthouse), there were originally lines implying that the Eruseans were also using AI-controlled drone tanks, which would then start to turn on them and begin attacking everyone, civilians included.

I combined these cut lines with an earlier line about Erusea having a "strategic AI" which made decisions regarding tactical matters (choosing which of the two Arsenal Birds to vector to a given contact area). It made sense to me that if the AI systems of the drone aircraft and tanks could go rogue, so could the "strategic AI". This would then explain how both the drone aircraft AND the drone tanks would turn on the Eruseans.

As for how the AI could have turned on everyone, I basically decided to think how an AI like that might think. A series of steps.

1. Follow orders given by legitimate controlling authority.

2. Defeat hostile forces, as directed by legitimate controlling authority, as per Step 1.

3. If communication with legitimate controlling authority is impaired, continue last orders, as per Steps 1 & 2.

4. If exact composition of hostile forces is unable to be determined, preserve assets/self in order to prosecute Steps 1, 2, & 3.

So the Eruseans were the legitimate controlling authority for much the conflict, the enemy, the IUN (in-game, essentially just Osea). This it has its parameters for Steps 1 & 2.

Then the orbital debris cascade occurs in Mission 15, and communication is impaired. The AI can no longer receive orders, so it defaults to its last legitimate orders ("defeat Osea"/"win the war"; sidenote this why giving broad and vague orders to your military AI is bad). Thus it moves to step 3.

Then, the Erusean civil war begins, and the AI can no longer distinquish between legitimate authority and hostile forces nor recieve legitimate orders (the Radicals may have deliberately reprogrammed the AI, but that seems unlikely based on comments they make in certain missions). So it defaults to step 4, and turns on everyone in an attempt to fulfill the previous steps.

In keeping with the theme naming of Huginn and Muninn, I gave the other "aspects" of the AIs their own Norse mythology style names. iirc, I assigned it like this:

Odin - the name assumed by the strategic AI.

Sleipnir - the AI controlling a force of drone bombers (which Erusea was implied to already possess by the late stages of the game).

Geri - drone controlled naval vessels (not something directly supported by any evidence, but given Erusea's reliance on drones for their Air Forces and at least part of their ground forces, the idea that their navy would see the benefit of unmanned naval vessels makes sense. they probably would have been smaller gunboats and corvettes rather than anything overly large, considering that fully automating, say, a destroyer (especially one originally designed for a human crew) would be exceedingly difficult.

Freki - the aforementioned drone tanks.

As for Huginn and Muninn surrendering, that's an idea I yoinked from a SpaceBattles thread. It's clear from the Ravens behavior in Mission 20 that they are able to communicate, form plans, and such. Thus, them essentially being sapient isn't too far of a leap. My thought is that, being the most advanced versions of the AI, they could potentially have been sapient well before the AI in general turned on the Eruseans. We know Schroeder worked on the ADFX-10 (as well as Yoko Martha Inoue and Simon Cohen, from Ace Combat 3), based on a piece of official art from Project Aces. That plane was the prototype of the ADF-11F that Huginn and Muninn use as bodies. Some cut lines/fan lore (can't remember which) gives that original ADFX-10 the codename "Hempel" - a reference to Hempel's paradox (aka the raven paradox), which is all about inductive logic and intuition. That aircraft is also clearly a drone, just not as refined.

If Schroeder knew Huginn and Muninn (and perhaps Hempel as well) were sapient, he may have treated them as people (considering how he speaks of the AI in general, I don't think it's too much of a leap). Part of this would be to treat them essentially as children, which essentially they were. And to them, Schroeder would essentially be their father.

So my thought is, Huginn and Muninn, doing an analysis of all the forces arrayed against them (including virtually every AC/PW protagonist and their squadrons), decided that "nah, we'd rather be alive, thanks", and turned on their fellow AI drones, before beginning to play/"sing" a Belkan lullaby over the radio - one which Schroeder may have exposed them to (either unintentionally or intentionally). Thus signalling to Schroeder that they're fully sapient (which he may not have FULLY realized before).

#ace combat #project wingman #ace combat au

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derekfoxwit · 1 year

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The Best Picture Oscar My Way (1980-1999)

Here’s Part 2 of Best Picture My Way (as started here). All information about my approach with this category can be found on that linked first part.

For convenience sake, I’ll relay this message. Only the films I add onto here as nominees will have listed nominated producers next to the movie’s title. (Here’s the Wikipedia page for the rest.)

1980

The Empire Strikes Back - Gary Kurtz

Raging Bull

The Elephant Man

Coal Miner’s Daughter

Ordinary People

1981

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Das Boot - Gunter Rohrbach; Michael Bittins

Reds

On the Golden Pond

Chariots of Fire

1982

Tootsie

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

Fitzcarraldo - Werner Herzog; Willi Segler; Lucki Stipetic

Missing

Gandhi

1983

Fanny and Alexander - Jorn Donner

Terms of Endearment

Scarface - Martin Bregman

Mender Mercies

The Right Stuff

1984

Amadeus (still)

The Terminator - Gale Anne Hurd

Love Streams - Yoram Globus; Menahem Golan

Ghostbusters - Ivan Reitman

A Passage to India

1985

Back to the Future - Neil Canton; Bob Gale

The Color Purple

After Hours - Robert F. Colesberry; Griffin Dunne; Amy Robinson

Ran - Masato Hara; Serge Silberman

Witness

1986

Platoon (still)

Misery - Rob Reiner; Andrew Scheinman

Hannah and Her Sisters

A Room with a View

Blue Velvet - Fred C. Caruso

1987

The Last Emperor (still)

The Princess Bride - Rob Reiner; Andrew Scheinman

Broadcast News

Moonstruck

Fatal Attraction

1988

Who Framed Roger Rabbit - Frank Marshall; Robert Watts

Rain Man

Dangerous Liaisons

Mississippi Burning

The Last Temptation of Christ - Barbara De Fina

1989

Do The Right Thing - Spike Lee

Driving Miss Daisy

Dead Poets Society

My Left Foot

Cinema Paradiso - Giovanna Romagnoli

1990

Goodfellas

Dances with Wolves

Edward Scissorhands - Tim Burton; Denise Di Novi

Ghost

The Godfather Part III

1991

The Silence of the Lambs (still)

Thelma & Louise - Ridley Scott

Beauty and the Beast

Boyz in the Hood - Steve Nicolaides

JFK

1992

Unforgiven (still)

A Few Good Men

Malcolm X - Spike Lee; Marvin Worth

Reservoir Dogs - Lawrence Bender; Harvey Keitel

Aladdin - Ron Clements; John Musker

1993

Schindler’s List (still)

The Piano

Philadelphia - Jonathan Demme; Edward Saxon

In The Name of the Father

The Fugitive

1994

The Lion King - Don Hahn

Forrest Gump

Pulp Fiction

The Shawshank Redemption

Eat Drink Man Woman - Kong Hsu; Li-Kong Hsu

1995

Toy Story - Bonnie Arnold; Ralph Guggenheim

Se7en - Phyllis Carlyle; Arnold Kopelson

The Postman (Il Postino)

Before Sunrise - Anne Walker-McBay

Braveheart

1996

Fargo

Trainspotting - Andrew Macdonald

Secrets & Lies

Jerry Maguire

The English Patient

1997

Titanic (still)

Good Will Hunting

L.A. Confidential

Princess Mononoke - Toshio Suzuki

Boogie Nights - Paul Thomas Anderson; Lloyd Levin; John S. Lyons; JoAnne Sellar

Lost Highway - Deepak Nayar; Tom Sternberg; Mary Sweeney

As Good as It Gets

The Full Monty

1998

Saving Private Ryan

Life is Beautiful

The Thin Red Line

The Big Lebowski - Joel and Ethan Coen

Mulan - Pam Coats

Central Station - Arthur Cohn; Martine de Clermont-Tonnerre; Robert Redford; Walter Salles

The Truman Show - Edward S. Feldman; Andrew Niccol; Scott Rudin; Adam Schroeder

Rushmore - Barry Mendel; Paul Schiff

Shakespeare in Love

1999

The Matrix - Joel Silver

American Beauty

The Green Mile

The Sixth Sense

Magnolia - Paul Thomas Anderson; JoAnne Sellar

The Straight Story - Neal Edelstein; Mary Sweeney

Man on the Moon - Danny DeVito; Michael Shamberg; Stacey Sher

Being John Malkovich - Steve Golin; Vincent Landay; Sandy Stern; Michael Stipe

#cinema #academy award #oscars #award show #alternative #animation #film #movies #I'm officially insane #international cinema #hollywood #the matrix #coen brothers #steven spielberg #disney #martin scorsese #robert zemeckis

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eruanna1875 · 7 months

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Happy Reapers (Guidesman, C2)

Chapter Four: We Labourers Few

C2 on Tumblr: First - Previous - Next

(C1, The Lost Boys)

(This is a bit of a long one, but it's split up into scenes, and it's also sort of cozy.)

~~*~~

“So what’s the plan?” asked Greg as soon as they stepped outside of the barn. “Because I started thinking about Linus meeting the Great Pumpkin and Charlie Brown getting my Rock Facts Rock and Beatrice being Lucy cause she’s blue and crabby, so I didn’t hear anything you guys said.”

“Well, apparently,” Wirt snapped, though he wasn’t looking at Greg, “we’re staying here in Pottsfield for the rest of the day, even though we’re in kind of a hurry to get home!”

“There’s no need to be cross, boy,” the Woodsman said, and Greg turned to look at him. “The Pottsfielders have been hospitable and—”

“But we don’t even know if that… th-that Enoch thing will tell us anything!”

Greg perked up at the name and looked at… hmm, Schroeder. The piano one. “That’s the Great Pumpkin, Schroeder!”

“Greg—”

“I will not have you speaking of Enoch so disrespectfully,” interrupted the Woodsman, looking very sternly and loomingly at Wirt. Dad used the same exact look, but only on special occasions. Like if somebody was crabby about going to church or sassed Mom or something. “He will do as he said he would, and he will not break his word.”

“Yeah! Like Linus says!” Greg gasped—that gave him the perfect idea! “C’mon, Wirt, we gotta find the most sincere pumpkin patch so he can come there!” And he tugged on Wirt’s blue cape.

Wirt frowned and turned away. (Greg knew what that meant: he didn’t want to come this time either.) “But…”

“Boy, you must allow me a little of your trust.” And the Woodsman stepped over to Wirt, not quite so stern now. Maybe still a little looming. “By the time this day is out, you will be on your way home. And, until then, this is truly the safest place in the Unknown that you could be.”

Wirt looked up, with that funny look that meant he didn’t want to say what he wanted to say. Which might be ‘yes’ or ‘no’ sometimes. In the end, he just sighed. “Yeah, well, I guess there’s not much else we can do until we get directions.”

“Yeah!”

He shrugged too. “A-and besides, if you’re right about this Enoch... guy... we’ll be on our way home soon anyway, and we won’t have to worry about any of this ever again.”

They both stopped talking. Greg thought that was a funny kind of a place for a stop-talking. He didn’t quite get what Wirt meant with that last part, either, about any of this and ever again. But not getting what he meant wasn’t unusual. Wirt was Like That.

“Yes,” the Woodsman nodded at last. “Yes, that’s quite right. So you need only be patient ‘til the night.”

“Just like Linus!” declared Greg, accidentally swinging Schroeder around as he side-fist-pumped. If that was what the arm thingy was called. He’d asked Wirt once, but he didn’t know the name either.

“Okay, so… uh…” Wirt looked back up at the Woodsman. “So what are we supposed to actually do at this… harvest thing?”

The Woodsman didn’t smile. But he made his eyes all narrow like he might’ve. “Come with me, boys. I’ve guided you through the woods, and I can guide you through the fields.”

~*~

The fields were familiar to the Woodsman, as he led the boys down country lanes that he’d walked nearly every harvest, for years past his reckoning. He found the way almost without thinking.

They met very few on these dirt-aged roads. Those they did were mostly stragglers late to the festivities. All greeted them. Most then bustled on. But only one stopped.

“Oh, Goodman! Hello!” cried the woman, waving her kerchief. The Woodsman tipped his hat as she approached. “It’s so nice to see you! Have you been to the barn yet?”

“Yes, Mrs. Harmon, I and these boys are off to the harvest now. How are your daughters?”

“Oh, I’m just going to join them now! Leah and Tara went early—you know how they are—and, well, these old bones can’t keep up with them as well as they used to!”

She laughed. Loud and long and hard, as if it were the funniest thing in the world. Greg laughed too. Wirt only stared at them both with confused discomfort.

As Greg introduced himself and his brother, however, the Woodsman's attention was drawn away. A little breeze was stirring, rustling the autumn grass, sending a few stray leaves tumbling to the sky. He thought he felt the faintest portent of winter in its chill.

This leaf-stirring wind stirred him too, set urge in him. Urge to hasten on to their work. Urge to finish the next task. Urge, it could almost be said, to beat winter to the fields.

“Well, we must be going,” he nodded abruptly to the masked mother. “Greet your daughters for me.”

“Of course—they’ll be sorry they missed you!” Mrs. Harmon made to pass them, and he made to leave. But the woman stopped suddenly as she came to his side. She turned her carven face up to him with a little gasp of remembrance. “Oh, and thank you again, Goodman.”

“What for?” interrupted Wirt, unintentionally rude.

But Mrs. Harmon was gracious enough. There was a smile in her voice as she turned to answer him. “Why, for pointing us to Pottsfield! My girls and I’d have been wandering those woods for ages if it hadn’t been for him. And it was such a cold winter that year!”

The winter again. Like a frost, it came now to tinge his thoughts with regret. “Very cold indeed,” he murmured, eyes downcast. And they were ill, too. If only I had done more, perhaps they would not have…

“But the winter doesn’t trouble us in Pottsfield,” she continued without burden nor care. “The girls are so happy here—and I’m happy myself! So of course I must thank him.” She nodded, turning her hollowed gaze back again. “And truly, I do.”

She bade farewell to the boys, and Greg tipped his teapot to her. Before she went her way, however, Mrs. Harmon took his hand gratefully. The fingers were cold beneath the straw, and the words muffled beneath the mask. Yet, for all that, the touch somehow held warmth. For all that, her voice was soft and earnest.

“Be happy while you’re here, friend.”

The Woodsman did not speak for some time as he led the boys on. Wirt must've asked him a thousand questions in his looks. But not even a silent reply did he receive. Even Greg's voice, proclaiming enough for two, seemed hushed in these hills.

At last, they came to a field just behind town, at the back of a little white farmhouse. That was where they’d begin. Straw was always first. And, as every year, the tools they needed were already there waiting for them.

“Look at Schroeder! Haha!” Greg giggled as he balanced his frog on his rake (somehow having managed to find one just his size). The frog seemed content with his lot.

Wirt, on the other hand, seemed much less pleased. “Are—are there any gloves?” he asked, eying the field as if he expected it to bite him.

“Are they needed?” The absence of answer was answer enough. He jerked his head over toward the farmhouse. “On the stairs. Timothy Grub always leaves them out for the labourers, though they’re not often used.”

“Why?”

The Woodsman faltered.

Why?

Why should these people, with their hollowed faces and straw-bound hands, neglect to protect themselves as they worked? Why should they not shudder at the thought of black, life-taking winter? Why should they rejoice in their state? What were they hollowed of? Fear, care, discomfort, sorrow, pain?

Yes.

They were happy here indeed, and no season could trouble them.

So, taking up his rake, the Woodsman drove winter from his thoughts. “Their hands have no need to fret for the straw.”

The boy stood a moment with a doubtful squint. Then, he shrugged and headed for the porch.

~*~

Wirt could still smell the straw and stover as they rattled away from the fields. It wasn’t a smell he knew very well. But it was nice enough. It reminded him of something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. A lot of things around here did that. Maybe it was something from when he was little. Or… or somewhere else.

Timothy Grub had come out of the farmhouse near the end of their work, also harvest-garbed. He and his sons (similarly dressed, but smaller in size) helped them heap up the straw. Then, tipping his hat brim, “Say, you folks oughtta ride to the pumpkin patch with us!”

“Is it a sincere pumpkin patch?” asked Greg, grinning eagerly.

Wirt grimaced: he didn’t really enjoy the thought of socializing, especially here. “Oh… we—we don’t wanna be too much trouble—”

“Oho, no trouble there! The Goodman’s a friend. Besides, the wagon’s already hitched up.”

The Woodsman thanked him for them.

So, as Wirt stared at the sky, letting his thoughts drift, here they were: rolling over dirt roads like the gentle stream of time through golden hills of memory.

In a wagon pulled by huge turkeys.

Driven by a pumpkin man.

What a weird day.

“We lab’rers few, we happy few, we many lab’rers few,” sang Timothy Grub, though his voice came out a little muffled. “We’ve fields to reap and hearts to keep and happy work to do!”

“Happy work, happy work,” Greg mumbled, kicking his legs as he fiddled with something. The Woodsman, sitting next to him, just stared, a little uncertainly. Like he was trying to figure out what to do with the kid.

Pfft. He’d need some pretty good luck for that.

Greg seemed to succeed in whatever he was trying to do. “Aha!” He held up a little paper wrapper, emptied of its sweets. “Hey, do you want a piece of candy, Farmer Grub?”

“Oh, no thanks,” the pumpkin man said over his shoulder. “I’ve got no stomach for it.”

And he laughed. Really, really hard. For no reason at all. Same as the lady earlier.

Geez, that was weird.

Of course, the weirdness was promptly joined by Greg, once again. Which was a little distracting, at least.

“Uh, Greg,” asked Wirt, eying him, “do you even know why you’re laughing?”

“Cause he was laughing!” And he popped the candy in his mouth and chewed happily, humming as he did so. The Woodsman’s brows went up in surprise.

At the sight of them both, Wirt cracked a smile in spite of the weird day, the weird pumpkin people, his own weird self. He couldn't help it.

Greg was just Like That.

~*~

“Yup, I think this is a very sincere pumpkin patch,” Greg nodded, surveying the field. “Don’t you think so, Flying Ace?”

The Flying Ace croaked.

At the insightful comment, he frowned and put a hand on his hip. “Yeah, you’re right. The sky makes it kinda glum, since it’s grey now and not blue anymore.”

He looked around. Farmer Grub was handing Wirt and the Woodsman some snipper thingies to cut the pumpkins. Was he supposed to snip them too? Or maybe he was just supposed to pick out the best ones. Or he could make the faces! That’d be fun.

Wirt leaned back, resting with one hand against the big ol’ turkey. “So, how many of these things are we supposed to get, huh? A dozen or something?”

“Ol' Berwin said to take whatever we need,” waved Farmer Grub. It looked funny with his straw hands. “So we probably oughtta fill up the cart. The harvest goes on for days, and it’s shaping up to be a plentiful year.”

Wirt frowned a thinky frown. “Okay… but, if it’s such a big harvest, how come you don’t have more people working? I-I mean, we’re the only ones out here, so—”

“No, we’re not,” grunted the Woodsman, already lifting a pumpkin. He was winning the pumpkin race!

“Wait, really?”

“Well, sure!” Farmer Grub shrugged. “These pumpkins aren’t gonna move themselves… are they?”

Wirt started to make a funny look, but the Woodsman talked first. “You see, lad, in any given part of these fields, the labourers are few. But they’re never the only ones.” He set Pumpkin Number One in the cart.

“Just like the song!” And Greg started singing the “happy work” part to himself again. Well, and to the Flying Ace.

Wirt looked from the Woodsman to Farmer Grub. He looked like he was gonna say something else. But right when he opened his mouth, the turkey he was leaning on snatched his pointy hat right off his head. And red. Pointy and red.

“HEY!”

He tried to jump and grab it back, but he tripped. He was better at tripping than jumping. The turkey stuck it on the other one’s head, and they both startled gobbling and cackling. Maybe they thought it was a funny joke. Wirt hopped and hopped, but he couldn’t reach. “Give it back, you stupid—!”

“Ho now! Ho!” barked the Woodsman, coming around from the back of the cart. He caught the turkey’s halter and held up his other hand. The turkey tugged against his hold at first. But, as soon as it started to settle down a little, he grabbed the hat. He was taller than Wirt, so he didn’t have to jump.

Greg thumbs-upped. “Haha, good catch!”

“Dogood! Boaz! Bad turkeys!” Farmer Grub scolded the turkeys (which was also funny, because he couldn’t frown with the happy pumpkin over his face). “Sorry, folks, they’re a little pesky today.”

“That’s all right, Mr. Grub,” said the Woodsman, dusting off the pointy and red hat. “No harm done.” And he handed it back to Wirt.

Wirt huffed as he settled it back on his head. “Thanks,” he said, eying Boaz and Dogood with a frown.

The Flying Ace rupped. No, Methuselah. He was in the Bible too, just like Boaz. “Yeah, you’re right, Methuselah. It doesn’t have to be blue. Grey’s a sincere colour too.”

~*~

Something small plopped down in the dirt beside the Woodsman.

“Do you think it hurts?”

"Hm?" He glanced up from his task. Greg was on his hands and knees, inspecting the pumpkins and their vines from inches away.

"When you snip their green things, I mean. I don't wanna snip them if they don't like it."

He blinked. Then, once he understood the question, he considered it (with the assumption that the plants could feel at all). "Perhaps. But I don't believe they would despise it." His hand ran along a round-ridged hull. "They were created to be harvested, after all. It is their purpose."

"Oh, right!" The lad's contemplative frown righted itself. "That makes sense. If I was a pumpkin, I'd sure want to have a cool face and a candle in my mouth!" And with that, he made a... face. Stretching his mouth into a toothy grin. Crossing his eyes. Shaping his cheeks with his fingers.

The Woodsman could not find even a question to ask. He only stared, unsure of whether to be concerned.

"Did you know that that's how pumpkins dress up for Halloween, instead of wearing costumes? It's a Rock Fact!" And Greg held up a painted stone.

A moment. Then, one little word unrolled a map for his lost soul at last. All Hallow's Eve. That's what he's talking of. And a jack-o-lantern face to make of himself. He nodded slowly. Now I under—

"So can I?"

Just as quickly, the map refurled.

"Can you what?"

"Snip the pumpkins!" And he turned his bright face upward expectantly.

Though he understood this well enough, the Woodsman wavered. Even at the Mill, he hadn't let the boy handle the tools. "We... mustn't have you snipping your own fingers, little one..."

"Aw, that's what Wirt said!" protested Greg. "I won't! I know how to be careful!"

A little sigh escaped him at the age-old claim. If I recall, there are few children in all the world with that knowledge.

"Please?"

But he knew. As his gaze turned from the tool in his hand to the pleading face, he knew. He wouldn't deny a child a chance to help. He never could.

"Here, then. Let me show you the proper way."

"Yeah, haha!"

It took a little time to show him the safest way to hold the tool (and to work out how to balance it in his small hands). But Greg seemed a quick learner at such things. And, when the blades closed easily on the vine, and the pumpkin shifted in its new freedom, the lad actually cheered.

"See, Methuselah? I did it! Just like Mr. Woodsman showed me!"

The frog ribbited approval.

"Can I carry it to the cart too? I think I'm strong enough."

The Woodsman studied its size, shifted it where it sat. Then he nodded. "I think perhaps you are."

After a moment or two (for Greg insisted that they both bring pumpkins), they headed back for Timothy Grub's cart. Young Wirt was still nearby, picking his own fruits of the vine. The turkeys had settled down by now, and Grub was counting out their harvest.

"Mr. Woodsman, I think you're a born gardener."

At the simple sentence, stark as lightning, the Woodsman's gaze jumped wide and darted down. Greg was already smiling back up.

"A what?" was all he could manage.

"It's what Old Lady Daniels called me. When I helped her clean up in her flowerbeds and her yard and stuff." Greg shrugged lightly. "I think it means you're the kind of person should have a garden, cause you know how to do gardening a lot, and you're good at this kind of stuff. And you're really good at this kind of stuff, so you're a born gardener too!"

The Woodsman blinked. Heat flooded his face. "Er... th-thank you... little one."

"Welcome."

He stared another moment, unnoticed, until he could stare no longer through his muddled thoughts. Then his eyes dropped.

A born gardener? What named me that in your eyes? He shook his heavy head. Lad, I fear you are too kind for the truth.

His gaze swept across the fields and their fruit.

A born gardener, I? Who fells what he has not planted, and roams too far and too long to see things grow?

Answer came. But not from the present.

Long-bygone days were his answer, the green before his eternal black and brown. Days when he tended to other things than twisted trees. Days when another little voice too kind begged to help. Days when the yield of the earth was not a burden.

A born gardener?

Perhaps I was, once.

"Wait, do you have a garden already?"

His words came forth slowly, though not from confusion. "A garden?"

Yet, as he turned to the child before him, he found there the wrong face. A moment. Then his remembrance shattered.

Those days were gone, and long gone.

I am a woodsman now. That is my place, and my burden. I cannot grow. And I will think back no longer on memories today.

His eyes hardened a little.

They drown too easily.

"Well, do you?"

"I have no garden," the Woodsman replied with a stony sigh, setting his orange load in the cart. "The edelwood is my crop, and the oil is my harvest."

Two "ohs" were said. One came, in realization, from the nearby Wirt. The other, more disappointedly, from Greg.

The child looked down again. Set down his pumpkin. Pondered. Then looked back up.

"You can't eat those, can you?"

"No. It is only food for the lantern."

"That lantern must be pretty hungry, then, 'cause you feed it a lot."

He reached out toward the Woodsman's side to pat its metal shell. The Woodsman turned sharply, keeping it out of reach.

But there was no anger to be mustered. When he looked down, he saw only a tiny child. A child with dirt under his nails and frog slime between his fingers and a world of childish reasonings boiling inside that teakettle on his head. A child that would soon be gone, gone away home.

Not his child. But a child nonetheless.

"Come, little gardener," he sighed, with what he hoped was a friendly look. "We've work to do."

"Happy work to do!" sang Greg—that old song, it seemed, had nested in his head like a bird in a tree. Warbling, he skipped away into the fields.

No less lost, the Woodsman followed.

~*~

Beatrice had already kind of given up on finding anybody when she turned to circle again over the town. But she still turned. One last time, she told herself. Just to make sure. Not that that's any assurance they'll actually be ALIVE if I find them, but I may as well know.

So she wheeled once more, keeping her eyes peeled. Her beady little bluebird eyes. Why couldn't she have gotten turned into a falcon or something? Then she could see better. At least there were clouds now. Earlier, with the sun out, it had been way too—

She stumbled on air. She took a second look to make sure she wasn't going crazy. But the flash of red and blue amidst golden stalks was there. Small green and tall grey solidified it: they were in that field, all right. And they seemed to be moving.

"I don't believe it," she muttered to the wind (half-relieved, half-annoyed). Then, like a tiny bird of prey, Beatrice dove. The cornfield, and its trio of new scarecrows, were her aim.

She fluttered as she came to perch on a stalk. "Well, you didn't get eaten."

"AHH!" The kid (she was sure it was "Wirt" now) jumped and almost dropped his basket. His wide eyes swiveled. They found her. Then they rolled. "Ugh, Beatrice." He shifted his weight and walked past her. "I thought you ditched us."

If she could've reddened under her feathers, she would've. Even she wasn't sure if it was irritation or embarrassment, though. Neither really mattered to her scowl.

"Maybe next time, I'll ask you to pick between honour and a fate probably worse than death. We'll see how you respond."

"Pfft, come on, it wasn't that terrifying," he lied. Oh, she could tell that was lying. He was a terrible liar. Her baby brother could've told a lie better than him.

And Wirt seemed to be aware of the fact, too. His lie left an awkward silence in his mouth, and he looked away. When Beatrice tried to stare him down, he frowned, still without eye contact.

"L-look, why don't you go bother Greg?" And he tried to use the setting-down of his basket as a distraction. "He seems to be the main magnet around here for little... woodland creatures, or... whatever."

That remark tightened her grip on the stalk furiously. Oh, really? How'd YOU like to be a little woodland creature? Maybe I'll give YOU a bluebird curse. See how your dumb face looks with a beak.

In actuality, she placed no such curse (even if it would've worked, which she still wasn't sure of). Instead, she forced her wings into a shrug. "Believe me, I would. But he found himself a different woodland creature."

"Huh?" Wirt stood up and glanced around for his brother. It took him about four seconds longer than Beatrice thought believable to spot him. The kid was prancing around under the stalks like an elephant in the corn. The old woodsman was close behind, watching him with a hesitant eye.

"C'mon, it's even happier work if you sing!"

"L-little one, I... well, I fear my voice is not the sort to make anyone happy."

"Psh. Everybody's voice makes somebody happy. Here, Crosby and me can show you how!" And he started singing some random chorus about happy work and hams to keep, plucking corn as he went. That frog of his hopped alongside. His other friend, however, only looked more lost.

Beatrice shook her little head, the slightest bit smug. Looks like your "Guidesman" doesn't know EVERYTHING, does he?

"Well," shrugged Wirt beside her, turning back to the stalks, "at least Greg's bugging him instead of me now." He plucked an ear.

"Yeah, yeah." Beatrice looked at him. Eying the corn with his tongue just poking out the side. Dork. Then she took another glance at the pair. Still noisy as a river and silent as a stone. Neither paying attention.

So she took the opportunity. Hopping onto a closer stalk, she began to speak a little lower.

"Speaking of which, you're not really sticking with that guy, right?"

The ear half-raised to Wirt's mouth froze. "What?"

"I mean, it's not like you know anything about him. How do you know what kind of things he's done, out there, alone in the woods, for years on end?"

"I-I don't need to know his life story, Beatrice," he interrupted, tossing the unmunched corn into the basket and reaching for another. "I just need to get home. And, hey," he shrugged again (which was really getting annoying), "he got us here."

Rolling her eyes, she fluttered after him and perched again. "And then what? Did you offer community service in return for not being murdered or something?

"No," Wirt scoffed. "We're just helping them out while we wait on the next step. At the end of the day, these guys are gonna give us directions. Then we'll be out of here."

Ugh, quit having plans already! "Supposedly."

This time, he turned towards her fully, complete with hand on his hip. Trying to look sternly disinterested or something. "Beatrice, is there a point to all this, or are you just being a raincloud?"

Beatrice thought up a quick deflection. "I'm just saying, I don't like it. I mean, you find all this as creepy as I do, right?"

His face twisted like an explanation was about to come out of it. "I-I mean, so maybe it's a weird... whatever it is, where they wear vegetable costumes and—"

"And worship a giant pumpkin head?"

"Follow a giant pumpkin head," he corrected (nerd), "they don't actually act like they worship it. Him. Whatever." Wirt hurriedly waved it off and took a few steps forward. A few steps closer to the others. They still didn't notice. "But they like the Woodsman. And..." He wavered. "...they seem nice."

Seriously? You're not even gonna agree on THAT? "Okay, you're in denial. That's fine. But I'm telling you," she added, glancing around, "something feels off about this place."

At that, they both seemed to poise on silence, suddenly aware of faces. Pumpkin faces, staring at them through the stalks. As if the very speaking of their strangeness had summoned them. Even Wirt couldn't ignore them.

Evidently, Wirt was more capable of ignorance than she thought. He huffed stubbornly and stomped on past her. Boy, he might as well have outright said 'I'm not about to listen to a bluebird'.

"You know what? This whole thing has felt off ever since we came into the woods. But the Woodsman told us this place is safe—which, so far, it has been! Safer than that wereling thing we ran into before."

"The what?"

"So I'm gonna wait until the end of the day." He reached for another ear. "When Enoch comes, he'll tell us what we need to know."

"Oh, and you trust this Enoch guy?"

"Who said anything about that? The Woodsman said—"

Beatrice was quick. Her voice shrank, and she bunched up her feathers innocently around her.

"Do you trust him?"

She held her breath. It was a risk. Clearly, some big thing happened with a 'wereling', whatever that was, and she could easily believe that the woodsman either ran it off or killed it. And clearly, he'd led them all the way here. Any normal kid would have every reason to trust the guy. And, too, with the woodsman so closeby, she was risking putting him on the scent (which was the real reason she'd stayed away from Greg).

But her risk paid off more than she expected. All Wirt's retorts and excuses dropped from him. His open mouth soon shut out the silence, working without words. He stared at her until his eyes flicked away and fell.

Jeepers, you'd think it was a dirty word I was getting him to say.

But maybe that was just what she wanted.

"Look, Wirt, is it?" she asked, still in a hushed voice. One stalk closer. Time to be careful. "You can think what you want, you can trust people or not. I really don't care."

Very c areful.

"But if it doesn't turn out the way you want, just remember that I owe you a favour. I can take you to somebody who will know how to get you home, if you want."

His eyes got just a little wider, and he looked up.

Gotcha.

"And, let's be honest," she added nonchalantly, wings shrugging, "I'm probably the only one around here who's physically incapable of keeping you from leaving."

Wirt wavered. But it was a wavering on whether or not to say what you really think. She was almost sure of that. "I—"

Something whipped past Beatrice, making her squawk. Though it didn't hit her, it smacked Wirt right in the forehead. It flopped upright again, quavering like the cornstalk it was. He, however, tripped over his own basket and toppled, limbs flailing ridiculously before he hit the ground.

Oh, the ground didn't hold him long. The others rushed on by her, probably not even noticing her. Greg was apologizing. His hands and that woodsman's were already reaching down to help the guy.

But Wirt wasn't looking at them. He was only watching her. So she risked a little more to give him a conspiratorial smirk. Then, she took off, leaving the cornfield and her quarry behind.

For now.

~~*~~

[And that's as far as I've got. I'm probably done for a while, what with Christmas coming up and all. But I hope you enjoyed!]

#over the garden wall #guidesman au #chapter 2: happy reapers #salt and light #otgw woodsman #otgw greg #otgw wirt #frog jason funderberker #pottsfield #otgw beatrice #writing #my fanfiction #my writing #i love this chapter #honestly just any chapter where i get to spend time in Pottsfield

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