#“adopt angus??? why would we do that!”

[yardsards]

i've always been team "taakitz adopts angus" and listening to imbalance did not change that (angus would be in his early 20s by then, it makes perfect sense that he's not home right now + empty nest syndrome fits in very well with taako's whole dissatisfaction deal)

what it did do, after seeing how kravitz interacts with taako's friends and family, is enlighten me to the fact that *kravitz* was actually the one to initially propose bringing out the adoption paperwork, rather than taako

#eliot posts #taz #taz imbalance #taakitz #taako taaco #kravitz taz #angus mcdonald #“taako i've been thinking and i think it's time we officially adopt angus” #“adopt angus??? why would we do that!” #“i mean we are basically already his dads. i think the security of making it official would be good for him” #“just because he lives with us doesn't make us his dads. did they not have roommates back in your day‚ bones?” #“okay first of all roommates are usually adults and pay rent. second of all you're literally packing his lunchbox as we speak” #“...well shit. you got me there.”

[renee-writer]

The Contractor Chapter 13 Home

AO3

They work as hard as they can but, the lad works harder. Two weeks before their initial estimate, he is ready to come home.

 

“I can’t believe it Geillis! It is a miracle. He just started busting through milestones. He is ready to come home!”

 

“Bloody brilliant! Is your home ready?” She stands in, what will be, the great room or living room. It is. Painted and furnished, her cot folded up throughout the day, it is the one room that is completely done. Fergus’ still needs furnished.

 

The kitchen is lacking running water. The loo a working shower and some other minor things. Her room is not even close, with the focus on Fergus’.

 

“Hello, are you there?”

 

“Sorry Gel, just thinking. Enough that he can come home. We will just bunk down here.”

 

She can hear her mate roll her eyes in the silence. “I thought they were the best. That they came highly recommended?”

 

“We were to have two more weeks. They would have been done then. It will be fine. His cot by mine. It is what I would prefer right now.”

 

“Agree there. All that construction though. Won’t it be dangerous for him?”

 

“That is why he will stay in this room. Don’t fret Gel, all will be brilliant.”

 

“He is my nephew. That gives me license to fret.”

 

“And Godson.”

 

She waits a beat or two. Then… “Bloody hell, you say!”

 

“Bloody hell I do! Who better, though we must improve our language.”

 

She laughs on the other end. “Aye, I swear.”

 

“He is coming home today!” She announces to the lads when they enter that morning. Jamie’s  face transforms into a huge smile. Rupert grins as well. Angus, well, he just scowls. An infant! As the lass wasn’t  irritating enough.

 

“That is wonderful news!”

 

“I know it is two weeks early. I figured we can stay in the great room until all is finished.”

 

“Absolutely. You and the lad will be undisturbed. We will bust arse to get this done as soon as possible.”

 

“Thank you. I know you will.” She implausibly hugs them all. “I shall return with my son!” Her voice raises to almost a squeal at the end.

 

“We will be here and help carry all in.” Jamie promises.

 

“Are you ready to go home, my darling?” She maneuvers him into regular clothes. The tiny items seem more fit for a doll then a baby.

 

He watches her, his dark eyes bright with wonder at the sensation of being fully dressed. The nurses watch, tears in their eyes. Home going is always special.

 

He is lifted into the car seat. It, made for a newborn, still seems to swallow him. The straps are adjusted and he fusses a bit. It is a welcome sound.

 

“That is right. You don’t like that. It is alright, my love. Very few babies do. “

 

As she is a doctor, the standard home going instructions are easier to go over. A nappy bag, full of impossibly tiny nappies is added to the cart of supplies. There is also a bag with bottles and the special formula he is on. Blankets and lovies, flowers and cards. An orderly will help her out. She will carry the most important thing, her baby boy.

 

After a picture for the wall, a ton of hugs, they are off. The smiling orderly follows her and Fergus out. She narratives what he sees as the head to the car.

 

“This is a lift. It will take us down to the first floor.”

 

Fergus quiets under his mum’s voice and the new sensations.

 

They step into the lobby and she describes the fountain, the waiting chairs, all the people. They all smile at the new mum and the loaded cart.

 

“Now we are going outside. That bright thing is the sun. It is rarely seen in this part of the world.” The orderly chuckles. “Here is our car. I am going to place you in it and you won’t see mum for a moment or two. But, I promise, I am not far away.” She opens the boot for his supplies.

 

“Your husband weren’t able to join ya?” he inquiries as he starts to load it.

 

“I haven’t one. Fergus here is adopted.”

 

“Ah, well God’s  blessings on you both.” He places the last thing in and shuts it.

 

“Thank you.” She slips the car seat into the latch until it clicks.  “Now mum is going up front to drive us home. You won’t see me but I will still be right here.”

 

He is still, at first, lolled by the novelty of being in a car for the first time. Then he realizes that she wasn’t near by. He starts to fuss as she heads to the front and driver’s seat.

 

“I am right in front of you, my love.” He just cries harder until the car starts. As they start moving, his cries stop. “Like car rides, eh?”

 

Oh, was it that or… no, he is fine. Just fine. Like most babies, the movement has soothed him, that’s all. She makes it a kilometer before pulling over to check if he was still breathing. He is, though starts to fuss when she leaves him again. No more Beauchamp. We are getting home.

 

To sooth her own nerves, she describes the scenery he can’t yet see. “That is a monro beside us. A small mountain. Oh on the other side is a cow. They are cute things. “ and in and on until. “Oh Fergus, there is our house, our home. They are still working on it but, enough is done so we can stay there.”

 

Pulling up, Jamie and Rupert come out to meet them. She stops the car, opens the boot, and hurries to see that her child still breaths. She lets out a loud breath when she sees he does.

 

“Welcome home Fergus!”

 

“Oh!” Rupert exclaims, “He is a handsome little man.”

 

“Thank you. Fergus meet Rupert. He is helping to get our house ready. You remember Jamie.” He places his hand out and, once again, the baby grabs his pinkie. Again, his heart jumps.

 

“Well, let me get him in.”

 

“Aye, Rupert and I will fetch his gear.”

 

“Your home.” She announces as she walks them in. “We will live in here while they finish the rest.” She enters the cheery space. The big windows let just enough sun in, the paint colors are bright. The furniture is comfortable. She sits on the couch and frees him. Taken him into her arms, for the first time without a crowd around, feels wonderful and scary. “We can do this, eh lad? You and I.”

#my writing #outlander fanfic #omgbarbiegurl's and i's #the contractor #chapter 13 home #jamie and claire #cannon divergence #outlander fandom #modern au

[gvftea]

why are some white folks so heavily reprimanded when it comes to cultural appropiation, while others seem to get a pass?

The angus cloud issue is a lot deeper than what Danny and josh did and requires a lot more thought. Josh and Danny are white and grew up in a small predominantly white Midwestern town. There’s no excusing their behaviour and what they did was wrong.

Angus cloud is a whole other discussion. I’m from a city right beside LA that’s predominantly Latino and black but we do have white ppl. These white ppl almost always have a “blaccent” or use AAVE which is how almost everyone talks around here. You could say that Angus is a product of his environment and that’s why he’s adopted that character. I don’t want to excuse his case because white people who are heavily into chicana/black culture have always rubbed me the wrong way but at the same time I can understand why it happens. Now the media exploiting this is a whole other issue itself. The real problem here and the honest truth is that big brands and media in general would rather see a white man with “black” traits be the poster boy than an actual black man. This is because pop culture has shifted to popularize black culture as “trendy” and “in fashion”. The shit they used to call us “ghetto/ratchet” for are stuff they all want now 😂 look at the Kardashian’s with their braids, BBLs, and lip injections… anyways my point is black culture is seen as appealing in todays media and unfortunately brands are still biased to hire actual black people who grew up in these neighborhoods and would rather see a white man who has all these traits on their billboards. So who’s really at fault here, the brands/media/popular culture or Angus Cloud himself?

#greta van fleet #gvf #sam gvf #josh gvf #jake gvf #josh kiszka #danny wagner #jake kiszka #sam kiskza #danny gvf

[comradelup]

@taz-channukah-event / dec 17th: author’s choice!

“Yeah… no, I get it… I’ll tell them, we’ll be fine,” Taako says into the phone, peering out the curtain. The snow falls in big fat flakes, and there’s billions of them. He can barely see the end of the driveway.

He walks away from the window and starts pacing back and forth, very much aware of the three pairs of eyes on him.

“We should just be a tiny bit late, it isn’t that bad,” Lup says over the phone.

“They can’t hear you, Lu.”

“…Yeah, we won’t make it.”

Taako sighs heavily, a hand coming to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Okay. Okay. That’s fine.”

“It’s not! We wanna spend Channukah with our babies!” Lup whines, sounding very much like a baby herself.

“Well, first off, your youngest is five, hardly babies,” Taako says, sending a grin the kids’ way as he says it. Gordie, the five year old in question, giggles. “Second, it’s just one night, they’ll be fine.”

“…I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I am!” Taako says jovially, placing a hand on his hip and winking at the kids. “Uncle Taako’s always right!”

“Yeah!” the kids cheer, and he can tell Lup heard it, because she laughs wetly.

“It’s settled then!” Taako announces, adopting a goofy gesture as he addresses his sister. “You and Daddy hide at Grandma Marlena’s house, while Uncle Taako and his anklebiter army fights off the snowstorm monster!”

Gordie and Izzy giggle at that; Jo is the oldest and least entertained by this but they still smile at the silliness, which makes Taako feel a little less bad about how ridiculous he must look right now. He’s learned that uncle-hood means a lot of sacrificing your dignity for kids.

Izzy says, “Can we say bye to Mommy?”

“Duh!” Taako says, and he puts the phone on speaker to let the kids yell at Lup.

He lets them trade goodbyes and “Happy Channukah”s and everything else that parents and kids talk about. Once the call’s over, he pockets his phone and claps his hands together.

“So! We’re home alone with free reign of the place.” He leans down to grin conspiratorially at them. “What do we do first?”

“Let’s make latkes!” Gordie exclaims.

“I wanna play dreidel,” Izzy says.

“And what about you, fireball?” Taako asks Jo.

“I, uh… I gotta go to the bathroom,” Jo says quickly, standing up and darting away.

That’s… probably something to look into later. But for now Taako lets them go, yelling after them, “Make sure to wash your hands, dirty bird!”

The other two giggle, as intended. Taako crouches before them and says to Gordie, “But I guess I should be telling you that, huh pipsqueak?”

Izzy laughs at him. “Yeah, babies need their diaper changed.”

“I’m not a baby! I’m five,” Gordie says, holding up his hand for emphasis.

“Oh yeah? Well I’m seven,” Izzy says, holding up seven whole fingers while blowing a raspberry.

“And I’m four hundred and twenty-three,” Taako says, “Count that on your fingers.”

Izzy stares at her hands, trying to find a way to do that, but Taako scoops up Gordie into his arms before they get too into math, yuck.

“I’m up for latkes! Who said latkes?” he asks, spinning Gordie in a big circle to elicit a laugh from him.

“I did!” Gordie cheers.

“Then let’s go, latke boy!” Taako says, making an airplane noise as he flies Gordie into the kitchen, Izzy trailing after and saying something about getting a turn.

(Of course, she gets one. The duties of an uncle includes nearly tossing a tiefling girl into the air and not impaling yourself on the way down. At least she’s not the one who bursts into flame when too excited.)

They’re almost done with their first batch of pancakes when Jo leaves the bathroom. They sit down at the kitchen island looking rather gloomy. That’s not gonna fly, not in Taako’s (sister’s) kitchen.

“Hey, you’re ten, not sixteen, no emo angst,” Taako tells them, pointing a spatula at their face.

“I’m not emo,” they reply, sounding… empty.

Taako might not be as good an uncle as he thought; his kids shouldn’t be sounding like that.

“Gordie, Izzy,” Taako says, turning to his little sous-chefs. He tasked Izzy with (carefully) grating potatoes for their second batch and Gordie with cracking an egg into a bowl and (gently) beating it. But they both stop what they’re doing and turn to him.

He plasters on a mischievous smile and says, “Go into the guest room and get the dreidels from my bag on the bed. I brought all of my collection, so pick your favorites.”

The two practically get stars in their eyes and run off to go retrieve the tops. Taako turns back to his pan.

“Spit it out, what’s up with you?” He doesn’t phrase it as a question.

“…I don’t wanna talk about it,” Jo says.

“Is it ‘cause your parents aren’t here?” Taako asks, and his voice gets softer. He glances over in time to see Jo nod silently.

He sighs. At this age, Jo won’t be distracted from stuff with games and food, they actually think broadly. Fuck, Angus is their age and look at all the thinking he does! …Point is, Taako should’ve expected this.

“Listen,” he says, unable to have a formal heart to heart due to having to keep an eye on the food. “I know it sucks, I want ‘em here too. You think I’m happy spending a Channukah night without my twin sister? No way.”

“Then why are you acting like this?” Jo asks, looking impatient. “Don’t just pretend they aren’t here!”

“I’m not pretending, I’m distracting. Look, your siblings would whine and cry if I acted like you are right now. Do you want them to cry?”

“…No.”

“No, ‘cause I don’t wanna deal with the headache that’d give me,” Taako jokes, but Jo doesn’t smile. Taako sighs, moves the pan off the heat, and leans on the island across from them.

“I get that you're sad and I’m not telling you to not miss them, I get it. But we’ll see them tomorrow, and we can all spend the last night together.”

“But… I just miss them,” Jo says, and they’re pouting a little.

“I know kid, me too,” Taako says, “But! That’s the point of me being all upbeat and shit— don’t say that word.”

“I won’t.”

“Good. See, your parents would be mad or sad or whatever if they think you didn’t have any fun. All they want is for you to enjoy the holiday. Like, they’re probably having tons of fun at your grandma’s.”

(Lup and Barry are probably cuddled up on a loveseat and telling stories of the kids to Marlena; fun for them, but Taako would’ve fallen asleep five minutes in.)

Jo still doesn’t look totally convinced. Time to break out the big guns.

Taako leans in as close as he can while his feet are still touching the ground. “You wanna know the secrets to cheating at dreidel?”

Jo looks up at him. “You can cheat?”

“Oh yeah,” Taako says with a smirk. “She doesn’t do it with you kids, but your mom is the queen at cheating at that game. She would walk away from the table with her arms full of gelt.”

Jo looks delighted. Lup never lets her chaotic side show in front of the kids, so Taako’s stories about it are guaranteed to be attention grabbers.

“I can show you how she does it, if you want.”

“Yes,” Jo says, leaning in with their hands on the table. They may be adopted, but that wicked grin on their face just screams Lup.

“But you gotta promise that it doesn’t leave this kitchen, got it?” Taako asks. They can’t have the other two learning about it and they especially can’t have their parents learning he taught them.

“Promise.”

Taako smirks and stands back up to go back to his cooking. “Good.”

Soon they were all gathered around the dining room table with bellies full of latkes and trading gelt back and forth. Taako winks over every cheated spin, and Jo is laughing.

That’s the reaction uncles should be getting. Much better.

#taz #taz balance #taz fic #taz channukah #tazchannukah #txt #writing #balance #taako #gordie #izzy #jo #i guess i have tags for my ocs now. fun! #Please Talk To Me About My OCs Because I Love Them #happy hanukkah!!! feat. that Good uncle content #also Please Please Please lemme know if anything is inaccurate and i’ll fix it #taako may be a bit of a jerk to ango but he fully adores these kids

[period-dramallama]

Spanish Princess episode 6: my tired chronological thoughts

Say it with me now: “previously, on the Spanish Princess!”

-Is it just me or is tsp!koa sympathetic in this episode? 

-charlotte was actually acting really well in the first scenes. I really felt for her. Probably because she wasn’t spouting any stupid dialogue. 

-SO WE’RE JUST GOING TO FORGET ABOUT BABY STEALING HUH

-i wish i could forget

-”Cardinal Wolsey has been speaking with your daughter” if More and Maggie are now Mary’s adopted co-parents, can Wolsey please be the cool uncle?

-Please can we have wolsey speaking to mary in the fawning tone he uses with Henry and Mary’s just like...unimpressed.

-I will say this for tsp!koa, she does give good Hugs

-Yet again, Thomas More is babysitting the girls. While it’s good that Mary has adopted parents, it’s only sadder given her biological dad will execute both of them.

-it is actually historically accurate to have maggie p looking after Mary, she was Mary’s governess IRL, IIRC.

-also you wouldn’t leave the princess with just one person. She’d surely be supervised by at least 2 people, in case like one person had a heart attack or smth.

-PLEASE go back to calling her Lady Pole. AND GIVE THOMAS MORE TO DO

-”it will all come to nothing” sounds like something that WON’T come to nothing

-and now Henry and Wolsey have had a lover’s quarrel, they are such boyfriends they even quarrel like boyfriends.

-’summit’ sounds too modern

-Are Angus beefburgers named thus because of hard Meg roasted him this episode?

-”I wasn’t expecting to see you” yeah bc wasn’t the Field just F and H? 

-The cinematography was great last episode, and now we have weird close ups on the riot ringleader’s face. Why. I can practically see his saliva. Yum.

-Someone else got to the “Wolsey whispers like David Attenborough” joke first.

-What is that weird af flooring? It looks like they stole it from the set of Rivendell in LOTR.

-No dancing? No revels? No tongue in cheek allusions to Glastonbury or Woodstock? This Field feels more like parent’s evening at school.

-I’m now certain Flodden swallowed the budget whole and it was not worth it.

-”we are being threatened” “they drew a gallows in pig’s blood” This is so frustrating. You didn’t need Lina to spell it out for the audience. It would have been so much more suspenseful if you just saw the drawing, and then Lina’s terrified face, and we cut to the next scene. But you think the audience is so dumb we won’t realise a gallows drawn in blood is a threat? GTFO. And stop making Lina state the obvious!

-How good is Rosa’s hubby at his navigator job if they’re wearing brocade at a royal summit?

-To be fair to the show, “she’s only six years old,” is said by Rosa, not Catherine, and Rosa has been living outside England, so easy mistake.

-I like the compass gift, that was cute.

-Maggie watching the shadow play reminds me of the shadow puppets her mother and aunt played with in twq :’)

-THE WINE FOUNTAIN YES I CAN SEE THE WINE FOUNTAIN i was worried we wouldn’t see it

-I misheard Rosa and thought she called Buckingham Aardvark instead of Edward. I will now call him Aardvark. Yes I am very mature.

-I get that Wolsey is meant to be the Bad Guy, but he was literally just standing there with his wine, doing nothing. Stop shouting at him, Aardvark, YOU walked into HIM.

-”raise the price of ale” do you have any idea how much ale people were drinking in this period, Henry? That’s like the government putting up the price of water. You raise the price of ale and you’ll make the unrest worse. 

-People have been discussing Bessie’s behaviour, I think the issue is classism rather than xenophobia, cause she's worried for Lina and Oviedo and their kids but they’re servants of the crown, like she is, so they’re not ‘riff raff’, and she’s also dismissive of the rioters and wants “order restored” she said “heads on spikes” but I assume the heads are the rioters’ heads. Idk, either way the dialogue is clunky and stupid and this whole plotline is badly handled anyway and i do not care enough to rewatch that scene. 

-given how rude Francois was to Mary, IN PUBLIC, I kinda love the idea of her taking the mickey out of him. and look at that, Reggie Pole’s silence finally has a plot purpose! Given that Reggie was Mary Tudor’s archbishop and right hand man, it’s kind of touching that they’re connected in this way.

-Twenty minutes left of episode and the Field is over. Le disappointment. 

-”he’s gone!” Oviedo, I get that you’re probably in shock but... are you honestly trying to do CPR on a man who’s been skewered with a sword. I love you, Oviedo, but you were holding the show’s single braincell and now you’ve dropped it. I’ll give you a pass if you genuinely panicked.

-wtf henry pole your mother will hear about this

-The climax was very emotional...but ruined by the fact it’s total nonsense. Everyone in this show continues to be a total idiot. FINALLY we can be finished with the “not loving Mary” BS that should have lasted no more than 1 ep, if you had to do it at all.

-To be fair to the show, Mary comes across to me at least as traumatised, not as a gleeful baby tyrant. She’s not happy about men getting executed

-”My father cuts their heads off” it would have been such black comedy if koa was like “No darling, he won’t cut their heads off. Beheading’s for rich people”.

-please tell me you’re not hanging them by trapdoor method. The trapdoor method was invented in the nineteenth century.

-”grant them mercy” dude you said “they can die without me watching” so they’re probably all dead by now. 

-”first time he’s agreed” I will give the show a tiny tiny benefit of doubt and say maybe they mean this particular pope?? Actually scrap that they probably mean all popes.

-This should have been Thomas More’s time to shine, IRL he was involved in the govt response to Evil May Day, (I think he even addressed the mob to get them to surrender to the king) which I assume this riot is based off of. But because he was also at the Field, and the showrunners forced these two events to happen simultaneously, the showrunners decided to keep him at the Field...doing nothing. 0/10. 

-some lovely choral singing this episode. 

#the spanish princess #i liked this ep more than ep 4 #but less than ep 5

[join-the-joywrite]

Hamish & Vera soulmate au headcannons

Part three of the first words au suggested by my girl, Sima, as anonymously demanded in an ask politely requested in the notes sjsjjs.

Will I cry? Maybe. Will YOU cry? Hopefully Probably. They'll be happy tears tho. I think. I hope.

(Wtf does Hamish even study, guys) Hamish always feels like there's something missing. The apartment doesn't feel like home. It feels strange and alien. He doesn't know what he's missing. Or maybe it's a who? Late in the night, Hamish will check his wrist and he'll wonder when he'll hear the words. He wonders what sort of situation they're going to be in. The days feel monotonous and like they drag on for years. Something is missing.

Vera doesn't go home for anything other than sleep. The past few years, drifting away from Hamish, wasn't so bad. She still went home, albeit very late, and she still didn't have much of a problem delaying leaving. It felt nice to be at home and remember the days when she had enough free time to lounge around with Hamis. Now, going home brought guilt with it. Everywhere she looked, he was there and she couldn't face knowing she had done it to him. Part of her hoped he'd never get hid memories back. She hoped she could live with Hamish having no idea who she was, but she knew she could never live with Hamish hating her. Vera often sits alone in the reliquary, staring at her wrist. Remembering the day she watched the words write themselves. For weeks, Vera didn't look at her wrist because she knew soulmates changed and she knew that Hamish might find someone else without all his memories. She sits behind the desk and fiddles with a ring handing from a chain around her neck.

The day Hamish gets his memory back, he doesn't know what to feel. Jack is very vocal about how pissed he is at Vera and Alyssa, more than the Order as a whole. Lilith just shrugs it off. She never expected anything different from them.

Randall waits until Jack and Lilith have left the den, probably to hunt down their knives that they'd both had at one point. "Hamish --"

"Don't, Randall."

"We don't know if she really wanted--"

"She's the Grand Magus. She holds the highest authority. Don't make excuses for her."

Randall leaves quietly. He knows how stubborn Hamish can get.

"We're going to make them pay," Jack tells the knights after they've been inducted. "All of them."

Hamish glances back to see Alyssa walk by. Yes, he thinks of Vera, all of them.

They need the necklace. They need to get a copy of it.

"Let me," Jack says, "I'll--" "No, I'll do it."

Randall is rightfully Concerned™. "Dude, are you sure? It could get--" "Ugly? Painful? For her, I certainly hope so."

Lilith, as Hamish leaves: So, um, is now a good time to ask about what happened during the ambush last year or . . .

Randall: you know what, I think you should talk to Hamish about this one......

I am a strong woman, Vera thinks to herself when Hamish walks in with a drink. I will not break, I will not break, I will not break.

Ultimately, she gives in anyway a few days later. Not to say that she's blameless. Hamish, despite all his burning hatred, still loves Vera like before. He's intrigued at how he can love and hate her at the same time. Is this what people mean when they say, "it's complicated"?

"Bring me something in a tall glass," she says, absently clicking the heel of her shoe against the floor twice. I want your attention.

"What happened to you?" "NOTHING. What-- what happened to you?"

Randall's still wary of the demon summoning, but he's noticed the look on Hamish's face. He hasn't seen that look in years. Big gasp from Randall. Big glare from Hamish.

Later, once the excitement is slowly dying down for Hamish and he settles down to watch his young friends thoroughly enjoy entertaining themselves, Randall scoots up to Hamish. "You are so weak for V." "Am not." "You've got her lipstick on your face." "Shit, really? Did Jack and Lilith notice?" "HA!" "Fuck you, Randall ..... don't tell them anything." "My silence costs twenty bucks." ".......fuck u"

"Let me dispel the rumours. We are all going to die." Hamish's amused snort is quickly silenced by the withering glare Vera gives him.

When Vera comes to and notices Hamish taking care of her, she's almost relieved. Then she remembers the threat, Alyssa, Kepler and most importantly, no getting close to Hamish until everyhting is all sorted.

"So . . . what's all this talk about wolves?"

Honestly, at this point, Vera thinks she's going to glare hard enough that her eyeballs pop. "You fucking IDIOTS! You lying fuck, you actually got me thinking you genuinely cared. And you, you little shit . . . . you -- you -- you -- fuck you. Where is my inventory?"

"It was stolen from us." :|

"Oh, so you lost it. No surprise there."

"That's a little harsh, V." "I told you not to call me that, Randall." "Sorry. Look, we'll get the sickles back. We won't--"

"Too late."

Losing Lilith only makes Hamish worse. He wants to blame Vera and the Order, he really does. But he can't. He knows Vera and he knows she's not selfish enough to do this for her own benefit. Fuck feelings, they just make everything so damn complicated.

Vera is pissed at Hamish for being so petty. Hamish is pissed at Vera for the blatant betrayal. Vera is pissed with herself for allowing everything to come to this. Hamish is pissed at himself for being unable to resist Vera. They're both pissed and not talking to each other and frankly, it's starting to weigh on Randall, the only one who really knows what's going on behind closed doors.

"You know, you really should talk to Vera." Gabrielle appears out of nowhere. "About what?" Hamish and Randall: terrified screaming for about half a second until they finally spot the tiny Acolyte.

"Nothing." "You two are up to something. I wanna know what it is." "Are you blackmailing us . . . to spend time with us?" "No. What d'you need to talk to the Grand Magus about?" "Getting you some heels so we can see you when you're approaching." "Very funny, Randall."

When Vera attacks the Prometheans (and Jack) with her emotional amplifier, it's not just the desperate cries of a baby ringing in everyone's ears. Among it all is Vera's own voice, her always doubting that she'd done the right thing in erasing the Knights' memories, her thinking about how much Hamish was going to hate her and that was a price she was willing to pay to keep him safe for as long as possible.

Among it all are nights where a very young Vera would cry alone, wiping at her eyes with a bare wrist. And then a much older Vera, hiding away in a vault, refusing to cry as she looks at the words on her wrist.

"I don't need your pity, Mr Morton," Vera says, hoping and praying that Jack doesn't care enough to put all the pieces together. "I'm sorry about your daughter." Vera doesn't turn back to face him. She's okay. She really is. And then a very quiet, very whispered, "and Hamish." Vera leaves before Jack can see her strength fail.

"Are either of you going to tell me why you're all on first name basis with the Grand Magus?" "It's a Knight secret, Gabby, sorry." "Fuck you."

Hamish is still being Petty and Pissed, so when Vera gives them the contract and Randall gets super upset, Jack's the one to tell him to lay off a bit. "I think you're overreacting." "And I think you're protecting Hamish's girlfriend."

Hamish, low warning tone and Vera, high yell: "Randall!"

"Am I wrong?"

"About which part?" Jack mutters, glad the joke makes Randall laugh. He can deal with one angry werewolf. Two is way too much a burden.

"Have you seen or heard from Hamish this morning?" "Why would you ask me that?" Jack gives her a deadpan look. Big sigh. "No, I haven't."

Hamish being missing shifts Vera's entire outlook. She's wasting all this time being mad and angry when she could have been using it to try and mend her relationship with Hamish.

"Is everyone okay?" Hamish grins because he knows that as pissed as they are with each other, she worries for him just as much as he worries for her. Vera would have to hit a very high bar if she really wanted to break off every tie she had to Hamish and Hamish is sure Vera doesn't want to even touch that bar.

Vera is completely stunned when Hamish literally throws Angus out of the room. In all honesty, she shouldn't have been, but still. She expected a little more restraint, given Hamish was still visibly pissed with her. On the outside, anyway.

"I'm sorry, Vera. I saw Angus and I just reacted. I almost died yesterday and now it seems like I might die anyway. Part of me wishes we never got our memories back. I could just go back to being . . . happy."

Vera doesn't turn back. "Would you really? Be happy, I mean. You have all the answers now. You know all the right questions. Would you really be happy?"

"Ignorance is bliss." "Not always."

And then the tartarus eruptions begin.

Jack runs into Alyssa at a Praxis location and the Knights recover a third of the Order's inventory.

"Tell me about these puppies." Obviously, Vera wants information about what Praxis is up to, but Randall deadass adopted the puppies so now Vera is subject to being lectured about the puppies. Okay, not lectured, she's somewhat invested in her new grandchildren. Hamish has a small smile on his face because Vera's still his Vera. Strangely fond of Randall despite all his annoying flaws -- just like Hamish himself.

Vera makes the three of them Magistratuses on the spot and Hamish looks like he's beaming at the promotion but really he's just so thrilled to see Stubborn and Petty Vera go up against Kepler.

"I'll order some wine." "Champagne, please. We're at war with Praxis, not good taste." And she's apparently retained what he taught her about drinks!

No matter what she does or what she acts like, the very core of who Vera is, her innermost self, will never change. And Hamish is glad for it, because that's who he loves. And the words mark her forever, so she'll never forget it.

"It's all right to let someone care about you." Vera shakes her head, because she's done horrible, horrible things and some would even call her irredeemable. She wants to argue and fight with Hamish because away from her is the only place he'll be safe. "V. . ."

Hamish is better at saying things when he doesn't talk. So he takes hold of her hand and gives it two small squeezes. I love you. He tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and trails his hand down to her chin before lifting her head, guiding her to look at him. His fingers tap on her neck. One, two, three times. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you.

And when everything dies down, Hamish swears to protect Vera. He and the rest of the Knights will protect her secret with their lives. Even if she weren't their Grand Magus, she's Hamish's soulmate and given how important Hamish is to them, it's no surprise Vera automatically is, too.

Besides, Randall kinda likes the Mom Vibes he gets from Vera. Gabrielle is jealous.

Vera finds Hamish taking a nap under the tree. He squints at her. "Don't make me look like an idiot. Get down here."

Vera smiles and joins Hamish on the grass. "I love you," she says softly, finally, finally finding the peace and joy she had before she and Hamish started drifting. She looks at the words on his hand, then the words on her own.

Soulmates. Someone who is always going to be there for her, no matter what. It's nice to have one, even though for most of her life, she thought she would never find one.

But the special thing about Hamish is that they had something really special long before they discovered they were soulmates. Vera smiled in the knowledge that Hamish wouldn't have done a damn thing different even if she still had s blank wrist. He loves her, she loves him, and frankly, nothing else matters.

FINALLY COMPLETE!!!!!! I trust this is satisfactory, my loves??

See other soulmate AUs that make me cry

#vera x hamish #hamish x vera #hamish duke #vera stone #the order #netflix #the hermetic order of the blue rose #the knights of st christopher #the knights of the blue rose #the knights of saint christopher #soulmates #soulmates au #please just give me the soulmate au i want #soulmate #soulmate au

[barry-j-blupjeans]

@taznovembercelebration - Day 5: Rockstar

Okay, so Taako didn’t really like working at the pet shelter. Don’t get him wrong, it was a lot better than like... working as a cashier or a waiter or something where he had to be interacting with people for ninety percent of his day. But he wasn’t a fan of ninety percent of his day interacting with dogs, either. They were yappy and snappy and frankly, too much for Taako. He was much more of a cat person, but they only had so many cats and they got adopted fast enough.

But the job had its perks. Working with Lup was one, obviously. Having a decent pay, hell yeah. Having people respect what he did, sure that was great. Maybe having Magnus as his boss wasn’t the best (gods know that Magnus didn’t need another thing to hang over his head), but overall, the work was fine. Taako could manage.

He was closing today. There was only about an hour left before closing. Lup and Barry were in the back, checking up on all the animals when the bell above the door jingled and a group of two stepped in. The adult was tall, with his hair done up in locs. He wore all black and an baggy, but fashionable, overcoat. Nearly attractive enough to make Taako stop and stare. With him was a small kid, bouncing excitedly. His glasses were almost slipping off his nose, his hair was wild and unruly and he was so eager that the man had to hold him back

Taako didn’t know who brought their kid into pick a pet out at 6:30 PM, but what the hell, work was work.

“Hey folks,” Taako said in his best costumer service voice, standing behind the front desk. “Welcome to Raven’s Roost pet shelter, what can I do for you today?”

“Kitty!” the boy said. He couldn’t be more than four years old. He broke free from the man’s hold and came up to the counter. His didn’t even peak over the top. “Do you have any, sir?”

Well, at least he was polite.

“Sure do,” Taako said. “What kind of cat are ya looking for, kiddo? And guardian, of course.”

“I’m his dad,” the man.  “Um, we can come back tomorrow if it’s too late-”

“Kitty,” the kid whined, tugging on his dad’s sleeve.

“We probably won’t be able to take one home today, Angus,” he said. “We’ll come back tomorrow and-”

“It’s fine,” Taako cut in. “Don’t worry about it, there’s still a bit til we close. I can even send you guys home with the paper work if you find a cat you like.”

“Kitty!” Angus said triumphantly.

“Yes, Angus,” the dad said wearily. He was smiling though.

“Right this way, then,” Taako said.

The pet shelter wasn’t too big, but it was noisy. The past the door that lead to the dogs and Taako could hear Barry talking- probably trying to calm them down.

“What’s your name again?” Taako asked as they neared the cat door.

“Oh, uh,” the man said, looking a bit nervous. “It’s, um. It’s Kravitz McAllister. And of course, my son, Angus.”

“I’m Taako,” Taako said, like they hadn’t already read his nametag. “Have any type of cat in mind?”

“Good with children?” Kravitz said. “Angus knows not to- he knows they’re not play things, obviously, but he gets excited around cats, he really loves them. Probably not any cat that loves outdoors and uh, age doesn’t matter. Kitten, been here for ages. Doesn’t matter.”

“Got it,” Taako said, holding open the door for them. “All the cats we got are in here.”

Taako spied Lup look over from where she was giving some food to one of the older cats. And then he saw Lup drop the food all over the ground and swear to herself.

“Sorry!” Lup called over and Taako rolled his eyes.

“Lemme go help her,” Taako said to Kravitz. “Feel free to look at any of the cats.”

Angus was already staring down a middle aged tabby. Kravitz smiled and went to join him as Taako went to help Lup.

“Doofus,” Taako whispered as soon as he got close enough, kneeling down to help help.

“Shut up,” Lup hissed intensely. She peaked over Taako’s shoulder at the customers and then ducked back down. “Taako, do you have any idea who that is?”

“Uhhhhh, a handsome fella here to get his kid a cat?”

“It’s Kravitz McAllister,” Lup said, like that meant something to him. “Like? Literally the most famous singer in the country at this very moment Kravitz McAllister, Taako, what the fuck.”

“Why haven’t I heard of him, then?” Taako said back, shoving the cat food in a pile. “If Taako don’t know him, he’s not famous.”

“Well now you fuckin’ know him, dumbass,” Lup said. “Fuck, should I tell Barry? Holy shit. Get a better music taste, Ko, how do you not know him?”

“I’m sorry your music is shit,” Taako said. “Help me clean this up.”

Lup was already up, scurrying out of the room to get Barry. Taako would have flipped her off but there’s a child and a celebrity in the room. He finished cleaning up the cat food and returned to feeding the cat that Lup had left behind. Taco.

Man, Taako loved Taco. Taco was the best cat here. A shitty, grumpy, silly old man.

“Who’s that?” Angus said, suddenly right next to Taako. Taako jumped, nearly dropping the food again.

“Oh, uh, this is Taco. T-A-C-O, verses my superior T-A-A-K-O.”

“It’s nice to meet you Taco!” Angus said and it took a moment to realize that he was talking to the cat. “I’m Angus. Do you like reading?”

Taco looked at Angus with the driest expression Taako had ever seen in a cat and meowed brokenly. His voice sounded like a broken harmonica.

“Daddy, did you hear that?” Angus said and Kravitz came to look at the cat, too. Taco glared at Kravitz and Kravitz had the sense to look intimated. Taco meowed again, but swayed his way towards Angus, who petted him gently.

“He’s so soft!” Angus said. “Can we get him?”

“We’ll come back to see him tomorrow and decide,” Kravitz said. “It’s very late for you.”

“Aw,” Angus said. “But he’s such a good kitty!”

Good kitty was not anything that Taco had been called before. But he preened under the praise and meowed a B flat at Angus.

“He sure is,” Kravitz said nervously and Taco gave him a sneaky stink eye as Angus petted his back. “We’ll be back as early as we can tomorrow morning.”

“Okay,” Angus said, retracting his hand sadly. “Bye Taco! And- and Mr. Taako!”

“See ya tomorrow morning, kiddo,” Taako said, leading them back out. “You want the paperwork to work on now, Krav.”

Kravitz looked startled at being addressed like that and Taako took even more stratification than normal, because he was a celebrity. Ha. Point one for Taako. Taako opened the door back up and paused upon seeing Lup and Barry giddily whispering down the hall. He shut the door and said,

“Actually, my... cohorts seem to be fans of yours and we could go out the back to piss them off,” Taako said offhandedly. Angus didn’t seem to mind, simply turning on his heel and waving to cat Taco again. Kravitz’s eyes widened comically and hurried to follow Taako with a quick pace.

“You know?” Kravitz said, astonished. “I didn’t think you knew.”

“Oh, I totally knew,” Taako said, lying his ass off. “I just don’t give a fu- I don’t care,” he corrected as he remembered Angus. “I mean, you can’t be as famous as me.”

“As you?” Kravitz said, amused. They reached the backdoor.

“Uh, yeah,” Taako said. “I’m Taako? You know, from TV?”

#taz #taakitz #taako #kravitz #might continue !! #mine #taz november celebration #no editing we die like men #ise cube writing

[mrsorange]

Yesterday

Sitting in front of the steering wheel, Paul watched the old building in silence. He gathered the courage to enter because by doing it his whole life would change. During the half of his life, he had tried to bury what his cousin Angus had told him once. They were thirteen years old and they were arguing over who would ask a girl to go out for an ice-cream. But his cousin had gone further.

“I wish aunt Mary would have never adopted you. Everything would be better without you” these were the words that had broken his heart.

During the following months, Paul had tried to talk to his parents but he was afraid of his father's reaction and he didn’t want to worry his mother who wasn’t feeling feel ok. And then the worst happened, Mary passed away. Full of sadness, Paul decided to bury his doubts. The loss of his mother made the idea of ​​having lost another too much pain to bear.

These doubts came back to his life one day when he visited his father. Paul was helping him with the move when he found a photograph of her mother next to a group of nuns.

“what is this photo of mum?” he asked

“Oh … after we got married, your mother worked as a nurse in London because of the war. It was just a few months; she came back due to sick leave… I mean she came back because you were going to be born” his father answered

“You never told us about that”, said Paul but his father didn’t answer and continued ordering

Paul continued helping with the move and didn’t mention the subject again but that photograph sowed doubts about his origin again. Maybe Angus had told him the true.

Paul returned to touring with The Beatles. He was so busy that he didn’t allow himself to think about it but at night in silence and alone with himself he would do it again. One night he couldn't stand it anymore and called his father.

“Paul what happened? It’s 3 AM “his father asked still asleep

“Dad I need to know” he exclaimed

“What happens?”

“Is it true? ... Is it true that mom was not my mom?”  he said with a broken voice

“where did you get that? “His father asked nervously

“I need to know the truth”

“son, this is not a conversation to have on the phone”

And with those words Paul understood that his greatest fear was true, he stayed in silence by the phone while tears fell down his cheeks.

“Paul ... are you there?”

“yes” he mumbled

“Whenever you have free on the tour we will talk ... if you want I can travel or ...”

“No, I will travel. Maybe next week” he interrupted

Paul continued with the tour, playing in the different shows, traveling from city to city but he could only think in his father. Brian was reluctant to give him two days off to travel to Liverpool as their schedule was very tight between interviews and the next trip to Paris. Moreover, Paul didn’t want to tell him why he needed to travel. He didn’t feel sure about telling him or his friends what was happening in his life. He had not even told Lennon who was his best friend.

Finally, Paul visited his father and had the long-awaited talk. However, his father couldn’t tell him everything about his past as his mother had been very reticent about his adoption. Mary had told him not to make any question and love him as if he were his own blood. So, Jim could only give him a name and an address in London.

…………………………………………

Paul got out of the car in his costume that consisted of a black overcoat, a hat and a fake moustache so that people wouldn't recognize him and for now it was working. Women passed by with bags of groceries, a man smoked on the corner and a group of children played football. Suddenly the ball hit the back door of the car causing Paul to panic.

“I’m sorry Sir” said a Ginger boy taking the ball and running away from there.

Paul tightened the lapels of his coat to cover his face a little and climbed the steps of the old building. At that moment a midwife suddenly opened the door. Paul wanted to speak to her but the woman didn’t notice his presence as she was leaving in such a hurry. She got into his car and disappeared at full throttle.

“Excuse me sir ...  can I help you?”  asked another midwife

“yes, I’m looking for Sister Julienne” answered Paul taking off his hat

“Oh yes, wait here please. What is your name?”, the girl asked

“tell her I’m Mary McCartney's son”

Paul was observing the place while he was waiting in the hall. There was a living room with a fireplace that kept the place warm and in one corner there was a television which seemed strange to him.  who could have imagined that nuns would watch television? He kept looking around the place until he saw a corridor and a blackboard caught his attention. He got closer to take a better look. It was a blackboard with women's names, two or three per row, and some were crossed out.

“What are you doing here?” a voice asked and Paul turned around

“I’m waiting for Sister Julienne” he answered nervously

"Wait for her in the living room. You be here," the girl answered. Paul was dazzled by her beauty more than a midwife she looked like a model. She accompanied him to the living room and she stopped to observe him carefully

“You seems familiar to me” she said

“How strange! this is the first time I visit this place” he answered turning his face

Luckily for him the other girl returned with Sister Julianne and when he saw his legs began to shake. she looked at him and said: “James come with me to my office “

As soon as Paul entered, he sat down and took out of his pocket the photo of his mother in the Nonnatus House and put it on the table. The sister took it and smiled as she remembered the moment when the photo had been taken.

“I think you know why I'm here” he said

“And Mary? “She asked although she knew the answer.

“My mother passed away a long time ago that is why I came looking for answers here” he answered with a broken voice “my father told me very little”

Sister Julienne sat in front of him and taking his hands began to narrate how Mary had become his mother:

“At that time our congregation was not only in charge of births. In the middle of the war we also had to take care of those injured by the bombings. We honestly couldn't cope. That is why we got three support nurses, Henrietta, Sarah and Mary. Your mother was just married and had agreed to come to the wolf's mouth just to help others. In those months that we worked side by side, between guards and waking hours, we became very close. She was looking for some comfort since she had lost her first pregnancy. Every child she saw, she protected him and made sure he was safe and sound. One night while we were having dinner after a long day at work, the siren began to sound and we knew it was time for shelter. We went out with the only things we were wearing to the nearest shelter since we did not have much time.  On the way we met a young woman who was no more than 17 years old. She was screaming in pain while leaning against a car. Between the two of us we helped her to put standing and walk the few steps that separated us from our destination”

“Was that young woman my real mother?” muttered Paul

“It's been so long but I still remember her as if it were yesterday. She had light brown hair and freckles all over her face and now looking at you I can tell you that you have the same look of her, especially her eyelashes “she smiled and continued with her story “It didn't take you long to be born. You were a very cute chubby baby. Despite the sounds of the bombs, that night you slept peacefully while your mother hugged you. Mary and I were next to you making sure everything was fine”

“What was her name?” He asked

“I don't know; she didn't want to tell us her name. I didn’t want to insist too much since we were all shocked and scared by what was happening but in the morning I realized why. When we woke up she was gone.  we looked for her everywhere and then we waited for her to appear here but she never did. So, Mary took care of you. She fed you and sang you lullabies until you fell asleep. she didn’t leave your side for a second”  

Sister Julienne stood up and turned to see the cross that was on the wall:  “I don't know if what happened later was right. I always ask God to forgive me. I did not agree but Mary wanted at all costs to take you with her to Liverpool and that's why she falsified your birth certificate. she called your father and arranged to spend some time in Cumbria”.

“my mother did all that” said Paul astonished by this woman very different from the one he had known

“I knew that with her you would be fine but I did not agree with the way she did it. She could have adopted you legally but she did not want to wait. that's why we stopped talking” she sat down again “I don’t know how she receive the sick leave and after that I never heard from her again”

Paul started to cry. After spending so much time trying to bury all his feelings, he was finally able to vent and know the truth. He didn’t understand why they had hidden his origin from him. Despite everything he loved Mary even much more than before and he would never know the reason since she was not there to answer. Perhaps his mother had been afraid that the police would take him away from her or that his biological mother would appear to claim him. Something similar had happened in her neighbourhood with a little girl called Mildred.

Julienne hugged him trying to comfort him: “forgive me for not being able to tell you more things about her”

“Sister, you have helped me a lot. You don't know how much” he said, turning away from her to wipe his tears and making his fake moustache move”

“James you have something”  she said pointing to his face

“Sorry sister” he said and he took it off “it is part of my costume.  I didn’t want to be seen here”

“I see” she said

“I’m not saying it because of the neighbourhood “he explained “I am famous; don't you know The Beatles?”

“I think the girls have mentioned it” she replied

Paul was surprised because she didn’t know the band in the middle of Beatlemania. He began to tell her about their music and how they had managed to get their first album out. When they left the office and headed to the door they heard the TV blasting.

“Sister can you lower the volume?” said Sister Julianne

“No, soon they will be showing the new song of those boys” replied Sister Monica Joan

“She has already prepared her cookies” said the blonde midwife bringing the tray with the teapot

“Trixie and Barbara also want to listen to the program” added the sister

And at that moment the two girls realized who was the mysterious young man who had come looking for sister Julianne. They both were speechless.

“hey boy, don´t you want to sit and watch the program you too?” said Sister Monica Joan

“I can't I have to leave” Paul replied with a smile

Trixie, the young blonde, approached sister Monica Joan and told her who he was.

“IT CAN'T BE TRUE” she exclaimed with joy “ you have to play us a song, you can't leave like this”

“Sister, James … I mean Paul has said that he has to go” said Julienne

“but it's just a song “she begged him

“well, I can play a song”

“Phyllis has a guitar in her room, I'm sure it won't bother her if we borrow it” said the other girl called Barbara and ran to look for it

 Before the small but very important public that consisted of two nuns and two midwives, Paul gave a small concert in the place where he had discovered the truth about his identity. The truth to which he had run away so long and that in spite of everything he had only managed to bond him more with his mother Mary.

Sorry for the grammar mistakes. English is not my first language

#Call The Midwife #sister monica joan #sister julienne #trixie #barbara #paul mccartney #thebeatles #fanfic #one shot #crossover #trixie franklin #barbara gilbert

[archivednerdfics]

Never Prouder

Fandom: The Adventure Zone (Balance)

Summery: Angus gets in trouble at school and Taako is actually quite proud of this (and also hates Lucas Miller).

Requested: Yes - @punks-n-rec (I'm so sorry it took me so long to post this!)

Word Count: 1,164

----

"...Mr. Taako?" Angus's small voice came through Taako's stone of far speech.

The elven man was sitting in his office at his school, desk covered in papers -- both for the school and ideas for new dishes and different things for the brand in general. ...It was all a lot of work to keep up with, and he was prone to distraction, which was why he kept everything on the desk at once. Made it easier to concentrate. 

"What's up, bubula?" Taako asked, pulling out his stone of farspeech.

"I… need you to come get me." The boy sounded upset and Taako frowned. 

"You still at school?"

"Yes, sir. ...Mr. Miller wants to talk to you…"

"What? Why?"

"I'll explain when you get here… it'll be easier."

Taako didn't really like the sound of that, but he figured it would be better to get to Angus quickly and go from there, so he said, "Okay, I'm on my way. Hang tight, I'll be there soon."

"Okay, sir."

The stone frequencies disconnected as Taako stood up, grabbed his cloak, and made his way to Lucas Miller's school.

__

The moment he made it to the school, Taako went straight to Lucas's office, only to find Angus sitting on a bench outside of it. 

"Hey, Pumpkin," he said, making a B-line for the boy and sitting next to him, "What the fuck is going on?" He was acting as nonchalant as he could, but there was a tinge of worry in his voice that he couldn't shake, despite his best efforts. 

"...Something happened."

"Okay… I'm gonna need some context here, Ango."

"...I was late to a test."

"...And?"

"And they wouldn't let me take it…"

"Because you were late?"

Angus nodded and Taako frowned, "How late?"

"Ten minutes."

"...They wouldn't… let you take a test because you were just ten minutes late…?" Taako asked, his voice that certain kind of even that meant he was angry -- though Angus knew it wasn't with him, and he nodded. 

"...Okay," Taako said and stood up. "Okay," he said again and went to the office door and abruptly threw it open, yelling, "Miller!"

Lucas practically jumped out of his skin when the elf bounded in, "T-Taako…! Uh, good, you're here. We… we need to talk."

"Yeah, we fuckin' do!" Taako said, going over to the human's desk where he was sitting and slamming a hand down on it, "You got something against my kid?"

"Of course not," Lucas said, "He's been struggling in class… and then today…"

"And then today you idiots wouldn't let him take a test."

"They were just following the rules, Taako."

"Rules that you make!"

"You don't have a time limit on tests in your school?"

"Not like that! They show up late they just have less time to take it, I don't make them fucking leave!"

"Taako it's not just that," Lucas sighed. 

"What else, then?" Taako asked, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes at the human man.

"...Angus… had a little outburst in class…"

"...The point, Miller. Get to the point."

"That… is the point. He yelled at a teacher. And several students."

"Well then they probably deserved it," Taako said. 

"I know you don't like me," Lucas said, "But this is serious."

It was at this point that Angus entered the office, going to stand next to his adoptive father, a bit nervously. 

"What makes this serious? Did he injure anybody?"

"Well, no… but--"

"Did he start an uncontrollable fire?"

"What? No. Taako--"

"So he just yelled at some people?"

"...I did… yell at a teacher, sir…" Angus said, looking up at Taako anxiously, possibly even ashamed, and then looked to Lucas, "I'm sorry. I'll take my punishment--"

"Nope," Taako said, interrupting the boy. He placed a hand on his shoulder and took a step in front of him, "Stop talking. Let me do one thing right and get behind me. Now here's what's gonna happen," he added to Lucas, in an almost dangerous voice, "You are going to leave my kid alone, you're going to let him make up that test for full credit, and I'm not going to have to come back to this school until he graduates. Are we understood?"

"...I suppose… as long as it doesn't happen again," Lucas said, mostly because he was afraid of Taako. 

"Good," Taako said with a short nod before swiftly turning on his heel and leading Angus from the room. 

Neither said a word until they were out of the building and making their way down the street, when Taako spoke, "...So how long have you been havin' trouble?"

"...Not long, sir," Angus said, averting his eyes. 

"Angus," Taako said, giving the boy a look. The fact that his mentor was using his real name was enough to tell him that he was serious, though. He didn't need to see the look. 

"...Since the beginning of the semester…"

"Why didn't you come to me for help? Or Krav, or Lup?"

"...I didn't want to bother any of you. I thought I could handle it. I'm sorry, sir."

"Don't be sorry, I don't care if you yell at people. ...But you usually do care about shit like that, so if you lost it, obviously something's up."

"I just got frustrated," Angus sighed, "I was studying all night, which is why I was late, and I was sure I knew everything for the test and that I was ready, but then they wouldn't let me take it, and…"

"It caught up to you," Taako said, nodding in understanding. 

"...Yes… I really am sorry, sir."

"You really don't have to be." He gave the boy a small smile, "I've never been prouder."

"Sir!" The boy looked reprimandingly at Taako, who laughed. 

"You don't have to be perfect, Ango. Just do your best, and for Pan's sake, ask me for help when you need it! ...And remember, when in doubt, tell Lucas you're gonna call Killian. She really hates that guy. ...But then, don't we all."

"I don't hate him. I just feel I was treated a bit unfairly…"

"You were, and you should hate him. But you'll learn," Taako said, patting Angus on the back. "...Now. What do you say we go get some ice cream?"

"I don't know… I don't feel like I should be rewarded for how I acted today."

"Well, I do. But if you really insist on punishing yourself, then you can just watch me eat said ice cream." Taako gave the young boy a loving smirk, and Angus smiled back up at him. 

"...Thank you, sir."

"You got it. ...Just next time, call me before you yell at people so I can come take pictures."

"Mr. Taako!" Angus said incredulously.

"Let me have this, Agnes," Taako said, and it put Angus at ease to hear him use the incorrect name like that. 

"Yes, sir," Ango said with a small, slightly amused smile.

"Good boy." Taako smiled and ruffled the kid's hair.

#taz taaco #taz fic #taz #taz balance #taz taako #taako taaco #angus mcdonald #taz fanfic #taz fanfiction #taz oneshot #taz angus #ango mcdango #taako from tv #taako the wizard #taako taz #the adventure zone taako #the adventure zone balance

[anony-mony-moose]

Let’s Stay Together - Izzy Stradlin x Reader (Part 2)

Y/N starts her new job, agrees that Izzy’s water is hot, and narrowly dodges an interrogation from Duff

warnings for swearing, mentions of drug use, and very mild Duff abuse (specifically his toe)

also on ao3 :)

------------------------------------------------

“First off, you gotta be able to clean dishes.”

“Oh don’t worry about that.” I delivered my most charming smile. “I’m a dab hand when it comes to soap and water, Angus.”

Izzy huffed quietly in amusement as he set down a chopping board, and I had to work to keep the pleasant expression on my face.

“I don’t doubt it, Y/N/N.” Angus replied jovially, eyes twinkling under his undulating brow. “Only other condition is I have to like you enough to be around you five days a week.”

I bit my lip and sighed dramatically. “Shit, well if it’s not meant to be... Where’s my coat?”

He belted out a laugh and strode further into the kitchen, slapping my back (and politely ignoring the way I jumped about a foot in the air).

“Come on, we gotta get you set up before the orders start. It’ll get real busy soon. You wouldn’t think so, on a Thursday afternoon...” He continued as he led me to the sinks at the back, marching past Izzy who shot me a wink and laughed silently at the mock-bewildered face I pulled.

There isn’t much you can explain about washing up, further than pointing to a sink and then some dishes, but Angus gave it a shot anyway, doling out helpful tips like, “This one’s the cold tap, that one’s hot. Be careful, alright? The hot water is pretty damn hot.” Eventually, mercifully, his commentary ran dry and he bustled over to dice veg with Izzy at one of the counters. A few hours passed with me scrubbing my way through various pots and pans, occasionally enjoying Angus’ happy chatter about this and that whenever service calmed down. He had something to say about just about everything, that man.

Although you wouldn’t know it from the way he spoke, Angus Walker was only in his early thirties. Smoking one too many packs a day for about ten too many years had reduced his voice to a low scratchy rumble, and it matched perfectly with the strange little rambling tales he liked to share. His funniest kitchen war stories usually centred around his time starting out in Chicago. They were also evidently his favourites to tell - he’d get properly invested, slipping into thickly accented voices for each character. The way he reminisced, you’d think he was referring to things that took place fifty years ago.

Although not especially close, we’d been familiar since I first arrived in LA. Of course, since Izzy got the job doing food prep for him at Andrea’s, we bumped into quite regularly - it was usually Angus who answered the back door, and he was very generous with Izzy’s smoke breaks whenever I came calling. Weirdly enough though, Duff had also previously worked for him at a bakery, which was conveniently only ten minutes up the road from the call centre I was temping at at the time (another job which bit the dust pretty fast). I used to pop by everyday over my lunch hour to chat with all the staff in the break room. Duff made a habit of stuffing my pockets on my way out with all the goods that didn’t survive the ovens, constantly trying to feed me up, and even back then Angus would always turn a blind eye.

All round, he was just a really nice bloke. Didn’t half harp on though, I mused, tuning in to follow the end of a lengthy discussion about the guy I’d replaced.

“Damn sight better to have you on the team, anyway.” He concluded, pottering away to rummage around for something in the walk-in. I turned and caught a knowing smirk from Izzy.

“Comin’ out for a smoke?” He asked, jerking his head towards the door.

I nodded and swivelled round to check with Angus.

“Sure honey, take all the time you need! I’ll hold down the fort over here!” He hollered in reply and I stifled a small laugh. I had a feeling he was just grateful for a new, even marginally more responsive ear to chew off as he worked - Izzy could be an absolute brick wall when he set his mind to it.

We stepped outside into a light drizzle and the man in question burst into laughter, ducking with a delighted grin as I clouted him round the back of the head.

“You are a such a fuckin’ flirt!” He wheezed, only spurred on by my unsuccessful attempts to look unamused. His shoulders shook as he plucked a crumpled pack of Marlboro’s from his back pocket, still chuckling as he passed one to me.

“Angus doesn’t mind.” I mumbled, glancing away to hide my smirk. 

He cackled again. “No, he fuckin’ doesn’t.”

Our elbows knocked together, a short fit of giggles escaped me before I could properly stamp it down. My voice trembled when I replied, “My skills really are wasted on this shit, huh?”

All it took was a glance and we both devolved into hysterics again.

You could probably forgive us for feeling a bit crazed that afternoon. Neither of us had got even a glimpse of sleep, having been kept up all night by Slash and a steady supply of pills from his various pockets; the man really did have everything stashed away in there. The day had broken and morning was well on it’s way to noon when Slash finally left to restock, Izzy and I tagging along just for something to do. I didn’t have much memory of our bleary walk around town to find a dealer, apart from a single clear image of the cold, grey sunlight dancing over Izzy’s face. A little weird, granted, but I figured that could be easily blamed on the pills.

It was a bit of a miracle that we actually to made it to Andrea’s on time. It was even more of a miracle that we weren’t just turned away in our bedraggled state. Getting a good look now we were outside, Izzy still looked objectively awful, with big red rings shadowing his eyes and a slightly twitchy quality to all his movements. An unruly part of my brain helpfully reminded me that despite this, he was still extremely attractive. Another, more unruly part suggested that, yes, I definitely still wanted to shag him like this, and hey presto, now I was imagining him pinning me against that metal door and fucking those hangover jitters out of me. Christ.

No sleep, an ever-intensifying comedown, and an incorrigible imagination – the real miracle would be surviving to the end of this shift.

*****

“Sheena is-“ The words garbled as I dunked my head back under the showerhead to rinse. “A punk rocker, no-o-o-o-ow!” My feet slipped a little, stumbling over an empty beer can which floated above the drain, and I splashed my face to wash off the soapy water, still singing cheerily. “She’s a punk, punk,” I climbed out of the tub to snatch up the towel from the floor, (“A punk rocker!”) giving myself a quick once over  (“Punk, punk-“) before hitching it up around me. (“A punk rocker-er!”) I shook my hair out enthusiastically and immediately winced as that stubborn hungover headache clattered around my skull again like an enraged bull, battering away at my temples. I could hardly wait to meet the guys and get a drink inside me, if only to get rid of the incessant pounding in my head.

I plugged on determinedly with the song, neatly bringing the chorus to an end as I left the bathroom (spoiler: she is still definitely a punk rocker). A wry grin was leering at me from the other side of the door.

“Is she now?”

I hid a smile and squeezed some more water out of my hair as I pushed past to search out some clothes.

“Yeah, weren’t you listenin’? I thought me and Joey made it pretty clear.”

A loud thunk sounded from the window. He brushed behind me to answer it, hand flitting over my bare shoulder briefly, and I swallowed as I sifted haphazardly through the accumulated rubbish on the floor for my skirt. I sighed, standing up to ask Izzy if he remembered where we’d lobbed it before, and the unkempt stranger outside jeered suddenly. How he had the energy, I had no idea. The sheen of sweat on his forehead hinted at a pretty nasty case of dopesickness – after all, that was why he’d come knocking.

“Shit, Stradlin, what else you got hidin’ in there?” My nose scrunched up in irritation, any sympathy vanishing instantly, but Izzy beat me to it.

“Fuck off.” He hissed and reached out to give him a harsh shove, and the man stumbled backwards, startled.

“Jeez, man, I was j-“ The window slammed shut in his face and he gawked through the dirty glass for a second before dashing off into the alley, probably remembering the fresh dose of smack in his hand. Izzy lingered, glowering at his retreating back. On second thoughts, maybe it was the glower that sent him running.

“Um, have you seen-“ I began as he turned and said, “I should’ve beat his fuckin’ ass for that. Sorry.”

I blinked, taken aback by the ferocity in his tone. “It’s fine, Iz.” He eyed me dubiously. “Really. I would’ve said the same thing, I mean-“ I flounced a hand across my body, adopting a terrible imitation of a Californian drawl, “Have you seen this bod?”

He snorted and produced my lost mini-skirt from somewhere in his unmade bed, offering it to me as he changed the subject abruptly.

“How was my shower?”

“Uh... Functional?” That was… An oddly pointed question. “I’m clean as a whistle now, so…” I yanked a pair of tights up over my arse and stepped into the skirt.

“Hot enough for you?”

So that was what he was getting at. I smirked drily and rolled my eyes as I clipped up my bra. “Put Nicky’s to shame.”

“Good to hear.” He handed me a dark blue shirt and watched me slip it on with a smirk to match mine. “You ready to head out?”

I glanced up, pausing my buttoning, to raise an eyebrow. “Feelin’ impatient, Izzy?”

His hands covered mine to fasten the last few buttons up to my chest, surely feeling the way my heartbeat revved up a little in anticipation. He dipped his head, just enough to lock eyes with me, that wicked smirk still firmly in place, and practically purred, “Always.”

*****

“Y/L/N!”

Duff waved me down as he left his apartment block, leaping out into the road and racing over to meet me outside Izzy’s building, barely avoiding a motorbike as it whizzed past.

“Hey, man.” His grin was infectious, bright even in the persistent spitting rain, and it managed to take some of the bite from my grumbling reply.

“You’re a bit chipper for this time in the afternoon, aren’t you?”

“You left very early last night.” No time to waste on small talk, apparently.

I started walking purposefully in the direction of the Strip, not sparing him a glance as he plodded along beside me. I didn’t have to see his face to know that there was still a teasing grin plastered all over it.

“You weren’t the only one.”

“I wasn’t?”

He raised his eyebrows, almost managing to keep a serious expression.

I bit down a giddy smile (Jesus, where was that coming from?) and dug my hands into the pockets of Izzy’s coat. “Piss off, Duff.”

“I didn’t even say anything!”

I narrowed my eyes at him pointedly, (yep, there was the grin) and stopped to help shield him from the wind as he lit a cigarette. He repeated it and passed one to me.

“Cheers.” We strode on, my hair whipping and snapping around me like a whirlwind. I huddled further into the leather, firmly ignoring the unmistakeably Izzy scent that was ingrained in the collar, and the heat it sparked inside me.

“Gee, that’s a nice jacket you’re wearing.” Duff continued gleefully, a generous helping of sarcasm injected into his voice. I sighed and shook my head in exasperation. “Now where have I seen it before?”

I shot him an amused look. “What’s up, McKagan?”

“Who, me? Ohhh, nothin’ at all, zilch. Just makin’ a couple of observations, that’s all.”

“Sure about that?”

“Totally.” He paused as I dodged a frenzied woman in a pantsuit. “So many different things to observe, don’t you think?”

I snorted. “I don’t know, Duff, but I bet you’re gonna tell me.”

“You and Izzy disappear together last night, now you’re wearin’ his clothes this morning,” I checked, a little alarmed to find that I actually was wearing his shirt again today, while Duff threw his hands up in the air. “God, what could it all mean?”

I spluttered, laughing, and ducked under the awning of the liquor store to take one last drag of smoke before heading in. Of course, he followed me.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” The change rattled in my hand as I scoured the shelf in front of me, hardly paying attention to Duff swanning around on the side of the aisle.

“I’m just sayin’,” He called, “If I didn’t know better I’d say you two were gettin’ pretty cosy.”

I rolled my eyes and grabbed another cheap bottle of rum, sidling past him to deposit everything at the checkout.

“Hey Al, how’s it goin’?” I sighed, counting out the last of my quarters on the tabletop.

“He givin’ you trouble, sweetheart?” He nodded gruffly over my head at the giant blonde softie behind me, currently inspecting the label of a bottle of red wine.

I laughed, trying to imagine what Duff might look like to an untrained eye. He could be pretty scary when he needed to, after all. “No, he’s fine.”

“What’s goin’ on?” Duff’s hands landed on my shoulders and I flinched a little despite myself.

“If you’re sure.” Al muttered under his breath, patiently divvying up my assortment of coins and dollar bills. “You got another fifty cents, honey?”

I winced. That was all the cash I had. Duff’s touch disappeared from my shoulders to delve into his jean pockets, rooting around hastily.

“Sorry man, that’s all I got. I’ll leave the-“

“No, no, don’t be silly. Owe me it, alright?”

“But hey, I have-“ I silenced Duff with a light stomp on his toe.

“Thanks mate, I really appreciate it.” I gathered up the bottles under my arm, promising to be back with the remainder soon.

“Hey, forget it Y/N. Tell you what, keep that fifty. Buy some fuckin’ breakfast next time, okay?”

I snickered and waved as we turned to leave. “Will do! See you later!”

The bell above the door jingled chirpily as we left and Duff paused to spark another couple of cigarettes for us before stepping back out into the street. I frowned as he continued back the way we’d just come. He hadn’t really just left his apartment to follow me to the shop, had he?

“Are you goin’ home?”

“Nah, I’m late for work.” He said, looking remarkably unfazed.

“Shouldn’t you be walkin’ the other way, then?”

“I’ll walk you back first.” I opened my mouth to protest but he forged ahead before I could. “Didn’t get to the bottom of my observations yet.”

I sighed and waited for him to continue, but he stayed quiet instead, even when Izzy’s building came back into sight.

“What do you want me to say?” I said finally. “I thought everybody knew already, we fuck now and then. It’s not exactly big news.”

We stopped outside the door and I puffed away the last few tokes of my cigarette as I waited for him to reply. He was smiling fondly at me, and I found it infuriating for some reason.

“And you’re sure it’s just sex?”

“Uh, yeah.” I frowned. “Is that not what I said?” 

He was still smiling and appearing quite entertained by my confusion, and I shook him off, wrinkling my nose, when he reached down to ruffle my hair. 

“You know, you’re a real dumbass, Y/N/N.”

I scowled. “Yes, thanks, I did know that.”

He rocked back on his heels to fix me with a calculating stare.

“What does Izzy think?” He said carefully. Huh? 

“What the fuck d’you mean, what does-”

“Shit!” Duff blurted, eyes widening comically. “I gotta get to work!” He turned on his heel and started sprinting back into town, shouldering through the midday stragglers and throwing out frantic apologies as he barged past people. In the space of about ten seconds, he was gone, flying out of view round the corner with a final shout of “Come see me when you get your head outta your ass!”

I stood there, dumbfounded. What the hell did he mean by that?

Curiously enough, he wasn’t the only one who’d suggested… Well, whatever it was he’d been trying to suggest. Axl had pulled me aside when we were out the night before last, bellowing in my ear that he was happy for me and Iz, of all things. If that wasn’t unsettling enough, him and Slash had taken to calling Izzy’s apartment ‘the love nest’ since I’d started hanging around there constantly, bedding down with Izzy every single night this week - as if I needed a reminder. I spent more time there than I did anywhere else at the moment, and it was getting a bit ridiculous. I’d been offered a roof to crash under for one night, and here I was, a week later, making myself a permanent fixture. He hadn’t mentioned it yet though, which seemed kind of unusual for someone normally so blunt.

I was still lost in thought as I twisted the cap off one of the bottles and gulped down a bolstering mouthful of whisky, trudging into the hallway to rap on Izzy’s door. The whole thing was very weird, I decided, screwing the cap back on. Very weird, indeed. And here I was, returning again. Bloody hell, what a disaster.

But then the door swung open, and I was greeted with a greedy kiss, emitting a pleased (if a little surprised) moan. Izzy was just as gloriously naked as I’d left him, with keen hands pulling me inside and pushing me up against the back of the door to kiss the breath out of me, already stripping me of his jacket and depositing it in a heap on the floor next to the booze.

“You were gone a long time.” He gasped, somehow still managing an air of nonchalance, even as he tore my (his) shirt up over my head. I wriggled out of it and launched myself back into his embrace, pressing up for another filthy kiss. His hands carded through my damp hair, and he broke away panting, confused. “It’s rainin’?”

I huffed, laughing a little, and dragged him with me towards the bed. “You wanna talk about the weather right now?”

His mouth stretched out to form a grin, and crashed back into mine - and all thoughts of Duff and his oddly foreboding questions swiftly evaporated.

#izzy stradlin #izzy stradlin x reader #izzy stradlin fanfiction #izzy stradlin fanfic #duff mckagan #axl rose #saul hudson #steven adler #gnr #gnr x reader #gnr fanfiction #gnr fanfic

[queensdivas]

Wildest Notes Chapter 1

okay so tumblr decided to have a stroke obviously and decided to delete the entire first chapter because. I decided to add the word Chapter 1..so I’m tagging y’all again mostly for my sake. So sorry. 

For those of you who have no idea what this is. YOU’RE SO WELCOME AND I THINK YOU’RE GOING TO ENJOY WHAT I’VE GOT COOKING IN MY LITTLE BRAIN FOR OUR MAILMAN GARDNER!

If ya liked to be tagged please let me know. 

And I’ll see you guys in whatever I post later! 

HERE WE GO! 

Chapter 2

Masterlist

And that’ll do! After an entire night of moving and unpacking. I’ve finally made it into my new home! It’s a tiny little hole in this town but I couldn’t be more happy with it. Right outside of the city and quiet enough you don’t hear the traffic. Absolutely perfect! 

I walked into the living room where Angus was sound asleep with the sunshine beaming on him. Kind of forgot that he enjoys the sunlight when he’s taking his naps and all the drool that comes from English Mastiff. Hopefully I can put something together for my giant in the backyard so he can lay out for as long as he wants. 

Speaking of outside, that's all that's left to do in the house and it’ll be complete. I’ve already got my seeds ordered for the flowers and veggies for the backyard. I have to figure out what I want to do for the front yard. Maybe I can have a line of sunflowers against the fence? Ivy wrapping around the fence? That’ll take months but atleast the weather here is very nice. I’ll have to think of something in order for a much nicer garden for my obsession. Maybe some ferns and some lava rocks? Nah we’re not in the right territory for lava rocks. I already know the backyard is going to have the largest sunflowers I can get my hands on. 

I should take a walk around the neighborhood and get some fresh air. And I imagine Angus would just love a walk, even if he’s tapped down on the floor in the middle of the road! But look at him relaxing on the fluffy rug! 

“Someone wants to go on a walk doesn’t he?” I asked him as he sat down in front of me waiting for me to clip the leash. Found Mr. Angus under the bridge when I walked from the orphanage to school. He was only a puppy when I first saw him and from that day on I was giving him food from breakfast and left over from lunch. Then he started following me back to the home every night. 

Angus and I walked out the front door as I patted the front part of my overalls for where I put my keys. He barked out towards the street as I turned around to see the mailman coming through the gate but stayed back due to the dog. 

“He doesn’t bite.” I smiled as I led Angus towards the mailman as he stood there so tall and firm. I don’t even think a gust of wind would blow him over, even hurricane wind wouldn’t knock him down. 

Angus began circling the mailman sniffing up and down his legs, down to the tip of his toes. I chuckled as he stuck his nose in the mail bag and sniffed all the letters and tiny packages. The man bounced away from Angus as he dug through the mail to hand me my two envelopes. 

“I’m Cora.” I told him as he took a deep breath in. 

“Gardner. Now if you’ll excuse me Miss Lister. I have to get back to work and take my lunch.” A 180 turn away from me as he walked out of the fenced front yard back onto the sidewalk. Wait what’s this slip? 

“Umm excuse me Gardner.” He stopped as he faced the fence. I walked over towards him with the only thing blocking us was the picket fence. I then showed him the slip as he looked at the slip then back at me. 

“It’s a package. That’s a slip.” Obviously but what did I order? Wait did I order anything or is someone mailing back from what I left at the old house? There’s a lot of things this could be. He was about to walk away as I was trying to finish this conversation without him running off. 

“Can I assume that you’re bringing it by tomorrow?” He stopped dead in his tracks and turned towards me. 

“Section 4.7 of the resident manual stipulates packages of that size cannot be left without the recipient's signature.” Didn’t realize it was such a big package goodness. What on earth could I have left at the house!?

“I’ll be in the back working on some hoeing so just leave it on the corner of the porch. C’mon Angus!” I opened the gate, waving bye to Gardner. 

“Thanks Gardner!” I yelled as we began our walk. 

Angus and I watched him walk down the street stopping into each of the house's mailboxes. Probably should go the opposite way so it doesn’t look like I’m stalking him. 

“C’mon Angus.” I told him as I walked out of the gate down towards the opposite way Gardner was going. Glad to know the first I met was a very tight end mailman. I mean he was a little cute but I should get going. 

Angus was absolutely loving all the new smells and environment while walking around the corner onto the new sidewalk. I was humming a quiet song to myself as I heard a very loud whistle coming from the house I was passing. A foam rocket landed right in front of Angus and I for him to start sniffing it. An old woman came stumbling out of the house with a flask in her hand. 

“Ah damn it. Too much gas.” She yelled as I picked up her foam rocket as she walked towards me. 

“You moved into the house with the yellow door, yes?” You mean my absolutely favorite door in the world? That pretty yellow color that I love? Yes. 

“Yes mam.” 

“No one tells me yes mam, makes me feel old. Trudy.” She made it infront of me as I handed her the foam rocket. I glanced over to her blue and purple house to see her flowers on the ground were dying. 

“Cora. Nice to meet you.” I told her as she looked down to Angus. 

“And who is this?” She reached down as Angus began sniffing her fingers and arm. 

“Angus.” 

“We’ll he’s a heartbreaker. Glad you moved into the house, that old woman who used to own that place was crazy. She once walked out of the house naked like a jaybird.” She took a drink as I nodded along. Glad to know one of my new friends in the neighborhood is an old lady wearing a super long floral kimono. 

“I’ll let you back on your walk. Hey if you need anything please stop by whenever ya feel like. I could use a young drinking buddy myself. I make a mean long island iced tea.” Don’t really like alcohol on most days. Maybe a glass of wine at dinner or a beer when I’m grilling. 

“I’ll get back to you on that Trudy. Lovely to meet you.” I began walking away as she kept looking at me till she went back inside. So I got mad science living a street or two away and a mailman who's tighter than a screw. 

I continued along the sidewalk as Angus was walking a little faster since he was trying to see the entire neighborhood. I stumbled upon a patch of trees as Angus was just dying to start running around in there. Eh might as well. Don’t need to go back home for a few more hours and it’ll take me about an hour to get ready for work. I bent down to unlatch the leash from his collar as he went sprinting off. Don’t worry he’ll come back because he's going to have a nice chicken dinner before work. I began walking on the trail as I kept an eye on Angus as he was climbing on top of some fallen trees. 

It’s weird to think a few months ago I was job hunting and trying to find a place to live and now my life is slowly coming together. I need to write to my orphanage mother and let her know that I finally made it in the world. We were worried when I turned sixteen that no one was going to adopt me and by eighteen they kind of just threw you out onto the street. But now look at me! In a jazz band at night and selling my own produce at markets. Just exactly what I wanted in my life. 

We reached the opening onto a large tall field that was circled by the entire patch of forest. There was no trail that led into the field but one wrapping around it. A few park benches were placed along the trail as I began going down the path on the left. Angus ran running into the field  as he began hopping around in the tall grass. 

He barked each time he jumped out of the field till something caught his attention as he began smelling the air. He began trotting around the field as he began picking up the pace till we came across someone on the bench eating. Oh no he must have peanut butter! It’s Angus’ weakness! 

By the time I was about to tell him no he was already sitting in front of him with his tail moving across the grass. Crap crap crap! I ran up to notice it was Gardner just trying to enjoy his lunch in peace I’m assuming. But I stopped as Gardner ripped off a piece of his crust then handed it to Angus. He laid down in front of him and quickly ate it. 

“I’m so sorry about that.” I told him as I stood in front of him and attached the leash to Angus. 

“It’s fine.” Another short answer as he took a bite out of his sandwich. 

“Mind if I sit with you for a minute?” I asked him as he looked over his bag to then move it onto the ground next to him. I sat down on the other edge of the bench as I was watching Angus running back into the field. 

“I promise I’m not stalking you or anything.” I blurted out as he kept his focus on the field. It was an awkward silence for a few seconds as I tried to think of something to say in order to remove this awkwardness. 

“Why this little town?” He asked as I looked over and looked over at me.  

“I miss the little town feeling. I grew up in Eureka California and I kind of missed that town kind of feeling. Plus my job is here now and wouldn’t trade it for anything.” I nodded as Angus sat in front of me as I scratched his head. 

“What do you do?” Feels like I’m in an interview as he’s silently judging me. 

“During the day when I’m not sleeping I’m growing vegetables and herbs for any local markets. And at night I’m a jazz pianist.” He nodded as he looked over at him. I know it’s not a lot of money in my life but it makes me extremely happy. 

“You don’t like to talk do you?” I blurted out as he turned his head towards me. 

“No I do.” He defended as I nodded. So he likes to talk, but just doesn’t want to talk to strangers. Understandable. I’m a complete stranger who accidentally found him at the park during his lunch. 

“So are those hats comfy?” I asked him as he looked up at his white hat. 

“They’re good for the summer. Keeps the air flowing through my head and the sun from burning my neck.” I looked at it then chuckled at myself. 

“How’s the mail business going then?” 

“Fresh air, predictable, solid retirement fund.”

“Already sounds like a better life than what I’m doing.” I could sense he wanted to be left alone. I imagine this is very weird for some stranger to be sitting here with him. I should get going anyhow. 

“Sorry I’ll leave you alone. Listen if you ever get out or just bored at home. Come to Club Eclipse on 2nd. Thanks for letting me sit with you Gardner.” I grabbed Angus leash as I began to speed walking down the trail as my body became a little cold. How stupid was that? Honestly that was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done in my entire life. 

“Thank you Miss Lister.” He blurted as I stopped dead in my tracks then turned around towards him. 

“Cora please. And for what?”

“This was….different.” He grabbed his bag and marched away. 

What a..what an interesting man. I hope to see him tomorrow while he delivers my package. Which I’m still trying to remember what exactly it was I ordered. He’s..kind of cute with his quirkiness. 

taglist

@bonafiderocketqueen​ @filmslutt​ @leah-halliwell92​ @johndeaconshands​ @amethyst-serenade​ @soy-guey​ @jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels​ @queen-turtle-boiii​ @mercury-wife​ @deck-heart​ @themficsilike​ @deakydeacs​

#gardner langway #Gardner #gardner x reader #Gardner Langway x reader #Gardner Langway Fic #Dear Sidewalk #Dear Sidewalk x reader #dear sidewalk fan fic #joe mazzello #joe mazzello fic #joe mazzello fanfic #joe mazzello x reader

[charmandhex]

Angus is rather used to it at this point. The questions, that is. People can be astonishingly nosy (even when they aren’t detectives), and the Birds are considerably more intimidating than a kid now hovering in the space between young child and gangly teenager.

At least if you don’t know any of the Seven Birds or the boy in question.

But people still go to Angus with the questions. He practically has a script.

“Is Magnus as strong as the Story says?” Stronger.

“Does Lucretia really write with both hands?” Yes, and at the same time.

“What’s Lup like?” Fiery, fierce, wonderful.

“How many pairs of jeans does Barry have?” More than one.

“Is Merle seeing anyone?” Angus does not know and will not ask.

“Where did Davenport get the money for the Wavehumper?” Battlewagon racing.

“So Taako teaches you? Is he, like, your dad now?”

This is, to Angus, the most awkward question, so he feels no guilt over replying with an appropriately snarky answer each time.

“Well, no, sir, but I’m officially a part of the Taako brand. You too can get your own Taako-brand Agnes McDonald for only 420 payments of one gold.”

“No, ma’am, he’s my eccentric uncle. He’s going to die under mysterious circumstances forcing me to solve the mystery of his death so I can inherit a large fortune.”

“He’s my employer, sir. I’m a professor at the school. I have tenure.”

“I’m actually a dragon, and I’m older than he is, Mx.”

“Ma’am, he pushed me off a train, and you think he could be trusted with a child?”

And so on.

Because the Birds are adequately awe-inspiring and overwhelming (because most people have never seen Magnus cry over a dog or Barry eating too much cheese for science again), they don’t know about the questions for the most part, and Angus certainly isn’t going to fill them in. They’ve got enough to do, and Angus can handle it.

For the most part.

While out and about with Taako one day, shopping with a miles long list of spell components and groceries, someone practically bowls Angus over. While he’s reeling, the sentient wrecking ball notices who Angus is with.

“Oh my gods, TAAKO!” A human woman shrieks, completely missing the boy she nearly demolished.

“Uh... hail and well met.” Taako gives a casual wave, and Angus can see Taako glance down at him. “So. You good there, Agnes?”

“Agnes?” The woman asks, nonplussed before finally registering that the object she’d collided with was a living being. “Oh! This must be your son! From the story? Bet you’re happy that an amazing wizard like Taako adopted you, aren’t you?” The woman coos at the end in an annoying high-pitched voice, pinching Angus’s cheek and knocking his glasses askew again just as he’d managed to right them. Angus gets his glasses on again just in time to see a weird look on Taako’s face. Great. Now he’ll have to deal with Taako teasing about that. Angus opens his mouth to correct her, tell her no, he’s not-

“Adopted? What? Why would you think my son is adopted? Can’t you see the family resemblance? The Taako brand stunning good looks?” Taako slings an arm over Angus’s shoulder, grinning winningly at her.

“Sir-“

“Oh! I’m... I’m sorry?” The woman looks between Taako and Angus and back again, seemingly trying to do the math.

“Of course, cause, uh, he does take after his other dad. Right now, listen, this has been lovely, but, uh... parent duty calls? Come along, Agnes, time for... parental bonding and shit. Play catch? Teach you how to tie a tie? Drag you along fishing? That’s a thing dads do, right?” Taako steers Angus off with a wave back at the woman.

“Sir-“ Angus tries again as soon as they’re out of earshot.

“You good there, Ango? Battering ram back there coulda given Jess a run for her title.” Taako asks conversationally as he jabs a thumb back, pointing.

“Yes, but-“

“Cool.”

“Sir-“

“So let’s go.”

“Sir, you said-“

“I know what I said.” Taako cuts him off, suddenly more serious.

And Angus is overcome with something he doesn’t feel terribly often: confusion. “Why?”

And that seems to throw Taako off for some reason. “Um, well...” Taako hums, thinking. Or delaying. “Listen. She kinda, kinda caught me by surprise with that whole thing, but... why not? You know, uh, listen, you basically live with me and Krav. As far as I can tell you either have shit parents or no parents, which I can tell you: both suck in different ways. I teach you magic and shit.” Taako glances back to him before looking away again, ears twitching. “Unless, uh, unless you don’t want-“

Angus stares at Taako, who determinedly avoids eye contact as he continues rambling. “Sir.” Angus interrupts, and Taako stops mid-word. He seems like a barely contained whirlwind, all frantic energy ready to blow everywhere at once. “What else do we need to find before we go home?”

There’s a pause long enough for three loud heartbeats in Angus’s ears. Taako slowly smiles, tension easing and tornado dissipating. “I thought boy detectives had to be good at remembering shit? Okay, we got-“

Angus and Taako continue on with shopping, gradually making their way home.

Later, Angus discovers that not being asked nosy questions extends to the family of the Birds, too.

#taz #taz balance #taako #angus mcdonald #taz fic #taz fanfic #story and song #post story and song #the adventure zone #the adventure zone balance #charm works #this popped into my head and now it is on paper #or at least in text format

[tyrannysaurusfloof]

Hmmmmm maybe 1 or 4 for danti, darkstache, or dantistache? (Sorry, I've been really into those ships lately) also this is for the Christmas prompt!

(I have to go with Danti, I love those boys. With a hunt of Dantistache

--

Every year the Septic Egos had a get together at Christmas where all animosities were set aside and they exchanged presents, played party games, got drunk and made some rip-roaringly good memories before the new year brought on new fighting, arguments, and normal Septic Ego things. And every year, Anti invited Dark to go and every year Dark either refused to go or attended and left after a short time because an argument had happened, or he was pissed off by something.

This year, Dark had promised to be different.

All the other Egos brought someone with them or formed small packs while they were there due to close bonds: Chase brought his kids every time thanks to finally coming to a good conclusion with Stacey, Henrik had Dr Iplier and his child, Jackieboy and Marvin made no secret of their relationship, JJ and Robbie were close friends and when Angus came out of the woodwork he had basically adopted them, so they were always together. And then, there was Anti, and he was alone. It upset him a lot that Dark couldn’t commit, when Anti was easily committed to the parties in the Iplier household – invited or not – and Dark was tired of the arguments.

Tired of how he made Anti feel.

Tired or leaving him alone.  

But not this time.

The Septic Ego household was completely decorated in so many Christmas ornaments that Dark had to duck around some of them and it was so gaudy that it hurt his eyes, but he continued through looking for Anti. There was a lot of mistletoe everywhere as well, and he had a feeling where they had come from considering Dark’s office ad been completely covered in it yesterday.

“Alright Mister. I know you’re the one who keeps hanging up mistletoe everywhere.” Dark stated as he slid into Anti’s room to find the Glitch standing on his desk hanging a bunch of mistletoe over the bed.

“Dark!” Anti turned in excitement, falling backwards off the desk because he knew Dark would catch him, only to hold one last bit of mistletoe over their head. “You came. Are you…staying this time?”

Leaning down slightly to kiss Anti’s lips softly, Dark smiled, “Yes, I promise, I will stay the entire time.”

Smiling, Anti pushed himself back and tossed the mistletoe on the desk. “Is mistletoe annoying to you?”

“Hmm? No, but I know why you’re doing it.” Dark chuckled quietly, “Trying to finally get Schneeplestein in the corner tonight?”

Anti laughed and shook his head, “You’re ridiculous. Come on, I said I’d help make some food for the party. May as well take along the only person in this house that might actually know how to cook.”

They spent the rest of the day in the kitchen, shoving party food into the oven, decorating a Christmas cake, and somehow getting flour everywhere despite the fact that they didn’t use any flour, and by the time they were done, the party was starting.

“Ah, it’s so nice to see you here Dark.” Schneeple said as he dodged around Chase’s kids to shake Dark’s hand, “I hope you stay around for the party games, I have a feeling you’d be good at charades.”

“Because I’m a natural liar?” Dark queried.

“I suppose we could leave it at that.” Schneeple agreed and excused himself as Anti curled under Dark’s arm.

“Have you started drinking already?” Dark asked with a grin.

“Maybe.” Anti said.

“Mmhmm. And where’s my drink?”

“Here.”

Passing a whiskey into Dark’s hands, Anti began talking about everything that was planned and Dark paid half attention as the door burst open and Wilford Warfstache himself burst in.

“Now let’s get this party started properly!” He exclaimed loudly, drawing all attention to him and Dark pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ahh Darkipoo! I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Yes, yes you did Wilford.” Dark rolled his eyes, “I told you a few hours ago I would be coming here. What are you doing here?”

“No one throws a Christmas party without Wilford Warfstache.” Wilford announced, “Now, what alcohol do we have?!”

Dark muttered his annoyance under his breath and Anti looked at him in concern. “Are you going to leave?”

“No,” Dark murmured, “I love you and I promised I would stay here for you. Wilford will just…make it interesting.”

“Good.” Anti grinned, “Because as more alcohol flows, the more I’m going to want you.”

Laughing, Dark pressed another kiss to Anti’s lips, knowing full well there was mistletoe hanging above them, until they were interrupted with Wilford shouting “Excuse me – where is my Christmas kiss?!” at them.

--

—𝑻𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 (Christmas Prompts)

#danti #darkiplier #antisepticeye #tis the season #christmas prompts

[queertazsecretsanta]

A gift for @dork-empress, created by @all-made-of-stardust!

I am always down for some good wholesome Taakitz, and this was no exception.  For best reading experience, listen to this song once Kravitz turns on the music ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCabI3MdV9g

~~

It was Candlenights eve, and everything was perfect.

Their whole family had already come and gone.  Magnus with the dogs, Merle with his kids.  Davenport had actually managed to schedule shore time to come say hi, hell, even Lucretia had popped in, if only to hug the people that would hug her, and in the end Taako didn’t mind so much.  At least everyone else was happy.  Angus had begged to stay the night but it was Magnus’ turn to host the kid.

Lup and Barry were the last ones to leave.  Lup had been clingy ever since she got her body back, and Taako had to convince her that yes, Lup, we’ll see each other again, yes, Lup, you can come over for dinner, yeah sure, Lup, let’s do it tomorrow.

But for now, Lup had gone home with Barry, and it left Kravitz and Taako in a warm haze.  Taako had magicked up a fire in the fireplace, and they were both sitting on the couch, Taako curled up against Kravitz’s chest, Kravitz with his hand wrapped around Taako’s shoulder.  He was absentmindedly running his fingers through Taako’s hair, which by now had fallen out of its braid.

Skeletor, the gray tabby (the first one they had adopted), had wrapped himself under Taako’s hand.  MewMew (named by Kravitz after a night of too many drinks), the black tuxedo, was walking along the top of the couch, and was nuzzling Kravitz’s face.  And of course, Lup II (why not Taako II? - Because I’m the better twin! - Who decided that? - Uh, both of us? – Yeah, when we were five!), the calico, was busy purring loudly by the fire.

Jury was still out on whether they were adopting a fourth, a spectral skeletal cat.  Barry’s vote was an enthusiastic yes, he would even provide the kitty himself, but Kravitz vetoed the idea of deliberately reanimating a cat just for the sake of keeping it as a pet.  Taako thought it might be too confusing, given the fact that they’d already called the first one Skeletor.  Lup thought she could name it Skeletor II, and had smirked at Taako.

Taako was half into meditation, enjoying the feeling of Kravitz’s rejuvenated heart beat against his, when Kravitz stirred slightly.

“Taako, how much music have I shared with you?”

Taako hummed a tune he thought he’d hear Kravitz sing before, and Kravitz laughed.

“That sounds more like what Lup might listen to.”

Taako yawned.

“Then I don’t know.  Why, you wanna share some with me now?”

“I’ve had one stuck in my head all day.  Could I share it with you?”

Taako stretched and sat up, frightening Skeletor into leaping off the couch.  Kravitz stood up as Taako rubbed his eyes.

“I’m sure it will sound amazing, Krav.”

He loved everything about Kravitz.  He really did.  But from what he’d heard, his taste in music was...boring.  There was only so many times Taako could listen to a cello play a harmony.  He remembered listening to Lup and Barry’s Legato performance, and smiled.  As much as he loved listening to the culmination of his sister’s true love, he could have done with more...pizzazz.

Kravitz fiddled with Fantasy Spotify, selecting a song.

“It’s a Candlenights one!” he said excitedly.

“Mmhmm.”

The music started, and Kravitz sat back on the couch.

A singular cello started playing an old Candlenights tune that Taako was familiar with.  An old carol, with sad notes.  Taako hummed along as the cello continued.  As it reached a lower note it sustained it, drawing it out into silence.  Taako saw Kravitz sit forward in anticipation.

“Well, it was pretty.  But what is - ”

Drums.  A guitar.  A heavy triple beat, accentuated by large bells ringing loudly in the background.  Taako felt his heart leap a little at the turn, and was suddenly very interested.

Violins, overlapping and louder and more forceful than he’d ever heard them, screamed out another familiar melody, but instead of it being soft and serene it felt powerful, with purpose.

Kravitz was grinning.  He was tapping his foot in time with the beat, and when the piano cut in, pounding down the notes in a jarring chord, Kravitz playfully mimed the movements along with it.  Taako found himself laughing.

The music faded out briefly, still keeping its foreboding tone, as a piano lightly tapped out the beginning melody.  Kravitz stood, and took Taako’s hand.

“Shall we dance?” he chuckled, sweeping Taako into a waltz, but it wasn’t slow and romantic, it was fast and active and almost terrifying.  Kravitz whirled Taako around the room, the cats darting away from them.  Lup II had already leapt from her spot by the fire and was now staring at the two in wonder as they spun and danced and twirled as the music got louder, the guitar more intense, ripping out the chords like it was the end of the world.

It grew into a crescendo, the violins going crazy, and Taako laughed as they gave up on the waltz and simply danced, jumping up and down, Kravitz beaming ear to ear.  The song ended on a long drawn out chord, triumphant and joyous, and Taako started giggling as Kravitz brought him back down to the couch.  Skeletor hopped up again, confused as to why the two were laughing so much.

Taako managed to take a breath and kissed Kravitz, before falling on top of him again, his heart still pounding from the song.

“Alright, I admit it.  That was pretty badass.”

“They have a whole album...” Kravitz teased, and Taako shot up.

“A whole trove of classical songs that don’t put me to sleep?”

Kravitz nodded, and Taako grabbed his hand.

“We’re doing nothing else tonight but listening to this.”

Kravitz smiled, and selected the songs.  Around them, the cats rolled in, almost as if they wanted to join in on the dancing too.

#dork-empress #all-made-of-stardust #queercandlenights #taz #the adventure zone #taako #kravitz #taakitz #fic

[renee-writer]

Room and Board Chapter 23 Christening

The gown is beautiful. Stunning truly. White silk covered in lace. A lace cap will cover her head. Tiny lace booties for her feet.

“It has been in my family for over a hundred years. I was baptized in it. Jenny was. Our da and his da.” Jamie had told her. To have her daughter wear it was such an honor. She feels her eyes fill with tears whenever she thought of it.

Now it is the day. Becca is a month old. The fears of her prematurity have abated. Jenny, in tears, had agreed to be her Godmother. The service will be at St. Angus today. Jenny has set up a reception after, here at Lallybroch.

All is ready. She nurses her daughter and changes her nappie. She is dressed in a body suit until they get to the church right before the ceremony. She dresses in a dress and Jamie in a suit.

“You are beautiful.” He tells her when he walks in. She nervously runs her hands down her dress front where a small pouch remains from her pregnancy. “Beautiful.” He repeats. He sees the changes in her. The weight that she has gained, that she finds unattractive, he finds transforming. Her face had filled out, her arms and legs are no longer sticks. She looks healthy. With the glow of motherhood on her, she is so lovely she takes his breath.

“You are very handsome.” She tells him. He lifts the baby up.

“The star of today. Princess Rebecca Julia Fraser. Ready Becca.” She just coos up at him. He grins. “I will take that as a yes.”

They enter the church where Jenny, Ian, and Murtagh wait with Father Thomas. He had been informed of the circumstances of Becca's situation and therefore isn't shocked at her appearance. She has darkened since her birth. She know has a walnut tan. Her black hair is curly but not kinky. Soft under the brush her mammy and daddy run through it.

“She is so lovely.” Father Thomas says. “Hello Becca. After mammy changes you, we will get you baptized. Okay?” she stares at the stranger with her wide honey eyes. They had lightened and are now like her mammy's.

Claire and Jenny slip her into the auld gown. She fusses a bit at having the cap put on her head. They add the booties and carry her out.

He thought his wife beautiful. His daughter is glorious. A true princess in the soft white silk and lace. She is handed to Murtagh who carries her over to the baptismal.

“Who offers this child for baptism into the church?”

“Her mother and I do.” Jamie proudly says.

“You Murtagh Fraser and you Jenny Murray stand ready to assist these parents in the raising of this child as a child of God?”

“We do.”

“What is her name, this daughter of the King?”

“Rebecca Julia Fraser.” Murtagh says.

“Rebecca Julia Fraser, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit.” He sprinkles the holy water over her and she just looks up at him. He finishes with a sign of the cross on her forehead. She is still quiet so Murtagh pinches her wee bottom. She let's out a wail.

“Why did you do that?” Claire asks him as she nurses her daughter. They sit in the back of the church with Becca still In her gown. It is Jenny that answers.

“So the baptism would take. If the wean doesn't cry, their sins still remain.” Claire looks to Jamie who is taken pictures.

“Tis' true according to legend. Murtagh was doing his duty as her Godfather.”

“Well then, thank you Murtagh.”

At Lallybroch, where Jenny had set up a small reception: cupcakes in the shape of a cross, I Claire's favorite, Jenny and Murtagh gift Becca with a delicate gold cross necklace.

“I ken she can’t wear it yet but will be able to. We wanted you and her to know you are part of the family. With nary a doubt.” Jenny explains as Claire weeps. “I ken you have concerns about her other bio parent coming around but Becca is a Fraser. She will remain thus.”

“Aye, she will.” Ian is taken his turn to hold her. She has been changed back into her body suit and he has her on his knees , bouncing her. “I will have the adoption papers ready very soon and we will send them to court. But, her baptismal certificate is also a form of ID. That, her birth certificate, and the adoption, are a triple threat. There is no way the creep can get through.”

It is a relief to her parents.

#my writing #outlander fanfic #jamie and claire #cannon divergence #modern au #outlander fandom #room and board #christening

[anistarrose]

Don’t Hang Up Yet, I’m Not Done (TAZ Balance AU)

Summary: Tres Horny Boys have the Red Robe’s phone number, continued. This time, Merle and Taako make some calls.

Warnings: Dissociation

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/18979621/chapters/45066238

A sequel to this fic, which was in turn inspired by this art by @mspainttaz!

***

The next call Barry gets is in the late afternoon several weeks later, and once again, something tells him exactly who’s going to be on the other end of the line before he even moves to pick it up.

(Then again, it’s barely been an hour since he gave Merle that cryptic nod, so it’s not exactly difficult to guess the reason for the call.)

“You saved my kids,” Merle whispers, sounding dumbstruck even now. “Why?”

“I — I just — why wouldn’t I? I had the power to stop innocent people from getting hurt. Of course I saved them.”

“Well, that’s real altruistic of you,” Merle murmurs. Bit by bit, his normal enthusiasm creeps back into his voice as he continues: “Not sure how you’re supposed to reconcile that worldview with making the Relics, though. Too bad I can’t cast Zone of Truth over the stone, ha!”

“Yeah, it’s a real shame,” Barry replies. “Anyways, you need to teach your kids to be more careful. Odds are I won’t be around during the next… freak accident.”

“Yeah, their passive perception stinks,” Merle agrees with a sad laugh. “Or at least Mookie’s does, as much as I love the little fireball. Mavis is a bright little thing when she’s not busy looking after her brother — she reads at a college level, you know! Probably gonna make a hell of a wizard one day!”

“Give it to me like you would under Zone of Truth, Merle — did you call me just to brag about your kids?”

“Don’t tell my boss,” Merle answers in a hushed whisper. “I’ll get my employee phone plan revoked!”

Barry struggles to stifle a laugh. “Merle Hightower Highchurch, calling up the enemy to have a friendly chat? What would the Director think?”

Merle laughs too, the irony lost on him. “You know, you’re a much better conversationalist today than you were the first couple times we met. What’s up with that?”

“Uh… I dunno, social anxiety? How’s life on the moon treating you?”

“It’s got its perks. Apparently the gravity is low enough up there that my spinal cord decompressed, so now I’m a millimeter taller — and trust me, I know it doesn’t sound like much, but we dwarves have to take what we can get!”

“I can imagine.” An idea occurs to Barry — it’s a long shot, but worth a try. “How about the gnomes — are there any gnomes up there? How are they doing with the gravity situation?”

“Well, Leon doesn’t ‘like’ me or ‘the crew I hang with’ so I don’t really talk to him. And Davenport, well…”

Barry very nearly short-circuits his Stone of Farspeech as sparks of magic course through his form and down his sleeves. “What about Davenport? How is he?”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and Barry gets a bad feeling that he came across as a little too invested in Davenport’s well-being.

His fears are confirmed when Merle asks: “What, do you know him?”

“Just heard the name in passing,” Barry lies. “Never met him, but most names from the Bureau that I hear in passing end up belonging to pretty important people. What’s his — what does he do for your operation up there?”

“You know, I’ve never really thought about it before, but — if we could make this our little ‘Truth Zone’ here, for just a second — I’m not really sure why Lucretia hired him in the first place. All he can say is his own name, and he always seems kinda anxious about one thing or another — again, I never know what, since he can’t really talk.”

Barry doesn’t know how to reply.

“Damn good at cards, though! You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find a good game of yooker these days — or even chess, for that matter. You play either?”

“No.” Barry’s pretty sure that Merle and Davenport are the only people in the planar-verse who know how to play the game they’ve dubbed “yooker.” And he doesn’t even want to think about that chess remark.

“Darn. Well, I should probably get going — I can’t miss karaoke night with the boys. We’ve been trying all month to get Lucretia to join us, and she finally let it slip that she hasn’t got anything going on this evening!”

“Oh. Well, uh… don’t let me keep you from that, then. Nice talking to you.”

After he switches his stone off, Barry adds in a whisper: “Wish I could join you.”

***

“Sup, Little Red Riding Robe?”

“Don’t call me that,” the Red Robe groans. From the other end of the line, Taako hears the faint rustling of papers — his call must have interrupted something. He doesn’t feel too bad about it, though.

“What, would you rather be the Big Bad Wolf?” Taako asks. “I thought I was doing you a solid and painting you in a sympathetic light!”

“You know what, fine. Little Red Riding Robe it is,” the Red Robe replies. The hostility in his voice begins to dissipate as he goes on. “Tell me, Taako — is this just another prank call?”

Taako chuckles. “Oh, you wish. See, I stumbled across a piece of info that might just interest you…”

He pauses, waiting to see how the Red Robe reacts, but he’s met with silence.

“I’ve got your number, Riding Robe, idiomatically and literally. So this afternoon I took a quick vacay to the Stone of Farspeech service provider’s offices, cast a few Charm Person spells, and figured out just what name that number was registered to. Pretty clever, huh?”

It might just be Taako’s imagination, but it feels like the silence grows a little more tense.

“Now tell me, who’s this Sildar Hallwinter guy?” he asks. “Is that an alias, or did you just mug a dude and take his phone?”

The Red Robe chuckles. “Huh. That’s some genuinely impressive sleuthing — then again, I should’ve expected as much from you, Taako.”

“Well, uh, to tell you the truth… it was technically Angus’s idea — you ever hear about him? The boy detective? Little snoop was going through my dresser and found the paper I jotted down your number on, and dragged me into this quest to track down your true identity.”

“And does he think this case has been cracked wide open by this new info?”

“No. He’s pretty sure Hallwinter isn’t your real name — and don’t tell him I said this, but I trust him on that one-hundred percent. He’s pretty good with this stuff.”

“What did you really call me about if you’re so sure, then?”

What if she’s just gone?

“Well, I —”

Who?

“I…”

I can’t remember her face, Taako!

Whose face?!

Please, Taako, just kill me!

“Taako? Taako, are you with me?”

He doesn’t feel like he’s with anyone. Even lying on his bed, beneath a pile of heavy blankets he doesn’t remember arranging, he still can’t stop shivering. He’s so cold, and so, so alone.

He clutches the Umbra Staff close to his chest, close to his heart. It’s the only warm thing he can feel.

“Please, Taako, can you say something?” the disembodied voice continues. It sounds like it’s trying very hard to stay calm, and mostly succeeding. “Tell me what’s happening? I have Merle and Magnus’s numbers — I can call them if you need someone to come help —”

It also sounds very familiar, but trying to place it makes Taako feel like he’s teetering over the edge of a void, about to lose his balance and plunge into darkness.

“W-who is this?”

“It’s me, Taako, it’s… it’s the Red Robe.”

Taako’s eyes finally land on the Stone of Farspeech at the corner of his bed, and hesitantly extends a hand towards it. It’s not quite as warm as the Umbra Staff — but it’s certainly not cold, either. He pulls it closer, wrapping his fingers around it.

The Red Robe lets out a short, sad chuckle, which the speaker garbles a little bit. “There are some who call me Little Red Riding Robe. Or Sildar Hallwinter.”

“Sh-shit.” Their earlier conversation returns to Taako quickly, as he tries to sit up in bed. His teeth are still chattering slightly when he tries to speak. “I — I dunno what just happened. I just b-blacked out —”

“Hey, it’s okay. You’re gonna be okay. It’s not your fault.” There’s a pause. “Hey, do you think you can you tell me a little more about Angus? He seems like a bright kid —”

“He is. B-been picking up magic real fast too. He’s a nosy little shit who never stops asking questions to all two dozen of his adoptive moon parents and I’m so glad Lucretia hired him.”

“He was right about Sildar Hallwinter being an alias, you know. Did he say what tipped him off?”

“He’s got contacts in the police force planetside like you wouldn’t believe. There was hardly anything in any of their files about Sildar, so we talked to Johann and he told us that name never got fed to the Voidfish. From there, Angus just figured that no real person would have that little info about them floating around.”

“Huh. That makes sense. Did Merle and Magnus come along for this adventure, or was it just the two of you?”

“Nah, Magnus was hanging with Carey and Merle was napping. I could hear him snoring from a room away.”

“What about the Director? I’m assuming you didn’t mention this to her?”

“Oh, hell no. She’d throw us straight in the brig if she ever learned how long we’ve had your number without telling her.”

“Yeah, I figured. I trust Merle and Magnus are doing well?”

“Yeah, they’re… well, actually… okay, look. I probably shouldn’t be telling you of all people about this, but something’s been off about Magnus lately. I thought I was imagining it at first, but now I’m pretty sure he’s trying to avoid the Director — which is actually kinda hard these days, since she’s been overseeing our training more and more. And he’s been really awkward around Johann, too. I’ve never seen him like this, and… I’m kinda worried.”

The Red Robe goes silent for a moment. “Well… what happened in Refuge must have been hard on him. I’m sure he’ll feel better soon.”

“Yeah, yeah. He’s pretty tough…” Part of Taako feels guilty for revealing so much to the Red Robe, but part of him doesn’t want to hang up. Magnus and Merle are already fast asleep — what if he blacks out again, and no one’s on the phone to talk him out of it?

Then again… is that what the Red Robe is aiming for? To gain Taako’s trust, and act so supportive that Taako can’t help but reveal sensitive information during a late-night, emotionally vulnerable ramble?

No, Barry wouldn’t do that. If he wants information, it’s just because he’s worried about you.

“Well, this has been a great chat, Riding Robe,” Taako says with an exaggerated yawn. “But I’ve got to get to bed. You never know if tomorrow will end up being a long day of saving the world.”

“You do that,” the Red Robe tells him. “And remember, you can always call me back if you need to.”

“I’ll keep it in mind. G’night.”

***

Magnus’s body is gone, and it’s Barry’s fault.

(Strictly speaking, it’s the fault of the Animus Bell. It taunts him even now, tucked safely away in the possession of the Reclaimers, calling to him and promising to ensure his family survives when the Hunger comes. To bring Lup back from whatever worse-than-undeath fate she met. But Barry recognizes enough of his own voice in his Relic to know that it’s lying.)

Barry made the bell, he put it out into a world that was not his own, and both that world and his family paid dearly.

I’m going to find a way to get your body back, Magnus. I promise.

“I think we deserve some answers from you,” Magnus slowly declares, still holding his detached mannequin arm in his remaining hand. Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem angry — just tired.

Oh Magnus, you don’t know the half of it, Barry thinks. He doesn’t say anything, but he nods to Magnus and then holds out his hand, creating an illusory Stone of Farspeech in his skeletal palm.

And one by one, without exchanging any words between each other, the three Reclaimers hand their stones over — first Magnus, slowly and solemnly; then Merle, with a guilty look on his face; and finally Taako, hesitant as he begins to raise his hand but resolute by the time he plucks the stone from his ear.

Barry flicks his hand, and the devices shatter.

“I’ll buy you new ones soon,” he promises. “But let’s get you those answers first.”

#taz #taz balance #barry bluejeans #merle highchurch #taako taaco #magnus burnsides #taz balance spoilers #rosalia writes fic