#I wanted the basil myself so dealing with that is annoying but whatever

[always-a-slut-4-ghouls]

Basil (the herb) is a whore and you should know that before your second year with it in the flower bed

#emma posts #so is cilantro #my mom was like ‘oh you can have a few plants I want to use in the kitchen. right?’ #and I was a teenager and my raised beds are on family property so I didn’t really have a choice #but. while the kale was pretty normal. THE CILANTRO AND ARUGULA WERE WHORES #whores I did NOT sign up for #I wanted the basil myself so dealing with that is annoying but whatever #but the worst part is that my mom didn’t even eat the plants she had me grow!!! #she ate ones I decided to grow because the family likes strawberries and raspberries #I need to get mint again #and sage #but ANYWAY #I did know that all of these plants were whores #i just wasn’t there when they first started sprouting #I’m going to be going home more often this month and my mom wants the yard looking good for my brothers graduation party #so today was my first garden day of the year #it was nice but my back hates me and I really should have worn gloves (I didn’t know where my mom put mine) #but I hope the plants do well while I’m gone #the basil should be fine. I’d be genuinely surprised if that hoard all died #but the new plants i added for it to look better. those I’ve never had myself #although I’ve wanted to #don’t think I have a green thumb. it’s maybe greenish but half the work is done by the dirt here #it’s just like ‘on it boss 👍’ #I should move some catnip into my garden #the stuff in front of my parents house could use some seperating #my strawberries were little bitches last year though so I have to be extra careful this year #I like the variety I have and I don’t know what it’s called so if it dies I’m out of luck #it’s a really cool variety. it actually blooms twice a summer #I can’t keep plants alive inside very long though:( #except my current African violet that takes anything I throw at it

[casspurrjoybell-19]

Pirate Chains - Volume 3 - Corail

*Warning Adult Content*

Chapter 1 - Useless Breathes - Part 1

- Haven - 

I sighed wearily. I tried to silently encourage myself to get up and start a new day. As usual, that didn't work. It wasn't enough. It's been like this for two months now. I barely get a couple hours of sleep every day.

Lately, I didn't even have the strength to read or concentrate on scheduling my business anymore. So I just sat, on the side of my bed, waiting for the sun to rise. And then I had to find enough motivation to move my body outside and go to the deck. I was exhausted all the time and I didn't have a specific reason to be.

All I knew, was that I didn't want to be in people's company. So I tried to stay away from the crew as much as possible. My room was the last one in the first level of the hull. It was not big but enough to contain my clothes and the most precious items of my trades. This time, though, my room was eerily empty.

Just like the void in my heart. I had no books, no special vases and no valuable paintings. Just a box that was half full of clothes and quite the small pouch of the remaining coins. A pouch that I refused to touch. But I couldn't help but want to look at. And every coin I spent from it made me feel pettier. It reminded me of all my failures.

Aye, this was definitely the worst trading trip I ever experienced. Which explained why I continually felt like shit. I went to try and stand but I ended up lying on my back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. A familiar wave of dizziness hit me and I waited for it to pass. It wasn't a surprise, though. If one didn't sleep and eat well, he was bound to get sick somehow.

Luckily, I was well acquainted with being sick. The door suddenly opened wide, making me curse under my breath. There was only one creature on this ship capable of such rudeness.

"Hey, I knew I'd find you awake. Again."

"Haven't I told a thousand times to knock before entering, you uncivilized ape."

He tilted his head, feigning innocence.

"And a good morning to you too, little bunny."

He walked my way and grabbed my upper arm.

"And I told you NOT to call me that."

I snatched my arm back only for him to grab me again. He wasn't hurting me, more like annoying the shit out of me. He dragged me out of my room.

"First let's get breakfast. Then you can tell me all about your moping in your room."

"I wasn't moping. Seriously, how could you be so boorish with the sun barely up."

"Hehe, you've only seen half of it. Just wait until I get my stomach full."

"And why THE HELL do I need to accompany you when you stuff your face?"

"Because I know that you didn't have dinner yesterday, so you need to stuff your face too. I can name fifty more entertaining ways to do that but I'll keep to food for now."

"What...?"

We entered the galley and he pushed me into a chair. I glared at him, forgetting for a second that glares and accusations only fed his asshole-ness. He gave me a playful smirk before he went to grab some things for us to eat. He cut some tomatoes in pieces, added some salt and olive oil and then emptied the whole thing in two plates. He crushed some dried basil leaves on top and added a generous piece of cheese on the side. In a few minutes, a plate was falling in front of me on the table, hitting it with a loud thud and a rude command that always held a playful hint.

"Eat."

I glared at him, which he ignored and put a spoon in my hand.

"Did you get the cook's permission to use his galley?"

"Euh... The cook and I have an agreement."

I raised an eyebrow at that."And I wonder what that is?"

"Oh, don't worry. The deal between the two of us is very special," he says, winking at me making me roll my eyes, then he continued...

"The cook needed another kind of a deal. It was simple, really. He lets me do whatever the fuck I want and I don't gauge his eyes out."

My eyes widened.

"I told you to stop threatening my crew."

"Just leading them to the righteous path. Now eat."

I took an angry bite and did my best to hide a wince of pain. My stomach churned with the first bite of food, making me realize how starving I was. He did this, every morning. He'd come to fetch me before the morning spirits woke up, as he says. He takes whatever food he wants from the galley and makes us what he likes to call a pre-breakfast. Then we go to the main deck and watch the sun rising from behind the horizon.

It all took about a couple of hours before the deck became full and busy. And when he tried to coerce me to eat breakfast, I left him with the rest of the crew and went back to my room. And here I was, back to my room. Without much enthusiasm, I cleaned myself and changed my clothes. Then I just stood there, wishing the day would soon become night, so the night could leave for another day. I no longer had any desire to chat with my crew. Not even the captain.

In fact, I haven't had a decent conversation with him since we left Sejour. The rumor around the ship accuses me of being too careless and a coward. They think I'm shaking in my boots from being raided on and that's why I hide in my room. I usually mended to such gossip immediately. Rumors were a dangerous thing. They can bring a business down or make it prosper faster than money. But now I didn't care anymore.

I didn't fucking care what my crew thought of me. I already felt like shit and I didn't need rumors to add to it. I was aware of my own cowardice. Not for the reasons they thought, though. I should've worked harder. I should've sacrificed more in order to get what I wanted. Now look at me. I'm in debt that could drown the ship and I have certainly lost very important clients.

So my investments with them should be considered as a loss, a very heavy one. My mind, that usually planned every single thing, was now incapable of finding a solution to all these problems. Hell, I wasn't even sure I could pay all the workers on Mila. I ran a hand through my hair and turned to lay on my side.

'Think... THINK. What is gone is already lost, think of what could be fixed. Why?'

My mind suggested as another wave of self-loathing hit me, why would I even want to fix things?

'Nothing mattered anymore. It was my fault that I..... I lost him...'

My throat constricted painfully and I felt like I wanted to cry. I wasn't against it, really. Crying sometimes helped me sleep. But my eyes refused to cry. And the more I urged them to, the more I felt utterly ridiculous.I pulled myself up to a sitting position. Some of the worst thoughts coming to my mind;.

'What was I going to do when father knows? What was I going to tell him?'

I felt so empty. It was like a thousand questions waiting for an answer going around and swirling in my head, giving me a permanent headache. Yet the wheels of my mind refused to budge. I could think of no strategy to follow, no excuses to present.

"Sir Aimeri."

I groaned in frustration when I heard someone knocking at my door.

"Sir Aimeri. I think you need to see what's happening on the deck, sir."

I sighed. I pulled myself up paying more attention to the cheering voices that traveled from the deck. I went to get my jacket only to remember that I had none. I lost mine in the sea... Another knock hesitantly fell on the door. I went to open it and glare at the young sailor who was disturbing my... well, free time. The sailor shrank and gave me apologetic eyes.

"Apologies, Milord but I thought I should tell you that he's doing it... again."

[pipsqueakparker]

first line meme

i saw @annabellelux and a couple others tag me on this, so i’ll try to do this as well (if tumblr doesn’t destroy everything 😂) 

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favourite opening line.

I’ll go ahead and put these under a cut, there’s gonna be a weird mix of smut and non-smut, so be warned (i don’t think any of the opening lines are too graphic, but fics are)

And I’ll tag @caitybuglove23, @thehoneyedhufflepuff, @krisrix, @sharkmartini, @scone-lover & anyone else that wants to do this!

breaking routine 

I don’t know what’s gotten into Baz lately, but whatever it is, it’s a blessing in disguise. Or whatever the saying is.

thank you steve jobs 

“I’ve got an idea.”

Those words frequently scare me when they come out of Snow’s mouth, but somehow even more so when we’re on separate sides of the city, connected only by the small screens of our phones. My screen is mostly dark, with a flash of light or color here and there as Snow walks through his flat. He’s living with Bunce and I’m still staying at Fiona’s—it’s just easier right now, to be this way.

the one with the frogs 

We’re meant to be putting up the Christmas decorations tonight, but Baz won’t let me off the sofa. Our Christmas tree is still boxed up somewhere in the flat, mixed up with some other boxes of decorations we’ve brought in recently. And Baz is nestled into my side, both arms wrapped tightly around my middle, his nose pressed into my cheek. We were going to watch a film while we decorated, but I think he’s gotten a bit distracted.

“Enjoying yourself?” I ask, my voice soft and low. I want to turn to look at him, but I feel the tip of his nose press deeper into my cheek and find myself laughing. He gets especially soft and silly around the holidays.

twinkle 

It’s dark, nothing lighting up the night except for the sliver of moon peeking out over us. Stars twinkle among the wisps of clouds, in and out of my field of vision.

The only thing clear about tonight is the swell in my chest when I watch Simon swoop down over the treetops, wings beating powerfully as he makes a sharp turn. Thank Crowley for my heightened sight; I can make out the individual bones in those mighty wings, the way his curls get tousled by the wind, and the grin split across his face.

Simon Snow is a vision.

love’s not a competition (but we’re winning) 

Baz is on top of me, pressing me into the mattress with his entire body.

reconnecting for christmas 

I’m not a grinch, or a scrooge.

I don’t hate Christmas; I just hate all of the ridiculous expectations that come along with it. The ugly jumpers, the secret Santas, the grown adults trampling each other and trading blows over toys.

The annual holiday parties held at my university that I’m always forced to attend because my cousin is a fucking horror.

chore negotiation 

It started as a joke.

Well, mostly a joke. I hate doing the washing up after dinner; the only thing worse than the Humdrum is a sink full of dirty dishes. Every moment I spent in front of the sink felt like a special kind of torture. (Maybe that’s an exaggeration.) (But not much of one.)

scary movie 

“Let’s watch a scary movie,” Simon suggests. At seven in the morning.

His face is just inches away from mine, eyes bright like it isn’t seven in the fucking morning.

I glare at him.

And then I turn my back to him and go back to sleep.

Because it’s seven in the fucking morning.

poorly timed christmas decorations 

Someone has taken it upon themselves to decorate Mummers for the holidays.

I’m actually fairly certain it was a group of someones, and I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that my ridiculous cousin and his roommate were at the helm of the poor decisions. Niall genuinely wants to start celebrating Christmas as early as possible, but Dev just wants to create chaos.

There are lights wrapped around the railings and hung over the walls, wreaths on every door, and poinsettias on each landing. If it weren’t the middle of October it might be nice. However, it is the middle of October.

carving pumpkins 

Baz is good at a lot of things. He’s smart, fit, athletic, flexible, charming, etc. He’s an expert at nearly everything, at least that’s what he’d have you believe. It’s what he’s had me believe for the longest time. It’s part of what made me hate him so much. (Suppose that wasn’t as much hate as I thought initially, though, was it?)

Anyway, Baz is good at shit, and it’s annoying.

spooky ghosts 

I don’t know what prompted me to open my mouth as I was leaving Watford.

I don’t know what possessed him to accept such an offer.

But somehow, by the grace of either Merlin or Crowley (potentially a little of both), Simon Snow is at my family home for the winter holidays.

black cats 

Sometimes Snow can be a mad genius.

And sometimes he’s just mad.

witch hats 

It’s our next to last day — well, my last day, I suppose — at Watford.

We’ve a whole ceremony to deal with, us eighth years. It’s strange to be preparing for this without Snow or Bunce.

new candles 

Coping mechanisms are something we’ve been talking about a lot in therapy. Healthy ones and unhealthy ones.

Apparently I had a lot of unhealthy ones for a long time. I didn’t even realize until my therapist pointed them out to me, but we’re trying to replace them with healthier ones.

cinnamon spice 

Simon’s working late tonight.

He got a new job at this little bakery on the other side of town. He positively loves it, I swear he came home after his first day already best friends with the entire staff. I don’t blame them, Simon’s a delight.

warm apple cider 

“We should get lunch,” Simon says, swinging our joined hands between us as we follow a dirt path toward a picnic area.

Bunce asked us if we could find our way out of the flat today, she and the Normal wanted some alone time. I was just going to take Simon back to my flat, but Fiona decided she would be coming back early from her trip, knocking that option out. (Not that I don’t love my aunt, but sometimes it’s just easier to keep her away from Simon. For my sanity’s sake.)

We were just going to drive around for a bit, maybe find somewhere to spend some time, try to have our own day to ourselves. Simon ended up looking up events happening around and found this little autumnal festival, which is where we ended up.

fuzzy socks & a book 

Snow always teases me when I wear these socks, but they’re soft, and warm, and nice. They run up well past my ankle, about mid-calf, and they’re sherpa-lined so they’re especially insulated and soft. They also have two little vampire teeth at the top, and two little leathery black wings that stick out from the ankles.

Mordelia picked them out when she was around six or seven, Daphne was just properly tickled by them and put them into my stocking that Christmas. Several years later I’m still wearing them.

They’re nice.

take two 

We’ve not talked about the clone incident since that day.

In fact, we’ve not talked much since that day. Full stop.

We kissed until our lips were sore, until we were both gasping for breath, until the sun went down and the shadows lay over us and we fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up in his bed. He was nowhere to be found. He didn’t show up to breakfast, or lunch, or dinner. He was absent from all of our classes. I didn’t see him again for nearly two full days.

baby animals 

Baz is letting me hunt with him.

Well, not hunt with him, really. But he’s letting me go out with him. Into the woods behind his family house.

I know how hard it is for him to let me in on this part of him, the whole vampire thing. He’s trying.

(basil the) scarecrow  

Simon Snow was well into middle age now, as he carried his two youngest to bed.

#my fic #first line meme #i couldn't decide if it should just be the literal first line or like the general opening lines #so this is what we got

[melodythefab]

An Interview with Inferno~

50 Character Builder Questions for your Tabletop Character by Ginny Di

Are you a morning person or more of a night owl?

I am much more of a morning person. I like to wake up early, to start moving as the sun rises and feel sunlight on my skin and feel the rest of the world waking up with me.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person when you meet them?

The way they stand. Do they stand proud? Or do they seem like they have something to hide? Are they fidgeting with something? Do they look comfortable or nervous?

You see a huge spider in your room. What do you do?

Catch it and let it out. I don’t want to kill an innocent creature.

If you could go back and change one decision you made in the past, what would you change?

I would change how I didn’t go to Greenwich sooner. Maybe I’d have met Shortiss, Todd, and Cochann sooner. I was fine, of course, so were they, but I wonder what might’ve happened.

Tell me about your first kiss.

*deadpan* no.

Do you give people second chances?

Of course. I believe there is good in everyone, but also that everyone has a capacity to do evil. We must work with each other to bring the light out in ourselves and others.

Except for Todd. He receives no sympathy from me.

Are you a cat person or a dog person?

Dogs ☺️

Do you think you’re attractive?

By Genasi standards or human ones? I wouldn’t say so, probably, but Basil complimented my muscles the other day, so perhaps? (Me: baby that was for a Bardic no-)

What’s your worst habit?

Letting Todd make any decision with consequences.

(It’s hair upkeep. It might be made of fire, Inferno, but you still have to take care of it).

When was the last time you cried?

It- it’s been a while. I won’t lie, I teared up fighting those black dragons about a month ago, but I also almost died, so I believe I had good reason.

But the last time I really cried- Probably the time I realized I can’t save everyone all the time. That still weighs heavily on me. I’ve come to accept it now, to some extent, but I still wish I could.

Are you a good liar?

In theory, yes. In practice, no. (Read: high charisma, but I always get shitty rolls)

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Being Todd.

Ok, but really. I’m not sure if this counts as a pet peeve or not, but having a general disregard for the welfare of others.

Have you ever had your heart broken?

In the sense that this is asking? No. However, when we found the Sword of Tyr (I’m pretty sure it’s a homebrew weapon our DM made for her. Basically she has to prove herself worthy to the sword to unlock its full potential.) and I realized that for some reason, I’m not considered worthy by Tyr yet, I’m fairly sure that’s what heartbreak feels like.

It’s okay, though. I’m fine. I just need to do better. I won’t give up.

Are you more likely to use your fists or your words in an argument?

Words first, but then, swords are a fantastic backup option.

What’s something you’re naturally good at?

I’m pretty naturally good at healing. Of course, having Lay on Hands and Cure Wounds helps, but I’m usually pretty good at patching up my friends.

What’s something you had to work hard to be good at?

I have to work really hard to be even remotely passable in anything dexterous. You’d think a warrior like myself would be able to handle a slippery floor or even just hopping into a Bag of Holding, but those are both things that have felled me when my enemies have failed to. (Poor baby has a -2 modifier and I roll really bad for every single Dex check.)

Can you tell when someone is flirting with you?

Absolutely not. Honestly, that entire realm, romance and affection, are just entirely beyond me.

Do you think money can buy happiness?

No. Money can supply temporary happiness. Drinks at the tavern, fancy homes, that sort of thing. But real happiness- at one point, I wasn’t sure it really existed outside of fairy tales. But now I know that true happiness is found in those around you. Shortiss, Cochann, Todd, and even our two additions, Ember and Basil, they’ve all helped me realize that I need my friends just as much as they need me. I don’t think they know it, but I’d throw myself in front of a million dragons if it meant they were safe. They’ve changed my life, and I am forever grateful.

Do you believe in destiny?

Yes. Everyone has a destiny. Life is an ever-winding road leading you there. It’s impossible to avoid, but really, why would you? Destiny is what you were meant to do. Your destiny will see you at your very strongest and push you into greatness. One day I know I’ll reach mine. Until then, I’ll just get stronger and keep growing.

Are you a good cook?

I’m literally made of fire. Everything burns.

Surprisingly enough, though, Ember’s not a bad cook.

What do you think happens after you die?

Well, valiant warriors, those who give their lives for others and would fight ‘til their dying breath, those people go to Valhalla or Folkvangr to dine with the gods and prepare for Ragnarok. For others, Hel most likely awaits.

Did you have to grow up fast?

No. I was blessed with a good father and a good station. I was always mature for my age, but I know that’s not nearly the same thing.

Who do you look up to?

I’m not sure I really look up to anyone. I must carve my own path in this world.

When you go to a tavern, what do you order?

Usually something light, or nothing at all. Todd drinks enough for all of us.

What do you like most about yourself?

I’m persistent as hell. I’m also pretty hard to kill.

What do you like least about yourself?

Sometimes I get caught up and lose myself in my own competitive drive, and it causes me to lose my good judgement. *grins* I blame Cochann. He’s a bad influence. (She doesn’t really blame him. He is, however, a bad influence. Only sometimes, though.)

Are you a planner, or more spontaneous?

Spontaneous. If I make plans, I make them in the moment.

Can you keep a secret?

Absolutely.

Do you like being the center of attention?

Not usually. I tend to stay towards the back of most situations with Shortiss. Basil is far more fit for the attention, anyways.

If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?

I wouldn’t do a single thing different. If I’m destined to die, I’ll go down fighting.

Do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?

Not really, but polishing my armor and sharpening my blades gives me a similar feeling, I think.

Where do you feel safe?

With my friends. Sure, they can be annoying, but I know nobody has my back like they do. *laughs* Yes, even Todd.

Do you love or hate being alone?

At one point, I probably would’ve said I love it, but now I can’t imagine being without my friends.

What’s the last nightmare you remember having?

Well, I have horrific nightmares about what will happen if the Cult of the Dragons succeeds exactly every fifth night. That is what drove me to this quest anyways.

Do you admit to mistakes when you make them?

I try to.

Do you want to grow up to be like your parents?

No. My father was a good man, but I have my own destiny.

How do you deal with being sick? Are you stoic, or super whiny?

I legitimately cannot get sick.

What did your parents expect from you when you were born?

My father didn’t truly expect much from me. He always just told me I should strive to be good and do good.

Do you have a strong sense of style?

Fighting style, yes.

Would you rather camp outdoors or stay the night in an inn?

Depends. How good is the inn? What’s the weather like? I refuse to sleep in the rain. It messes with my hair. (We’ve decided she’s like a charmander and if the flame goes out, she, like, dies. Maybe not completely but Bad Stuff happens.)

Is there a food that most people like that you absolutely hate?

I’m pretty tolerable of most foods.

Are you more of a hoarder or a minimalist?

Minimalist. I don’t carry much.

Are you superstitious?

No. (Yes.)

Are you the kind of person who remembers people’s birthdays and pets’ names and stuff?

Absolutely. My mind is an iron lock. (No it’s not. She tries, though.)

What do you do to feel better when you’re sad?

I go to my friends. They always know how to cheer me up. Maybe some friendly competition with Cochann, sitting and chatting with Shortiss or Ember, or doing whatever the hell it is Basil and Todd normally do.

Is it hard for you to trust someone?

Not really. Unless it looks like they’ve got something to hide.

Are you susceptible to peer pressure?

No. Well, not on the things that matter.

If you decided to stop adventuring and settle down, what kind of job would you take?

I’m not sure. I would probably want to be a healer. Maybe find a village to protect. Honestly, though, I cannot see myself giving up this life. I’ve sworn an oath to Tyr. Every day must be spent making sure I follow through.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Truthfully, this. I wanted to be a noble adventurer who helped the innocent and did good deeds. I think if, back then, I’d known one day I’d slay a real dragon, well, I probably would’ve exploded from pure excitement.

#ah! she speaks! #dnd #inferno

[ill-skillsgard]

So would Henry possibly lie and say they're getting a divorce to get in his mistresses pants and lie and string her along juggling both women until finally it becomes clear he's playing them both? Like he really is a womanizer that likes to have a girlfriend and his trusting oblivious wife?

I don’t even know what I’m doing. This is becoming a whole ass world that I’m invested in and I’m not sure if I should write it as a full length or continue releasing it bit by bit. Feel free to tell me what you’d prefer! Until then... Enjoy

More Henry x Mistress here

Work became less of an inconvenient routine and more of a show. You found yourself distracted in the mornings by spending too much time fixing your hair and making sure that your uniform didn't have a wrinkle on it. When you worked behind the bar or went around cleaning tables, your guard was up. Henry could walk in any time and catch you slouching or slacking off and for some reason, you didn't want him to see that side of you. You remained on high alert until the inevitable happened.

Henry entered the café from the lobby with another suited man in tow. Indicative by the way they were chatting, they were friends or at least associates. The other man was a great deal heavier than Henry and you presumed about a decade older. Seeing them made you stop cold for a beat before you whipped on your practiced smile and nodded at Henry.

Henry's smile was pleasant but his eyes lingered as they took up a table in the center of the room. You always thought it strange that he always chose the center tables as opposed to the surrounding booths. That's where most guests sat when given the chance to seat themselves.

You approached the table after they had a minute to settle into their seats. The beating in your chest increased with each step you took toward him but you already knew how to handle that. What you didn't know how to handle was when his company started to make comments about you after you went over to give them a pitcher of water and to take their orders.

"Does the Caesar wrap come with a side of fries or can I substitute that out for a side of you?" The older man chuckled.

You glanced at Henry for a moment and did your best brush-off.

"Unfortunately not, sir. Fries, salad or soup."

"What kind of soup?"

"Today we have tomato basil and cream of broccoli."

The man flicked the laminated lunch menu and snorted. "She's definitely giving me cream of something, eh, Henry?"

Henry was gracious enough to look down at the table and not answer the man until he rattled the table leg with his knee, causing the water to slosh and nearly pitch over onto the tablecloth

"Come on, Frank. Just order your food already," Henry urged him.

"We're just playing, darlin'. How about you bring me that wrap and a side of fries with gravy. Oh, and whatever light beer you have on tap."

You managed to quell the urge to roll your eyes at Frank. You had hoped to see Henry but not accompanied by anyone else. The man's presence did more than make you uncomfortable. You cursed him for preventing you from speaking freely. He was completely unaware of his encroachment on the small window of time you had been looking forward to. Coupled with the wandering of his little bloodshot eyes over your outfit, you knew for certain that Henry could feel your trepidation.

"And for you, sir?" You turned to Henry and tried not to make your favour known by smiling for too long or staring at the way he crossed one long leg over the other.

"Coffee, please. And I'll have the soup if you don't mind," Henry was curt and polite, unlike his associate who prattled on with complete disregard as to whether you could hear over him or not.

You nodded and left them to their exchange, grimacing when you turned away. A text message showed up on your phone not but five minutes after.

Sorry about him.

You decided not to answer Henry and instead flashed him a sorrowful look when you were sure that nobody but he could see you. The corner of his mouth sagged as he returned your look.

It was difficult for you not to be annoyed and let your frustrations change the way you went about completing your tasks. It must have been a punishment for thinking about Henry so much. You knew in your heart that your lust for him should not have been allowed to see the light of day but when you stood behind the bar and watched how he sat, how he carried himself, the meticulous way he kept the area around him neat and the small smiles that teased at his lips, you couldn't picture anything but the two nights you had spent together. Consequently, whenever you got thinking about those times, you thought of his wife, too.

Henry was wearing his wedding band. As was Frank. You couldn't help but notice these things given the first-hand knowledge you had of Henry's secret. You wondered if his associate did the same kind of things behind his wife's back and felt a sickness in your gut thinking that perhaps Henry was no better of a man than the reprehensible lout he was dining with.

Your luck did not turn. Not after the two of them signed their bills and left or after that.

Frank returned the same evening as you were switching off with another employee and demanded to be served at the bar by you and you alone. After you politely told him that you were done for the night, he started to complain about the disservice. At first, you and your co-worker were unsure how to react, assuming that he must have just been drunk and wasn't being serious. But as you attempted to duck out, he slid off the barstool and followed you to the end of the bar, blocking you from getting by without coming very close to him. Your co-worker was newer than you and plainly afraid to leave you but there were other patrons in the café that needed tending to.

"Come on, precious. I saw how you were starin' earlier. You don't fancy a nice man with lots of money? Look at my watch. Guess how much it cost? Probably more than what your sweet little ass makes in an entire year!"

"Wow, that certainly is expensive," you commented.

"And I got four of 'em, sweetheart."

"Very cool," your tone dripped with impatience that was lost on him. "I'll be right back."

"You're comin' back to me, ain't ya?"

"Um... Well, like I said... My shift is over," you backed away, turned and made your way through the swinging doors into the kitchen where only employees were permitted to enter.

Finally out of his sight, you let out a long breath that had been growing stale in your over-inflated lungs. Digging around your bag, you found your phone and decided to answer Henry's text message from earlier.

Your disgusting friend is in the bar and won't let me go home. Please tell me you're still at the hotel?

Henry only made you wait a minute before he replied.

I am still here. I'll be right down.

The concern you had for your poor co-worker being stuck in the middle of a tense situation that had the potential to escalate made your heart rate stutter.

Can you do me a huge favour? Could you come around the back entrance of the hotel and walk me to my car instead? I really don't want a scene to be made. There's a grey door with a dumpster near it.

You couldn't go back out into the bar. Gazing through the small window from the kitchen, you saw Frank had perched himself back up on a barstool and was mumbling to himself as he sucked down another drink. That was where you wanted to leave him. You went through the kitchen mostly ignored and left out the back door, stepping into the crisp night air to wait for Henry to appear.

Footsteps could be heard from around the corner of the building and you didn't want to investigate. As they drew nearer, you hoped that it was Henry and smiled when he appeared, keys jingling in hand. Henry let out a sigh when he saw you.

"God... I'm so sorry about bringing that buffoon around you. Unfortunately, I have to make nice with him for work. Is he still in the bar?"

"I think so. I don't know. I just didn't want to go by him. He seems... I don't know. Aggressive."

"He's not but... I understand your worry. I'll talk to him."

"No. I don't want anyone drawing any strange conclusions about you and me. I'll just tell hotel security to look out for him."

"Strange conclusions?"

"He might wonder what our connection is."

"Yeah... I guess so. But I'm here to take you home and I won't allow him near you ever again."

You couldn't stop a smile from taking form on your face as Henry began to lead the way through the parking lot.

"My car is over there," you pointed in the opposite direction.

Henry didn't pause to look back at you. "I'd rather just drive you myself. That way I know you're safe all the way home."

"Henry... No."

"Yes. It would really set my mind at ease to watch you get home and lock the door behind you."

"But my car. I have to work tomorrow, as well."

"I'll pick you up."

He seemed unwilling to budge so you gave up quickly- not just because of his insistence but because you knew that you wanted him to drive you home. You wanted to be near him. Despite every voice inside that told you it was wrong, you got into his car after he opened the passenger side door for you.

"So why do you stay at the hotel so often if you're from here?" You asked him once the car was on the road.

"I'm not from here, really. We have a condo on the outskirts of town that rarely gets used. The hotel is a few blocks away from work so... It beats driving an hour through heavy traffic every day to get to the condo when we can stay at the hotel for free. Well, not free but. You know. Company pays for it."

"Where are you from then?"

"Maine."

"Oh... That's far."

"Yeah."

'What's the point of having another place then?"

Henry went quiet as he flipped on his blinker and made a turn. He sighed and glanced in the rear-view mirror. You thought that he was going to let your question go unanswered until he breathed in deeply.

"I might need it."

"What do you mean?"

"Not that you probably want to hear but... I just might need the condo soon. Seeing as how I'm no longer welcome in my own home."

"You don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to," you stared down at your lap and picked away at your chipping nail polish.

"I took your advice and told her that things need to change or else and it went horribly," he skirted what you said and continued. "All I asked for was an open platform so I could tell her how I felt about everything. So I told her that I wanted to sleep in the same room."

"And?"

"And she refused. She says I keep her up... Whatever that means. I don't know how the fuck I manage to keep her awake considering she's in an Ambien coma by ten every night."

"Henry... Something else is up. There has to be a reason why she doesn't want to be near you."

"She doesn't want to be with me but she wants the status of being with me. That's all. She has no interest in being a wife in anything but name."

"So now you're living separately?"

"I told her that I'll be staying in the condo until she decides she wants to be married again. I don't expect to hear from her for a while. Maybe this is what she wants."

"I don't know why you're still with her."

"Right now is just the worst time to start the divorce process," Henry was holding back a yawn. "I have a huge convention in Paris next week that I have to present at and there's a lot riding on it. And assuming it goes well, the weeks to come will be twice as busy. I can't have it riding on my conscience."

"Isn't it already riding on your conscience?"

"Like you wouldn't believe."

"I believe it," you sighed, looking out the window at the streaks of streetlights and the glimmer of the city on the horizon.

Henry pulled up in front of your apartment after you guided him through the streets and smiled weakly at you. You looked down at his hand on the gearshift and longed to touch him. You wanted to gather him up in your arms and take him inside with you. His eyes looked despondent and heavy. He was in no shape to be driving back as exhausted as he was but you knew you couldn't do anything about it.

"I know what you're thinking, but... I'm not going to kiss you. I'm not going to do that again."

"I understand," was all you could say.

"I want to kiss you. I do. And I hate myself for it but it's true. Earlier today when I saw you... God, my heart just stopped."

"Mine too," you admitted.

"But I want to stay as friends. Like this. I want to be able to talk to you. Is that bad?"

"I suppose just talking isn't inherently wrong," you contemplated out loud.

"Can I text you? Can we still talk like that?"

"Yes."

"And I want to still come to see you at work for coffee. Then I can pretend like we're having coffee together even though you'll be working."

You cracked another smile. It was so hard not to when you were around him.

"Sure. I'd like that."

"And I might keep talking to you about this stuff... If you don't mind."

"I don't mind, Henry."

"Because I can't talk to anyone else about it. Nobody understands. All the guys I work with... None of them have any valuable input. All they care about is golf and talking about women they'll never have. If you're married, you might as well be dickless in their eyes."

"I thought you said that people look up to you and your wife?"

"They do, which is another reason why I'd rather not discuss my issues with them. I hope you don't mind and you're not just saying that. I know I could hire a therapist but I'd really just rather talk to a real person."

"Therapists are real people," you giggled.

"You know what I mean. I'm not looking for a program, you know? I just want... I don't know."

"A friend?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry, Henry. I'm here. I don't mind you talking to me. You have my number and I owe you for tonight."

"You sure? If at any time you want me to shut up, you tell me and I'll-"

"-I'll never tell you to shut up. So don't worry."

"All right," he said. "I should let you get going. It's getting quite late."

"Okay. Well... Thank you. I appreciate your help."

"No worries. What time should I pick you up tomorrow?"

"I start at noon," you replied.

"I'll be right here at 11:30 with coffee."

"Okay," you chuckled. "Sounds good."

The next day he showed up at the exact time he said he would and took you to work. There were no conversations about personal qualms and inner struggles, only pleasant topics and him talking about his excitement about going to Paris. He dropped you off and not but an hour later, you received your first text from him that began a long string of back-and-forth messages.

The next day you woke up to a message from Henry.

Hope you slept well. Paris in a few days. Might not see you at the hotel for a while. But I'm going to inundate you with texts so it will almost be like I'm there.

That's fine. Work is always so boring. I'll be happy for the distraction.

This went on for days leading up to Henry's trip. He promised to keep in touch but a few days went by and there were no morning texts from him to wake up to. You tried to put it from your heart and head but you couldn't shake the feeling of neglect. You went to work with a sour feeling in your stomach and completed your shift like a robot might- programmed to do everything calmly, completing no more and no less than what you had to. When Henry finally texted you from Paris, it wasn't the chipper greeting he usually sent you.

It's done. We're done. I'm in my room in Paris right now and it's over.

What do you mean? What happened?

We got into it before I left and she finally admitted that she has lost all emotion for me which is even worse than what I imagined. She doesn't love me. She doesn't hate me. Apparently, she's just neutral about it. Can I call you?

Yes, but let me get home first.

You sped home, lucky enough to not get ticketed for going twenty over at any given time. Rushing up to your apartment, you fired off a quick message letting him know that you were safely at home and he could call whenever he was ready. What you didn't expect was for a video call to come in. Panic struck and your chest tightened as you answered the call.

His face appeared too close to the screen until he held his phone at an arm's length from his face. Henry's eyes were lined with pink and it was painfully obvious to you that he had just been crying.

"So... Yeah. I don't know where to begin. But it's over. I'm taking the condo for now until I come home and we can sort out the details."

"Really?" You felt bad for not having more to say back to him.

"Yep. I won't see her for another two weeks at least. So I just get to pretend like my life isn't falling apart while I execute one of the biggest projects that I've ever undertaken."

"How do you feel? Are you okay?"

Henry began to laugh and you frowned.

"Oh, god... How do I feel? I don't know... That's a good question. How should I feel?"

"I'm not too sure."

"I know I feel numb. And Angry... And relieved, even. Only because she finally had the balls to admit that something is wrong."

"I'm so sorry, Henry. You don't deserve to be treated like shit. But at least you have somewhat of an answer, right? I know it's been eating you alive not knowing what she was thinking."

"I still don't know what's really going through her mind. Our last conversation wasn't exactly conclusive. Just a lot of yelling and then I had to go. That's kind of why I haven't said anything to you in a few days. It’s been hectic."

"It's okay," you told him. "You have to deal with your own life. Don't worry about me."

Henry sighed as he walked through his hotel room and collapsed on the bed. He was quiet for a minute and you had no idea what to say to comfort him until he sighed and brought the phone a little closer to his face. He didn't know the concept of angles and you stared at his face, puffy with emotion, and could see up his nose.

"This hotel is nice," Henry murmured.

"Well, that's good. I'm kind of jealous."

"The window faces the Eiffel tower. I can see it right now. It's all lit up and... It just looks beautiful."

"What time is it there?" You asked him.

"Almost midnight."

He scurried off the white bed and padded through the room and onto a balcony where it was so dark you almost couldn't see his face. Turning the phone around, he showed you the view of Paris at night and you sighed wistfully at your phone screen.

"That looks so beautiful," you said.

"It's pretty. You're prettier, though," his voice sounded weak, defeated.

"Don't even," you said, nerves crackling to life.

"Fuck," he sighed out into the night air. "I wish you were here. I want to... God, I want to have you right here. On this balcony. I don't even care anymore. I want that."

"Henry... Don't you think it's a little-?"

"-Early? Yes. It's early. It's too early for me to be fantasizing about what I want to do to you. Like there's no mourning period. I just want you more than anything."

"I miss you," you quietly stated.

"Well, stop missing me and just come here."

You snickered. "Yeah right."

"I'm serious. Come."

"I can't. I'm broke and I have to work for the next thousand years of my life."

"I don't care. Come to Paris. Right now. Get in an Uber and get on a plane. Pack up a suitcase first."

"You're hilarious," you rolled your eyes.

Henry walked back into his hotel room and the light from a standing lamp illuminated the seriousness on his face as he stared at his phone.

"I'm not being funny. I'm dead serious."

"I already told you that I'm broke, man! I can't just hop on a plane!"

"Yes, you can. I'll pay for it. I'll wire you enough money right now for a roundtrip. I'll send an Uber to you right now."

"You're insane."

"I know, I know," he rubbed at his eyes.

You thought he looked terribly good-looking with the shadow of a beard growing on his chin and along his jaw and upper lip. His hair was a mess and the top three buttons on his shirt were hanging open. The man on the phone screen made your hands start to shake.

"Can't help but notice that you haven't gotten up to start packing yet," Henry continued.

"Henry! I can't!"

You watched him fiddle with his phone, ignoring your protest. You scoffed at him when he smiled.

"Uber will be there in ten minutes. Better pack quickly."

Your legs rattled and words stalled on your tongue. He stared at you with his eyebrows raised high in expectation.

"Well? Get moving! Nine minutes now."

"You're lying."

"I'm not. You're coming here. And when I get my hands on you, woman... The whole world is gonna know it."

#henry deaver x mistress #henry deaver stuff #bill skarsgård drabble #bill skarsgård imagine #henry deaver imagine

[blueoswin]

What if Elu is engaged and then a random person ( girl, guy, whatever) tries to flirt with one of them and then they slowly put up their hand to show off their ring as if to say, " Sorry, I'm very taken by the love of my life"

 Can you write about eliott taking care of lucas? I love protective eliott Thank you so much!!

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TW: there’s a light description of an anxiety attack in there.

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Lucas and Eliott started dating five years ago. The best five years of Lucas’ life. The beginning of a lifetime together.

Four years ago they moved in together.

Three years ago they adopted a dog. It might seem trivial for some people but for them it was a big step in their relationship. Ouba was their dog, a sign of commitment.  She was their way of saying “I’m here for the long ride, I’m not going anywhere” without actually saying it out loud.

Two years ago Eliott proposed in the most Eliott way possible. His boyfriend had taken him out on a date, a romantic movie of course before covering his eyes with a scarf. Apparently, he had a surprise in store for Lucas . Eliott had only allowed him to look once they reached their destination: la Petite Ceinture. They both laid down on the dirty ground, Lucas on top of Eliott, watching the stars, making up constellations, creating a world of their own. Lucas was almost asleep when Eliott whispered “marry me” in his ear, so softly he thought he had dreamt it. He had  whispered it again and again, imprinting the words on his skin with gentle caresses and loving kisses until Lucas understood their meaning. Of course he said yes. How was he supposed to say no to the love of his life? Perhaps tears were involved this night, but you didn’t hear it from him. No way.

One year ago they got married. They didn’t make a big deal out of it, hosting a small party with their friends, Eliott’s family and Lucas’s mom after the ceremony. The both of them celebrating once more until sunrise, alone this time.

Here they were, happier than ever with their life. Eliott freshly graduated from college, his new short film gaining popularity fast on Youtube, invited to film festivals and Lucas studying psychology in uni while working as a part-time bartender in the evenings. It's Friday night, one of the busiest of the week at the bar and Lucas is already tired. Eliott has been away all week to promote his short film, making a name for himself in the industry. He's coming home tonight so Lucas has a hard time doing his work properly, his mind too focused on Eliott, Eliott, Eliott.

 It's not like they haven't called during the week, of course, but it's not the same falling asleep cuddled to his husband ( Lucas still can't believe he can call him that now) or talking through a screen. Falling asleep was already hard for him, his mind always running a mile a minute, but it has become easier over the years with Eliott by his side, holding him, soothing him when the nightmares come, staying up together until Lucas falls back to sleep. So at the end of this week, he is exhausted, stressed about his upcoming exams and misses Eliott so much it physically hurts. Aaaaaaaand he has to deal with rude customers on top of it all. Awesome. Lucas knows looking at the clock every two seconds won't make his shift goes by any faster but hey it's worth a try.

Loud voices coming closer makes him look up from his staring contest with the counter. A wide smile stretches his lips when he recognises his friends, gesturing wildly, unapologetically loud, pointedly ignoring the stares thrown their way.

“Lulu! How's it going?” Arthur asks him, fist bumping Lucas. The latter sighs, rubbing up and down his face tiredly.

“Honestly, the only thing I want right now is to go home and wait for Eliott's return.”

He misses the secretive smiles they share, being called at the other end of the bar.

“Hold on for one sec”

Once his duty is done, he comes back to pour them drinks. They come by so often he has their orders memorised by now.

“Oh by the way, this is Thomas, a friend of mine” Basile says, revealing the brunette hiding behind him.

“Nice to meet you” Lucas smiles, shaking his hand. He frowns when he feels Thomas's fingers linger on his wrist. “ What do you want to drink?”

He doesn't like the way the dude blatantly checks him out, licking his lips seductively. It makes Lucas shudders.

“What do you have?”

He scoffs, using his crossed arms as a barrier, making sure to leave his wedding ring in plain sight. Maybe Thomas will get the message.

“It's literally a bar. Ask for a drink and we'll make it.” Basile, Yann and Arthur are watching him strangely. He knows he's being rude, answering in the shortest ways possible but he can’t help it. Thomas clears his throat, smile still in place.

“I'll have a beer then thanks”

“How original” He can't help rolling his eyes, making a quick work of the drink, putting the pint on the counter a bit too forcefully. He forces a smile. “ Here you go”

“Thank you” Thomas's whole face literally lights up. His eyes rolls to the back of his head once more when the boy has the audacity to wink at him, the other boys too caught up in conversation to notice.

His phone vibrating in his back pocket makes him jumps slightly.  His frown turns into a toothy grin at the name that appears on his screen.

Eliott: Babe I miss you 

Lucas: I miss you too :( When are you coming home tonight?

Eliott: Soon my love, soon ;)

A customer calls him, he pockets his phone, going back to work. He raises his head to talk to the boys but they are all farther in the bar, dancing goofily. Lucas shakes his head, watching them fondly. The rest of his night is a blur of serving drinks, wiping the counter, getting hit on and repeat.  Only thirty minutes left on his shift. Thirty agonising minutes.

 Eliott, Eliott, Eliott.

“Hey handsome” He tenses up, recognising the annoying voice behind him. He forces a smile again, only because Thomas is Basile’s friend. 

“What can I get you this time around?” Lucas answers coldly

“ Your number would be nice”

He’s smooth, Lucas has to give him that. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to punch him, especially when the fucker has the audacity to lean on the counter to drag his hand across his forearm. The touch makes him uncomfortable in a way he can’t explain. He’s used to people touching him all the time, he’s a bartender after all, some clients get handsy but Thomas’s touch makes him shiver in the wrong way.

“I am not interested. Now please get your hand off me” 

Thomas only squeezes his wrist in return. Fear and anger battle inside Lucas. He grinds his teeth, trying to stay calm. He can do it, has done it before. He just needs to breathe slowly, keep cool.

“I love guys who play hard to get. You know I’ll only want you more baby.”

Lucas clenches his fist, desperately trying to stay professional. Stay calm.

“I am not playing hard to get” He grits between his teeth. “ I’ll let you know I am happily married to the love of my life. Look at the ring on my finger dumbass. Now if you would kindly fuck off and never talk to me again it would be lovely”

He tries to pull his hand away when a second one comes to cover his, effectively trapping him. Lucas gulps audibly, looking around for help, fear clawing at his heart, making him feel cold from the inside. His friends are nowhere to be seen. Cursing internally, he tries again, to no avail. The fucker goes on, going as far as  to stroke his hand.

“We both know a ring doesn’t mean anything. Take it off, I promise I’ll give you the best night of your life” Thomas winks, coming ever closer, almost bending over the countertop.

“I. Am. Not. Interested. Leave me the fuck alone” 

Lucas can feel the beginning of a panic attack coming up. He closes his eyes, exhaling shakily, trying to regain his composure. Stay calm. Breathe in and out. In and out. In and out...

“I won’t go until you give me your number sweetheart”

“You heard him. I suggest you take a step back. Even better, get out and never come here again.”

Lucas is so relieved he could burst into tears right now. He’d recognise this voice anywhere. Eliott, Eliott, Eliott. His husband looks downright murderous. How Thomas doesn’t shrink up under the intensity of his gaze is a miracle. Of course, the guy can’t take no for an answer, just his luck.

“And who are you again for interrupting us so rudely? We were kind of in the middle of something here.” Thomas scoffs, still not letting go of his hand

“Oh yeah of course, let me introduce myself. I’m his husband.” Lucas would have laughed at the expression on Thomas’s face if he wasn’t feeling so afraid still. “ Now get the fuck out or I call security” Eliott smiles devilishly, the battle’s won.

“Fine. But remember what I said gorgeous, we could have a lot of fun together” Thomas finally stands up, making a beeline towards the exit. Lucas clutches his hand like he’s been burn. In a daze, he watches him get out of the bar, only looking away once he’s one hundred percent sure the guy won’t come back. 

“Lucas, baby you’re alright?”

Someone is talking to him, said someone is probably Eliott he realises distantly, but he can’t hear him over the loud pounding of his heart and the ringing in his ears.

“Lucas, love, come back to me. He’s gone, you’re safe”

Sobs. The only thing piercing the veil of numbness. Ugly sobs. Why is someone crying ?  There are arms encircling him. A soothing voice in his ear, still distant but coming closer with every second. He realises he’s shaking only when his hands come in contact with a solid chest. He’s the one crying also. Fingers are stroking his hair lovingly, simply resting there, rocking him from side to side to calm him down. Then his mind shuts down.

 Lucas doesn’t know how much time has gone by before he feels like he can breathe properly again. At least he’s not crying anymore. He doesn’t know how or when but Eliott managed to isolate them, taking them to the employee-only room at the back of the bar. They are both laying down on the couch, Lucas still clutching at Eliott’s shirt like it’s a lifeline, avoiding the wet stains left by his tears. He might drown if he lets go. Eliott is still whispering praises and loving words in his hair, holding him tight against his chest. 

“I’m sorry” He finally mutters after what feels like an eternity, voice rough from all the crying.

“What for love?”

“I’m sorry you had to see this. The evening wasn’t supposed to go like this. I had a plan you know?” He exhales shakily. “ I was gonna make you a late dinner, draw you a bath and give you a nice relaxing massage before we cuddle on our bed but instead here we are, on a ratty old couch”

Eliott shifts until he can properly look into Lucas’s eyes, red and watery. He cups his jaw, absent-mindedly running his thumb up and down the sharp edges.

“You have nothing to apologise for love, what happened is not your fault, okay? Don’t ever think it is.”

His nose scrunches up  when Eliott kisses the tip.

“But…”

“No but love. Listen to me, your safety is a priority, as long as you’re here with me I’m perfectly happy. I don’t need anything else”

Lucas looks up, a tiny smile on his lips. Eliott considers it a victory. His husband lays his head down on his chest, over his heart, rubbing his head against him in a cat like manner, humming contentedly.

“Okay. So what are we gonna do now?”

They stay silent for a few minutes, appreciating the other’s presence.

“Mmmmmm. If you’re up to it we can go home now and end this night as you planned to” Eliott suggests, kissing the top of his head. Lucas nods, untangling their limbs, standing up on unsteady legs. He holds his hand for Eliott to take, interlacing their fingers. 

The walk back home is silent, both boys lost in thoughts. They stay glued to each other though, it’s impossible not to after a night like this one. Lucas is so exhausted he almost fall asleep on his husband’s shoulder. Eliott helps him take his coat and shoes off, guiding him toward the bed with a gentle hand at the small of his back. Lucas doesn’t protest when Eliott strips him, doesn’t even make a sarcastic remark or whine about how he’s old enough to take care of himself. He’s too empty right now, all his energy has been drained. 

When Eliott makes a move to leave his side, his hand automatically grabs his wrist.

“I’m not going anywhere love, I’ll just grab some water and snack for the both of us. I promise I won’t be long.”

Lucas releases his hold then, reassured by those words. He still asks for a kiss, watching Eliott retreating back afterwards. He falls into slumber, lulled by the noise coming from the kitchen. The bed dips underneath him. He opens his eyes, scooting closer until his arms are around Eliott’s waist, his head finding his rightful place on top of his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, their legs intertwined until he can’t tell where one begins and the other ends anymore. 

“I missed you” He mumbles sleepily, pressing a kiss on his torso

“I missed you too sleepyhead. Now rest, I’m not going anywhere.”

The late dinner, bath and massage plan can wait until tomorrow, until they’re both well rested, until what happened at the bar is nothing more than a distant memory. For now, Lucas is simply happy to hold his husband and cuddle until they fall asleep. Together.

#skam france #elu fic #elu fanfic #prompts #writing prompts #Lucas Lallemant #eliott demaury #lucas x eliott fanfic #this is waaaaay longer than expected #but thanks for the prompts! #i hope you like it

[winterknight1087]

Flower from the Fae (ch 37)

Chapter Title:  It's Not Wrong if Dee Finds it on the Internet!

Summary: Virgil likes plants, but when he goes to investigate a plant his friend, Remy, tells him about, he doesn’t exactly check out the plant. Little does he know that the handsome man he meets there is a fairy who is about to challenge the world Virgil knows.

Word Count: 2777

Chapter Warnings: Sympathetic Deceit, Sympathetic Remus, cursing, disappearance discussion, (let me know if you need anything tagged, PLEASE)

Chapter Pairings: LAMP, Demus, Sleep/Picani

AO3 Link      My Writing

A/N: this is chapter 37, so read the first chapter here! 

Dee shifted the box once again. “I’m not getting in one of those ten-ton metal death traps again, Remy. Remus and I have managed quite well over the past seven years without using a car. You’re just whining to be annoying.”

“I never said you had to get in the car. All I said was that we could have put all the research into this woman you collected in the car so we didn’t have to carry it all.” Remy answered, opening the front door.

“Ladies, lord, and non-binary royalty watch me as I beat this geek and do it joyously!”

The two froze as they watched the Fae prince attempted to rap, getting into his advisor’s face. Once the prince finished his attempt, the advisor adjusted his glasses before launching into his turn without missing a single beat. Dee lost his grip on the box, shocked that this nerdy fairy was capable of destroying his prince so easily.

Do any of my friends have a single brain cell to their name? Dee couldn’t help but wonder as the spectators burst into cheers.

“Do we even want to know how this ended up happening?” Dee finally asked, shutting the door behind him.

“Remus showed Logan and Roman Epic Rap Battles of History. Princey then challenged Specs and got destroyed.” Virgil answered, grinning.

Logan blushed as he adjusted his glasses again. “It is of no matter.”

“What took the two of you so long! You asked us to come over like 5ever ago!” Roman gratefully jumped on the distraction from his shock.

“Had to carry half of Dee’s library over here,” Remy whined, dumping the box they were carrying onto the table.

“Why didn’t you just have us meet you at your place?” Virgil asked.

Dee glanced at Remus, who at least looked sheepish. “A Remus-mess. He found your edible glue recipe and attempted to make it.”

“But, you literally only mix the powder into water. How… Nope. Don’t want to know.”

“Could the two of you not have just driven over?” Logan asked.

“Dee and I don’t drive or ride in cars since the crash that hurt my brain and took DeeDee’s parents,” Remus answered.

“Did you two pick up the dye?” Virgil asked, cutting off Logan from asking more questions.

Remy tossed a bag towards the anxious man. “Purple and toxic green, as requested. Don’t stain our kitchen, again.”

“Alright, Remus, let’s do this!” Virgil said, grinning.

Remus was on his feet grinning. “Finally! I’m going to be a green crayon!”

“Have fun, boys!” Remy laughed as the two went into the kitchen. “Do you want to wait until they’re done to discuss Karen, or start talking?”

“Who’s Karen?” Pat asked Logan.

Logan looked uncomfortable. “Uh… well… I guess we can start… with something I didn’t tell the two of you about…”

Logan explained to the room about what happened with the woman. Once the half that hadn’t heard it originally were done asking what questions they had for him, they moved onto discussing what Remy had uncovered from investigating her dreams, which was very little.

“Other than the fact that the person did tell her what to do to rid herself of the magic, it’s just a catfish scam.” Remy ended.

“I disagree. I found the forum where she was looking for solutions to her blurting-out problem.” Dee said, pulling a paper from the stacks he had.

Roman looked at the other papers. “Are all of these from your investigation into this woman?”

“Yes.”

Emile shifted uncomfortably. “I really don’t like digging into someone’s life like this without their permission. Knowing your skill, we could be in some serious legal trouble if someone found out about any of this.”

Dee considered comforting the uncomfortable therapist by reassuring him that the personal identification he had on her was safely locked in his bag. He managed to keep himself from doing so, realizing that it would not, in fact, comfort the therapist knowing that Dee had managed to get Karen Smith’s social security number, a couple of credit card numbers, and some other serious information. He decided to just keep his mouth shut, which seemed to only tell the therapist what he wasn’t saying.

“DEE!”

“It’s really a good thing I found them! I pulled them off the internet for her. She should be grateful!”

“You’re going to get all of us into so much trouble if someone finds out!”

“Sure, Virgil gets to take a non-service animal into any and every store without you complaining, despite that breaking a ton of rules and laws, but I get the lecture.”

“Galaxy sits in silence in a bag or coat when she does go into a place! She doesn’t get into trouble like this!”

“And this information was just floating around on the internet! I didn’t do anything illegal to get it!”

“Having it is probably enough, Dee!”

Remy rolled their eyes as Dee and Emile started to really get into it. Emile was chill with a lot, but he drew the line when it came to illegal stuff. They glanced into the kitchen where they could see Remus and Virgil making a point to ignore the screaming from the living room as Virgil dyed Remus’s mustache.

“AH SNAKE!” Remy suddenly had their arms full of the Prince of the Fae, shaking and screaming.

“RUDE!”

“Not you!”

Logan sighed as he scooped up a small green snake off of the carpet. “I believe Roman means this snake, shifter. Though his reaction was a bit extreme.”

“Sally!”

“Alright, everyone just take a deep breath,” Remy announced as they dumped the prince onto the couch. “We’ve got more important things to discuss, over all this screaming at each other. Dee, take your green noddle from Logan and sit back down. Emile, we all know Dee has quite a bit of illegal information, so we can discuss it’s proper disposal after we discuss this Karen issue. If he thought it was important enough to print out, then we’ll hear him out.”

Logan handed over the small green snake. “I do have to say that this is an impressive amount of work done in the past three days, Dee. Sometime later, I would like to discuss your research methods, if you don’t mind.”

“Later,” Remy stated. “Now, what were you getting ready to show us, Dee?”

“First,” Dee answered before calling out. “Virgil, you still listening in?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Has Karen asked you for any herbs recently?”

“Uh… no, I don’t think so. It’s kind of unusual for someone to come ask me for any herbs directly. Only Sharon asks me directly.”

“Has she asked for some unusual herbs compared to normal?”

“Uh…” there was a pause. “Actually, yeah. If I remember correctly, she had some print out about new aromatherapy she wanted to try. I don’t remember the common herbs she needed but she did need Mugwort, Mullein, and Vervain. Normally, it’s stuff like lavender or basil or whatever. Why?”

Dee looked over the paper in his hand, muttering the three herbs to himself. “I found a forum post were Karen was given essentially a potion to, and I quote, ‘erase all traces of negative energy and mind tricks’. She had posted a couple of days later that it worked. There’s a whole list of herbs she’d need but a lot of them can be bought from the store. Take a guess what three herbs she could not buy from the store?”

“So, we have the answer to how she doesn’t have a trace of Logan’s magic,” Remy commented. “But, I wouldn’t have had to help you lug two-ton boxes of papers over here if there weren’t something else.”

“Well, the box you brought is…”

“Is?”

Dee awkwardly coughed out “…for Logan.”

“What’s in it?” Remy demanded, glancing at the box.

“Explanation of how this worked. I…uh… figured the pest would… like… to know how…”

“Aw, you do care.” Logan shouldn’t have managed to say that with as straight a face as he did, Dee thought.

“Whatever, pest.” He waved at the box he’d brought. “This is my research into who gave Karen the spell, a.k.a. her new boyfriend.”

“Which does not sound good,” Virgil called from the kitchen.

“That’s one way to put it,” Dee stated. “I agree with Remy that this person is definitely catfishing, but I disagree that it’s only for her money or whatever catfishers go for.”

Dee started to layout papers across the floor. “Logan, I asked you for specific files on a couple of fairies. Did you bring them?”

“You asked a fairy for something?” Remy feigned a gasp.

“For the rabbit hole I found myself going down, I’d make a deal myself for this information, so shut up,” Dee stated, accepting a folder from Logan.

He quickly read over the ten different missing beings cases. He pulled the papers out and added them to another stack he started to layout on the floor. Watching the shifter, both Remy and Logan paled, seeing what Dee was laying out.

“Geez, this looks like one of Remus’s murder maps for his novels.”

Dee looked up to see Remus and Virgil looking over the mass of paper. Virgil’s head was purple while Remus had a green head and, great magic help Dee, a green mustache. Dee nodded, solemnly as he took a seat on the couch, looking over the web of papers.

Logan looked at the shifter. “Let me get this straight. You are suggesting that this single account has sought out signs of supernatural from superstitious middle-aged women online and is the reason for their disappearances?”

“I’m not suggesting it, pest. The proof is right in front of you. The files you brought align with some records attached to the account early on. It all makes sense, and this comes from someone who proof-reads murder mystery novels for their feasibility.”

Roman eyed Dee, uncertainly. “I do not trust you, shifter. You are too knowledgeable about this kind of stuff.”

“Good because I do not like you pests.”

“Wait, Lo,” Virgil said, diving for one of the pages. “Avery. She was…”

“Yeah, I noticed that as well, Vee.”

Remy looked between the two of them. “What’s this about?”

Virgil took a slow breath before answering. “You asked why I was off a couple of days ago. Mothman, a.k.a. Robert told Logan and me a rumor about a green and purple-eyed woman who supposedly committed a number of atrocities in the Realm of the Fae. One of the fairies supposedly killed in that mess was this woman: Avery Green.”

“Well, if Dee is correct in his massive amount of research, she was not killed in the mess we’ve been looking into,” Logan said, looking at Virgil. “Three others are also laid out here, meaning four names were not killed in those attacks. That is finally something we can work with.”

“Uh… guys?” Emile said, reminding the beings that he was still here. “Shouldn’t we be worried that this account may be coming here? There is quite a bit of evidence suggesting that we should be worried.”

Dee cleared his throat uncomfortably. “If we all plan to keep Virgil safe, yes, we should.”

“Wait, why only me?” he asked.

“Hunters do not go after sandme-sand beings, so Remy is relatively safe. So long as I do not shift any time soon, there will be little pointing towards me. These posts discuss you and Logan, so whoever is behind these will be coming for the two of you. You are in the most danger as you can roam from the fairy circles whenever you want while Logan can just remain in his own realm.”

“OK, what if I stay in the Realm of the Fae until this mess is over with?”

“You cannot do so just yet,” Logan said, wincing at his own words. “Unfortunately, you still need to develop more of your own magic and we have to strengthen the bond between the four of us before it is feasible for you to stay extended periods within our realm. Essentially, building up a long-term tolerance for our realm, so to say.”

Remy looked at the fairy. “Sending him away does sound like a possible solution, though.”

“Dee as well.” Remus suddenly piped in.

“What.”

“I’m sorry, DeeDee, but I want you to be safe,” Remus said, softly. “If this is all true, even if you don’t shift, you’ll still have touches of magic that a trained hunter will know to look for.”

“He is correct, Dee,” Patton answered, looking uncomfortable with all of this. “While you may not be as much of a target as Virgil or us, if a hunter does come, you will still be in danger.”

“So, the three of you will have to leave,” Emile said, sadly looking at his partner.

“Excuse me, three?” Remy asked, shocked. “Hunters do not play with sand beings, Em. I’ll be fine. Plus, I technically can’t leave my post out here, not for that long. We can discuss this once Vee and Dee are out and safe.”

“Remy…”

“Emile, my leaving will cause trouble. Hunters know sand beings are vital to the sleep cycle of life, so they do not attack us. I will be fine. I can start some paperwork stuff for time-off request or whatever, but that will take time and for now, we need to focus on the actual targets claimed in the posts. Logan, how long until you think Virgil can jump circles properly on his own?”

“We were actually going to have him test that tomorrow,” Logan answered. “Why?”

Remy nodded. “We’ll make sure he can travel through them on his own first. I know a deal-style thing that will allow Dee to jump circles with Virgil, but it will not allow him to travel into your realm proper.”

“But, that’s not possible…” Roman answered, surprised. “Only fae and their witches can use the circles.”

“Correct, for the most part. Witches can use the circles for transport once they enter a deal. Companions, particularly of the animal kind, are capable of traveling with a witch, though. Did you never question how Gala was capable of going on your adventures?”

“Remy, I am not making a deal with those flying rats,” Dee stated.

Remy rolled their eyes. “And you won’t be. You’ll be entering a deal with a witch, who is our best friend.”

“So, after that? What?” Virgil demanded. “Dee and I just start our lives over somewhere else until we get a message from you lot saying that it’s safe to return when its entirely possible that that message will never be possible?”

“Until we can figure out how to keep the two of you safe,” Remy stated. “You’ll still be able to talk with your cuties, Virgil.”

“And I just have to leave my husband, friends, and snakes behind?” Dee demanded.

“Dee, please. I can watch over the snakes.” Remus said, softly, not looking at his husband. “We can still call and video chat and whatever. I know this feels like an attack on your pride, Dee, but please. I would rather make do with a long-distance relationship over having to… having to… Dee, please.”

“Ree, I can’t… I can’t just leave you.”

“Dee, I know that I can’t control my impulsiveness or words or not act upon even the weirdest idea that crosses my mind. But I’ll have Remy and Emile still. They can help keep me safe while you are away. I nearly lost you once, I can’t… not again. And this time, your dad won’t be at my side squashing any thought that you might not make it. Please, Dee.”

Could Dee really argue with him? Remus was nearly in tears with a green mustache drooping as it dyed. Yet, Dee also didn’t know how to function anymore without this chaotic being in his life. They’d been best friends since elementary school and married for the past seven years. How could he just leave?

Dee shut his eyes, trying not to cry as he answered. “You two bastards better keep a good eye on my idiot of a husband. Do you understand? If he’s hurt… a damn hunter will be nothing compared to me.”

“Of course, Dee. He can even take over our spare room.” Emile answered, wanting to ease Dee’s pain at this decision.

“It’s not goodbye just yet. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow, before goodbye.” Remy stated. “Now, will you two idiots go wash out your hair? It’s been like an hour. I’ve already dealt with in-too-long hair once. I’m not playing that game again.”

Next Chapter

Taglist: @that-one-nb-kid, @hufflepuffxfox

#Flower from the Fae #sympathetic deceit #sympathetic remus #deceit #remus #tw cursing #tw disappearances #Sage writes

[sourcherrymagiks]

Carry on Countdown 2019

Day 23 - Musician

Ao3

Every Breath We Drew

Simon

Baz looks worried. It’s a pleasant change from the pissed off look he’s had for the last few days. I wonder what I’ve done now. I mean what else I’ve done.

“Baz, please talk to me”

“Fuck off Snow, you’ve made your feelings very clear, no need to pretend you care”

“That’s not, Baz, I didn’t mean, I want to just”

“Spit it out Snow, then fuck off”

I want to storm off or go off but I also want him to smile at me again. I want to kiss him again. I don’t want him to think I don’t want him.

“I was wrong”

“What?”

“I want this, us, you”

“What?”

“I got scared and”

But he’s gone, door slamming behind him.

I should go join Penny in the library. I should train. I should do anything except what I’m going to do. I’m going to follow Baz.

Baz

I can’t be around him right now. I can’t. I thought that my heart had taken all the punches Simon had to give. It turns out there’s a whole new level of pain and suffering. I thought he wanted me. How stupid. How mortifyingly, heartbreakingly stupid.

If I start crying I’m never going to stop so I do the next best thing. The music rooms are always quiet, always empty and they feel like home. Since the arts funding at Watford dried up not many people even come here anymore. Hardly anyone plays an instrument. Fucking mage. Fucking stupid beautiful mages heir.

I take out my violin and start playing something melancholy but I’m not in the mood for it. Today I’m angry and hurt and raw. I feel like a proper moody teen as I pick out the first few chords but then I let the discordant sounds flow through me and it starts to feel good, powerful, dark.

Simon

I’m used to standing outside this room listening to him. There’s a clean mark on the wall where I’ve slumped so many times. Today he’s not playing his usual gloomy stuff. Today he’s furious and the poor violin is taking the brunt of it. I think I recognise the song a bit, it sounds like that one by Hendrix. I didn’t even know you could play Hendrix on the violin. Mind you, why would I?

I can smell Baz’s magic, it’s really strong. He’s not casting though, I shouldn’t be able to smell him like this, like me, when I’m about to go off.

I slam through the door just as the rug in front of him bursts into purple flames.

I push him behind me a draw my sword. The break in the music comes too late. Whatever spell he worked is complete.

I’m ready to fight whatever it is.

I’d fight anything for him.

Oh.

Baz

Simon is here, sword out, ready to defend the world against evil.

Except the evil is a two foot tall demon with fuzzy hair. Simon looks at me and shrugs.

“Who do you want me to devour?”

The demon says in what I can only describe as a truly darling little voice.

“I don’t think I want anyone devoured thank you. I seem to have summoned you by accident” I try my most conciliatory voice. Demons don’t enjoy being summoned for no reason. Even tiny, delightful ones.

“Well I’m going to have to devour someone now. That’s how it works. This one maybe? “

“Best not, can I think about it for a while?”

“I suppose. It’s not standard practice though”

“Snow, would you go and get out guest some food and perhaps Bunce too?”

He’s about to bluster at me but then he realises the level of deep shit we must be in for me to ask for Bunce’s help and runs off.

When they get back, with armfuls of scones , I’m deep in discussion with the demon about football. Bunce looks amused and annoyed. It’s a look she’s honed from years of putting up with Simon.

“Basil, much as the whole school is enjoying your ridiculous outbursts of magic recently I think this might be a step too far”

I would be blushing if I could. I know what she means. I’ve been making an absolute buffoon myself over Simon. It’s got to stop.

“We have a slight issue here Bunce, can we deal with it first please”

She rolls her eyes at me

“Why were you casting your grandfathers spell if you didn’t want a demon?”

“What?”

“The spell, your grandfather was nearly expelled for it?”

“Why have I never heard of this spell?”

Simon’s is grinning and stuffing his face. He spits so many crumbs when he speaks that even the demon shudders “Your family is so fucking uptight they probably erased it from the records”

I’m about to protest when I realise he’s right. I snarl at him instead.

“How do we get rid of him?” I ask Bunce instead

“That part I don’t know. The record is sketchy. I was going to write a history of magic essay on it but there isn’t enough credible detail. It just mentions that he worked with his friend Salisbury to send the demon back”

Simon

I have my suspicions about how Baz’s grandad might have broken the spell with his ‘friend’ but I’m going to let Baz and Penny do their thing for bit before I suggest it.

“So run me through the spell Bunce”

Fuck he’s sexy when he’s talking magic.

“Ok so I don’t know what you were playing but it would have needed to have the devils interval in it. Your Grandfather used ‘Dance Macabre’. The combination of the interval and the emotion brings the demon”

“I was playing ‘Purple Haze’ and I was, I’d rather not, do we have to? “

“He was really pissed off at me because I’m a knob” I add which probably makes me more of a knob.

Penny rolls her eyes

“Baz you don’t need my help to solve this. Even Simon could figure it out. You just want a different solution and I don’t have one. What I have is homework and a strong desire not to get involved in your shit” She turns on her heel and walks out blowing the demon a kiss on the way.

Right. I was right.

Baz turns to the adorable demon “ I may have made a mistake bringing you here, is it ok if I try to send you back?”

“If you like. Are you sure I can’t kill anyone though?”

“That’s still a hard ‘No’” I say

Baz picks up his violin and I don’t know what to expect. I know he has to reverse what he did. So I can guess the last step and I’m into that. This bit involves more musical and magical knowledge than I have.

He starts playing and I know this song, it’s twining around my heart, filling the room with sound, the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift.

Fuck Me.

Baz

I finish the last bar and put my violin down. Simon is standing the most still I’ve ever seen him stand. He’s breathing through his mouth as usual. Well almost panting. Crowley, I want to kiss him. I just don’t want him to kiss me to break a spell. But he’s a hero so he will. Fuck it all.

He steps up to me and puts his hands on my hips

“Is this ok?”

“No, I don’t know “

“I’m a twat, I was panicking but I want you, I really want you.”

He runs one hand up my chest and winds it around the back of my neck. He’s looking at me with those mundane blue eyes, moving closer and closer. He’s so warm, he smells like everything I’ve ever wanted to eat, I want him so badly.

I kiss him because I’m weak and because I have to and because of the spell and because maybe, just maybe, he wants me too.

The room fills with purple smoke and then a popping sound. I should be watching the magic but I’m not. I’m kissing Simon Snow and he’s kissing me back like he means it.

#coc 2019 #carry on countdown #simon snow #snowbaz #baz pitch #penny bunce #carry on fanfiction #carry on fandom

[theplaguezine]

MORTIIS

Interview with Mortiis by Daniel Hinds

(conducted November 1999)

Mortiis is the elusive musician that started his career as bassist for the notorious black metal outfit known as Emperor, before going solo and heading off into uncharted territory.  Using synths, he has created some stirring, epic-length pieces that blend dark ambient with medieval folk and even some classical music elements.

Released through Sweden's Cold Meat Industry and his own Dark Dungeon Music, the drow elf produced four full-length albums before signing with Earache for his latest, The Stargate.  Using the vocal talents of Sarah Jezebel Deva (ex of Cradle of Filth) and Kalle Metz, this album shows Mortiis developing a much broader and deeper sound than ever before.

After a string of dates here in the U.S. with Christian Death, Mortiis and crew were just about to cross the border into Canada when I got a chance to chat with him via cell phone…

Could you tell me a bit about the storyline of The Stargate and what inspired it? I guess musically I was inspired by Basil Poledouris - he did the soundtrack to the first Conan movie, for example.  Musically, that's about the only thing I can put my finger on.  As far as concepts and stuff, there's a myth in certain cultures that you can travel between different dimensions using stars - use them as gates.  I just found that concept very fascinating and it inspired me to do something along the same lines and incorporate that into the whole Mortiis thing.

The CD booklet says "to be continued..." at the end - will it be continued on the next album? Probably not the next album, but at some point in the future I would like to make a second one.  It's not actually finished.  I have the rest of the concept worked out, the storyline so to speak.

Did you come up with the concept before writing any of the music? Sort of.  I think I had some basic musical ideas, maybe a few raw demos or whatever lying around, but I think the storyline was pretty much figured out before I did the music.

In the past, your image has always been very mysterious and in the shadows, but on the Stargate, there are very clear pictures of you on the cover and back cover and tray card.  Why the decision to make yourself more visible this time out? I think I always wanted to do that.  The fact that it turned out the way that it did [in the past] gave people a certain impression - it's not like that was intentional.  We didn't have any professional photo shoots back then, so basically it was me and my girlfriend with an amateur camera, taking photos in the marshes.  That kind of thing, which tends to give things an obscure angle.  So when I had the chance to work with more professional people as far a photo shoot, it turned out differently.  That's how I wanted it from the beginning anyway.

Are you pleased with Earache so far?   Yeah, I guess.  You know the way it is with labels, they can be bastards, but what can I do?  What can I say?  We have a contract.  But I think they're doing a pretty good job, though.  I'm getting to do a lot more shit now that I would have never done with another label.

Do you still have a connection with Cold Meat Industry?   Yeah, sure.  Not at this point, because I'm doing the U.S. support and stuff, but when I'm back home, we do talk.  I'll check in and see what's going on and stuff like that.

How about Debbie at Blackmetal.com? Yeah, how about her?  (laughs)  We were kind of not talking for a long time.  I did a San Francisco show a couple weeks ago and she turned out at the show, she and her guy Elden, they do this thing together [blackmetal.com], and we talked and things were okay.  We exchanged new phone numbers and stuff, so I think that dispute is probably in the past.

How is the tour going? Not very good.  I mean, someone has not taken responsibility for promotion - the promotion is horrible.  I don't know who to blame anymore and I don't want to mention names, but it just seems like no one is doing their job, basically.  We had these posters printed up and we've done like 23 or 24 shows so far and I've seen those posters up at about 3 of the shows.  That's very annoying.  Plus the fact that my album should have been out in the U.S. and Canada at least a month ago, before the tour started.  That got screwed up, so I'm pretty much doing a tour for a record that's not actually out.  If you look away from that, we are getting a good response, which is very good.  People show up at a show that is pretty much not being promoted, they get to hear music they've never heard before, and still at some of the shows we're getting an amazing response.  I'm pretty happy with it, despite everything that's fucked-up about the tour.

Have you done any major touring in the past? No, this is my first tour basically.  I'm being introduced to a pretty rough world right now (laughs).  Is it supposed to be this fucked-up all the time?  But I'm getting the impression that it's not supposed to be this bad.  I've talked to the other people we're touring with who have done this a lot of times and they're like, 'This is a fucked-up tour!'  So, I guess I'll try it again.  Maybe.  (laughs)

I understand that Dark Dungeon Music is closing down.  Is that true?  Why? Yeah.  I was the only guy working at that label.  I was doing everything and it just took up all my time.  I saw my music fall to shit - I could mention a couple of records that I've done that I should have never done or should have taken a lot more time doing.  But I didn't have the time because Dark Dungeon took up all my fucking time.  So, it just came to a point where I realized, okay, this is not working out.  I don't want to do the label anymore.  I hated going down and doing it every day, I hated every minute of it.  I don't want to deal with all these people, I don't want to have all these worries, 'Is he gonna pay me?,' 'Are they gonna pay me?,' 'When are they gonna pay me?' and blah blah blah.  I hated it and I still hate it.  So I put it down.  I want to make music; I don't want to be in the business side of it.

You've always released your music on vinyl.  Is there a vinyl version of The Stargate?  Is that important to you? The Stargate is available on vinyl.  We have a bunch of it in the van.  Vinyl forever!  It is something that I used to be a lot more fanatic about in the past.  I've come to accept CDs.  I mean, you have to accept the day and age that you live in.  If you didn’t do that, you'd be in big trouble.  Time will not wait.  But there's nothing wrong with being a bit nostalgic; I just try not to take it too far.

What is the status of your other projects? I put them down.  Just like with Dark Dungeon Music, I pretty much put everything down the same day, except Mortiis.  This is what I'm going to do now, fuck everything else.  I want to do one great thing instead of a bunch of mediocre stuff.

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with musically in the future? I don't know.  I could probably come up with a few names, but I don't want to say, "I want to work with this person,' as it might create problems or something.  I'm sure there's a whole bunch of people I'd love to work with, but I'm so used to working alone it's hard to come up with names.  I've never really bothered with other people, never paid attention to anyone else.  I'm starting to change that, I'm starting to look into what other people do and it's pretty healthy, actually.  It's good to be on top of things.

Was it kind of a different experience working with vocalists on this album? Yeah, I was nervous.  Before they came out, I was really nervous.  Like, oh my god, I haven't worked with anybody since Emperor back in '92 and that's like six years at that point.  I don't even know how to collaborate.  But it worked out really good.  It took a little longer than we expected, but just a couple days, no big deal.  But it definitely worked out really good and I definitely plan to continue to work with other people.  It can only make things better.

Would you like to score films at some point? Everybody asks that and I always say that I don't think I'm good enough.  Definitely not good enough.  I mean, I know what I do and I can compare it to movie soundtracks and I'm like, okay, damn.  I'm a long way away from being that good.  That's how I feel anyway.  I mean, I'd love to do it, but I don't consider myself good enough.  That's just me being my worst critic.  At some point, I would like to try something like that out, but maybe not this week.  (laughs)

When you write songs, do you hear the whole work in your head or do you start with one instrument and build it up from there? Kind of both, I guess.  I think I know kind of how I want the song to sound, but it never really turns out like that.  I start realizing, okay this didn't work out, that didn't work out - maybe 50% of what you had in mind stays with you.  The rest is just something that popped up during the writing process.

I read that you are working on a book… That is something that I've been working on for several years.  It's pretty much like the young days of Mortiis up until the day he decides to leave the world he was born into.  It's all very symbolic and reflective of what goes on this world and my own state of mind.  It'll be out next month, as far as I know.

Who is publishing it? Oh, Earache I guess.  They're doing like a limited edition thing, a box with The Stargate CD and the book.  Sometime in November.

Are you happy with how the book came out? Well, basically, if I were to do it today, 90% of that I would have never done.  It's like a diary almost of the last few years and it's the oddest thing to see the changes in the attitude.  In that sense, it's very interesting.  As far as me being very naïve and evil and shit like that, but as you grow and develop, your mind matures a little bit and becomes more realistic.

www.mortiis.com

#Mortiis #interview #nov1999

[jessethejoyful]

holy cow it’s part five

what’s a schedule

read it here on ao3

SIMON

Things are different, again.

Baz is still around. He still spends time with Penny and Agatha and I, even came over for another pizza night, but left before ten, saying he was supposed to call his father. He didn’t look at me once when he left.

He still comes into the art store and talks to me, but only when he’s buying something. And our chats don’t last as long, before he gets distracted by his phone and steps out with a small wave.

I don’t know where the extra distance suddenly came from. He’s become such an integral part of my day, I don’t know what to do now that he seems to be pulling himself out of it, piece by piece. There’s a constant ache in my chest, because I just know it’s because I kissed him, and told him I liked him, and I don’t want to press him into something he’s not comfortable with.

He’s not comfortable with me, and I want him to be, more than anything.

So when the end of October is coming up quickly, and I invite him to Penny and I’s fancy dress Halloween party, he’s surprised. And I wish he wasn’t.

“I’m not sure,” he says slowly, when I ask if he can come. “I… don’t usually do anything for Halloween. I might be scheduled to work.”

“Find out,” I say, unable to resist the urge to stretch my hand out and grip his wrist. He looks down at our hands, eyes wide, but doesn’t pull away, and I take this as a good sign. “And let me know. Okay?”

His eyes meet mine, for the first time that day, and I’m so thankful for it.

“Okay,” he agrees. I can breathe.

BAZ

I’m not an easy person to be friends with. Dev tells me so all the time.

“You’re not an easy person to be friends with,” he’ll say to me, and I’ll remind him that we’re cousins and he’s not obligated to be my friend. “Yeah, well, I like you well enough all that you’re a stingy prat, Basil.” And we’ll go back to playing video games or whatever it is we’re doing, and it’s fine.

But with Simon, it’s different. It has been from the beginning.

I’ve never had a boyfriend either. I don’t know shit about it. His had been the first kiss I’ve had in over a year, when I had a brief stint on Tinder and regretted it immediately.

There's never been someone like him in my life, someone I was actually afraid of scaring away.

“So instead of you worrying about scaring him away,” Dev says one evening over dinner, when I make the mistake of letting on what's bothering me, “you're doing it on purpose, preemptively. So you don't have to wonder if you're going to lose him later on.”

“I guess,” I grumble, moving my silverware around on the table before me. “It doesn't make any fucking sense.”

“I don't know about that,” Dev says slowly, and I look up at him. “Baz. It's not unusual, what you're doing. Christ, I forget how little experience you have with all this.”

“Spare me the condescension, if you would,” I snarl, kicking my leg up sharply and crossing it over the other. The aggression in my tone masks how embarrassed I am about this whole thing.

Dev sighs, loud and long. “You're pulling back because you're afraid of getting hurt, it's a classic move. You don't know him well enough yet to know he's not going to hurt you, so you're trying to keep him from doing so.” He leans forward over the table. “Trying to act like you're not already in too deep to get out.”

I'm startled, but I realize Dev might be onto something. And he knows it, sitting back with a smug expression.

But what the fuck am I supposed to do now?

PENNY

Simon Snow is a fucking moron. He's my best friend, so I'm allowed to say that.

He's a lovable moron, but a moron nonetheless. Watching him and Basil dance around each other these last few weeks has been exhausting.

They have no idea, but I got up to go to the bathroom on the night we did masks, and saw them, curled up together on the couch like cats in a patch of sunlight. It was adorable, but I'd honestly seen it coming. Agatha and I had been talking about it behind their backs almost since the beginning. And I like Basil. Now that I've gotten to know him, he's great to talk to - I think most of his shit attitude is just his way of keeping the wrong kind of people out, his walls.

And Simon - well, Simon doesn't do anything halfway, does he? He took a jackhammer to those walls, and now Baz is fortifying them in retaliation.

I wish they'd stop playing chicken, so I can stop caring about it.

SIMON

I'm amazed - and horribly pleased - when Baz actually shows up to the party, and not just because he came dressed as a cheesy movie vampire, in a black and red cape and his hair smoothed back.

“Baz,” I say, because that's all I can manage, and he smiles, actually smiles, and it reveals the fake fangs he’d glued over his eye teeth, and I snort.

“Snow,” he says. I'm a bit let down, because I like it when he calls me Simon. But his tone is all business, even as his eyes glance over my costume. Agatha and I are a set, an angel and a devil, and I've got on flimsy plastic wings, horns, and a cartoon devil’s tail. “Could we… talk?”

“Yeah. Yeah! Of course.” I look around wildly.

It's crowded, because our parties always go over well. Penny likes to complain that I have too many friends, that I should keep it limited to a close circle.

“But if I didn't have so many friends,” I always counter, “then how could we throw such epic parties?” She never has a rebuttal.

“We can talk in my room?” I say it like a question, because I don't want to make him uncomfortable. He just nods and gestures for me to go on. I cut through the crowd, grinning at people who greet me, and he follows behind, head down. I'm not used to him being so withdrawn like this. I'm bracing myself for him to tell me he hates my guts and doesn't ever want to see me again.

My room is quiet, no one's allowed in, and I close the door and flick on the light. Then I wish I hadn't, because it's kind of a mess. The desk where I normally set up my laptop to draw is covered in trash, from takeout or crumpled-up paper. The floor is mostly clear though, some clothes around, and Baz carefully picks his way over and sits on my unmade bed.

I follow and sit next to him, but not too close.

He breathes deeply, and I don't speak, not wanting to interrupt his train of thought. And then he looks at me, and I feel it all the way to my toes.

“I'm sorry,” he says, and it's not what I'm expecting at all.

“Eh? For what?”

He looks annoyed for a second. “I've been - pulling away. Closing off. It's what I do, apparently, when people get too close.”

“Oh. Well, it's alright.”

“I just -" He stares at me, his jaw working. “I don't know what I'm doing. I put on a good show, but I'm a fucking wreck.”

“I know,” I say, maybe a little too eagerly, because he looks startled.

“And you like that?” He makes it sound like the most impossible thing in the universe. Someone liking him.

“Yeah,” I whisper, leaning forward a hair. “I kissed you, remember?”

“But why?” he hisses back, his voice dropping with mine. “If you know I'm a mess, why would you like me?”

I shrug, because I know it drives him mental. “Because we match.” I lean in more, watching his lips, and they part for a second before his hand comes up to my chest, stopping me.

“I don't know what I'm doing,” he says again, and his voice is so tortured that I sit up and look at him, really look at him. He is a mess - I can see it in the haunted look behind his eyes, the twitch of his hand, the slump of his shoulders. I wonder how much of his past I don't know (all of it, pretty much) and it sobers me up a bit.

“I know,” I murmur, lifting my hand to cover his where it rests on my chest. “And that's okay. You don't have to. We'll figure it out together, alright?” He breathes in a tiny gasp, then nods once, some of the tension dropping from his neck. “C’mere.” He glares at me, all suspicion, and I scoff before wrapping my arms around his back, pulling him to me. He's stiff for a long moment, but then his arms come up around me and his face buries in the crook of my neck, and I grin because I know he can't see.

BAZ

“Because we match.”  

My mind keeps playing through the scene, even as I'm forced to mingle and interact with a flat full of mostly drunk students.

It took a lot of energy from me to have such a revealing conversation with Simon, and once he steps into the kitchen for a drink, I slip through the crowd and out the door, closing it quickly behind me.

I'm surprised to find Agatha, cross-legged on the floor in the hall, but she doesn't seem surprised by me.

“It’s a lot in there, isn't it?” she says, her cheeks pushing up in a small smile. She looks just right in her angel costume, small and almost sad, so I find myself sliding down the wall next to her. “I can only deal with so much before I need a breath. And Simon's room was occupied.” I can feel the warmth immediately spread across my face, and I don't trust myself to reply. She looks at me, though I don't look back until she says, “You like him, don't you? Simon.”

When I meet her eyes, there's nothing there but friendly concern. For her best friend who was brought up like her brother.

“Yeah. I do.” She smiles then, brilliantly, and it's like I'm tricked into smiling back. It's contagious.

“Good. Because I can tell he likes you, and I don't want to see him hurt.” Suddenly she looks serious, her lips quirking for a moment to the side. “He seems like the happiest person. Like sunlight. But he's had a hard time. As a kid, especially, and it shaped him into who he is today. Kind and sweet and loyal, but also… fragile. I just want you to keep that in mind, going forward.”

I know it to be the whole truth as I say, “I would never do anything to hurt him, Agatha. You have my word.” Then I look away, tilting my head back against the wall and breathing out a small laugh. “He’s lucky. To have two friends like you and Penny watching out for him.” I don't move when Agatha’s head drops to my shoulder. My heart clenches.

“We’ll watch out for both of you, until we can trust the two of you not to fuck yourselves up,” she says softly, startling a laugh out of me.

#carry on #snowbaz #simon snow #tyrannus basilton grimm pitch #rainbow rowell #carry on simon #carry on baz #agatha wellbelove #penelope bunce #here we are fellas #idk how to write #my writing #writing #carry on fanfiction #fanfiction #art school au

[tigerlover16-uk]

You and all the other people that enjoy anything about dragon ball super disgust me. You fake fans are enabling the ruination of Dragon Ball and you should all hate yourselves for DARING to think that garbage is as good as DBZ. Pathetic shill. You and all the other worthless, spoilt, brain dead scum need to get off the internet and stop worshipping garbage.

(Insert gif of Frieza sipping his wine)

I’ve left this and the other angry ask insulting me for liking Goku sitting around in my ask box for a while now, because I honestly didn’t have the energy or patience to deal with this nonsense at the time you left it here, and after that I just didn’t think an obvious troll was worth giving the time of day. But you know, whatever, I’m up for it right now.

First off, way to be ableist with the brain dead scum comment, that and all the comments about how us fans who like Super should hate ourselves make you sound VERY reasonable and intellectually superior. Bravo, good chap.

Second… explain how I’m a shill who “Worships” Super? True, I’m more positive about it than some people on this site, but that’s because I don’t really care to complain about the flaws in things I enjoy when I could instead be having fun with them. If it’s something I hate, like GT or the DCEU movies before Wonder Woman, then oh boy I’ll be harsh if I have to talk about them, but I do prefer to avoid talking about them lately unless I’m directly asked.

I’m not a person that cares for discourse. The times I do get involved I often end up saying stupid things and don’t handle it well, so I prefer to maintain a “look on the bright side attitude” where I can involving the things I like. And that includes Super. I think there’s honestly more than enough negativity directed at it by the vocal minority of fans who dislike the series already, so I don’t think I need to bother chiming in complaints when there are others who could do that, and I can instead be having fun and gushing about the things it does right (And yes, I believe it does plenty more right than bad).

But that doesn’t mean I think it’s perfect. I’ve been honest about the fact that the show is flawed plenty of times and I’m not afraid to comment on them where I have to. The animation in the second half of the Resurrection F arc was HORRIBLE. Majin Buu, even if I loved the fight with Basil and the fit Buu thing, has been shafted way too many times and it’s getting really annoying. Gohan’s character arc is progressing really well this saga, but it’s been annoyingly stretched out and inconsistent before that. And the ending to the Future Trunks saga, while I don’t find it irredeemably awful like some, was still nonsense.

I acknowledge that the show has flaws. It’s just that for the most part, I actually think the show is really fun to watch and does a lot of good things, and many of it’s issues have been ironed out over time especially with the current saga, and I think it still has a ton of potential going forward. So I just prefer to wait and see what comes next and enjoy myself now.

So I don’t let the flaws ruin Super for me, any more than I let the flaws with Z or the original Dragon Ball take away my love for those shows. Heck, if I did I would have cut my rewatch of og Dragon Ball last year short the minute I got to the horrific homophobia that was General Blue, the misogynistic gay pedophile drawn to look like a Nazi (Still the worst thing the franchise has ever done, by the way).

I think Dragon Ball Super is a good show, that does a lot of good worldbuilding, tells some fun stories, gives some interesting development to several of it’s characters like Krillin and Gohan, is usually very funny, has tons of adorable and touching moments, and while it’s action’s not as good as Z’s, it does have some great memorable fights here and there.

It’s not as good as Z, but I never expected it to be. Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z were a masterpiece, the kind of on the job miracle that only happens once in a lifetime, you can never fully recreate everything that made it so magical. And you don’t need to as long as you make something else that’s enjoyable in it’s own right with the property. I’m just glad I finally get to see more of these wonderful characters and this universe I love so much. And for now I’m pretty satisfied with that.

So no, pal, I’m not an entitled shill. That would require I put the show on a pedestal and declare it God’s gift to Dragon Ball while beating down any criticisms I find with unintelligible whinging. And clearly I don’t. I don’t agree with all the criticisms the show gets, but while I’ve occasionally said something stupid but then immediately apologized (Something I don’t expect from you at this point if you bother to read this anon), I don’t have an issue with people personally not enjoying it. Heck, I’m a guy who thinks Batman is an uninteresting character and the Dark Knight Movies were boring and awful, while liking the Star Wars Prequels more than the original trilogy, which I find just okay. We all have different tastes and opinions, who am I to judge.

You know what would make me a spoilt, entitled scumbag? Telling the people I disagree with that they’re worthless, disgusting fake fans and they should hate themselves for having the AUDACITY to like a fictional show! And trying to chase those people off the internet with petty ramblings in their personal space just so you don’t have to hear opinions you don’t like (Man, I’d hate to see how you react to political debates).

Also, how is Super “Ruining” Dragon Ball? Here’s the thing pal… Dragon Ball had a complete story. The manga is the only definitive canon in this franchise, and it ended two decades ago. The actual, classic story of Dragon Ball is complete, any other works based on it, whether people choose to view them as canon or not, are supplementary at best. It’s not actually possible to truly “Ruin” the franchise.

If anything, Super has helped in keeping the franchise from falling into relative obscurity, considering how in the latter half of the last decade Dragon Ball in general outside of it’s fandom (And in some cases, IN it’s own fandom) had become a bit of a laughing stock among much of the anime fandom and the internet. It’s been down to Kai, the Xenoverse games and other spin offs, the two Toriyama penned movies and yeah, even Super that the franchise has started getting more recognition again and more support. They’ve brought in new fans, and brought back many lapsed and casual fans.

And yes, that’s come with it’s own share of problems, particularly on the fandom side of things. But TFS is FAR more responsible for creating the toxic atmosphere of much of the modern Dragon Ball fandom, the toxic underbelly of which had been growing larger for years before Super debuted, so I don’t think it’s fair to blame Super specifically for the fandoms current state when at worst it’s responsible for bringing back a flood of casuals who absentmindedly buy into fandom stereotypes a little too heavily. The current atmosphere of the fandom would have been largely as bad whatever the quality or kind of new show we got.

So no, I don’t think Super has “Ruined” the franchise any more than GT did years ago. Anyone who wants to argue that Super ruined Dragon Ball for them as a whole is either being melodramatic, taking it too seriously, or maybe even never cared about Dragon Ball beyond being a casual fan in the first place.

I mean, I still love Spider-man even despite the abomination that is One More Day, and I’m still watching Boruto despite hating the majority of Naruto Shippuden with a burning passion. And I didn’t let GT lessen my love for the Dragon Ball franchise in the slightest, if anything it just made me appreciate the stuff I love about it instead a lot more.

If anything is ruining the Dragon Ball franchise for people, it’s jerks like you who feel the need to attack and insult people for liking stuff about it that you don’t. You’re no better than the scummy anons who harass the Gochi fans on here, or the people who constantly lie about, demonize and demean Goku’s character to prop up and shill other characters like Vegeta and Piccolo, when it’s completely unnecessary and stupid to try and undermine other characters to prop up others who are already great on their own.

It’s okay if you don’t like the show. I’m sorry if you feel it’s somehow ruining Dragon ball for YOU specifically, and I encourage you to go back and watch the previous series to remember WHY you like Dragon Ball so much. But buddy… NOTHING gives you the right to act like a ravenous jerka## to the people who DO enjoy it. Screw off with that elitist, childish nonsense and grow the (Bleep) up, child!!

This goes to EVERYONE who’s feeling even the slightest bit resentful to the people who are having fun with Super, or any other base breaking series connected to a franchise a lot of people like (Did I mention I prefer the 3D era Sonic games to the genesis classics? Oh boy, do I not get along with the Sonic fandom). You not liking it doesn’t make you superior to other people, nor does it make you objectively right while everyone else is just a moronic fake fan. to heck with that line of thinking.

I could go on, but it’s late and I’m tired and you’re not worth any more effort than I’ve already spent here, anon. Don’t bother coming back into my inbox with this nonsense unless you want to do the mature, adult thing (Assuming you’re an adult, and not a kid) and apologize. Good night.

#dragon ball super #dragon ball #dragon ball z #dragon ball gt #dragon ball franchise #stupid anons #trolls #I hope I don't get a flood of angry comments and hate messages for any of this #whatever I can take it

[fearofaherobrine]

Roleplay Server Log #213

“The Coronation, The Uninvited Guest...”

-HerobrineCP has entered the server-

[Doc] Ah, Cp's back. Hopefully with the food.

[Ruby] Is hanging out at the bar with Sam, the two of them are playing cards because it's quiet.

[CP] Arrives in the bar- Hey, I got the stuff you asked for, just wanted to go over it with you before I took it over to my server

[Sam] in his native tongue-  Oh! Is it almost time for the coronation? I know it's been a while.

[Ruby] So do I need to throw some bones around?

[CP] - We'll find out when we get there...  He starts tossing a large amount of food onto the bar counter

[Sam] Pulls up a chest and starts organizing and stowing it.

[Ruby] Are we going now?

[CP] - No, it may still take a couple days before everyone is ready, I have to let them know as well

[Ruby] I'll be around.

[Sam] Makes a smart little salute.

[CP] - Sam, is everything to your standards?

[Sam] Yes. I'll add a bit here and there. I have some spices to dress up the blander dishes and do you want finger food type stuff as well?

[CP] - Wouldn't hurt

[Herabrine] Walks in - There you are! I need a real world expert here! What is this? - holds up a bucket with a lot of little things swimming in it. The resolution is low but they're pink and mostly tail.

[CP] Frowns- Looks like shrimp

[Herabrine] They're breeding like bugs!

[CP] Thinks about it- Must have happened when we let Basil in...

[Herabrine] Basil?

[CP] - The monster Doc and I let in that's been swimming around

[Herabrine] Stares at him - It's name is fucking Basil...? Whatever. Are they good for anything?

[CP] - Eating

[Herabrine] Good I'll bring lots. The fucking things are everywhere.

[Sam] How do I prepare them?

[CP] - You can boil em like the lobsters. or fry them

[Sam] Boiling I can do.

[Ruby] Do you drop them in live? - a little too eager

[CP] - No

[Ruby] Looks slightly disappointed

[CP] Over chat- Oi!  Coronation, two days assholes!

[Herabrine] I'm going fishing. BBL

[Doc] WOOO party time!

[gem] yay party

-the next day-

[Steve] Knocks on Lies door a bit urgently-

[CP] With a grumble opens the door- What?

[Steve] Oh! Hey, is lie home? Or maybe Endrea?

[CP] - Endrea is up in her room with her kids, why?

[Steve] nervous- I thought I could help out somehow?

[CP] - Do what you want, I have to go smooth out the area today since this things happening tomorrow

[TLOT] Comes whistling up the path, there's a foggyness around his form.

[Steve] NOOOOO - With a tortured squeal Steve squeezes past Cp and darts into the house-

[CP] - The fuck?

[Lie] Is down in the work room making some food-

[Steve] Darts into the room - Quick Lie, run while you can!

[Lie] - What?  Why?  What's going on?

[TLOT] Gives a bit of a chuckle as he comes closer

[CP] - Fuck off asshole!

[TLOT] Oh, don't be like that. My husband doesn't like my newest experiment. It's more geared towards brines then humans...

[Steve] If you value your nostrils run! - Darts out the back door-

[Lie] - Really Steve, I deal with literal poop from my animals, how bad can it be?

[Steve] I warned you! - door slam

[Lie] Shakes her head and makes her way to where CP is-

[TLOT] Pulls out a rather odd block, it's a pale yellow and dotted with tiny glimmers of gold, it smells so strongly there's waves coming off of it like heat-

[CP] - Sniffs- Huh...

[Lie] Backs away quickly- The hell is that!?

[TLOT] My newest work, I call it Steelton Gold. Isn't it exquisite?

[CP] - Eh

[Lie] - NO!  It smells revolting!

[TLOT] Not you too! It's wonderful! - He pulls off a morsel and holds it out to her-

[Lie] Sneezes because the smell is so strong and teleports away-

[TLOT] Holds it out to Cp instead. - Everyone's a critic....

[CP] - Takes it- I would try it but judging by my wifes reaction to the smell, she may just try to murder me for it...

[TLOT] Come on, just a bite. It has alcohol in it too. Kinda like... Sam called it Goldschlager?

[CP] Takes a small amount and pops it in his mouth- Not bad

[TLOT] Great! I was feeling a bit put upon. It smells wonderful to me. I crushed it myself with a bedrock weight. Really good milk too. I used some of the rennet Doc brought in to make it.

[CP] - Hands the rest of the cheese back- Good for you, now I should probably go find my wife

[TLOT] mischevious smile - Should I bring some to the party? And some crackers?

[CP] - Again, my wife may try to murder you if that happens

[TLOT] Just offering. I presume you don't want a block yourself? You can always seal it up in a chest.

[CP] - Fine, give me a copy

[TLOT] Hands him a couple of blocks. - Have fun! See you at the party- departs cheerfully

[CP] Tosses them in a chest and then heads off to find his wife, which he does...  In a tree-

-The next day-

[CP] Is pacing around outside his home, waiting for others to arrive so he can open the way to his server-

[Doc] arrives first in hir dragon shape with Yaunfen and Deerheart on hir back-

[TLOT] Is walking with Steve, who still looks annoyed from the cheese incident.

[gem] - arrives with her guardians eddy and Edward who how little bow ties on for a change-

[Deer] Slides off in a gown inspired by a few different styles-

This message has been removed.

[BEN] Rides up with Aven and Hyrule-

[Mix] -Walks up to the group, fixing her hair quietly and humming-

[Yaunfen] - BURP! BURP!- Wiggles excitedly

[Doc] Turns to nuzzle Yaunfen, the little dragon is wearing a tiny bowtie in a pastel purple-

[Endrea] Comes around the side of the house in her dragon form with her children as well-

[GK] Flaps down from above with a big grin - is it party time?

[Ashe] - Uncle GG!

[Endrea] - I suppose it is

[Flux] Inside Notch's place with him- Are you sure you don't wish to go?

[Notch] He said no, and I don't want to push it.... I know he's already having trouble with his mobs. I feel like.. part of being a father is knowing when to let them be grown -ups, you know?

[Flux] - Not entirely, but I trust your judgment

[CP] - Is this everyone?  The skeletons are already on the other server

[Doc] Prances in place a bit-

[TLOT] I think so?

[willow and oak] -try go over to yanfen-

[Doc] Mix? Is Flowey still grounded? NK might like to go too.

[Endrea] - GK?  If you don't mind herding Willow and Oak for a few moments, there's something I'll have to do

[Yaunfen] Jumps playfully at his fellow baby dragons-

[Gk] Sure! - He scoots over to the babies and nuzzles them a bit-

[willow] -boops gk snout with her foot-

[Gk] Snuff!

[Mix] Nk said no, because he doesn't really know either well. Flowey's not very social either, so I doubt he'll come. -plays with the silk like part of her dress a bit-  Firebird wanted to, but didn't know if he could. -Gestures at the circling bird far above-

[CP] - Honestly at this point I don't care

[Doc] I didn't know he was a NOTCH. Can anyone else here tell?

[Endrea] - No, I cannot

[TLOT] Nope.

[Ashe] Is kinda playing with GK's tail-

[GK] Just bring the featherball! Let's go!

[Mix] Alright! -Gives a wave of her hand and Firebird swoops down and lands delicately on her shoulder, resting his head ontop of hers-

[CP] Get's a malicious look as he opens a portal- Endrea, go ahead

[Endrea] Reaches over to TLOT and grabs him by the cloak, picking him up and carrying him through the portal, into CP's office in the Nether-

[TLOT] Feels the heat and freezes, his eyes go wide with panic-

[Steve] Races after them, not understanding what the problem is-

[Doc] Charges in after them with hir passengers-

[Yaunfen] Sniffs the air curiously-

[TLOT] Has basiclly balled up in her paws and is rocking back and forth-

[gem] -notices everyone leaving and follows-

[Mix] -Follows them in-

[Steve] WHY?!

[Ashe] Follows after his mom-

[willow and oak] -follow ashe-

[GK] Ushers the rest of the little ones in-

[CP] - What?  You two were the ones who wanted to come

[TLOT] Isn't seeing anyone-

[Steve] YOU CAN'T JUST DO THAT!

[CP] - I don't think we could have gotten the two of you in any other way

[aven] -is amongst the others-

[Steve] YOU ASSHOLE-

[BEN] Carries Hyrule through-

[TLOT] Is making a low whine as if he's in pain-

[CP] Once sure everyone is through he closes the portal and Endrea puts TLOT down-

[BEN] - Ah, higher resolution

[TLOT] Stays where he's put-

[Steve] HE'S FUCKING CATAONIC IN THE NETHER-

[Doc] I think you might have to send them back Cp....

[GK] Fucks sake, I thought he'd calm down now that his NOTCH is dead...

[CP] - I figured he'd freak out some, there's some of Lie's calming flowers in the desk drawer

[eddy and Edward] -look more like stuffed animals in this resolution-

[Mix] -Marvelling at the higher resolution and how Firebird looks in it. She's already been at a higher resolution so it's nothing special-

[Firebird] -adjusts on Mix's shoulder and watches the freak out-

[Steve] Is just rubbing his back trying to get his attention, it's not working at all- YOU'RE PSYCHIC! CAN'T YOU SEE WHATS GOING ON IN HIS HEAD?!

[gem] -is trying to keep her hoofs off the ground- I have ice would that grab his attention?

[CP] Grabs some of the calming flowers and throws them at Steve- Maybe if he were to calm down a little

[TLOT] Is breathing very hard, as if trying to get as much of the flowers scent in as possible-

[CP] Reaches out mentally for TLOT-

[TLOT] Immediatly sucks Cp into the painful vision that's playing over and over in his head like a looping nightmare. Cp feels himself torn apart, barely a ghost, trying to sustain himself on scraps of fear from the scary stories passed on Testificate lips. He's dragged away from the light and air down into a sucking darkness that steals his very will to exist. He looks down and cannot move, everything he needs to heal is just out of reach and he's pinned like a flitter with ruined golden swords through his arms, his life's blood forever creeping away, but not hurt enough to die. Drained of hope and forgotten.

[CP] Forces a surge of his own energy out so he can find TLOT-

[TLOT] Is nowhere. He's alone in a void of blackness and holding his knees as he cries softly-

[CP] Finds him and nudges him with his shoe- Oi, your being an idiot

[TLOT] Doesn't answer-

[CP] Nudges harder- Are you really this weak?

[Steve] Is trying in vain to use their connection to reach his husband, Cp can hear his voice calling faintly from afar-

[CP] - Are you really going to ignore your mate?  I thought you were stronger than this, being ripped apart at your code is no reason for fear like this

[TLOT] Whispers- Steve...

[CP] - Yeah, your idiot husband is creating a sobbing mess in my office

[TLOT] ....

[Steve] The calls are a little bit closer-

[CP] Sighs- I swear, in this Nether you'll come to no harm, your eyes alone will guarantee that

[TLOT] Blinks a little-

[CP] - Finally coming around?

[TLOT] You saw....?

[CP] - No shit sherlock

[TLOT] I thought you of all people... would understand...

[CP] - I'll admit, it was something similar to what I went through, but unlike you, I did not let it cause fear of an entire section of our world

[TLOT] I can't let it go... and I keep it from him. He freed me the second time, but the first...? I don't want my mate to know that pain.

[CP] - I think it's time for you to get over it

[TLOT] You know it's not that simple...

[CP] - Is anything amongst our peers simple?- Offers TLOT a hand

[TLOT] Hesitates before taking it, as they contact he comes out of his fugue state.

[Steve] Is basicallly crying on him and shaking his shoulders lightly-

[Doc] Just take the calming flowers my friend. Eat them if you need too.

[CP] Steps away and turns towards the door as Winston enters-

[Winston] Is in his much more human form- Master, your mate and her friend are almost ready

[CP] Thanks Winston, will you check on Sam?

[Winston] - I just did sir, they are well into cooking and have only had a few minor disturbances from a few pigmen.  My men have kept most of the others at bay

[gem] -ends up hugging packed ice-

[Doc] I think I can help you Gem, I was worried about this - Xe takes out a pair of diamond boots, they're shimmering with the frostwalker enchantment- try these-

[gem] -put them on and lands- oh thank you doc this is much better

[TLOT] Munches up must of the calming flowers and Steve makes a small crown of the remaining ones to put over his helm and around the wings on the back-

[CP] Turns towards his personal chambers- I'll be right back

[TLOT] Kisses Steve- I'll be right back. - He follows Cp softly-

[CP] Enters his chambers and once alone there's a slight hint of nervousness to the air-

[TLOT] Quietly- Cp...

[CP] Is surprised and quickly turns around- Fuck!

[TLOT] Watches him to guage his emotional state-

[CP] Scowls a little and turns towards the far wall where there's a cleverly hidden button.  Once the button is pressed the wall slides aside to reveal his obsidian armor.  In the higher resolution much greater detail can be seen revealing small patterns and designs on the inky blackness-

[TLOT] Makes a small gasp - It's beautiful...

[CP] - And almost dead, rather disappointing that the last thing it will be used for is a fucking ceremony instead of battle...

[TLOT] A fitting end I suppose... Swords into hoes.

[CP] - I believe I told you before that this was made by one of the only testificates that I respected, correct?

[TLOT] Yes, you did. He must have been a master of the craft.

[CP] - He enjoyed the challenge to, he had to continuously coat his hands in magma cream so the lava wouldn't burn him as he used it to soften the obsidian into something malleable

[TLOT] That's brilliant. I've made things out of lava before, but only crude sculptures. I'm better at assembling then carving.

[CP] Grabs the armor and starts putting it on, leaving the helm behind on the stand-

[TLOT] Thoughtfully takes the helm from the stand and follows after Cp, he has a notion growing in the back of his mind and thankfully it's distracting him from the fear he still feels.

[Lie] Opens the door from the hallway, she's dressed and her hair is in a series of intricate braids done by Enderbro- CP?

[Doc] Hey guys.... I know that cp is going to yell, so I want to show you before he gets back.. oh hi Lie!

[Lie] - Oh, hello- She enters the room- I'm glad all of you could make it

[Herabrine] Is following Lie-

[gem] lie you look great

[Lie] - Thanks

[Mix] You look nice, Lie!

[gem] what do you have doc?

[Herabrine] Bro is suprisingly good with hair. Deft fingers-

[Doc] Giggles mischeviously- Deerheart can you get down with Yaunfen first?

[Deer] - Yes- She gets down, encouraging their child with her

[Doc] Transforms and steps smartly against the office floor with a double click of heels.

[Lie] Barely holds back her laughter- CP is going to be furious

[gem] he will but you look fabulous doc

[Doc] I think it looks nice. Kinda punk to go with my hair. Thank you guys.

[Gk] You are such a dork.

[Ashe] - Why would he be mad?

[Doc] I think he doesn't like it when I'm female...? He's always irritated with me. It's just a premonition.

[Ashe] - Oh, okay

[Steve] You look lovely Lie. You ready for this?

[Lie] - As ready as I'll ever be, I'm...  Really nervous

[CP] Enters, adjusting his gauntlets a little and freezes when he spots Doc- No

[Doc] Looks at Ashe and points at Cp- Told you so.

[Lie] Approaches CP- Hey, it's okay, it isn't for very long

[Doc] Come on, it's too hot to argue.

[CP] Sighs- Endrea?  You should probably join the other generals

[Endrea] - I understand, GG?  Would you like to accompany me?

[Gk] Flaps his wings a little - should I change?

[Endrea] - As you are is fine, there's more than enough space for both of us

[Gk] Lead on then-

[Doc] Offers hir elbow to Deerheart-

[Endrea] Pushes open the doors. herding her children with her wings as she leads GK through the hallways out to where the ceremony will be happening-

[Herabrine] at Cp-  So what's next, tall dark and gruesome?

[TLOT] Is there a crown? Tiara? Whatever?

[CP] - Er...  No?

[gem] should I make one?

[Doc] Flower crown!

[Lie] - I can provide flowers if you need me to...

[Steve] I can do it-

[Mix] -Playing with the silk of her dress while she watches them talk about crowns and tiaras.-

[gem] -makes a planet crown with planets in the shape of flowers with the mix of reds, yellows, and oranges- will this work?

[Lie] Hands Steve a bunch honesty blossoms and lilacs- I think that's a bit too much Gem

[gem] ok -puts away the crown-

[Steve] Twists them up into a circlet-

[TLOT] Goes to add a few blue orchids but looks to Lie first to see if that's okay.

[Lie] - That's fine

[TLOT] Helps his hubby twist everything up -

[Steve] want me to carry it? Or will you just wear it?

[CP] - I don't know...

[Lie] - I'll leave that up to you Steve

[Doc] I know what we need! - Xe runs into Cp's room and comes back with a copy of one of his pillows-

[CP] - WHY ARE YOU STEALING ONE OF MY PILLOWS!?

[TLOT] Mix can I have a few pixels from your shawl? Just to copy?

[Doc] Trust me!

[Mix] Sure, Here. -She bunches some of the fabric in her hand before holding it out to TLOT to take pixels from. It's shimmery. Nice.-

[TLOT] Perfect! He takes a skim from the fabric and forms it into a bag -

[Doc] Takes the bag and slips it over the pillow before passing it to Steve

[Steve] Puts the crown on the shimmery pillow and holds it proudly - Ready!

[CP] Groans- Might as well

[CP] Heads for the hallway- I made sure there was plenty of space for all of you up where my generals will be

[Doc] Reaches for Yaunfen and then remembers - Come on sweetie, stay beside me.

[Yaunfen] - Burp!

[TLOT] Trembles a little but maintains an air of gravitas and holds Steve's hand tightly-

[Lie] Takes a few calming breaths as she goes-

[gem] -is making sure to follow the group-

[Doc] Whispers to Deerheart- you look ravishing my dear...

[Mix] - smiling nervously but seems comforted by Firebird nuzzling her hair-

[Deer] - Perhaps I'll let you strip it off of me later

[Doc] Rowr....

[CP] Approaches a large set of doors and pushes them open, it's a massive balcony where the generals are lined up on either side.  Below and before the balcony are hundreds upon hundreds of mobs from all area's, Nether, Overworld, and End-

[Lie] Hangs back so CP can address the mobs-

This message has been removed.

[Mix] - finds place to sit and  does so, letting Firebird move to her lap-

[CP] Takes a moment to look at all his mobs- My loyal mobs, I have gathered you here today to introduce you to someone of great importance and who's standing is equal to my own.  I want all of you to witness her glory as she is my mate, Lilinthia

[gem] -her guardians sit down and she sits on vin's lap to avoided extra heat since they can handle it-

[eddy and Edward] -are on gem's shoulders-

[TLOT] Takes Lie's elbow and steps up smartly beside Cp, His cloak flaps a bit in the blast of heat from the open Nether. He offers Lie, as a father would a bride, to Cp-

,[CP] Takes his wife's hand and his expression softens briefly at the contact with her before .turning back towards his mobs-

[TLOT] Nods and steps back -

[CP] - My mate is of equal standings with me, when she speaks, it is with the same authority as I , disobeying of her commands carry the same consequence,  disrespect of her will bring you nothing but death, to me she is my queen, my world, and I will never allow harm to come to her

[BEN] Bounces Hyrule a little to keep the baby distracted-

[Steve] Steps up next to CP with the pillow and holds it up with the flower crown resting on top-

[CP] Takes the crown and places it on her head gently before having to fight the effects of the honesty blossoms a little- My mate brings with her allies, others of my kind with different powers.  These other brines may occasionally visit and they are to be shown respect as well.  I will ignore any objections to this so I wouldn't bother submitting any complaints about it

[Endrea] Gingerly steps around those before her, urging her children closer towards GK- Sir...

[CP] Turns, confused as to why Endrea of all his generals is stepping forwards- Yes

[Endrea] - I would like to gift your mate something

[CP] Motions for her to go ahead and steps away a bit-

[Gk] Encircles the little ones with his wings and tail-

[Endrea] Faces Lie completely before bowing low before her- I wish to grant you the one thing the Master cannot obtain from me, a contract, and with this contract I will be released from the last of NOTCH's hold over me for you will become my Mistress and you shall hold control over the entirety of the End-

[Lie] - Endrea...

[Endrea] - Do you accept my gift?

[Lie] Can only nod-

[Endrea] Closes her eyes and the swirl of void which enters the area is strong, Lie feels a shift within her own powers-

[Endrea] Pulls back after a moment and returns to her space next to GK-

[CP] returns to Lie's side and address' his mobs one final time- You will spread the word to the others, my mate is not to be harmed and her power is equal to mine- Not really knowing what to say next takes Lie's hand and begins leading her back inside

[TLOT] Picks up on the energy of the crowd and sends a bit of a nudge for the mobs to think about applauding-

-Some mobs hesitantly clap-

[Doc] Does a little queen wave nervously-

[CP] Motions for the others to follow him as he leads them towards the ballroom where the smell of food is wafting from-

[Lie] Smells the air- Seems like Sam outdid himself

[Doc] Well that went decently well.

[Lie] - That was absolutely nerve wracking

[TLOT] Is thinking seriously about turning into an Endermite and just riding in Steve's shirt for a bit-

[gem] even so you did great

[Lie] - Thanks

[CP] - There will be a bit of mingling in the ballroom, in other words, there will be food

[CP] Opens the door to the ballroom, the elegant room is well lit and a set of tables has been set up where Sam is putting out the last of the finished food.  There are already a few mobs in there and the generals are following the group as well

[Ruby] Is standing by the wall keeping an eye on the entrance to the kitchen-

[Doc] Trips a little in hir heels - blast it!

[Deer] - This is why hooves are better~- Immediately trips

[Doc] The points are smaller in this resolution! They were chunkier at home! - sighs- Are you okay?

[Deer] - Oh yes, you know how clumsy I am anyways

[Yaunfen] Is chasing their own tail-

[TLOT] Takes a few steadying breaths and turns a bit to see the generals following them -

-The mobs present are giving weird looks as they notice Steve, they aren't sure whether to attack or not-

[Blake] Has the most sour expression imaginable-

[Herabrine] Takes some cooked shrimps from the buffet and brings some to Lie- Your hubby had a good idea, these actually came from our server.

-A young pigman approaches Gem-

[Lie] - Shrimp?- She tries one- How did they end up on the server?

[eddy and Edward] -wave at the pigman-

[Babypigman] Confused noises, not sure what it's looking at-

[Herabrine] Apparently some washed in with the water when the sea monster was let in from irl-

[Sam] Breaks off for a moment to motion to Eddy and Edward-

[Lie] - Well, at least they're good shrimp

[gem] -see the motion and brings eddy and Edward over worried about there feet getting to hot-

[CP] Is stalking around the room, keeping an eye on everything to make sure that everyone is behaving-

[Sam] Offers each one a huge lollipop and pats their heads in turn-

[eddy and Edward] -take the lollipops and speak in ender- thank you

[Lie] Spots Sam- Excuse me real quick Hera- She approaches Sam- Sam?  Thank you so much for cooking all of this

[Doc] Tries a crumb from a cookie to make sure it's sweet enough before offering the rest to Yaunfen-

[Yaunfen] Eagerly takes it, quickly eating it and then giving Doc puppy dog eyes-

[Sam] Oh! You're welcome Lie! It was an interesting challenge. Though I think i got a bit bossy with Steve's brothers in the kitchen.

[Lie] - I'm sure they'll forgive you

[Doc] Gets more for the baby and feeds them tenderly-

[Yaunfen] Tries standing against Doc as if that will get them the cookies faster-

[Sam] Motions at Gem assuming she can't understand, for her to help herself-

[Ruby] Breaks away to speak to BEN and Aven- She signs asking if they need anything special to feed the baby

[Lie] Is approached by a few mobs-

[gem] -takes some of the cookies-

[BEN] - He could probably use some milk...  Don't you think Aven?

[Doc] Sam? Can I have some of that candy too?

-The mobs are glancing at the baby, wondering if it's CP and Lie's-

[Sam] Produces another striped lollipop for Yaunfen, it's too big to go fully in hir mouth-

[aven] yea it would be good I hope this heat isn't to much for him

[Ruby] Nods and goes off to get some milk-

[Yaunfen] Doesn't stop them from trying to fit the entire thing-

[Endrea] Nudges GK- Are you doing alright GG?

[Sam] Notices Mix standing awkwardly with Firebird and makes up plates for both of them as well-

-The generals are mostly talking amongst themselves-

[Gk] Hmm? Oh yeah! I mean, normally I don't like the Nether, but it's mostly an accomdations issue. And there's food. That's usually lacking as well.

[Endrea] Laughs a little- Yes, CP has always made certain that I could fit in his builds once we came to our agreement

[Gk] Trots delicately around part of the crowd- It's appreciated-

[Ashe] Is running around-

[Sam] Waves to Gk and holds up a bottle of amber liquid-

[Gk] Waves a hoof so it sucks into his inventory- thank you.

[willow] -is trying to get on the food table-

[oak] -is helping-

[Sam] Panics a little and tries to shoo them down

[Endrea] Now now you two...  Here, have some void energy- She offers the substance to her children

[willow] -stops and takes some of the void energy-

[oak] -also has some-

[TLOT] Accidently makes eye contact with Blake-

[Blake] Huffs and turns away in a snotty manner-

[Steve] Mentally- I bet Giselle is pissing him off....

[TLOT] Still not sorry-

[CP] Stops a few mobs who had drawn their weapons upon deciding to attack Steve and tosses the weapons out a window-

[Steve] Notices- Thank you Cp.

[CP] Grumbles-

[Lie] Is starting to get overwhelmed by a few mobs who have decided to bring her complaints-

[CP] - OI! KNOCK IT THE FUCK OFF!  THAT'S NOT HER JOB!

[Doc] Moves to help Cp shoo them away-

-The mobs disperse-

[Lie] - Thanks

[Eliza] The spider general is passively watching the group of brines, her lower half is the body of a spider while the upper is human-

[TLOT] Notices her - You have really interesting mobs Cp...

[Steve] This resolution is so tiring... Stevie must be strong as an ox. It's like walking through soup-

[CP] - That's Eliza, my spider general.  Only my generals have more human like appearances, makes them easily distinguishable.  They revert to being more mob like on the other seed because it's a lower resolution

[gem] -is eating a lot of sweets-

[Doc] Found the sandwiches and is eating something with a ton of little leaves poking out of it-

[Yaunfen] Has joined in on playing with Ashe-

[Sam] brings Deerheart a plate with a little yellow square on it that's covered with cherry sauce-

[Deer] - Ooh!  This looks so good Sam

[Gk] Loafs by the wall and takes a nip from the bottle, he's just happy to watch the kids play-

[Sam] Takes a little bow-

[TLOT] So do you think they got the message Cp?

[Endrea] Lays near GK-

[CP] - Time will tell...

[TLOT] If you need me again...

[CP] - Yeah yeah, whatever- His shoulders are a bit slumped, and his sarcasm doesn't have it's usual bite

[Samuel] The skeleton general gives Gem a strange look- And just what are you?

[gem] I am both a space angel and a brine

[Samuel] - A space angel?

[TLOT] Takes a ladle and pours a tiny bit of punch in a cup before spiking it with a health potion and swirling it. He presses it into Cp's hand - Here. This isn't the time to look so exhausted-

[gem] yes

[CP] - I'll be fine

[Doc] Scoots over by the two. - Herobrines vary by seed. Nice to see you under better circumstances.

[Samuel] - Same to you, but I'm afraid I'm not aware of what a space angel is

[TLOT] Fine, Be difficult - he bites his thumb and smears the blood on Cp's lips-

[CP] Jumps back- FUCKER!

[Ruby] Comes back with milk and snacks for BEN and Aven-

[TLOT] Shush, you'll make a scene

[BEN] - Thanks- Takes the milk and starts feeding Hyrule

[gem] a species that lives in the void of space in the real world normally identified by the white angel like wings on there back and the hearts of there chest.

[CP] Grumpily licks his lips- I hate you

[hyrule] -happily drinks the milk-

[Samuel] - Ah, so the place the Master will go to then, the real world

[gem] yes I died then ended up in Minecraft before becoming a brine

[Samuel] - A strange set of events then

[Steve] Has wandered close to Eliza, he's just nibbling on a shrimp and has a few in a bowl as well.

[Eliza] - You are not the Master's Steve, are you...

[gem] yea I have died a lot to get to the point I am now

[Samuel] - Your kind is lucky, you can live again once you've died

[Steve] No, I'm Father Steve. I'm from a totally different seed. It's not nearly as detailed as this one.

[Eliza] - You look so much like him though

[gem] I would say luck was involved in it as well a lot of it

[Steve] We're apparently a common spawn. Besides, Stevie is taller then me.

[Eliza] - Yes, now that I think about it he probably is

[Steve] He's a decent guy though. I've talked to him plenty of times. He's had a rocky time of it with his brother. It's kinda sad.

[Eliza] - I came long after their fued started

[Steve] Almost to himself. - Thankfully they've got Notch trying to pull them back together...

[Eliza] Eyes narrow having heard what Steve said- What did you say?

[Steve] His dad. Well, not his actual dad. The real Notch. Markus. The other NOTCHs are a type of AI. Some of them are total bastards.

[Eliza] Is becoming confused- I'm not sure I understand...

[Gk] See's Steve flailing and decides to throw him a bone because he was listening intently-  There's more then one NOTCH.

[Steve] Markus is from the irl. Like Lie. But the NOTCH AI's look like his avatar.

[Eliza] - I see...  I'm sure some of the other generals would try to exploit such information so I will keep it to myself for now until the Master decides to tell us himself

[Steve] It doesn't matter. Our brines will beat them. They're so much stronger when they fight side by side.

[Gk] Kinda wish I got in on the last fight... See the brine in the purple and gold? A group from our server annihilated his NOTCH.

[Eliza] - They can be killed?

[GK} Darkly- Oh yes.... You can rip up their coding with the right kind of assault.

[Steve] My husband sort of, vomits bad code when he's really stressed. It burns them like a flower falling into lava. The brine with the green eyes is Doc, they can do a version of the same trick.

[Eliza] - I see, no wonder the Master introduced his mates ally's along with her...

[Steve] Well you guys met Doc before right?

[GK] I think that was just the Nether generals...

[Eliza] - No, that one came along with the other female brine during one of our meetings

[Steve] Giant yellow dragon? Epic hair?

[Gk] Probably staring at everything and everyone like a fucking tourist?

[Eliza] - Very much so

[Steve] They can also be a dragon-

[Doc] Slips up behind Steve and whispers in his ear to startle him- I hear you talking about me...

[Steve] EEP!

[Endrea] Suddenly stiffens-

[CP] Easily picks up on the malevolent energy which had just entered his server.  It's his NOTCH-

[GK] Sniffs the air and growls- I don't like that energy...

[CP] Turns towards Lie, fearing for her safety-

[TLOT] Picks up on Cp's distress-

[Deer] Notices the others distress- What's going on?

[TLOT] At Cp - Do we fight?

[CP] - No, gotta get Lie to safety...  He can't know about her...

[gem] what's happening?

[CP] Opens several portals as he rushes towards Lie-

[Doc] Um? Is it time to go?

[GK] Glances at Endrea-

[Endrea] - Nods at GK as she stands up- Yes- She gathers her children and makes an opening to the End

[Gk] Got it - He grabs Steve and slings the miner onto his neck-

[Herabrine] Snags Gk's tail As he picks up TLOT as well-

[gem] -grabs mix and is paniced at firebird on his shoulder-

[vin] -grabs ben who is holding hyrule-

[William] -grabs aven-

[BEN] - Hey!

[Doc] Transforms quickly and scoops up Yaunfen and Deerheart. Xe rushes at Cp and knocks him and Lie onto the top of hir head- Grab my hair!

[Lie] Is holding onto CP-

[CP] Grabs tightly-

[Doc] Shoots through the portal with Gk hot on hir heels

[gem] -drags mix and firebird though the portal with her-

[vin and William] -carries ben aven and hyrule though while the rest of the guardians are right behind them-

[Stevie] Yelps in surprise as Gem and the others end up in his house- The Nether!?

[Alexis] Pokes her head out of the bedroom- I'm not cooking for this many people

[gem] we kind of just ate you don't have to

[themanuelruello]

My Favorite Ways to Preserve Food at Home

Here it comes…

The cucumbers, beets, and tomatoes are rolling in, with the potatoes, onions, corn, and squash not far behind.

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year.

I love it because it’s the pinnacle of what we’ve been working towards since early spring (HARVEST!), but holy moly… it can be overwhelming sometimes.

More than ever before, I feel like now is the time to have full pantries, cupboards, and larders to prepare for the upcoming winter. There are a lot of ways to preserve food, but I wanted to dive into my favorite preservation methods today.

How Do You Preserve Your Harvest?

I get that question a lot and there isn’t really an easy answer…

I use a variety of preservation methods, canning, freezing, dehydrating, and fermenting are definitely the ones I rely on the most. I also store food in the unfinished portion of my basement cellar, which sort of mimics a root cellar (check out these tips for other root cellar alternatives).

So if you’re wondering if you should freeze, dry, can, or ferment your harvest, we are going to be going through the pros and cons of each in this post.

(1): Canning Food for Preservation

I have been drawn to canning since the beginning of my homesteading adventures. It reminds me of grandmas and old-time homesteaders canning foods for the winter and it’s the perfect symbol of an old-fashioned life that I love so very much.

However, I didn’t grow up in a family of expert canners. My mom occasionally canned food when I was younger, but since it didn’t involve horses, I didn’t care to pay attention. Go figure.

Therefore, when I learned how to can as an adult, I had to start from ground zero. But the good news? Even if you haven’t had someone personally show you the canning ropes, it’s entirely possible to learn on your own.

The Resource I Wish I Had When I Started

If you are a canning newbie, I just revamped my Canning Made Easy course and it’s ready for YOU! I’ll walk you through each step of the process (safety is my #1 priority!), so you can finally learn to can confidently, without the stress. CLICK HERE to have a look at the course and ALL the bonuses that come with it.

This is the information I wish I had when I first started canning– all of the recipes and safety information are double and triple-checked against tested and proved canning recipes and recommendations.

It’s the next best thing to you coming over to my house and canning right along with me. (Which would be a blast, wouldn’t it?!)

Canning Food Pros:

The number one reason that I love canning is because it’s so versatile. I love how shelf-stable it is and that no fridge or freezer space is required (which is hard to come by in our house).

I also love canning because it is actually preserves the nutrients in the food surprisingly well, which surprised me when I initially researched this topic for my canning course about nutrient loss.

For a long time, I assumed that canning destroyed all the nutrients in food. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn that while there is some nutrient loss at the beginning, the nutrient loss slows down due to the sealed jar and storing it in a dark, cool place.

In contrast, food that is frozen might retain more nutrients at first, but it quickly degrades and loses nutrients faster than with canning (source).

Canning Food Cons:

One of the biggest downfalls is that canning heats up your kitchen. And if you’re canning in the summer (and especially in an non-air-conditioned home), it’s gonna get even hotter. However, you can work around this issue by either canning in the evening or canning outside.

Another negative to canning is that canned food is not easily transportable. Filled glass jars are heavy and take up considerable space on a shelf. You’ll need some sort of dedicated pantry space to store your home-canned food. shelves.

Finally, canning can be messy and take some time in the kitchen. Fortunately, you can get around that a bit by prepping your space beforehand with your canning equipment (check out my no-stress canning tips for more ideas) and inviting friends to help with larger canning projects.

Canning Preserving Method: Final Thoughts

I personally love canning and it’s probably my favorite way to preserve food for our homestead. As long as you follow safe recipes to avoid botulism issues, canning is extremely rewarding There’s nothing like pulling a can of honey cinnamon peaches from the basement shelf and serving it in the dead of winter.

There’s a surge in canning interest at the moment, which is fabulous but also frustrating if you’re trying to hunt down jars or lids. Try to find used jars in thrift stores or online marketplaces (although you still need to buy new lids).

Check out these articles for more of my canning tips:

Best Resources for Safe Canning

How to Start Canning with Zero Special Equipment

The Ultimate Guide to Canning Safety

How to Can Tomatoes Safely at Home

How to Use a Pressure Canner

(2): Freezing Food for Preservation

Freezing is a popular way to preserve foods, which makes sense because most people have at least a small freezer attached to their refrigerator. We have 3-4 large freezers, but they are usually packed-full of our homegrown meats, so I personally don’t like using my precious freezer space for many fruits and vegetables (but I still do freeze some of them).

Freezing Food Pros:

Freezing is preferable to many folks because it’s very simple and many people enjoy the texture of frozen foods over canned foods. For example, I prefer the texture of frozen green beans over canned green beans. You might feel differently, but most people have texture preferences for particular foods whether they are canned or frozen.

People also like freezing food since it’s often slightly less labor-intensive than canning and requires less fuss. Oftentimes you can just chop up the produce, stick it in a bag or freeze-safe container, and you’re ready to roll.

Freezing Food Cons:

It might be easy to freeze most food, but some foods still need to be blanched before freezing in order to freeze well. Blanching is a technique that quickly immerses fresh foods in hot water or oil (usually followed by some sort of ice water bath).

The purpose of blanching is to slow down nutrient loss and maintain brighter colors. It’s not done for safety, but rather for texture and color.

Personally? Blanching annoys me and I avoid it whenever possible. It often feels monotonous and fussy… even though I know it does serve a purpose.

Another downfall of freezing is that you will see a decent amount of nutrient loss long-term. Eat frozen foods within 6 months to a year to avoid too much nutrient loss, which will be more substantial that long-term nutrient loss with canned foods.

That other downside is the the freezer space. This is a big one for me because we stuff our freezers with our homegrown meat and just don’t have the space for frozen produce as well.

Finally, a major negative to freezing fruits and vegetables is that you are vulnerable to power outages. If you live in the middle of nowhere and/or deal with plenty of power outages, then freezing a lot of your food for preservation might not be for you. Consider getting a generator if you are worried about losing your food when you lose power.

Freezing Preserving Method: Final Thoughts

I mainly use my freezers for meat, but there are still a few other fruits and vegetables that I make space for in the freezer due to texture preferences or because it’s just so darn easy.

Here is a list of my favorite foods to freeze:

How to Freeze Green Beans (our family favorite way to preserve beans for the winter)

How to Freeze Tomatoes (when my tomatoes are trickling in and I’m saving them for canning tomato sauce, I freeze them for a while)

Freezing Peach Pie Filling (I like to freeze pie fillings because you can use whatever thickeners you have on hand)

Strawberry Freezer Jam (Sometimes I prefer to make freezer jams instead of canning them, it depends on my mood)

Preserving Herbs in Oil (the perfect way to preserve the fresh taste and vibrant green of herbs is by freezing them with this method)

(3): Dehydrating Preservation Method

Of all the food preservation methods, I have the least experience with dehydrating. Although I have the Excalibur, (aka the Cadillac of food dehydrators), I still find myself using other preservation methods more frequently.

Dehydrating Food Pros:

The biggest benefit to food dehydrating is that the results are lightweight and easy to store. This makes dehydrated foods excellent for space saving and you don’t need a fridge or freezer.

A dehydrator is also great for drying herbs for the winter. While some herbs are easy to dry by hanging them upside down for a few weeks in little bundles (which also looks cute and handy as decoration in a homestead kitchen), other herbs don’t dry well unless you use a dehydrator. Personally, I think basil and sage dry better with a dehydrator than with the upside-down method.

Dehydrating Food Cons:

The biggest negative to dehydrating food is that many dried foods have the most nutrient loss of all the preserving methods (source).

Another negative is that it uses a lot of energy to dehydrate foods. If you’re trying to keep your electric bill low, dehydrating might not be a good choice for you, as it often takes 10-12 hours to completely dehydrate a food for storage.

Dehydrating Preserving Method: Final Thoughts

Honestly, many of my home-dried foods have been met with mixed reviews… I wasn’t impressed with my dried green peppers (they were so shriveled and tough they were impossible to use and I just fed them to the chickens). And try as I might, I just didn’t like the dried green beans that everyone raves about either.

That being said, I do LOVE my dehydrater for making homemade jerky. I also use it to make a version of “sun-dried” tomatoes (here’s my recipe for drying tomatoes), which my kids beg for. I also make fruit leather and dried bananas,  and, of course, I dry some herbs for the winter.

All in all, I do think dehydrating is a handy homestead preservation method, once you get in your groove.

(4): Fermenting Food for Preservation

And last but not least? Fermenting (lacto-fermentation). This is the way our ancestors preserved food before refrigeration and it was used long before canning was ever even considered.

Fermenting Food Pros:

The great thing about fermentation is that it is very safe, which comes as a surprise to many folks. After people hear me go on one of my botulism rants, they assume that leaving a jar of cabbage out on your counter for 10 days surely must be unwise, but the opposite is true: the salt and natural acids produced in the fermentation process make it incredibly safe.

It’s also super good for you, especially when it comes to your gut. There are many health experts that recommend that you eat some sort of fermented food every day, as it gives you a natural probiotic boost.

Fermentation is also awesome because you don’t need special equipment. Fermenting crocks or air lids are handy, but you can absolutely ferment without them if you’re just starting out. All you need is a mason jar, a lid, and something to weigh the food down. It’s super affordable, super safe, and super  healthy.

Fermenting Food Cons:

A downside to fermentation is that it can be an acquired taste for some people. Fermented foods do have a tang to them, but my best advice? Don’t give up after the first taste. It can take a while to educate our taste buds around new flavors.

The best part about fermenting your own food is that you have absolute control over the sourness and flavor of the finished foods. Therefore, if you’ve tried store-bought ferments and didn’t like them, odds are you’ll have a different opinion about a ferment you created and controlled yourself. The difference can be considerable. For example, I don’t care for ultra-sour sauerkraut, so I simply ferment it for a shorter amount of time, and I prefer that taste much better.

Another consideration is that even though the food starts out on your counter, eventually, it will need to be transferred to cold storage at some point or it will keep fermenting and become extremely sour. Our ancestors used cold root cellars or larders to cool down and slow the fermenting process. You can use that type of cool room if you have it, or you just use your fridge.

Fermenting Preserving Method: Final Thoughts

I started out with my first fermenting adventure with sauerkraut many years ago, and I’ve been fascinated with it ever since. Every year, I like to try new fermenting recipes and I’ve fallen in love with my old-fashioned fermenting crock (read more about fermenting with crocks here).

Here is a list of my favorite fermenting recipes:

How to Make Sauerkraut (I think we’ll always have a jar of fermenting sauerkraut in the kitchen, it’s SO good!)

Fermented Pickles Recipe (when I don’t have enough pickles for canning, I love fermenting them)

Fermented Ketchup Recipe (SOOOO much better than the corn syrup junk from the store)

How to Make Milk Kefir (The best part about kefir is that you can use it as a cheesemaking culture)

Making Kombucha (I almost always have some kombucha brewing in the kitchen for a tasty alternative to soda)

My Final Thoughts on Preserving Food

The sky’s the limit when it comes to ways to preserve food, and preserving the harvest doesn’t have to be complicated.

And remember– even if you are just squirreling away a jar or two of food at a time, you’re still making progress. Preserving food doesn’t have to be an epic event every time, and the little efforts add up. Keep up the good work, friend.

More Heritage Kitchen Tips:

My Canning Made Easy course will teach you how to start canning today, even if you are a newbie

My Heritage Cooking Crash Course teaches you how to make from-scratch foods in the kitchen and enjoy it

Learn history and cooking tips for Cooking with Salt

Learn about Wheat Berries and Grinding Your Own Flour

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I got the special plate

So far this week I’ve made two repeat dinners and continued the same lunch rotation that began last week(ish).

Here’s my lil snacky kinda lunch.

And then here I am right back to my kale salad lunch.

I’ve been having blended juices and coconut clusters for breakfasts because I got another massive bag of them at Costco last time we were there and I will probably eat the entire bag myself just like I did last time.  It’s a one pound bag for the record.  It’s sweeter than I’d usually go for but sometimes I let myself have nice things.

Also, that dessert plate has the same chocolate coconut fat bombs and “candy bars’ by GP that I posted about a few days ago.

And if you want links to any of these recipes they are actually organized enough now for you to find by their photos in the recipes tab.  Hooray!

Oh and since I was on the subject of sweet things.  Well.  Ok, I actually wasn’t going to blog abut this because I thought it may be too controversial and get into a heated comments section that I am not here for…but…I checked out the Whole 30 book from the library out of curiosity’s sake.  Guys, it’s so weird.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.  Why is eating packaged larabars okay and baking from scratch not?  I mean, I know what the authors of the book say about it, so I’m not actually asking, but it just seems so arbitrary to me.  Recreating a “sweet” like banana bread with “compliant” ingredients (what an annoying term!!) is forbidden but then they go and allow protein shakes that are essentially milkshakes?  If you are trying to set people up to have a healthy relationship with food and reduce sugar cravings, that’s an awesome goal, but it’s very confusing when you are trying to convince people to forget about their old favorites and NOT TRY TO REMAKE THEM while including a recipe for salmon benendicts and sausage and the likes by REMAKING THEM.  Why can you re-make a savory food with “on plan” ingredients but not a sweet one?  But then randomly allow protein shakes and certain store bought bars?  It’s odd.  Anyway, I could write a lot more about it, but I won’t because (a) it doesn’t matter what I think since (b) I’m not going on the whole 30 diet and (c) it has worked really well for a ton of people!

Time to pick basil!

Since summer is maybe kinda (tear emoji) coming to a close, I wanted to make a ton of pesto to freeze while our garden is still producing it in abundance.  I’ve already jarred heaps of tomato sauce, so this seems the next best way to stretch out summer produce as long as possible.

Don’t worry…the tomatoes haven’t slowed down like I previously thought.  They just had a wave of regrowth so there were only green ones for a week or so, but now they are all ripening again!

I made two jars of almond basil pesto and one jar of pistachio basil pesto.

The only other ingredients were salt and olive oil.  So simple and fresh…and off to the freezer for when I’m missing the taste of summer in January.

I bet I can get a few more jars in before school starts so maybe I’ll do a walnut + nutritional yeast blend next.

They asked to picnic lunch outside so I said sure and then loaded up their plates with hard boiled eggs, blueberries, nectarines, banana bread muffins, and seaweed. They were in heaven.

Here is dinner re-do number one.

The OG post on it can be found here.

Kale salad with chicken, feta, and seeds.  I never posted a real “recipe” per se, last time, and I won’t this time either because it’s obviously the kind of dish where ratios and precision don’t matter.

It’s delicious though, and you should give it a try because I found a new feta to offer you as an alternative to the last one I plugged.

It’s just as briny as the last, holds it’s texture about the same (holds a nice clump but yields to a crumble without much effort), and was actually on sale at Nugget.  I have no clue if organic is important in the non-cow milk world, but whatever.  Grass fed, organic, no GMO, I’ll take it.

Did you know I am special today??  😛

I grew up with “the special plate” and got my own when Kyle and I got married.  It’s most notably used on birthdays, but every once in a while we pull it out to celebrate job stuff, or any other accomplishment.  As an adult with a established career path, you don’t get very many opportunities for the special plate, but I took on a new job recently that I’m really excited about and Kyle demanded we made a big deal out of it.  It’s not a huge thing, but it’s still meaningful for me because with BOTH of the kids going to school next year, I have been trying to find something small and awesome to pour my energy into.  At least for the (combined) 6 hours that I will be childless during the week.

I served it with rice and once again used the broth from cooking the chicken breasts in the IP as the liquid for the rice.  Easy, fast, and much more flavorful.

The second repeat dinner was this Greek chicken salad.  Kyle was out of town so I went for it!

I picked a bunch of tomatoes from the garden, which was the part of the recipe that took the longest, so that goes to show you how fast it is to make.

Once again, I made chicken in the IP.  Then I used the liquid to make chickpeas from dried beans.

Then I threw it all together, chopped it up, and dug in.

Such a favorite right now!!  Me and feta have a full on thinggggg.

Side note: I saw this on a shelf at the library (it was in the “recently arrived” section right next to where the “books on hold” are) and just grabbed it to flip through while the kids played on the computers.  HOURS LATER I was half way through and they were still happily playing.  P is basically learning to spell thanks to reading rabbit and V is learning Spanish thanks to Dora, so I am pretty sure my work is done.  HA.  Ok, but seriously, I loved the book so much I ended up checking it out and bringing it home and I’m nearly done with it!  I don’t read for pleasure at all anymore so this is a big deal.  Maybe the CBD oil is doing more than I’m giving it credit for.  Just today I accepted an offer to go to the pool THAT VERY MOMENT (at gymnastics camp pick up).  It was an impromptu run-in that turned into an afternoon of summer joy and I am still baffled that I just went with it all!  The end result was a nap-less V who was pretty much a nightmare from 5 pm on, but I’d probably still do it again.  Look at me!  I AM special!

Source: https://www.hungryhungryhippie.com/i-got-the-special-plate/