#Toy Trucks In Sand

[yuthana]

Vintage retro truck litho tin Japan. Sand Conveyor truck Japan tin friction powered. Tokyo Plaything Shokai brand. Made in Japan.Buy now! On the eBay website, click here >>>> [Sold out]

#japan #tin #tintoy #vintage #vintage toys #toys #tin toys #litho #toy #retro #Sand #conveyor #truck #tin toy #tintoys #in japan #japanese

[snippychicke]

Poppy Seeds -- Part One

As you may have guessed, I fell into a new hyper fixation. Poppy's Playtime of all things. >.<

Inspired by TooManyPsuedonyms work, which in turn was inspired by @semisolidmind fanart/cabin!Au for Playtime Poppy.

I know right now we have no idea who or what Ollie is, but I decided to go with the assumption he is just a kid and not the Prototype as some theorists are assuming. This will likely be debunked in chapter four, but I'm running with it until then.

Dogday/Player!reader (attempting keeping it gender neutral)

Warnings: will touch on the after effects of trauma, but nothing is super explicit. Maybe some unhealthy coping skills (Dogday holding Reader on a pedestal) But otherwise we're giving everyone a happy ending. (Everything is wonderful and nothing hurts)

One: Home

Your hands gripped the steering wheel tight as your old truck climbed up the steep incline. It hadn't liked the rough road on a good day, let alone with Kissy and Dogday in the back trying to drag it down. Now it whined and complained, the wheels occasionally skidding on the gravel. Ollie clutched to Poppy tightly next to you, his sunken eyes wide with fear. Poppy, to her credit, looked confident that everything would be okay.

By the time you reached the cabin nestled high above the valley, it was close to midnight. It was a sizable two story home, complete with a barn, garage, and even a chicken coop. Thick forest surrounded the homestead, assuring complete privacy. A year ago your grandparents had moved into an assisted living community in town, leaving the whole place to you. The rest of the family had not been happy but in your defense you would come out every school break growing up to help them out.

And then, after you left Playtime Co, you had moved in under the guise of getting your life sorted out. Your grandparents never asked why it was taking you a decade to figure it out. Which you were glad, because you didn't know how you would have answered them.

Ollie’s fear eased into wonder as he looked at the flock of sheep you had in the pens up front. You were just thankful they were still there, looking rather healthy despite the fact you had been unexpectedly gone for a week or so.

When you had received the letter and VHS about the old Playtime Co you had interned 10 years ago while in college, you thought you would be gone for a few days at most considering it was a few hours away. You prepped your home as best as you could for being gone that long-- giving extra water and feed to the animals, setting the sprinklers for your garden on a timer-- but had little hopes of your own survival let alone that of your animals after being dragged deep into hell.

You didn’t bother with the detached garage, but pulled up right next to the porch. You were exhausted, and you could only imagine everyone else was as well. The truck seemed all too happy to shut off with a rough sound. You looked over at Ollie, who was still looking at everything in wonder, though Poppy was carefully extracting herself from his grip. “You okay there kiddo?”

He looked back at you, “This is where you live?” he asked instead, voice full of awe. “It looks like it's from a fairytale book!”

It really wasn't, it's a typical farm for this part of the country. Hardly one of the fanciest or beautiful, just simple and sturdy.

“Let's get inside and get settled for the night,” you offer instead of remarking. “I should have the stuff for some sandwiches at least.”

“Sand…witches?” Ollie repeated, sounding confused.

“Meat and bread,” Poppy answered, unbuckling the boy. “Sometimes with ketchup, mustard, mayo, cheese.”

“So, food? I like food!”

Your heart ached. You knew the boy had been raised in the factory, hidden away and protected from the Prototype or hungry ‘toys’. The fact he had was a miracle enough--especially considering how small and thin he was. He had to be ten at the youngest, but barely looked as if he was half that age.

The passenger door opened, which considering how much trouble Kissy had with her hands, was surprising. Yet the pink creature reached in and pulled both Ollie and Poppy out of the truck.

Dogday waited for you as you exited the truck, your legs shaky from the long ride. However, his attention wasn't on you but the dark sky above. It was a new moon, meaning the Milky Way arched overhead with dozens of stars. A glance over to Kissy and the others showed they too were amazed by the stars--you could hear Poppy trying to explain all of it to Ollie quietly.

“It's beautiful, isn't it?” You said as you stepped closer to Dogday.

“Yeah,” he whispered. “I-I’ve never seen the night sky like this.”

“Well, now you can see it every night,” you said, shouldering his arm lightly. “Best place for meteor showers too.”

Dogday tore his gaze away and looked down at you. “Are you sure we can stay here, angel?”

“Of course. As long as you want, even if it's forever.” Granted, you didn't know where else they would go, especially Dogday and Kissy. But you didn't want to assume anything either, or make them feel trapped.

His hand found yours, so giant compared to yours but soft and warm. “Forever it is then.”

You felt your cheeks warm against the chilly night air as you laughed self-consciously. “Right, you might wanna sleep on that kind of decision, ‘Day.”

Two: Sleep

You woke slowly, feeling warm and cozy. Something soft was surrounding you, with the faintest hint of vanilla. At first you thought maybe you were wrapped up in a thick blanket, but when you opened your eyes to matted brown fur you realized it was Dogday instead, his arms wrapped around you and holding you close as if you were the toy. You could feel him breathe softly, each inhale and exhale caressing your skin softly.

(You didn't want to think about the amalgamation of organic and inorganic parts inside of him. You saw enough when you helped attach his legs to leave you with nightmares.)

For once, Dogday looked relaxed. Dark eyes closed and his smile softened. You couldn’t resist running your fingers along his face. He had been one of the few you had instantly trusted in that hell. One of the few that never even seemed to think about harming you.

Poppy had used you for her own means, not giving you a real choice ever since you released her. Kissy Missy had always been kind but you had soon realized that her partnership with Poppy may have played a part in it. And of course there was Ollie, though it took a while for you to trust the faceless voice on the phone, especially after you learned that the Prototype could mimic voices and Ollie had a very… peculiar way of phrasing things.

Yet Dogday… he had raised his head, and saw you as someone special as soon as his gaze met yours. Begged you to leave him behind and to run when the miniature Critters started to swarm. Actively fought to defend and protect you despite missing the lower half of his body at first.

And ever since, had refused to leave your side. While everyone else did their part, he determinedly stuck with you. Even last night after everyone finished eating and all anyone could think about was sleep. Kissy happily cuddled Poppy and Ollie in her arms as she climbed up the stairs to claim a bedroom. You expected Dogday to follow suit…

“Hey, uh, angel?” Dogday said softly, sounding rather shy. He had stuck around to help you clean up, though all that consisted of was a few plates, cups, and butter knives. Though the number of sandwiches consumed had emptied out all the bread, lunchmeat, cheese, as well as peanut butter and jelly in your pantry.

“Yeah?” You were getting used to the nickname, though you still felt as if it was undeserved the way he said it. As if you truly were an angel from heaven, sent to save.

“... Could I sleep with you?”

His question surprised you, and you almost dropped the cup you had been washing. Thankfully he quickly grabbed it before it could fall very far. “Sleep…with me?”

Granted those last two… days? You weren't sure, but you and him had found safe spots to watch out for each other while the other slept. It was the only time during the whole ‘adventure’ you managed to sleep. Wrapped up in his arms, feeling him breathe, listening to his heartbeat. It reminded you weren't alone anymore.

“I… don't want to be alone,” he continued, drying off the cup and placing it on the shelf. “Even if I know you and the others are nearby, I…”

Your surprise shifted into sympathy and understanding. Kissy, Poppy, and Ollie were together… and now that you thought about it, being alone right now did not fill you with any sort of ease.

“Yeah. I mean, if you don't mind cuddling close. My bed is barely big enough for two normal-sized people, let alone one me and one… well, Dogday.”

His smile widened. “With you? Never.”

Dogday shifted in his sleep, turning his head to nuzzle into your hand before his eyes slowly opened. His smile widened slightly, and you heard more than saw his tail thump against the bed which in turn made you smile wider as well. “Morning,” you greeted softly.

“Good morning, angel,” he said just as softly. “Did you sleep well?”

“Best sleep in a long time,” you admitted with a slight laugh. Trying to sleep in the factory had been a scary experience. Finding small places to hide long enough to close your eyes. Waking and jumping at every little sound. Plagued by endless nightmares.

And you had been there for just a few days, a week at most.

“What about you?” you asked. Him and the others had lived in that hell for a decade. You didn't startle awake from him lashing out at nightmares. Which you had seen him do a few times before at the factory. You had held him in your laps as best you could, reassuring him he was okay as he broke down.

He leaned closer, nuzzling your cheek slightly. “Next to you, how could I not?”

You laughed between his flirty words and his fur tickling your skin. “You're such a flirt!”

Three: Morning After

“It's so bright outside!” Ollie gasped as he looked out the window while you worked on breakfast. Thankfully none of the eggs had spoiled, nor had any milk, meaning you were whipping up a full course of scrambled eggs and pancakes-- as well as cooking the few boxes of frozen sausages you had found in the freezer.

Dogday was currently watching them like a hawk, occasionally licking his lips as he moved them around in the skillet.

“Actually. That's cloudy. See how the sky is gray. Not blue?” Poppy pointed out, also gazing out the window. “On sunny days, it's a bright vibrant blue, and even brighter.”

“Really?” The boy looked up to you to confirm the doll's words, and you nodded your head. To think he had never seen the sky before. To be unable to tell a sunny day from a cloudy one.

“It actually looks like it could rain,” you pointed out. “Maybe we should hold off on a bath until after you have fun in the mud.”

His brow furrowed in confusion. “I thought if you get caught in the rain, you'll get sick?”

“Psh, no. At least, not as long as you can dry off and warm up afterwards. It'll also give me time to look through stuff down in the basement. I think there should be some old hand me downs that should fit you.”

“A good bath can do wonders.” Poppy hopped down from the windowsill and into Kissy's hand before the giant monster also gently corralled Ollie to the table where the food was waiting. “It's been such a long time.”

“Er, excuse me for being intrusive…” you set down a towering plate of pancakes before sitting yourself. “But can you guys get wet?”

“We may not be flesh and bone anymore, but we can still enjoy a good shower,” Dogday answered as he set the plate of sausage links in front of you. “Or even a swim.”

“Why is the water white?” Ollie interrupted, looking oddly at the glass of milk Kissy poured in front of him. “I've never seen it that color before.”

“It’s milk,” Poppy answered. “You used to love it when you were a baby and we had access to some.”

Ollie sniffed suspiciously before taking a drink… and then nearly gulping the entire glass in one go. You took the opportunity of everyone chuckling at the boy to split the sausage between the others. Kissy noticed first and clapped excitedly, her mit-like hands muffling the sound.

“Angel,” Dogday sighed, though you weren't sure he was touched or exasperated. Or maybe both.

“Shh, I saw the way you were eyeing them. I can always buy more when I go to town.”

He was silent for a while before taking a bite of the sausage, savoring it unlike Kissy who had all but inhaled hers. Ollie was following Kissy’s example with the banquet of food, while Poppy was benign as dainty as could be, cutting everything into tiny bites, even for her smaller size.

You couldn’t help but savor your own food, feeling rather happy and optimistic about the future.

#poppy playtime #poppy playtime chapter 3 #dogday poppy playtime #dogday x reader #dogday/reader #dogday x player #dogday/player #poppy #kissy missy #ollie

[goatcheesecak3]

Could you possibly write something small about a beach date with Rodrick 😍

Rodrick x reader

Sorry this took so long! Me mam tried to sell me to one direction so I was slightly preoccupied 🙄

Anyways enough jibber jabber, here's a lil fluff about a beach date with Rodrick :^)

The heffleys had invited you on a trip to the beach, since you and Rodrick had been together for some time now, it was pretty much routine for you to come along to family events at this point.

You and Rodrick drove in his van separately from everyone else, truth be told, you were relieved. You loved the heffleys but you weren't so keen on the music they played in the car.

"You excited babe?" Rodrick turned to look at you

"Can't wait! I was looking up the beach on Google, there's quite a few rock pools so we might see some cool sealife!"

Rodrick's face lit up at this

"Like a crab?!" He asked

"Yes honey, like a crab" you smiled at your easily amused boyfriend.

"Awesome. I fucking love crabs" he said.

Upon arrival Susan and Frank were happy to see the pair of you, they both approached to greet you, when seemingly out of nowhere Greg appeared, flinging his arms around you.

"Hey lil dude! Nice to see you" You beamed down at him

"Great to see you too! I've got all the stuff set up!" He replied excitedly

You were confused for a second, before looking just past him and seeing an abundance of different sized buckets and spades. You finally remembered, last time you'd seen the Heffleys you'd promised Greg you'd be on his team against Rodrick for a sandcastle building competition.

"Rodrick I love you, but you are so going down" you said, playfully poking him in the ribs before running off to the equipment with Greg.

"Hey no fair! You guys don't get a head start!" He called after the two of you.

The sandcastle competition was definitely pretty tense, you and Greg had opted for a "bigger = better" strategy, and had come up with a 3 storey castle.

Rodrick's, while much smaller, was more detail oriented. He'd decorated it with little stones, and even carved out little battlements.

When the time was up, the three of you went to get Susan and Frank to judge, but when you'd returned only one castle was left.  It would appear that Manny had decided that Rodrick's Castle was the perfect race course for one of his toy trucks, and in the few seconds you were all gone, he'd reduced it to rubble.

"Ha! We won!" Greg jeered.

You looked at Rodrick, who seemed genuinely disappointed.

"Aw baby," you stroked his arm, "I think your castle was Manny's favourite at least"

He smiled slightly at this, but still seemed slightly miffed that all his hard work was ruined.

Never mind, you knew exactly how to cheer him up

"How about we go check out those rock pools?" You asked.

Rodrick grinned excitedly, immediately forgetting about the sand castle, "oh yeah! I hope we see something cool!" He beamed, grabbing your hand and eagerly pulling you in the direction of the rocks.

You carefully climbed onto the glistening wet rocks, made just that bit more treacherous by the odd bit of seaweed and sharp barnacles. You held onto Rodrick tightly, fearing that his clumsy self would slip and accidentally keelhaul himself.

(A/n if you don't know what keelhaulling is, look it up at your own risk. It's pretty gnarly).

"What are those things?" Rodrick asked curiously, pointing towards tufts of purple sticking out from the sides of the rock pools.

"Sea anemones! Be really gentle and touch them, see what happens" you encouraged him.

Rodrick looked slightly nervous, but he trusted you. He dipped his finger into the shallow water and felt the tiny tentacles grip his finger. He giggled high pitch and very amused, before pulling his hand away and shaking it dry.

"It was like, sticky?" He said

You laughed at his reaction, he was adorable when he was confused.

"That was it trying to eat you! It thought your finger was a little fish!"

"Really?!"

"Mhm"

"That's so funny," he bent down to look at the anemone, "you're no match for me little bro" he said cockily.

You were unsure as to whether he was joking, or if he was genuinely proud of not being eaten by a gelatinous blob the size of a penny. Probably the latter, knowing Rodrick, but either way you find it endearing.

You spent quite a while trapesing around the rock pools, Rodrick seemingly fascinated by everything- particularly the little clusters of sea snails. He likened their pointy shells to his studded bracelet, affectionately giving them the title of "most metal animal he'd seen all day". His day was made, however, when you called him over to a tiny pool right at the edge of the rocks.

"Baby, come quick!"

He rushed over, abandoning the clump of seaweed he'd been popping like bubblewrap, and turned his attention towards what you'd been pointing at.

There, nestled inbetween a few tufts of seaweed, sat the tiniest little crab, it's body not much bigger than the tip of a pinky finger. As Rodrick kneeled down to get a closer look, his face was graced with a wide, goofy smile. He looked between you and the crab for a few seconds, before blurting out "it's a little baby!", his voice high and girlish.

You let out a chuckle at this, watching your boyfriend's eyes grow in amazement and glee at the sight of such a small crab. His attention was fixed to it for as long as it sat there, until the crab must have decided that staring back at the squealing Rodrick had become tedious, and scuttled away under some pebbles.

Rodrick finally stood once again, and reached out to hold your hands.

"That was so cool," he said, his eyes twinkling and his smile somehow even more loveable than ever.

"You're so cute," you replied, unable to contain your adoration any longer. You placed your arms over his shoulders, while instinctively, Rodrick held your waist.

You leaned in and planted a delicate kiss on his lips. Sometimes it was hard to remember he was a hardcore punk guy with a big beat up van, and an affinity for moshing. At times like this, all you saw was an innocent, precious sweetheart. You just wanted to hold his face and pepper it with gentle kisses, while showering him with compliments like "my handsome boy," and "you're the cutest thing in the whole world". You probably would later, but not right now. He'd never live it down if his family saw him being such a big softie.

You allowed yourself to get lost in his big brown eyes for a moment longer, before you heard Frank calling the two of you to come and get some food.

I love you, you thought to yourself as Rodrick carefully guided you down the rocks. As if he could read your mind, he threw an arm round your shoulder and whispered in your ear

"I love you, y/n"

A/n requests are open! I write hcs and short fics for a couple characters, check my pinned post for details! :^)

(Pls request something I need ideas lol)

#rodrick #rodrick rules #rodrick heffley #doawk #diary of a wimpy kid #rodrick hefflei #rodrick headcanon #diary of a wimpy kid rodrick #rodrick x reader #devon bostick #fanfic #rodrick fanfiction #rodrick fluff #fluff #not my rodrick

[aheathen-conceivably]

By the time the sun had fully risen, Josephine and Zelda were in Violette’s new room helping her to unpack all of her toys and dresses. The room was already outfitted with a small bed, dresser, and a dollhouse that was just like the one Violette had in New Orleans.

Violette was enchanted by it all, but most of all by the ornate Victorian dollhouse. She scurried about the room looking for her favorite dolls to unpack, her olive eyes shining as she tucked each one into the outfitted rooms rather than notice the peeling wallpaper or her aunt’s intermittent bouts of distraction.

Her own trepidations about the move had long been allayed by her mother and aunt’s reassurances that this was a land of magic. The Land of Enchantment, they had told her, the place where all her dreams could come true. How much of their hope and optimism was feigned for her sake as well as their own on that day, she was still too young to decipher.

Outside the window, Antoine was sitting with Gio on a truck that he had bought when he first moved out that way, smoking and watching the occasional Ford pass by the road that ran in front of their farmhouse. 

“So when you said find work, I should have known, I should have asked…stupid. Stupid and hopeful.”

Gio beat a pack of cigarettes between his hands, holding it out to Antoine as he spoke, “Not stupid, old sport. If I’m being honest, I should have spent the extra cents to tell you more, but part of me feared if you knew the whole truth none of you would come. Especially Jo. Just, don’t tell her about any of this, alright? It’s not like I’m trying to trick her or anything, I just know what it’s about to be like in New Orleans. A city full of dock workers with no goods? No jobs to be found and no food to grow? I’m only trying to make sure we’re safe, me and her and all of you. But I fear she won’t see it that way.”

For a moment Antoine’s anger rose for his sister, dragged out here away from her home not only by Giorgio, but by him too. He had seen her hesitation when he had first contacted Gio, but had told himself that they had few other options. Now, knowing that they had to sustain a lie just to keep her here was almost enough to make him turn around and pack his bags.

Then he thought of the way she had reacted when she had seen Giorgio yesterday, and how her own pride trumped even his own. He knew that Gio was right, that there was nothing left for them in New Orleans. But most of all he knew that Josephine would never have accepted his help willingly, and she would see his actions as a way to control her; then she would run, no matter how much she loved him.

But more than anything, Antoine remembered the last time he had left her alone and the means she had resorted to to survive. How could he protect her if she ran, if they had nowhere left to go? He looked toward the house where she was now playing with Violette, together with her family. Happy. Safe.

He quelled the protective anger growing in his chest and looked back at Giorgio, “But what about money, Gio? What about food?”

Gio took a long drag and a sharp intake of breath, “I tried for years old sport, years. I can get it to grow but it always dies before it fruits. I’ve been trading for goods and taking odd jobs, but they’re harder to find every damn day. We need to grow at least enough to eat. Enough to ensure that if the work dries up the land will give us something.”

He stared at his lit cigarette for a while before he threw it onto the ground, the dry sand immediately engulfing the remaining embers, “And if I’m being honest, I’ve got reason to believe the time’s comin’ soon. There’s migrants passing through here, Antoine, makin’ me think it’s about to get a whole lot worse. Okies, they call them. This whole business, it’s turned into a shitstorm. The farm prices tanked only months after I got here and now the land is worth less than I paid for it and the farmhouse combined. I managed to see it coming and take out a loan on it before it got too bad though, enough cash to get us through a few years. But we’ve got to move fast, make sure we’re secured before things really go south.”

Must find work, he had written. Antoine threw his lit cigarette on the ground next to Giorgio’s; now it all made sense. He had brought his family on board a sinking ship.

#1930 #sims 4 historical #ts4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #sims 4 decades challenge #sims 4 legacy #ts4 legacy #sims 4 story #the darlingtons #1930s #zelda darlington #josephine duplanchier #violette darlington #antoine duplanchier #giorgio mistretta

[3minsover]

Tunnel of Love - a Steddie drabble

Steve’s eighteen years old when he visits a carnival for the first time.

It pitches up on the outskirts of town; bright lights and whirling rides and twinkling music, shrieks of delight and clanging of metal. He and some friends, finished with school for the summer, venture towards the gleaming archways and painted boards, barely containing their childlike excitement. They go on near every ride, try every game - fixed as they may be. He and Robin take turns smashing a cartoonish hammer down on a metal plate, he and Jon cast rings over bottle necks, win teddies and toys for the girls.

Evening creeps around them soft and warm, as they head towards the bumper cars, sugar fizzing like glitter through their veins. Steve doesn’t notice the man working the attraction until he’s sitting in his little car, ready to twist and bump and laugh.

“Right pedal means go, left means stop, don’t hit anyone too hard if you can help it.” Steve looks up, takes in a tall, slender guy about his age with waves of dark hair crushed into a knot at the back of his head. He’s bracing one foot against the hood of Steve’s bumper car, leaning his elbow on his knee. The man’s eyes are huge and dark, darker than his hair, and all at once Steve’s breath is swept from his lungs. His heart sets to pounding faster than any ghost train could manage. He’s beautiful. Rugged and sharp-jawed and the tip of his nose is rounded just so, and Steve simply gawks, swallows, nods. “You gonna be alright there, big boy?”

“Y-yeah. alright,” Steve forces out, and then the guy tilts back, shoving at Steve’s car with his booted foot to send it sweeping over the metal plane and out into the arena.

Steve tries to focus on having fun, tries desperately not to whip his head around to catch another glimpse of the man whenever he’s not being actively prevailed upon by Nancy, or Rob. He manages it a couple times, manages to snatch a glance towards him where he stands, a cigarette pinched between two fingers, leaning against the wooden frame of the ticket booth. And each time, the man’s gaze is already waiting for him. Steve forgets to have fun, forgets to breathe between jolts and jerks, and when the cars grind to a halt again, he finds himself leaping up from the low seat and clambering out of the car, heedless of his friends’ confusion.

“What time dyou get off?” Steve asks as he reaches the man’s earshot. He smiles, drops his cigarette to the ground and pushes up from the wall.

“Give me an hour. You been on the Tunnel of Love yet?” The man raises a quizzical eyebrow. Steve’s breath catches at the implication, and he shakes his head. “Meet me there. Lemme show you why it’s got that name.”

Steve parts with his friends, leaving them suspicious but satisfied with his cheerful grin and enthusiastic wave, and waits. He waits by the Tunnel of Love, lulled by the twang and lilt of the music from within, and hopes his man will come. Sure enough, he appears, sauntering through the dust and diesel, the shrieks and shine. Steve feels the thrill of electricity sparking static between them as he nears, as his face splits into a soft smile.

“I didn’t get your name,” Steve states cautiously once he’s close enough.

“You didn’t ask,” the man smirks, taking Steve’s hand and leading him, walking with easy backwards steps, towards the tunnel’s entrance.

“Tell me?” Steve’s voice is light, twinkling like the flickering beams above.

“Eddie. And what’s yours, pretty boy?”

The night slips away, sand through fingertips, and Steve is thrilled, exhilarated by Eddie’s gentle voice and easy touch.

The first time Steve kisses Eddie, it’s under the red-pink glow of tunnel lights, pressed close on a tiny boat fit just about for two. The first time their bodies intertwine, it’s under the silver-white glint of the stars, laid bare on the bed of Eddie’s truck. Over the six weeks that follow, in the comfort and and freedom of summer, they have more first times, more and more; Steve visits the carnival most days, seeks out the smiling kisses and eager hands behind backboards, knowing that each first time draws them closer to the last.

And so it comes.

It comes creeping, with the quiet understanding that this too must pass. Their last kiss is not like their first, not fumbling in semi-darkness or through smile-tight lips, but slow and delicate, as though either one might break if the other presses too hard. Their last kiss says words they never dared speak aloud, speaks apologies for all they’ll never do, chants promises to which neither can remain true.

Steve goes to college in the fall.

The carnival has left town, and with it, the magic. The enchantment is broken, yet the spell remains. Steve studies, parties, comes home for Christmas, but the phantom twinkle of funfair music, the shimmer of lights seems always just out of sight.

All that never was lingers in Steve’s soul, the yearning for a man long gone, one he’ll never see again. Steve tries to move on, tries to forget, but in his dreams, night and day alike, he’s back there again under the stars and the lights, there with the man for whom he fell hard and without reservation. To whom no one ever quite compares.

It’s ten years before the town sees another carnival. Steve’s certain it’s not the same one, not Eddie’s one, but he and Robin visit all the same, for old time’s sake. They arrive just before dusk, when the sky is pink and peach, and the grass begins to sparkle with dew. Steve wanders for a while, knows where he wants to go but fears what he’ll find. Or, what he won’t.

But when robin suggests they take a spin on the bumper cars, Steve simply nods, follows her there. His heart pounds, and he can’t look, can’t focus, can’t breathe. He clambers into a little red car, drops his chin to his chest and attempts to plaster on a joyful smile, when-

“You alright there, big boy?” And there he is. With a couple more tattoos, a little more muscle and a few more crinkles by the corners of his eyes, but there’s Eddie, leaning down as he had all those years before, smiling in that mischievous way Steve used to love. Steve nods, swallows, smiles back.

“Y-yeah. alright,” he whispers, and he knows that now, here, he is.

#steddie #steddie au #steve harrington x eddie munson #originally posted on twitter #twitter crosspost

[tiniedemon]

— ♡

kiss the girl

kenny mccormick / reader

— ♡

kenny was nervous. his palms were sweaty and his face was hot. he couldn’t help but drum his fingers against the steering wheel of his dad’s beat up truck, worrying his lip between his teeth. he’d parked along the sidewalk in front of your house, waiting for you to join him in the passenger seat.

his phone chimed, a text from you flashing across the cracked screen. ‘coming,’ it read, and it was like a hole had opened in the bottom of his stomach. he watched the door of your house, tapping growing in volume. the door opened and out you walked, looking somehow more breathtaking than you usually did. he felt the air leave his lungs, reentering in the form of a dazed gasp.

he hurried to clamber out of the truck, circling to intercept you before you could touch the handle. he tossed you a smile, bright despite missing a front tooth. you couldn’t help but to smile back, toying with the house keys dangling from your hands.

“you look… wow,” he sighed, opening his arms. you giggled as you stepped into them, embracing him as tightly as you could. he smelled delightful, albeit a bit like musk and motor oil.

“i could say the same for you, handsome,” you quipped back, flushing under the weight of his oceanic gaze. he opened the truck door and guided you into it, making sure you were secure before he shut it and hurried to his own seat.

“so i was thinking,” he started, glancing over at you out of the corner of his eye. you were watching him intently, a blush forming on his cheeks when he realized. “why don’t we ditch the movies and hang out at stark’s pond? i’d much rather talk than sit in a dark room for two hours.”

“i think that sounds like a sweet idea,” you responded, matching the wide grin on his face. to be honest, you were relieved that he’d mentioned tossing the movie idea in the garbage. you weren’t quite fond of the idea of spending your first date with kenny with your eyes glued to a screen. it seemed out of touch, on top of the money issue you knew kenny had.

it wasn’t long before you pulled up to the pond, kenny carefully reversing the truck within a few feet of the shore as the stereo played quietly in the background. he’d somehow found the money to put a newer radio in it since his father had pretty much granted him ownership of it, grateful for the new bluetooth feature and a speaker system that didn’t sound like sand in a plastic bottle.

he popped the tailgate down and helped you climb onto it, both of you propping your backs against the wall of the truck’s bed facing each other. you held your knees close to your body, one of kenny’s legs outstretched and the other bent and leaning away from his body.

within minutes, he’d launched into a rant about his job at a mechanic shop, unintentionally teaching you the ins and outs of a car. you listened as intently as you could, unable to pry your eyes from his moving lips or his darting eyes. you hadn’t realized how much of a hand talker he was until then and you found it endearing. he seemed to notice your staring and blushed, cutting himself off mid sentence.

“what? is there something on my face?” he asked and you chuckled at the way his fingers immediately rose to touch his cheeks.

“no,” you laughed out as you shook your head. “you just look really good in this lighting.” and you were absolutely correct. the rays of the moon, both direct and bouncing off the rippling lake to your right, perfectly lit the side of his face, accenting the shadows of his cheeks and jaw and the wave of his blonde hair. he was absolutely ethereal, but you couldn’t tell him that on the first date.

he let out a sigh of relief and dropped his hands, a shy smile playing on his chapped lips as he glanced in every direction but yours. you could see the faint pink forming under the freckles on his cheeks and the open chest visible from the top two buttons he’d left unbuttoned on his (worn and wrinkled) dress shirt.

“you had me scared for a second,” he uttered, clearing his throat. “you work too, right? tell me about your job.”

and so you did, letting yourself ramble about the drama within your workplace at tom’s rhinoplasty. he watched you just as intently as you’d watched him, focused on the vigorous nodding and shaking of your head and the way you talked with your entire body. every word had a gesture, either your hands flinging to the side or your legs changing position ever so slightly. he could see the acne scars on your chin and the middle of your forehead and the scar just slightly below your bottom lip, your skin and hair glowing in the night light. he swore in that moment you had to be an angel sent from heaven.

you ended your small rant with a breathy chuckle, a breathtaking smile giving way to crooked teeth and dimples in your chin and smile lines. you noticed the twinkle in his eyes and the crease of his forehead from the way his eyebrows were raised. his grin leaned more on the goofy side, wide and adoring, his head tilted slightly to the side.

“i could listen to you talk for hours, y/n,” he breathed, and you could feel the nauseous butterflies swarming in your throat and stomach. if you didn’t know any better, you would’ve thought you might throw up, but the sheer embarrassment of throwing up on the first date helped you keep it together.

“you’re such a charmer, ken.” he tossed his head back in laughter, his foot slightly brushing yours as his body turned to the left. you let your legs lay flat, his contagious laughter spreading to you. within seconds, the two of you were laughing uncontrollably over nothing, your body held up only by your left hand as the other clutched your side. kenny was already flat on his back, one leg in the air and the other bent with his knee facing the sky.

the laughter died within a minute of it starting, your eyes meeting as a few aftershock laughs echoed in the air. your shadow hung over his face, his hand reaching towards your face with a hesitant pause just before he touched your skin. a part of him was screaming that he was moving too fast, and the other part of him reminded him that he’d been waiting nearly a decade to touch you as a love interest rather than an acquaintance.

his heart flipped behind his ribs as his fingertips brushed your jaw. he knew he was probably entirely red at this point, with your own hand cupping the side of his face and your eyes creased with a loving smile. the urge to kiss you was so strong it was nearly suffocating him, his palm curled loosely around the back of your neck. you inched closer and his breath came shorter, nearly hyperventilating by the time you touched your mouth softly to his.

the kiss lasted a lot longer than he was expecting, your lips moving slowly against his as his other hand fell to your shoulder blade. he wanted to chase your lips when you pulled away, but he instead let his head fall against the metal under his body with a dull clunk, a dazed smile lighting up his eyes.

“i hope i wasn’t too forward,” you mumbled, a bit embarrassed in the wake of your previous action. he chuckled and pulled you down for a small peck, crow’s feet forming as his smile widened.

“believe me sweetheart, i’ve been waiting ages,” he breathed in response, tugging you down to lay at his side. your head rested against his collarbone, the thunder of his heartbeat nearly drowning your own speeding pulse out.

when you got home, curled beneath your duvet, you couldn’t resist touching your tingling lips, a lovesick giggle bubbling in your throat. kenny mccormick was quite the flirt, wasn’t he?

#kenny mccormick x reader #south park

[goldfishontheceiling]

TEAM E-SCOPE (+ Owen) BEACH HEADCANONS!!

Pronouns for these HCs:

Izzy: She/They/Xe (Izzy uses neoprounouns it's canon I'm Fresh TV /j)

Eva: She/He

Owen: He/Him

Noah: He/They

Izzy:

- insists on driving (do NOT let her drive!!)

- loves sitting in the front

- stares out the window or sings along to the radio most of the car ride

- begs Eva to stop at the gas station

- xe always gets sour gummy worms

- no sour gummy worms? sour patch kids

- no sour patch kids? sweedish fish

- no sweedish fish? RIOT

- absolutely LOVES the water

- they go out super deep and scare the shit out of everyone

- chases the icecream truck until xe gets the whole group icecream

- *borrows bridgette's surboard* *tries to surf* *fails miserably*

- 100% brings googles

- likes catching fish with their bare hands (or teeth)

-she splashed Eva once (and got thrown headfirst into Owen's sandcastle as a result)

- collects seashells

- tries to take home crabs as pets

- a little more chill on the ride home but this is Izzy we're talking about xe's never chill

Eva:

- designated driver (has road rage)

- *aggressively honks horn* "DRIVE FASTER BITCH"

- always gets some chocolate and a coffee at the gas station

- hates the radio but plays it for Izzy (she keeps the mp3 player on standby incase it gets too bad)

- mostly swims with Izzy or plays volleyball

- *plays volleyball with some strangers* *gets mad and chucks the ball at one of their faces*

- tries to relax (emphasis on the tries)

- she knows cpr!!

- he gets salt water and/or sand in her eyes everytime

- will yell at you (lovingly) if you forget to put on sunscreen

- he makes sure everyone drinks water (no Izzy ocean water doesn't count) and stays hydrated!!

- wears sunglasses pretty much the entire time

- will make sure nobody tracks sand into the car

Owen:

- sits in the back with Noah

- he gets everyone to play "I spy" with him (Izzy can't focus, Noah's half asleep, and Eva's more focused on trying not to scream then things that are the color yellow)

- if the others are busy/don't want to play he usually whips out the DVD player

- did I mention that he collects DVDs? his favorite movies are cloudy with a chance of meatballs, toy story, and ratatouille

- always gets gummy sharks or jolly ranchers

- Owen packs the best snacks and brings things they all like (strawberries, veggie straws, goldfish, cheez its, etc)

- he even made sandwiches and fruit salads!!

- the water's nice and all, but the SAND!!

- he makes the best sand castles

- since Owen canonically has 3 brothers, he knows a lot of games (sand castle building contest, marco polo, "who can dig the deepest hole in 5 minutes," etc)

- gives the seashells he finds to Izzy

- speaking of Izzy, xe burries Owen in the sand atleast once everytine they go

Noah:

- he ususally drives for shorter trips, but long car rides make him tired

- you can not convince me that this man doesn't latch on to Owen like a koala when he naps

- Owen angles the DVD player somewhere they could both see incase Noah wakes up

- at first, Noah just reads a book (or stares out the window when he gets carsick) but he always ends up falling asleep at some point

- whenever they stop at the gas station, Owen always makes sure to get something for Noah

- they always bring their book with them to the beach

- he protects that book like a lifeline

- once he either finishes the book or the others bug him enough, THEN he does stuff

- Izzy always tries to convince them to get in the water

- 9 times out of 10 he says no

- but on the occasional times they say yes, they almost drown

- Owen carries Noah pretty much everywhere lmao

- he doesn't really like water (and no I won't be making an IOTS refrence no matter how tempting it is)

- they help Owen with his sand castle!!

- Noah isn't much of a beach person but that doesn't mean he can't have fun

- and ofc he falls back asleep on the ride back

#noah total drama #total drama noah #noah td #td noah #td owen #owen td #owen total drama #total drama owen #eva td #td eva #total drama eva #eva total drama #izzy total drama #total drama izzy #izzy td #td izzy #team escope #td team escope #team escope td #total drama headcanons #td headcanons #gotta love me some headcanons

[alwaysteveswife]

Summer afternoon | Steve Harrington x Fem! Reader.

An afternoon that, you assumed, would be a quiet one ends up turning into an afternoon of traveling with your group of friends.

Warnings: Henderson! Reader, Jonathan like a best friend ;), a bit of jealousy on Steve's part (I swear it wasn't intentional lol).

Number of characters: 4,601

Summer. A season loved and hated almost at the same level. The hot sun burning your skin, leaving it a toasted color or, in the worst case, red and sensitive. In this season the weather is perfect to go to places like California. Spending the vacations with your family, going to the beach in the afternoon. The sand between your toes, the sea helping to take the heat off with the refreshing, salty water.

For many it's a dream, but for me it's bloody hell. What does your body do when it gets too hot? It sweats. What does the water do once you're in it? It leaves you wet, and what does the sand do? It sticks everywhere, thanks to the water.

When summer vacation came I almost cried with happiness. It was a break from all the stupid evaluations, I could marathon movies of all kinds, go out to eat, sleep all day, be in my comfort zone.

But as soon as I saw Steve and his little group in front of my door, full of t-shirt bags and with the Wheeler's big truck at the curb, I knew that my dream vacation would end up ending up on some beach.

They wouldn't even let me answer, as soon as I opened the door the kids ran to get Dustin, while Steve dragged me to my room to pack a small bag with my necessities.

In less than 15 minutes we were all in the car. Nancy drove next to Jonathan, the kids settled in as tightly as possible so we could all get in, and then there was Robin, Steve and I sitting in the trunk next to the bags.

The trip went by fast. We did a brief karaoke section with our favorite songs. Steve would throw in the occasional grandpa joke, and Dustin would tease him in response, making the rest of us laugh.

When the car parked in front of the beach the kids disappeared as if by magic. Robin and Nancy ran after them so as not to lose sight of them, and the three of us left behind were the pack donkeys.

It was about six o'clock in the evening, and the beach, to everyone's surprise, was almost empty. We set up near the shore, placing two towels on the sand for me and Jonathan. The others took off their clothes and went into the sea to swim and shoot water at each other with the toy guns they had brought.

"Strange, don't you think?" Jonathan was lying on his elbows, watching Nancy and Mike throwing water at each other.

"What's strange?" I closed the book I was reading, taking off my glasses and putting them in my bag.

"Our relationship with Nancy and Steve" He turned to look at me, smiling.

"Oh, you mean that" I nodded, turning my full attention to him. "I don't feel like it's a big deal, you can be friends with your old partner".

"No, it's not that" he laughed, laying his head back on the towel. "I mean, did you ever think you'd be with Steve Harrington?"

"Only in my dreams" I laughed along with him, copying his action and coming face to face.

"There are two of us" he sighed, looking up at the sky. "Sometimes I feel like none of this is real, that one day I'll wake up and Nancy will be in the hallways, making out with Steve in front of her locker".

"But it's not like that" I took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "She's with you, and the only person you'll find making out with is you".

"Y/N" I noticed a slight blush on his face, before he covered his face with a hand.

Before I could disturb him again, streams of water began to drench us completely. I sat up quickly, uselessly covering myself with my arms.

"Damn, guys, what's wrong with you?" Jonathan sat up too, looking confused at Nancy and Steve, who were standing in front of us with two water guns.

"That's a warning, next time I'm not just going to splash you with a toy gun" despite what he was saying, Steve had a big grin on his face.

"I didn't bring change of clothes" I stood up, watching as he dropped the gun and let it fall in the sand.

"No problem, I threw on an extra shirt" He walked over to me, carrying me in his arms as he ran into the water.

"No, Steve! Wait!" I held on to him tightly, watching Jonathan taunt me from his towel. "Jonathan! Help me!"

Before I could scream again, a cold current of water completely shut me up. I surfaced, the water reaching a little higher than my hips.

"I'm going to kill you, Harrington" I moved as close as I could to him, splashing water hard.

"That's if you reach me, you're so small you should bring floaties if I go any deeper" He began to swim deeper, smiling as he noticed me awkwardly trying to reach him.

"You're lucky you're pretty, Harrington!" I shouted, looking at him mockingly, "otherwise I'd beat you right now."

"Catch up with me first and then we'll talk, honey" he said as he winked at me.

Masterlist

#stranger things #fanfic #stranger things au #steve harrington oneshot #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington #steve harrington x fem!reader #steve harrington fanfic #babygirl steve harrington #steve harrington fic #steve harrington fluff

[starry-blue-echoes]

Alright I’ve been “following” (in the sense that I’ve been reading it consistently, I only actually pressed the “follow” button recently) your blog for about a month, I really like a lot of your AU’s, and I would like to contribute some of my own thoughts to them.

I’m going to start with Dual Trip (the Part 3 version, since there are now multiple Dual Trips in existence).

Specifically, how the first half of the fights would be split between the two groups (since the second half has already been thoroughly discussed)

The two groups will be referred to as the “Jotaro Crew” (Jotaro + Kakyoin + Polnareff) and the “Jospeh Crew” (Jospeh + Avdol + Iggy) 

Tower of Grey - Joseph Crew

(Because Jospeh cannot enter a plane without fate causing it to crash)

Joseph is probably the one to defeat it dye to a combination of Hermit Purple and Joseph Joestar(trademark) Bullshittery.    

Dark Blue Moon - Jotaro Crew

I feel like an idea for this was discussed in a previous post, but I will expand on it a little bit. 

In this version, Imposter Captian Tennille is not an imposter, instead, Kakyoin and Polnareff pretend to still be servants of DIO for the purposes of getting a quick boat ride to Egypt. 

“Hello, fellow servant of DIO! Don’t you just love serving our wonderful master DIO today? We are bring this Joestar descendant as an offering to lord DIO, who we love serving so much!” Unfortunately, Polnareff talks to much and Jotaro talks too little, so the Imposter Captain catches onto their ruse. 

A fight breaks out, and the ship ends up getting destroyed, forcing the Jotaro crew to make the rest of the journey by land. 

Strength - Jospeh Crew 

(Because this way, we can avoid… that particular scene with Anne)

After the plane crash, Jospeh requests a boat from the Speedwagon foundation, but when it arrives, all of the crew are dead. After some suitably scary haunted ship action, Avdol resolves the situation by burning down the entire boat.  (And that wretched awful horrible ape along with it) 

Ebony Devil - Jospeh Crew

This is probably where Iggy shows up. Jospeh spends the whole encounter running away from a killer doll, while Iggy uses his sense of smell to track down Devo the Cursed. 

Yellow Temperance - Jospeh Crew

This fight was another one discussed in a previous post, where Rubber Soul disguises himself as Jotaro, which complexly fools the Jospeh Crew for longer than they would like to admit. 

Hanged Man + Emperor - Both Crews

This was similarly discussed in more detail in previous posts, but Avdol and Polnareff accidentally cross paths, Avdol gets shot, and then Polnareff and Kakyoin finish the fight just like in canon. 

Empress - Jotaro Crew

Admittedly I don’t have any strong ideas for this once, except that maybe Polnareff getting targeted by Empress, and Nena guilts him into not destroying it because “How could you hurt a poor innocent girl like me?”

But I’m not 100% sold on this idea, so I would be interested to hear if you had any other ideas for how this could go. 

Wheel of fortune - Jotaro Crew + Iggy

Alright, so what if Iggy used the Fool to make a giant car made out of Sand, and then (smashes toy trucks violently together like a 5 year old)  

Justice - Jotaro Crew

This probably plays out pretty much like it does in canon. Enya’s death is probably what clues DIO into the fact that “Hey wait a minute, Polnareff and Kakyoin aren’t actually working for me!” 

Lovers - Jotaro Crew

Jotaro is the one who gets the Lovers stuck inside his brain this time,  Polnareff has to have Steely Dan step on him because Polnareff is the universe’s punching bag, and Kakyoin is left on his own to get the Lover’s out of Jotaro (which is much more difficult than in canon since Hermit Purple isn’t there to provide helpful visuals)   

Sun - Jotaro Crew

Goes the same as canon. The crew walks into the desert, gets heat exhaustion, laughs at two identical rocks, and then Jotaro throws another rock and saves the Day. 

Death Thriteen - Joseph Crew

Like Empress, I don’t have any specific ideas for how this fight should go, since I don’t know if it is funnier to have Avdol, Joseph, or Iggy be the one to figure it out that the baby is the stand user.  

Judgement - Jotaro Crew + Iggy

Probably starts the same as canon, with Judgment appearing before Polnareff, offering him the wishes, Polnareff wishing for his sister and Avdol back, then getting attacked by zombies. 

However, this time It is Iggy, instead of Avdol, who saves the day. 

My reasoning for how this goes is that the “Zombies” that Judgment makes are just made out of earth, and the Fool generates itself out of the earth, meaning Iggy could just…. immediately win the fight by turning the “Zombies” into his stand. I don’t know if that is how those stands work, but the idea is funny.

Then Iggy farts in Polnareffs face and leaves. 

High priestess -Joseph Crew

This is another one where I don’t have any specific ideas, I just knew that the Jotaro crew don’t have the resources to acquire a Submarine, so this had to be another Jospeh Crew fight. Other than that, I got nothing. 

And then previous posts already outlined how the rest of encounters in Egypt would go.

If you liked these Ideas, I have some a few more to suggest about the other dual trips, as well as a lot of ideas about the StarSwap AU (which is my other favourite AUs you created), as well as an AU suggestion of my own (albeit one inspired by a comment you made), all of which I would be willing to share if you are interested. (Whenever I next get the time to type up something as long as this)

OOOOOOOOOOO YESSSSSSSSSSSSS

Joseph is forever cursed on planes, that is one of the few universal constants that no AU can change

You took the thoughts right out of my head with Kakyoin and Polnareff pretending to have Jotaro hostage. And what if in an attempt to sell it more, Kakyoin ends up looping some of Hierophant's tendrils around his hands and feet like cuffs. It's not enough to actually impede him in any way nor tight enough to be uncomfortable, but it comes across as "making sure Jotaro won't try anything" thing. Maybe Tennille tries locking Jotaro below deck but Kakyoin explains that Jotaro was a crafty one and it would be best to keep him within sight at all times

and what if Anne is almost indirectly responsible for them being found out, in a way. Similarly to canon she's a stowaway, but what if at that point Tennille was starting to get suspicious so he tries killing her to bait a reaction. Lo and behold Hierophant's tentacles do almost nothing to impede Jotaro from attempting to cave his skull in

Given the fact Tennille didn't need to pretend to be an impostor this time around, it's entirely possible the crew of the ship could be some nameless extra Stand Users under Dio's command. So while Jotaro's fighting Tennille in the water, Kakyoin and Polnareff are fighting the rest of the crew on the boat while also trying to keep Anne safe. Maybe blowing up the boat was a sort of last ditch escape attempt which thankfully worked out in the end and now they have a new member of the crew :D

A BIG yes with Avdol burning the ship. These two take one look at this creepy horror movie looking thing and all the bodies and decide "yeah, how about we didn't-"

Ebony Devil could possibly have some moments similar to the N'Doul fight in how Devo doesn't see Iggy as a threat nor an enemy until it's too late. Also I think Joseph should be allowed to Yeet Iggy with Hermit Purple, just because it would be funny. And possibly to add even more insanity, what if Rubber Soul ends up teaming up with Devo so both attacks are happening at the same time. Devo was acting as a distraction so Rubber Soul could get close enough and get an opening to kill them, but in the end and possibly thanks to Iggy and his sense of smell, they realize he's a fake

Joseph........ is NOT happy, to say the least

And while the Hanged Man + Emperor fight has already been mostly covered, there's going to be a bit of added fun in Polnareff striking out on his own. After all, despite his immaturity, he's been the only adult supervision these two(technically three if you count Anne) have had for the whole trip. It hurts even worse for Kakyoin because for once there's someone else like him who's not an awful human being. Kakyoin has learned more about Stands in the last handful of weeks than he has in his entire life, and now Polnareff decides to up and leave them

He knows why, and as an explanation it's perfectly logical and should make complete sense. After all Polnareff had made his intentions very clear when he had joined up with them and Kakyoin knew him leaving was inevitable........ so why did it hurt so much?

Unfortunately I'm drawing just as much of a blank when it comes to Empress. Maybe it could play into Polnareff's actions during the previous fight? After all, they did occur within a very short time frame of each other, and the emotions and slight betrayal (plus the grief of getting someone killed) are probably still very fresh. I can honestly see Jotaro taking a bit of a backseat in this one, mostly dealing with Polnareff and Kakyoin's traumas and how they accidentally hurt eachother

I love the idea of Iggy making a giant sand car thing. He's doing all sorts of crazy tricks just to fuck around and have fun, mostly at the expense of Joseph and Avdol who are trying to hold on for dear life and not get thrown off

You're right about Justice being almost completely the same, and off the top of my head I don't see much being all that different at all. Kakyoin is absolutly going to tease Polnareff relentlessly for licking the toilet

But Steel Dan though :)

When it comes to the Lovers, I'll admit I had a slightly different idea: so as you've said, at this point Dio's starting to become aware of how Kakyoin and Pol might not be on his side anymore and thus likely wouldn't trust them with Jotaro's "transport" anymore, right?

What if Steely Dan had been sent as recon. To check it out, to secretly watch the four when they arrived and see how they acted when they thought no one was watching

Needless to say, it's pretty easy to see they aren't enemies...... so Steely Dan ends up enacting the instructions Dio had given him if they turned out to be traitors after all

Taking over Jotaro's escort to Dio. After all, his Stand is exceptionally useful in taking hostages :)

And as we've seen, Steely Dan has no qualms with putting children in the line of fire :)))

So now Anne is the one to get put under the Lover's influence and Jotaro is forced to go with Dan unless he wants her to suffer

and this is....... really not fun for them to deal with. They're all on a time limit because while Steely Dan is still toying with Jotaro and being a smug motherfucker, he's already called Dio to inform him about the situation and is slowly making his way to some transportation to take Jotaro to him, and if he does end up leaving they're going to be screwed. The man made it very clear that any attempts at following wouldn't be tolerated, and once they leave the town proper there wasn't a whole lot of cover to hide behind to conceal any attempts a tailing them

So yeah. It's stressful.

Jotaro is fucking SEETHING while this whole thing is going down. He wants nothing more than to pummel this asshole into the ground but he can't because that would mean hurting a child, hurting Anne, and after the weeks of travel he has to admit he's grown attached. He wants to fight, to yell, to do anything, but he's completely trapped right now and can do nothing but rely on his friends to save him

The Sun is at least going to be a nice break. Don't get me wrong, it was definitely terrifying, but they got a good laugh out of it

Death Thirteen....... while I don't have too many thoughts, I think we should give Avdol some time to shine here. Maybe we could play around with the fact that as sadistic as this little shit is, he's still a baby and Dio is using said baby to try and kill people. Maybe there's some kind of motive we could put in, maybe with the kid's parents (or possibly lack thereof?)

Judgement....... OW that one's going to hurt so much because this time Avdol isn't going to be there to help comfort. As far as Polnareff knows, Avdol is still dead and gone. Nothing's going to be able to bring that man back and he got taken advantage of because he thought otherwise. Iggy definitely helps serve as a wake up call here in confirming no Stand can bring back the dead, but it's still going to sting

And yeah, Submarine Shenanigans are going to be....... wild. Also fun fact, did you know that dog scuba gear exists?

and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts for the other encounters, you did an absolutely amazing job with these ones, it was incredible and so well put together and a joy to read. Definitely one of the more fun asks I've had to answer

#but also hOLY SHIT THIS GOT LONG THIS MIGHT BE MY LONGEST RESPONSE TO ANTHING YET- #dual trip #jjba #jojo’s bizarre adventure #stardust crusaders #stardust crusaders spoilers #jjba part 3 #jjba jotaro #jotaro kujo #star platinum #jjba kakyoin #noriaki kakyoin #hierophant green #jjba polnareff #jean pierre polnareff #jjba joseph #joseph joestar #hermit purple #jjba avdol #mohammad avdol #magician’s red #jjba iggy #iggy #the fool #jjba anne #anne #sb answers #artbyfinnbrown

[copperhead-assorted-crafts]

See. They don't tell you this. But your wrist is actually supposed to feel like a sudden burst of TV static when you go to free your pieces from the sewing machine. And also sound and feel like sand in the gears of a plastic truck toy. It's. It's supposed to be that way. That doesn't mean you've been working too long, it actually means you're about to level up and gain another quilting quirk point. And you can use that on stamina or luck if you want

#quilting #joking if its not obvious

[what-the-dogfish-saw]

A beach comb for the beach comber !

8B

These aren't my local beach but from Bournemouth beach which is a heavy tourist area. It's both the messiest beach after the summer and the 'cleanest' because there are both dedicated people who clean it...and they also re-rake the sand with trucks after the summer, so rubbish generally gets buried. It's kind of where my beach cleaning began because the amount that gets left is shocking.

But I will say there are more people getting involved in cleaning it since I was in the area.

Duckie and Octopus hung with me until I eventually donated them. All unbroken toys I find always make their way to a charity shop eventually.

#beach cleaning #beach plastic #octopus #jellyfish #plastictoys

[gabbagepatch]

Traveling~ 3-22-2024

I’m currently at home trying to unwind after my grandparent’s fiftieth anniversary party in SC!

I had gone back and forth about going because it’s a six hour drive, including a mountain that always makes my ears pop as we ascend and descend. With vestibular disfunction and a ruptured eardrum I honestly thought I couldn’t handle it.

It was definitely difficult. My vertigo was very bad and I got a migraine about three hours in, I even had a bag handy in case I needed to vomit! My vertigo and migraines have begun to be paired with pretty intense nerve pain as well. It felt like my head and neck were on fire while my head was being crushed. Very painful, and the ibuprofen I had preemptively taken wasn’t doing much to help. There was also a healthy dose of tingling and hot/cold sensations in my hands and feet, plus the classic leg twitches, but that’s not painful just uncomfortable. Despite all that I actually did a lot better than I expected!

During the ride I regretted coming along, I felt like I had doomed myself to 12 combined hours of torture for no reason. Obviously it was too late anyways, but that didn’t stop me from beating myself up for the situation I put myself in.

The entire ordeal came to a climax when we finally got to the hotel room. It’s hard to describe, but when you’ve been moving for a long time and then just stop? It screws everything up. My body threw a tantrum, to say the least. The nerve pain, twitching, nausea, tinnitus, everything kicked into overdrive for the first three hours after the ride.

So that's the negative, but the rest of the trip was super cute and fun! We got the best burgers we've ever had the night we arrived, mine was called the "Clint Beefwood" lol. Afterwards I slept so soundly it's like I was in a coma. Usually sleeping is pretty tough for me given the nerve pain and vertigo, but that night I was out almost immediately. Didn't dream or stir once until I was woken up.

The party had a couple hiccups but we got it set up in time and my grandparents seemed to really enjoy it! The kids (my niece and nephew, my cousins kids, the kids my grandparents adopted, etc) were such a joy. It was so cute watching them run around and play together. I even got to hold my cousins baby for a fair amount of time, couldn't get enough of her. We had attempted to set up a kid's activity table which included some tupper containers filled with rice, plus some spoons and toy trucks. The kids loved it but it was unceremoniously canceled about two hours in because my nephew, the little chaos agent, had discovered how fun it was to dump the rice onto the floor. Cut to me and my sis searching for vacuums and brooms in the venue because the rice was truly everywhere.

I also was unofficially the babysitter during clean-up. It wasn't asked of me but I think everyone appreciated having a break from screaming kids while trying to clean up a big party.

My little chaos agent got a bit upset with me though, after I scolded him for throwing sand at me. My guy chucked some sand right at my chest! I had to grab his little ravioli fist to keep him from launching another attack! I guess he's not used to his auntie being the one to fuss because (cross my heart) I did not even raise my voice and yet that scolding sent him tearily running back towards his momma.

His sister was equally rowdy although a bit more contained. She interrupted my grandparent's toast with a loud "Say happy birthday!!" to everyone's delight. She has gotten so outgoing, demanding everyone's name and hugging people without any hesitation. She used to despise situations like that, now she thrives in them.

The screaming and fluorescents would get overwhelming pretty quickly, but I fended off the vertigo by stepping outside every once in a while. Even with my head I couldn't feel anything but joy, it was so fun.

That evening we went over to my grandparent's house--it was some of the best fun I've had in ages. Just laughing together, it was so idyllic. After 1/3rd of a year marked by medical issues, losing my dog, worry, anxiety? That evening was like a refreshing bath. Full of love and surrounded by great company, I didn't regret coming at all when it was said and done.

#disability #disabled #hearing impaired #meniere's disease #chronic illness #hard of hearing #chronically ill #travel #invisible illness #invisible disability #illness mention #happy #blog #life update

[study-coffee-chicago]

Can you do a halstead sis were she almost drowns or smt, or maybe she falls in a frozen river or lake (like the ice breaks) and big brothers to the rescue ? Not like the imagine you have "maybe", more like they're on vacation with all inteligence, med , fire, or something like that. If you can't not s'okay. Thanks !

Here you go!

“We go now?” you asked excitedly.

“Just a minute, Munchkin,” Will told you. “Jay’s just finishing up packing lunch.”

“Okay! Don’t forget my juice, Jay Jay!” you yelled to him. 

Jay laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t.” Then, he turned his attention to Will. “You mind grabbing her sand toys out of the closet?”

“No problem,” Will said, and then made his way to the closet.

You thought about following him but instead made your way to the kitchen where Jay was cutting up apples. 

You quickly grabbed one and started eating it. 

“Excuse me, missy,” Jay started. “Did I say you could have one?”

You giggled. “No, but Will telled me it’s heal-fy.”

“Y/N, do you know what that means?” Will asked as he came back with some sand toys. 

“Means I get big and strong like Jay Jay!” you exclaimed and quickly took the toys from him. 

“That’s right, kiddo,” Jay agreed. “Big and strong like me.”

“Okay, I’m gonna go get her in the car so you can finish making lunch,” Will told you.

Will picked up towels and two beach chairs. 

“I help?” you asked. 

“Yes! You can help! Thank you so much. How about you take your princess towel?”

“Okay!” 

So then, the two of you made your way to Jay’s truck and Will picked you up and you put your sand toys in the truck. Then, he helped you into the backseat and you set your towel next to you and Will buckled you up.

After a few minutes, Jay came out to the truck and smacked Will upside the head for almost forgetting your life jacket. Then, after a few trips back into the house to bring them out to the truck, the three of you were on your way to the beach to meet up with some other people you knew. You hoped Stella would be there because she can put pretty braids in your hair!

***

You ran as fast as your little legs could carry you through the sand. 

“Wait up, Munchkin!” Will yelled. “You gotta have a grown-up with you.”

You put your hand on your hip and huffed, which caused both Jay and Will to laugh. 

“Now where did you learn that?” Jay asked as he threw the backpack on his back and picked up two chairs. 

“Stella,” you told them without hesitation. 

“Of course you did,” Jay said. “Now you can go and run off,” he told you. 

You did not need to be told twice, so you started running towards the lake. 

“Can I go in now?” you asked as you shimmed off your shorts and Will helped you take off your shirt. 

Now you were in just your swimsuit. It was a pink and white striped one-piece and you loved it. You thought it was so pretty!

You were about to grab your life jacket from the beach chair Jay was setting down when you saw four people walking up to you. 

“Stella!” you exclaimed and ran up to her. “Will you put braids in my hair? Pretty, pretty please?”

“Just let me sit the chairs down and then I most definitely can,” Stella said. 

“Yay!” you exclaimed. 

***

It had been an hour and you had played in the sand and then tried to play volleyball with Stella and Sylvie, which didn’t work out very well because you were much smaller than the two. 

“Stella, you go swim with me?” you asked sweetly.

“What are we?” Jay asked. “Chopped liver?”

You had no idea what that meant, but replied anyway. “Yeah!”

“That’s right, Y/N! High five!” Casey yelled and you ran over and gave him a high five.

“Y/N, come get your life jacket!” Will yelled. 

You quickly shook your head. “No! I’m a big girl. No life jacket!”

“I know you’re a big girl, but…” He took a look at the sky and the dark clouds that were starting to roll in. “It’s gonna storm soon and I don’t want you to get pulled under.”

“What if– what if I stay where I can touch?” you asked. 

Jay groaned. Neither he nor Will wanted to start a screaming match with you on a public beach. “If you only go up to your belly button, then you can go in without your life jacket.”

“Okay! Let’s go, Stella!”

You quickly grabbed your hand and then the three of you went into the water and started jumping the waves together. 

***

“I’m gonna go put my sunglasses up and go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back, Y/N. I promise,” Stella told you fifteen minutes later. 

“Okay!” 

As she walked out of the water and up the beach, you looked at everyone. Sylvie and Casey weren’t there, so you assumed they went to the bathroom. Kelly was laying on his belly on a towel with his face away from the water. Stella’s back was to you because she was walking up the beach. And Jay and Will were engrossed in a very heated and competitive one-on-one round of volleyball.

You were just gonna go up to your chin. You gonna be in kindergarten in a few months! You were a big girl!

So you did…and that was a big mistake. 

***

“Time out! Time out!” Jay yelled. “I need a drink,” he panted and grabbed his beer and took a sip. 

“The reason you’re probably thirsty is because alcohol dehydrates you,” Will pointed out. 

“Shut up. This is the only one I’m drinking today and I don’t need you ruining it with medical facts.

Then, he looked up to water and froze. 

“What? What’s wrong?” Will asked quickly. 

“Y/N,” he muttered. 

“What?”

“Y/N!” Jay yelled at the top of his lungs. “Y/N!” He sprinted towards the water with Stella and Will hot on his heels.

“She was just here!” Stella yelled. “I just came to put my sunglasses back!”

But it was like Jay was on autopilot. He was scanning the water for any signs of life, something that he had had to do a lot in the military.

He saw something. 

A tiny hand reaching out of the water.

He sprinted out further and then dove into the water and started swimming as fast as he could, leaving Stella and Will to wonder what he possibly saw. 

***

It felt like something had pulled you under the water. 

Maybe it was the Loch Ness monster!

You tried to paddle as hard as you could like you learned in swimming lessons and tried to swim to the surface. You got one hand up, but it was no use.

You kept trying, but eventually, your little body got tired. 

You felt like you did when you threw a tantrum at Jay or Will for not letting you stay up and watch cartoons

Tired and like your head was gonna explode like a volcano.

You knew you could hold your breath for twenty seconds, but it had to have been past that.

Then, you felt something else grab you by the shoulder. 

Uh, oh. 

The Loch Ness monster had a friend and now they were both coming after you!

You were about to be lunch for two sea monsters!

***

Jay knew not to dive straight into a rip current, but he did anyway. He swam as hard he could and finally he felt something…which felt like a kid. 

So, he grabbed on, and swam up and to the side, which was what you were supposed to do when you caught in a rip current. 

Finally his feet touched the sand and he quickly sprinted up on the beach. 

This was when he heard the best sound in the world: you coughing.

“Set her down against me!” Will yelled and he quickly set you down against Will who started hitting your back gently to help you expel the water.  You coughed up some more. “There it is. You’re okay, sweetheart. You’re okay.”

After a minute, Will said that all the water was probably out of your lungs, but that he wanted you to get to the lifeguard’s medic station just in case. 

“The monsters…” you said as Jay quickly scooped you up into his arms. 

“What monsters, kiddo?” Will asked. 

“Dey- Dey pull me and den I was under water.”

“That’s called a rip currrent,” Jay explained. “It’s what happens when a storm is coming. And if you ever get caught in one again, you swim to the side.”

You pointed to either side of you. “Like that?”

“Just like that. And wear your life jacket.”

You huffed. “Fine.”

“Man, I don’t think we need to bring her over there. She seems fine–”

“Jay, I’m the doctor here, so we’re bringing her over there.”

***

After your visit with the pretty lifeguard (who Will tried to flirt with), it started raining. So, Stella brought you to the bathrooms with her and Sylvie and helped you change. Both girls said that you were really, really brave.

Then, when Jay and Will pulled into Mcdonald’s, they looked back to see that you were asleep. They still got you your happy meal anyway because they knew you’d wake up when one of them carried you into the apartment, and you’d be hungry. 

Let’s just say, it took Will and Jay a long time to let you go into Lake Michigan without a life jacket.

#jay halstead #will halstead #halstead sister #hc #headcanon #chicago pd headcanon #chicago med headcanon

[thatswhatsushesaid]

genuinely that is the best metaphor for my keymashing tantrums in response to the bad jgy takes when i encounter them

because aren’t we all just preschoolers taking our pretend gay sword wizards a little too seriously in the collective jianghu sandbox that is this fandom

if you make me feel bad about liking my favourite gay sword wizard and his fancy little hat, then maybe you should not be surprised when i run my toy garbage truck over your sand castle!!

knocks over your lego tower while i’m at it

#salty peak sect 🧂

[sageywritings]

Watchpoint Chapter 1: The Soldier and the Bartender

How do you expect war to go in a world with all-powerful mages, blood-craving assassins, insane battle tank brawlers and the like to go? No, we need something else. Welcome to the Watchpoint League.

And in a world like this, how’s one girl with a rifle supposed to keep up with it all for the sake of her home?

Something new, hope you like! ~Sage

Saya was laid out on the backseat of the off-road truck. She was leaned against the door, feeling every soft bump of the lone road that cut through the Kassif Desert leading to the coast. Her eyes glanced down from the view of her imprisonment, away from the dunes outside the window and toward the sniper rifle tossed into the footwell. Then, to the shawl her legs were currently rested on top of, a beautifully hand woven blending of earth tones currently in a bundled heap. And finally, to the blood soaked gauze that was hastily wrapped around her left bicep. The wound underneath was probably still coated in sand, but at least the bleeding had stopped. The car’s air conditioning was causing every pore of her skin to cry in gratitude, despite it doing little to numb the pain of the newly acquired gash. It was doing less, however, for her mental state.

“Another failed mission. Another emergency call to Beatrice. And another village forced to deal with the Farmhouse,” Saya thought to herself on loop.

“I’m glad that was all the damage they did to you. It could’ve been a lot worse.” All Saya could see from the driver’s seat from her point of view was a head of black hair tied back into a ponytail. Her words sounded relieved. But, it still barely drew a reaction from Saya, nothing more than an exasperated sigh. Beatrice tried to go on, “Who was there?”

“Usual suspects. The German shepherd that yips like a chihuahua, and the gator and the hawk," Saya said.

"Farmhouse," Beatrice muttered. Just the mention of Auran’s toughest, most thuggish, and - in Saya’s opinion - most annoying squad was enough for her to groan. And it was being mentioned more and more often, as skirmishes in the outskirts of Kassif-En were becoming far too frequent for liking.

“Yeah. There was someone else, too. Someone in a hood, I couldn’t get a good look at their face. I had my shot lined up and… I waited too long. The hawk got me in the back. Knocked me off the roof and got me in the arm with his talons. I got him in the ankle with a knife and got away before they were able to surround me.”

“Well, it’s a good thing those guys aren’t even half the fighter you are,” Beatrice responded in an attempt to try and lift Saya’s spirits.

“I’m still just one soldier, Bea. I can only do so much against their numbers game.” Beatrice frowned.

“Then why do you keep going in alone?”

“Because someone has to! I can’t just leave these villages out here to rot!” Saya’s burst of anger dissipated as quickly as it came once the pain shot through her arm after clenching her fists. She sighed once more. “The government thinks they can just ignore us, ignore thousands of years of history and culture. They just wanna focus on their shiny new toy, their bright little tourist trap. But these sands are my home. They’ve made me. They’ve made this whole kingdom. Kassif-En wouldn’t exist today without these villages and these people. And I haven’t been able to stop fighting for them since I was 14.” Beatrice couldn’t really argue any of what Saya was saying. Still, she thought repeated attacks from a foreign invader would warrant at least some kind of action.

“What does Auran even want anyways?” she wondered..

“I don’t know. Probably just looking to rob some defenseless people and make their lives miserable. They strike me as the type,” Saya shrugged. The exhaustion made her too tired to care about the reason, and it was evident in her voice.

“What about the Watchpoint League? Isn’t the whole point of the League to stop conflicts like this? Shouldn’t the Observers be stepping in?” 

The Watchpoint League. What the nations of the world tout as their greatest achievement. In order to avoid all-out war and the destruction that comes with it, any conflicts of interests are settled a different way. A year-long fighting circuit where each kingdom can send teams of their best warriors to battle in arena combat. The best brawlers, swordsmen, mages, and marksmen, in front of huge audiences, fight for large prize pools and to bring glory and influence to their home. Organizing it all at the top is an impartial group appointed by the world's leaders, an enigmatic group known as the Observers.

"You know as well as I do they only care about your kingdom when your team is toward the top of the standings. Or when they can spin an interesting story out of it," Saya said.

"You could get a team started. An actual team, not-"

"After what happened last time? No thanks. Don’t need to be reminded of that," the sniper interrupted. No response from the driver’s seat.

“That makes two of us…” thought Beatrice. The sting of embarrassment was just as prevalent reliving the memories as they were first experiencing them. All that could come out was a soft “I’m sorry”. The words were barely loud enough to pass the threshold of noise. She wasn’t even sure what she was apologizing for entirely. “I just wish you didn’t have to be a one woman army. I wish I could’ve helped then. I wish I can help more now. But I’m not you.”

“Huh? What for, Bea?” Beatrice was amazed Saya even heard her, as if she could have sworn she only mouthed it. She mentally scrambled for a reply but could come up with nothing. “If anything, I should be the one who’s sorry for making you come out here and putting you in harm’s way. Again.” Beatrice now wished she could just have the words to articulate how it wasn’t a hassle and she would never leave her hanging like that. But, before either of them could go any further, the first change of scenery for dozens of miles began to come into view through the windshield over the horizon.

Jutting above the highway was an impressive city skyline, a couple skyscrapers serving as the centerpiece amidst of other high rises with no doubt of bustling streets below. D’marya. In their more immediate future, however, right where the outskirts of the capital unofficially began, stood an unassuming building just off the main road. It was nothing spectacular from the outside - two stories made with a combination of wood and sandstone. A quaint porch made way for the front door, and upstairs there was a balcony on the right wall just big enough for a pair of chairs and a small coffee table. Next to it all rested a school bus that had long since rusted over and been reclaimed by the elements. Nobody, not even the ones who called this region home for decades, could explain where it came from. As Beatrice parked next to the decrepit heap, she peered through the front window to see a party of three jovially conversing over drinks. Standard affair for the Dune Rat, the tavern which Saya and Beatrice both called home.

It took a moment for Saya to psych herself up enough to get out of the car. With her rifle slung across her back and her shawl in hand, she trudged up the front steps. It might as well have been hiking up a mountain for her sore legs. Their entrance into the establishment went hardly noticed, except for a couple polite hellos from some regulars. That was, until one patron sat by himself towards the back of the bar, decided to make their - and his - presence known.

“There she is! Look everyone, it’s our hero! The savior of Kassif-En! The Desert Spider!” The man’s over the top sarcasm came through a horrible drunken slur, and his arm wobbled as he lifted his drink for a mocking cheers. Saya openly scowled at him throwing the moniker some of the villages gifted her, but never bothered to even look his direction.

“Fuck off, Zephyr,” she grumbled before slumping onto a barstool and laying her head down at the bar. She couldn’t even be worried with coming up with a more spirited response. Beatrice took her usual place behind the bar and began polishing a pair of glasses, all the while eyeing the loud drunkard. 

“At least you got fuckin’ smart and decided to just lead yourself off the cliff instead of takin’ the rest with ya!” Zephyr half stood up from his chair and half stumbled out of it and started walking towards Saya. Each of his heavy, clumsy footsteps grew louder as he got closer. But, Saya didn’t flinch. She just sat there, head down, hoping he would try something. 

Click.

The small sound of Beatrice pulling the hammer back on her trusty revolver was all Zephyr needed to hear to sober up fast. He glared right down the freshly shined barrel. Engravings of blossoms ran up the length of it, glistening softly in what light the Dune Rat could provide. All of the regulars, including Zephyr, knew she kept it stashed under the bar in case of a too rowdy customer. No one was sure if she had the guts to pull the trigger. No one dared to find out.

“Zephyr, you know the rules. No fighting in my bar. If you wanna brawl so bad, why not train for another shot at the League. Otherwise, I suggest you sit down,” Beatrice said. After a brief staredown, Zephyr slinked back to his spot, muttering things only his drunken wisdom could decipher.

“I used to be a fuckin’ legend back in Wendjo,” he said before plopping back into his chair.

“Thanks. You know I woulda handled him though,” Saya said, finally lifting her head just enough to glance at the bartender.

“I know, but you’ve had a long enough day. You shouldn’t have to deal with him. He’s got two brain cells and they’re both fighting for third place,” she whispered softly enough for Zephyr to not hear so they didn’t reignite the whole situation all over again. Saya attempted to suppress a laugh, resulting in only a snort that hurt her insides trying to contain it. It was the first moment of the day that she didn’t want to completely forget. When she looked over, she was halfway wishing a glass of whiskey on the rocks was awaiting her. Anything to forget today. Instead, after stowing the firearm away, Beatrice sat a tall glass of cold water on the countertop before her. It might not be what she wanted, but Saya recognized it was exactly what her body needed.

Smiling softly at Saya making quick work of making her full glass of water a memory, Beatrice once again returned to her task at hand of wiping down. As she dusted past a pair of decorative bottles of aged wine, she noticed an unfamiliar glimmer from something she unknowingly pushed aside. With two fingers, she retrieved an envelope. It was crisp and clean, with slight gold trim on the edges. It was sealed shut with a sticker with a logo she had never seen before on it - a silhouette of a person running outlined in pink. On the other side was only a stencil drawing of a spider.

“Anybody know what this is about?” Beatrice said to the crowd, only getting a few shrugs and indistinct “dunno” noises from the ones that actually heard her. A bit more perked up and with a now empty glass, Saya cocked an eyebrow as she eyed the envelope.

“What is that?”

“For you.”

“For me?” The slight intrigue turned into bewilderment as Beatrice flipped the envelope around to reveal the spider insignia. Before reaching for it, her attention slowly fell to the spider tattoo on her right hand. Her famed calling card. With her face clearly displaying distrust, she took it and flipped it back and forth between each side a few times. When she could not make any further sense of it, she carefully tore into it with one finger, almost as if she was expecting to self-destruct in her hands. But, she pulled out a letter and unfolded it with little fanfare as opposed to the spy movie scene she was anticipating.

“What’s it say?” Beatrice asked, too curious to be content with just watching Saya silently scan through it. Saya cleared her throat and began to read word for word from the beginning.

“To the Desert Spider,

We hope you are doing well and we hope this letter finds you in good spirits. We must say we have been very impressed with the skills you have shown. Both your performance in the Watchpoint League and your heroics to protect the people of Kassif-En are inspirational. I especially value the determination and grit it takes to believe in a cause when no one else will. But, I am not naïve. I know Kassif-En struggled on the “big stage”, and I know one woman cannot defend an entire kingdom, no matter how adept they are at their craft.

That is why we want to help. I see talent, passion, and drive in you. You have all that in spades. But, I know better than anyone that no one can do it alone. That is why I started the Runaway Academy. To not only excel in Watchpoint arenas as warriors, but to improve the world as people outside of it. I am sending two of my newest graduates to meet with you. They may be “rookies”, but they are two of the best I have ever trained. Please take care of them. My academy and my graduates are my second family. They have asked if you could meet them this Saturday at Club Fuse. I assume you know where that is. I haven’t a clue, all I know is one of them was adamant to go there. 

I sincerely hope you accept this offer. I hope to hear from you soon.

Signed, The Runner”

Saya lowered the letter back down to the counter. Neither her nor Beatrice could formulate anything to say. They were both left to merely stir in a silence that palpably hung in the air Then, with focus still cast downward, Saya’s grip tightened on the letter, crumpling the pristine paper before tossing it aside. 

“What a load of shit,” she said. She pressed her fingers to her temples. Her head pounded, even more so now than when she was in the desert heat. She craved that whiskey even more desperately before.

“Well wait hang on,” Beatrice said, scurrying to recover and unfurl the letter to read it herself. Maybe the answers lied on the page still and they just had to read it one more time. “Runaway Academy…”

“Oh c’mon Bea you can’t seriously believe this! It’s probably just someone having a laugh kicking the ‘weak’ kingdom while they’re down.” Saya made sure to emphasize the air quotes on the word “weak”, even if she was the only person who currently wholeheartedly believed it. “Or worse, it’s a trap set up by Auran or whoever!”

“There’s no way it’s a trap. They wouldn’t pick a crowded nightclub smack in a bustling district of the capital during their busiest hours for a trap. And it seems really elaborate for a hoax, don’t you think? Like what would be the point of making you go to a club if it was just all for nothing?” The bartender spoke softly, gently trying to coax Saya out of her mind running around in paranoia fueled circles. But still, Saya didn’t seem receptive. “Maybe they’re good, maybe you can trust them.”

“Really? Cause I’ve heard things while at the League. I heard that’s where Vangryth got their team from, and those guys are a bunch of bloodthirsty killing machines,” Saya asserted.

“Ok one, I don’t think bloodthirsty part is true. And two, I don’t think somebody who willingly trains brutal killers sends a letter like this, Saya.” Saya groaned and rose from her chair. She had decided she was tired of waiting for her whiskey and decided to walk around the bar to fix it herself. But before she could make it to the booze shelves, Beatrice blocked her path. All she had to do was put her arms out and suddenly Saya felt powerless. Despite being several inches taller and stronger than the Dune Rat’s resident mixologist, she couldn’t move her. She could hardly even meet her soft gaze. The concern from Beatrice’s blue eyes. It hurt Saya.

“You can’t keep going in alone like this. And I can’t keep rescuing you. I know you’re a soldier and all and supposedly you’re prepared for this but-”. Her words trailed off. Her mouth was trying to catch up with her reeling mind. Saya’s crimson eyes were looking away, inadvertently toward the bloody bandage around her arm. As gingerly as humanly possible, Beatrice began undoing the knot that held it together. Saya still winced at the touch. As the wrappings fell to the floor, Beatrice couldn’t help but think how today could’ve gone a lot worse. Any of these days could’ve been worse. It could be worse the next time. “But, if you keep this up, one day you’re not gonna come back. And while you might be ready, the people in your life aren’t.” It was a slight sidestep from what she wanted to originally say: “I’m not.”

“Fine. I’ll go,” Saya said after a long sigh. A comforting hand from Beatrice came to rest on her shoulder, drawing her eye back up from her sand-coated boots. The smile she gave her was genuine yet fleeting, partially because of her uneasiness of the situation, and partially because of what Beatrice had gotten from under the bar with her other hand.

“Thank you. Now let’s get you cleaned up,” Beatrice said, holding a small cloth and a bottle of antiseptic.

“Ah crap,” the marksman said under her breath.

“And while we do that, we can work on getting you an outfit ready for Saturday,” she continued.

“What’s wrong with what I hav-ow!” The burn of antiseptic cut her protest short.

“Hold still!” Beatrice directed, wetting the cloth once more. “Saya, your shawls aren’t exactly fit for clubbing. And besides them all you wear is tactical gear. Last thing you need is to show up looking like the bouncer. Except better armed.”

“I am not looking forward to this,” Saya thought. Now only if she knew what that thought was toward more, this Saturday or the disinfectant irritating her arm.

#writing #writblr #watchpoint #watchpoint league #original story #saya hirashika #beatrice quinn #writeblr

[cranberrybogmummy]

How Crumpy Mcdumpy the III met his best friend the wizard Kevin McNamarra

How Crumpy Mcdumpy the III met his best friend the wizard Kevin McNamarra

The year was 1999 and in Lake Remorse two generations of Crumpy McDumpies had passed on. The first in frustration and the second fell in battle with monsters. However Crumpy McDumpy the 2nd had found himself a wife despite his name, a good woman by the name of Jennifer. She swore while she carried that she would not give her child such a name, however when she held her infant son for the first time and looked at him with all the love in her heart, she knew he was a Crumpy McDumpy.  Lake Remorse was a town where numerous strange, eldritch and paranormal things happened. It was not unusual to see cryptid at the local coffee shop getting an espresso and rains of fish were a regular thing in the forecast. So when Jenn’s husband died fighting monsters, she was able to find a support group for those who had lost their spouses to various supernatural incidents. That’s where she met Lorna McNamarra, a witch who had lost her own husband due to the machinations of a false friend, Nisha (also a witch) and the Lich US Sen Beauregard Garvin (R- Tenn).*

Jenn and Lorna were both about the same age and both had boys who were both about five. One spring afternoon they met in Lakeside park, with their two sons to introduce them. The moms sat on a park bench chatting, while the boys who hadn’t been formally introduced stood together.

Kevin was a brown haired grubby-chubby boy and Crumpy was a brown haired grubby boy. Crumpy looked at his feet and frowned. Kevin was humming to himself. He held out a sticky hand:

“I’m Kevin, we’re gonna be friends, let’s play trucks.”

Kevin produced four small toy trucks from his pocket.

“‘kay,” Crumpy said. He didn’t know Kevin but would like a friend and liked playing with trucks.

He shook Kevin’s hand and they went to the nearby sandbox (within sight of their moms) to play with the trucks. Kevin was good at playing trucks, he made good truck noises. He had the red one and the yellow one. He let Crumpy play with the green one and the yellow one.

“You magic too?” Kevin asked. “Me and Mom are magic, Dad found out, he left cuz Auntie Nisha hid a soul egg at our house that was Senator Garvin’s and he hurt Dad until Mommy stopped it. Then Dad left.”

“I’m not magic. Grampy says our line was cursed by a God,” Crumpy said. “And Dad died fighting big mean butter monsters, cuz a magic baker owed the god an order of eclairs, if we do enough things for the god we’ll be able to not be cursed.”

“Oh,” Kevin said. “That’s sad.”

“Yeah,” Crumpy said.

“Was it the Cuppin’ Cakes bakery?” asked Kevin.

“Yep, Mom says the baker went crazy cuz of too much magic and not enough money,” Crumpy said and moved his truck.

“What’s the curse?” Kevin asked.

“It’s our name, every firs’ born son gets the same name: Crumpy McDumpy and you can’t change it.” Crumpy sighed.

That’s when Luke Fredricks, a known bully, heard the name and started laughing.

“That’s a stupid name,” He chuckled. “And you’re dumb, and your dad is dumb and dead.”

He was seven, skinny, pointy, and mean.

“You can’t say that, Crumpy is my friend!” Kevin exclaimed.

“I can say what I want to you babies, what ya gonna do?” Luke challenged.

Crumpy ran up and tried to kick Luke, but Luke was bigger and slippery and Crumpy fell down crying. He threw sand at Crumpy and punched him.

Kevin tried to get involved but Luke knocked him over.

“Mom says I’m not allowed to set people on fire anymore,” Kevin growled. “So I’m not gonna.”

“My Dad wasn’t dumb!” Crumpy yelled. “He was a hero, he fought monsters!”

He charged Luke. Luke knocked him over and sat on him. Kevin had grabbed a stick and was drawing in the sand.

“What you doing, dum-dum?” Luke asked.

“I can’t set you on fire but… I can summon ants!” Kevin said. He’d drawn a sigil in the sandbox.

“Ha, that’s dumb, there aren’t any…” Luke began. “OW!”

He sprang off Crumpy as the ants crawled over him biting him with their pointy-pointy mandibles, big ants, small ants, all ants in the general area began to swarm Luke like a picnic.

Kevin and Crumpy laughed, until Mrs. McNamarra, alerted by the screams, came over and grabbed Kevin by the arm.

“Kevin! What did you do to that poor boy!” she yelled.

“I didn’t set him on fire, OW!” Kevin said as his arm was pulled.

“Crumpy, is everything alright?” asked Crumpy’s Mom.

Crumpy explained hurriedly.

Mrs. McNamarra sighed and let Kevin go.

“Kevin, stopping a bully is good, but you can’t use magic to punish people,” she scolded. “Call off the ants.”

Luke was on the ground itching and screaming as his Dad attempted to swat the ants off his son.

“Fine,” Kevin grunted. He made a banishing gesture and the ants swarmed away.

She was smiling a bit. “C’mon Jenn let’s go back to my place, we can have lunch, grab a drink and the boys can play.”

Jenn shook her head: “Alright, sure.”

“Can we have popsicles?” Asked Kevin.

“Yeah sure  but remember to share with Crumpy and the familiars.” Mrs. McNamarra said.

“Awww, ok,” Kevin sighed.

So they left for Lorna’s green bungalow with its small backyard and wards on the door, where they had ham sandwiches with a delightful pasta salad on the side. The women had wine and the boys kool-aid. Crumpy didn’t know it at the time but Kevin would be his friend for the rest of their lives. 

* This Senator had served for as long as anyone could recall and it wasn’t common knowledge that this very old man was in fact nothing more than a moldering evil magic skeleton, not just a regular old man. Everyone expects Lichs to wear cloaks, and speak like Christoper Lee, not white linen suits and sound like Foghorn Leghorn.

#writing #my writing #humor #crumpy mcdumpy #fantasy