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#after we have visited china beach and there was this one moment where i looked out the window across the street
thelostjournals · 1 year
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Today I said goodbye
Today I said goodbye.
When I was a hungry child on the city streets, and later, when we traveled Europe and Madame made me do seance after seance, I used to wake up exhausted and in pain every day. I would get up when screamed at, and go through the day, every second another drop of hopelessness.
This isn't the case anymore. Now when I wake up feeling unwell, I can tend to myself and that's what I planned to do today. After making sure the beacon would shine for the next few hours, taking my pill, treating the wound with the ointment, and eating a good breakfast, I went to the shore with a book and a jug of mint tea.
I decided to finish Hans's tales. I had no wish of pretending I was happy or comforting myself. I yearned for sad stories that would match my sadness, for salt in the wind to match salt in my tears.
There is a tree sitting on a small cliff on the northern side of the island, and I sat under it for a good hour before a seagull landed on a branch above my head and screamed, startling me and making me drop the book into the ocean.
I cursed and run to the beach, hoping that the book would wash ashore, but when I stopped on the wet sand, unsure what to do, the waves left something else at my feet.
It's a shining, bronze disc, the size of the palm of my hand, pleasantly heavy. I think it's a pendant or a scientific instrument. It was done with great care and has beautiful, intricate engravings on it. I decided to take a look at it back at the observatory, especially since my shoes and skirt were wet from the seawater.
I can't open it. I used to be good with locks, but this is either broken beyond repair or way more complicated than anything I saw. Or maybe I just need more time. After all, I was interrupted.
I saw the light in the fog two hours before sunset I think, and went to the pier.
It was beautiful to witness Nathaniel's boat emerging from the mist, lean, sleek, noiseless. It smells of wax and grease, and, as with all his inventions has a lot of beautifully made gears. Two of the masts are in odd places, and the sails have strange, beautiful writings on them. Nathaniel says the doesn't know that alphabet, he woke up one night having painted the letters on the silk he brought from China.
I watched it in awe for a good while, and in the end, it was Nathaniel who greeted me. And then proceeded to ask if I would go on that boat with him.
I didn't understand at first and it took him a moment to explain to me that he decided to heed the call that we had both heard since we were children the call that was the foundation of our friendship. That he was asking if I was also willing to answer it.
Without a lighthouse keeper people will die at the sea, I told him. He entrusted me with this lighthouse, with this service. I had a responsibility. A storm is coming.
"Someone will replace you", Nathaniel said. There are strange lands to be visited, there are mysteries and songs and sights that only we can see.
There are also sailors trusting that a beacon will warn them of dangers.
And Maria.
Dead unlover. Living friend. Countless souls believing in someone keeping the light.
I asked Nathaniel to wait and went back to the lighthouse.
I took out the carapace. Sweetened it with honey and my own blood.
I took the morphine pill, so I didn't know if it worked up until the carapace flared with silver light.
I went to the beacon, kissed Maria's new cage goodbye, and placed it between the beacon's mirrors.
We left the island half a night ago, but I still see the pulsing light.
At dawn, a storm will come.
I didn't plan for the Keeper to leave, before the storm, but when I read the prompt I knew that she needed to go on that boat.
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I didn't plan for the Keeper to leave, before the storm, but when I read the prompt I knew that she needed to go on that boat.
I have a lot of thoughts - on this game on where to go next, on what I'm getting out of this writing, on what this game gave me, but they're still in flux. I'll probably try to catch them in a future post (I might have already started writing it).
For now - the Keeper leaves. There will be one more entry, the one about the storm, and then another adventure begins.
This unexpectedly lyrical journey is my playthrough of You Are a Beacon, which you can find here: https://radiantfracture.itch.io/you-are-a-beacon.
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preathtimeline · 4 years
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Mobile Preath Timeline
It’s here, and it’s a lot.
The following is originally from skatertobin's blog:
Ok so here’s what we think went down:
2015
August to I wanna say November? They get close during the victory tour, Chris being the only other person aside from Alex to be invited to Tobin’s 100th cap dinner and all and them sharing a seat at the White House. Basic stuff.
December Christen tags along with Tobin on her Hawaii strolls (especially since both Cheney and ARod aren’t around for the Hawaii game). Wander around Waikiki Beach and hang out with Friends with Flowers in their hair and other fun things like that. Maybe Christen watches Tobin surf at some point and maybe Tobin teaches her how as well. 👀 Idk. But I’m positive swimming happens in cute bikinis because I mean.... it’s Hawaii!! 🙄 They they fly to NOLA for the last VT game. And Press is probs like “hey so where ya staying at after this (the China game)?” like while they’re walking along Bourbon Street where the Leather Jacket™ makes its first appearance. Then tobs is probs like “maybe Portland?” Then Chris is all “well that’s just a state away from where I’m headed wanna crash for a bit?” Then tobs, being the homeless little shit that she is, is maybe like “sweet can we go to the beach” then Christen is all “literally everyday” and then done deal. That’s that. So from there they take the same flight to LA from the NOLA airport. Why? Who knows but tbh Tobs maybe (definitely) stays in PV with Pressy and maybe (definitely) is the reason why Christen’s late to that boat parade at Newport with ARod and Whit cos you know... busy being a good host and such. But then it’s the holidays so we know Tobs would go home to her fam in the east coast for Christmas like the good daughter she’s supposed to be so she does, but she goes right back to LA to maaaaaybe celebrate Chris’ birthday. Boop. And you know since she’s already there they’re probably like, “why not spend New Year’s Eve together and train together at the TOCA center while we’re at it???” Like it’s the most obvious thing because I mean maybe they realize they’d be playing more together with Christen nally being close to a starting spot. Hawink!!!! Work on their chemistry as the kids call it because ya know... First Touch Is Everything™.
2016
January So maybe Tobs flies back to spend New Years with fam again because Chris can’t have her forever. But also maybe not because that would have been very convinient since they get called in to camp in Cali shortly after. But I mean you know, who knows. But wtvr. So there they spend a lot of time together like going to the beach together and getting coffee together and entering and exiting the locker rooms and US soccer vans together. You know. Fun stuff. Then the SD game happens and then they all fly to their respective homes but Tobin doesn’t have a home remember so she invites Press to go to Portland with her and they hold hands at the airport while Press is wearing the Purple Hat™ and maybe they go to the Nike HQ together and go furniture shopping and then they have dinner at a fancy restaurant and Tobs shows Chris around her soon to be new home like a local. Then they fly back to LA because beastmode soccer is a thing and they wanna train and be beasts. And then in between they share sunsets together and play with Morena and Khaleesi and Tobin is snookums.
February It’s Olympic Qualifiers in Texas and well what do you know??? The little shits score a goal together, and then steal the van keys so they can go out on Valentine’s Day. There’s a monkey stuffed toy involved and I hate my life basically because @ god, why. 🔥 They go back to LA together after celebrating their Olympic qualifying win to watch the Arsenal vs Barça game in Santa Monica and have sushi together and also crash the u16 camp. Then they go back to PV and Fly Away™ because All We Need Is Love™. Also because christen has a fUCKING BODY ISSUE PHOTOSHOOT that they’re tOTALLY NOT SUBTLE ABOUT. Ok maybe they’re totally subtle. Kind of.
March They go into the SheBelieves Cup in Florida and go Raw Juicin’ and jewelry shopping because that’s what gal pals do obviously. Chris probs tags along when Tobin hangs out with her French friends and they fly back together to NJ to meet Christen’s fam (who would have thought?!) and to NYC to Find Neverland. And then I mean imagine the goodbye for when they go their separate ways for the NWSL preseason and if you’re wondering how they’d cope, the answer is: Not well.
April They meet again for the Orlando camp and they all gotta be lowkey and concentrate on the training but then the OCSC vs PTFC game happens and they’re not so slick and get accidentally recorded and Tobin’s like 🙅🙅🙅... So they train in Orlando and Colorado and win in Connecticut and Philly vs Colombia and then they play chess in between and have coffee. Turns out they’re new bus buddies too now Allie’s in camp. And maybe (definitely), Jill Ellis is a fangirl and ships the little shits together because suddenly Press is a right middy and Tobs is a right back. If not for the sole purpose of Foudy saying on live television that Tobin would be watching Christen’s ass the entire game, basically. Anyway. CAPTAIN Tobs gets some winking action caught on camera and we’re all just gone. Adios. Goodbye.
May NWSL starts back up and we’re all excited but also sad because preath but they’re fine and we’re being dramatic but not as dramatic as them because apparently they desperately miss one another??????.... So like, when Chicago plays in Seattle the same weekend Portland plays at home, what else would Tobs do right? Would she drive four hours to watch the game? The answer is yes. But why right???? WHYYYYY???? Because obviously, Press in the west coast means some much needed quality time in Portland i.e. a double date at a fancy vineyard with a view and some tacos.
June The games vs. Japan happen in Denver and happen in Cleveland and that’s apparently not enough for them because Tobin tags along with Press and the Chicago girls to watch the MehNT and the Jumbotron loves them just as much as they do each other. The two part series of a battle of the baes in the CHIvsPOR NWSL games starts in Chicago and ends in Portland so naturally (duh) Press stays in Portland so the little shits could have private training sessions together before flying to Chicago again. Fuckers. (Honestly it’s not practical but thEY INSIST)
July The game vs South Africa happens after which they conveniently skedaddle ahead of everyone else in a separate car because of dinner reservations at yet another fancy restaurant. They both make it to the Olympic 18 and they “celebrate” it by going on a not-so romantic getaway to the ESPYS in LA and then they have dinner with Alex and Allie because like, Press probably (I’m sensing a theme, are you?) gotta have an initiation of sorts because things bout to get serious. 💁 But well Tobin gets an initiation of her own too so they’re even. 😅 But well, Tobin gets They head into camp in KC then win their Olympic send off game against CRC 👀 and fly again to camp in DC with the NJ crew and chill before flying aGAIN for the Olympic Games !!!
August They get to Brazil and have a killer Olympics .............Can you believe the Olympics got cancelled this year?????? Amazing. Anyway. That’s irrelevant. What’s not irrelevant though!!!!!! is them coming back to the states!!!! But instead of going straight home, the little shits get a connecting flight from Chicago (to probably get stuff??) to Portland together to get away from it all. Some good music, good coffee, a little kite flying and some R & R with good company and suddenly all is right in the world again. 👍 NWSL regular season to look forward to.
September So like, the NWSL starts up again right and they go their separate ways and you’d think they’d calm down a bit but BITCH YOU THOUGHT because they secretly meet up again because Press is Tobin’s plus one at her sister’s wedding in Rhode Island and she’s even invited to the rehearsal dinner which is “for immediate family and the bridal party only”. Cyb Press is considered immediate family?????? I can’t TBH. Anyway. That’s only for the weekend though because they gotta get back to their teams to play and try and get berths to the playoffs.... which they boTH DO!! Nice. NT training camp follows and it’s in Columbus so oBVIOUSLY Ms. Portland’s gotta fly in a day early to the east coast to meet up with Captain Chicago & Co. and we find out that Tobin’s tired af and that JJ is a shipper. 😌 Then Columbus happens where we finally get the goal celebration we truly deserve and where the whole stadium empathizes with two college dudes who are like “damn bro, number 12 ain’t straight”. And we can’t forget the regular coffee date . I swear to god it’s an addiction at this point. The game in Georgia isn’t as eventful as the last time we played the Netherlands but I guess it isn’t short of hearteyes. 😍
October So anyway. Can you believe the NWSL gets canceled after the Thorns win the shield???????? This “playoff match” doesn’t actually happen. It’s true. Press just visits Portland to go mermaiding with Tobin. (Euphemism? We may never know) So after then they fly to LA for a Sia concert because they can. But anyway, remember when we thought we got the goal celebration we deserved during that Thailand game? WRONG. Apparently the Swiss have other ideas because we’re all blessed and I’ve never felt more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life in this moment. And we almost get a repeat performance but I mean I guess it’s true lighting doesn’t strike the same place twice. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ̄ or something like that. La Blanquita goes Batista a few days later and Tobin has been established as a pretty useless maid of honor but I mean, she looks cute and her outfit repeater of a plus one (who is yet again invited to the rehearsal dinner!!!!!) looks cute too.
November At this rate is it even still surprising they’re practically living together? Portland Preath gets a part /something/ (because honestly who the fuck is still keeping track? Hint: not me) So Press Painting rainbows in an oversized, expensive ass Pride shirt in Tobin’s Portland kitchen is a thing thanks to Tobin’s (not Kling’s. Gotta make that clear.) very distinguishable floorboards and countertops. And apparently Press is practically a Thorn at this point, too, what with all that ball-kicking and strength training in Providence Park? Yeah. Ikr. Gross. They come to NorCal (to have coffee with a baby for practice) for the first Romania game and CYB they have chemistry on the field????? Like who woulda thunk?!?!?!?!? Also Press gets a hatty because she’s???? good???? at????? soccer????? (Also Christen brings herself sandwiches during games. Tobin doesn’t but CP ain’t selfish. If yanamsayin. Also, they’re literally married. Just thought you’d like to know.) K so anyway, boop boop, ROU part 2 aka the SoCal game becomes the perfect finish to the USWNT calendar year eSPECIALLY for the little shits because not only do we all get Blessed™ with another Preath goal, but basically Preath saves 2016 via great passes, bedroom eyes and hand holding. (PRESS SCORING AND ASSISTING IN EVERY GAME SINCE SWITZERLAND BTW????? Like, thank you, Tobin.) So no more games for the rest of the year, but that will not stop them from doing couple things because!!! They!!!! Are!!!!! Little!!!! Shits!!!!! The zenpups think so too. But anyway! It’s the return of Sunsets and Snookums in LA can you believe!!!!! There’s a romantic museum trip somewhere in the mix and some soccer on the beach too! Chris realizes then that her true passion is to be part of the circus and it’s all because of Circuit Bouldering in Portland (read: their home). Or I guess a second home because looks like Chris finally gets settled into her new house by the beach for a hot minute to enjoy rainbows before jetting off again. ✈
December Right so Grassroot Soccer holds a gala and Christen is the guest of honor also it’s Tobin’s turn to be a plus one (and to a red carpet event at that!) in frEAKING LONDON and they’re both beautiful and I’m dead. I’m also thinking Chris is the one that scored them tickets to the Arsenal game the night before the gala because she is whipped and In LoveTM. Gross. They don’t stop there though because they think they’re sneaky Pete about watching El Clasico with the fam (aka Allie & Bati) BUT NO!!!! You caught muthafuckas! There’s dancing in alleyways and reconnecting with old Spanish friends, too. Gross x 2 Euro trip continues in Sweden and Tobin and Christen literally sit on a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G and it’s all so scenic and romantic. Gross x 3 Well, I didn’t think they’d ever come back from their European bae-cation, but they do and it’s straight to Portland for some Christmas decorating and Tobin wins POTY to make up for this shitty year so they celebrate by getting some coffee and tacos and training - their faves. Duh. It’s kind of a quiet Christmas, celebrating with their own friends and family but I mean, it’s Pressy’s birthday. So they reunite and go hiking in LA and Christen gets a new name. Hi Kristen! 🖐
2017
January After ringing in the New Year with skiing and kisses (probably), Chris spends time in Portland, having shakes and breakfast with the bae. They go back to LA coming out of their own little bubble because it’s January training camp season and I’m having major flashbacks with them riding together to training and being locker room buddies! Their off day is as glorious as we’d expect, with some beach time and fun. (Thanks to JJ for being a shipper.) And we’re also blessed with Allie Long and a Harry Video. After camp, they’ve got a ton of down time so it’s the perfect opportunity to go chilling by their beach house. I say “their” because there’s a stray surfboard lying around and I’m sure as hell it ain’t Christen’s. 💁
February The next camp for SheBelieves isn’t til later on in the month so they fly back to home number 2 aka Portland to chill and be low key, watching Tove Lo on their date night. Tobin has a little photoshoot where she's in all her sweaty glory and itty bitty shorts and Christen flies off on her own for a bit for an appearance then it’s back to Portland for a low key vday. And then camp starts up and it feels like a drought but really, we’ll take what we can get. And what we get are matching backpacks and Harry.
March The SheBelieves Cup starts really well with an Allie IG takeover (which is always gold js) and we’re blessed with cameos of the lovers slash bus buddies!! And we see that age old Preath Connection that we know and love. We even get a possible date night in between!!!! The second game is a doozy but the most important takeaway is that they’re literally married. From the bus to the locker rooms, from the bench all the way to the sidelines. Married. Wives. For life. Fact. Even the Press Pack is supportive. Last game of the tourney and it was a loss. Lol. Anyway. They were trying to be sneaky and we learn that the fams are at the games together to support them. That’s it. Next. There’s a lot of debate about whether or not Tobin calls Christen “babe” because we’re all thirsty but there’s also the thing about helping Chris move to her new Chicago apartment so insert Oprah what’s the truth gif here. And then before the month ends, there’s a perfectly planned preseason tournament in Portland. Right before which Press kidnaps Tobin and escapes to LA for some hula dancing and pineapples, and then brings her back because plus ones at weddings are overrated (not). But the tourney goes on and Tobin’s not playing but she’s enjoying her box in the stands. Meanwhile, Christen just wants to say hi.
April Not much really happens because they’ve suddenly gone 100% stealth mode, with Tobin injured and not able to travel and all, but thanks to a little tweet we see that on NWSL opening day there was still some sort of support aka Tobin watching the Chicago game while on the stands for the Portland home opener. It’s better than nothing right? Oh and when Chicago visits PDX for the 3rd game, Chris gets taken down and Tobin looks away because she probably can’t watch it without going apeshit idk. Same. Anyway, Chris sends smiles towards the box and I guess I’m okay with that.
May “what injury?!” Tobin then says as she boards a flight to Chicago after the Thorns game to bear witness to/be the reason behind the end of the drought (goals & content tbh thank you). Cyb her back died so CRS could rise? Meanwhile to pass the time though Tobs becomes Asst Director for the Thorns youth program and paints for bae. And right after their respective weekend home games, Press ies out to PDX for Tobin’s birthday shebang. Tobin picks her up from the airport and takes her to her party and everything!
June A couple of friendlies abroad happen but since Tobs is injured she’s off the roster but she does some housewarming for Chris til she gets back from practicing on babysitting Cash. So after that, getting back into the swing of things in the NWSL is easy for Chris but unfortunately Tobin still can’t play so the next best thing is staying together in ChiTown to keep the blues away for like.... 2 weeks.
July ...Tobin’s still injured. But at least she has some fresh shoes (and expensive sliders)! And Press spends some time in LA to keep her company at rehab. Some people thought July was gonna be the first month we don’t get any content and Press personally makes sure it isn’t during the Chi vs Orl game on lifetime.
August We have a weird Tournament of Nations and it’s probably because Tobin’s back hasn’t resurrected yet but in the last game in LA, we get a rare sighting of a stud at training so maybe we’ve still got a shot. I mean i guess 2nd place in our own tournament isn’t so bad? Kinda? But whatever. What’s important is the roller blading that happens the days after. And then it’s time for CHIvsPOR. And after that, Tobin’s back in LA hanging out with Chris’ sister and bro-in-law at a bar because you know, they’re close or whatever.
September Ok so it’s been quiet but it’s not because of anything crazy. They’ve just done better at the privacy thing. Good on them you know ? But anyway. They reunite in Colorado and Cincinnati.
October The final regular season match is conveniently in Portland and unfortunately, they end up not playing each other in the semis so Chicago has to book a flight to NC but Chris still makes sure to enjoy her time. So after the uswnt game that Tobs has to sit out, the only time we have proof that Tobin is still alive is the Century 21 event in Arizona. Meanwhile Chris is back home with her pups in LA. But Tobs flies to get in on the puppy love but we only know through her shadow and when they turn into wine moms for a night.
November Fall this year is coming along quite nicely but not as nice as it is in Portland, probably, because there are Trainbows, says Chris! In Canada Chris serves some gross hearteyes despite the fact that Tobin’s been sidelined due to injury. They have the last game of the year in Cali and it kickstarts the swaggin they do together. And then November ends with a bang with them posting about flying to london for a red carpet event!
December Said red carpet event is the annual Grassroot Soccer Gala. (And this time Tobin doesn’t go ghost!) And they just wander around taking good pictures and visiting friends and watching football! Thanks HAO! Thanks Crystal! And then they’re back to being Domestic!Preath canoodling in their LA loft by the beach, chilling and hangin out with friends and being Christmassy and such.
The following is from Preath-Things
December (cont.) Christmas rolls around, and they end up going back to their respective fams, meeting back up in Portland some days later. They spend New Years eve snowboarding and just chilling in the snow with their friends. 👌
2018
January New Years is spent in Portland going sledding, but they eventually head back down to California so Tobin can get her ankle fixed. January camp happens without Tobin. But it's fine because Christen and Tobin spend every other moment together, watching sunsets in the rain and Tobin's having a super duper good recovery. Christen finds a new club in the NWSL, surprise! After the friendly against Denmark, they're back to spending all their time together, holding water bottles and attending conferences.
February Tobin has a new job ! Modelling for the new Mercurials in London, whilst also showing off her piano skills, which Christen's obviously heard before with there being a keyboard and all hanging around at their places. Tobin continues her modelling career in LA because the shoes are orange so of course she would. Christen on the other-hand pays a quick visit to houston then reports to camp. Tobin's still out and not playing soccer because remember she's still trying out her modelling career.
March The SheBelieves Cup happens. Or maybe it doesn't. Debatable, considering Christen is bascially nowhere to be found on the pitch, and there's little evidence of her even being at camp. Tobin's also too busy moving from her modelling career to her acting career to be there and play. The uswnt wins the cup somehow anyway. Christen goes back to Portland after the cup and it's a bit quiet but Tobin and Christen are spending some quality time together so isn't that really all that matters? Another surprise ! Christen doesn't want to be with her new NWSL club. So she's heading to Sweden to relive some good times instead, but not before flying kites with Tobin. Tobin also paints a few things inlcuing a 9 post equality sign because she's just that extra.
April Christen returns to her happy place. 🇸🇪 She signs with Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC and scores goals, lots of them. To the absolute surprise of everyone (read: no one) she's named April player of the month in the Damallsvenskan! Tobin decides to put both her modelling and acting careers on hold in an attempt to try her luck at the soccer thing again. Also, being the supportive gal pals that they are, and separated by an ocean, they get into the habit of liking each others instagram posts every so often.
May There are pool parties, sea dips and visits to Norway for Christen, during all of which she proves she did in fact pack Tobin's entire closet, accessories and style before she left PDX. Still separated by an ocean, not really too much happens, other than each of them continuing to practice the liking option on each others instagram posts.
June It's Pride Month 🌈 and Pride Month Delivers. Tobin is called up to national team camp for the first time since forever because her ankle seems to be a-okay, and Jill remembers Christen exists all of a sudden and also calls her up. Which means the two lovebirds finally get to reunite in Utah after months of being super long distance. This officially kicks off Pride month celebrations across the globe. Tobin feels 'tight' prior to the game and decides not to join in on the first Pride month celebration of the USWNT aka the first game against China, instead opting to chill and watch the game from the stands. After Tobin sees the Utah Royals owner get down on one knee in front of her girl, she decides it's time to remind the world that Christen is her's by posting a selfie with her and her gal pal. Christen seems to like the photo too and decides to also repost it because it's pride month after all and you gotta spread the love or something. And that's not the only thing she seems to like, deciding to swap clothes with her girl for their date to the Cavs game. Chris wears Tobin's Cavs jersey, like the traitor she is because apparently whilst it might be the wrong team, it's the right number (in other words words.. the things you do for love, and to wear something with the #23). Pride month continues to deliver with the second game against China and what better way to celebrate pride month by marking the game as Christen's 100th cap?!! Oh there are better ways, says the universe or something because Christen assists a goal in the first half, Tobin enters the match in the second half, and we are blessed with a pREATH GOALl!!! or alternatively a small game of keepy uppy between the two lovebirds which ends up with a ball at the back of the net and a Preath celebration we deserve, whichever you prefer to call it. Pride camp ends, but not before Chris makes sure to just leave one last mark on her time in Cleveland. After flying off together to Chi town, they go their separate ways and Chris returns to Sweden. But it seems that Pride month has one last piece of magic to make happen, and Christen's caught up in another big tangle of a messy trade within the NWSL, which lands her in Utah. A trade she accepts. She is now officially royalty. A queen. 👑 Soon after Chris arrives at her new club, Tobin takes a quick pit stop there on her way back from Houston, because obviously she gotta help her girl settle in to her new home away from home.
July So it’s the Fourth of July and the new royalty/royals, Chris and Sam decide it’s a great idea to celebrate it by buying food to grill even when neither of them know how to turn on a girl grill! Stuck on how to turn on the offending cooking appliance, Chris uses a lifeline and chooses to phone a (girl)friend. Grill Master Tobin pulls through and saves the day. Not that Christen wants anyone to know that Tobin did (gotta mute those instastories, you know?), but Sam does (thanks Sam!). At the same time, Laura decides to inform the world that Christen lives in Portland (thanks Laura!). The Battle of the Baes returns to Portland for 2018 and it ends with a hug and a kiss drinks back at home. Then it's back to Utah for Chris. The Tournament of Nations happens again and it’s not as weird as the previous year’s (probably because Tobin decides to join in this time around). To prepare for the games, Christen returns home to Portland so the two lovers can visit the Nike HQ, go berry picking and dream about pies. Gotta have that pre-camp preparation and relaxation at home with your SO, you know?! The first game of the tourney is against Japan, and it ends with a W and has Tobin subbing on for Christen. There’s shoulder rubs and hip taps and some airport shenanigans. Remember how Tobin was subbed on for Chris? Chris is subbed on for Tobin in the next game against Australia! It’s now completely apparent that Jill deems having both of them playing at the same time to be just Too Dangerous for opposing teams due to their ridiculous on and off the pitch chemistry. She’s clearly just sparing the opposition from a super embarrassing defeat. Good tactic. Chris’ fam comes to say hi in Connecticut 🖐️
August The tourney continues and there’s some team pictionary bonding prior to their final ToN game against Brazil. The Brazil game ends with a Tobin goal and assist, a win and a trophy, as the uswnt finally win the tourney!!!! Also, at this stage it's questionable whether the two are trying to be sneaky or not anymore with Chris throwing literal heart eyes at Tobin at the start of the game, and Tobin putting her arm around Chris' shoulder at the end. 🤷 After the ToN it’s back to their clubs and it’s a bit quiet, but I mean as to be expected. What’s not expected however is the shenanigans that happen prior to the NT's first Chile game back in Christen’s hometown. It’s CP's 100th cap celebration, and Tobin pOSTS her girl a congratulatory post ??? Picture, profile tag, emojis and all?? If you thought the girl would stop there with her public celebration of her bae's 100th cap celebration, you'd be d e a d w r o n g. Tobito also proudly wears Christen’s name on her back ??? somewhat earlier than anyone's anticipated ??? Chris has her ceremony, and Tobin literally has the proudest smile, which you could probably see from space— and it’s debatable whether a tear escapes her eyes during the ceremony, but who could blame her if one did?? So it’s game time and we finally get the long-awaited Captain Press, and it’s everything we could’ve dreamed of!!!! Truly spectacular. Tobin gifts Christen with a PK, which she perfectly finishes because she’s Chris. But there’s a big commotion and suddenly the goal doesn’t count???? Because the ref is apparently trying to ruin Chris’s day ??? and doesn’t know the rules of soccer like at all??? Tobin won’t hear of it obvs— leading the rest of the team as they storm up towards the ref with wagging fingers and pitchforks at halftime, whilst at the same time the Press Pack is up in arms. But it’s (semi) fine in the end because Chris gets another goal anyway (it's beautiful)— capping off the perfect night and a perfect victory in the most perfect place. ❤️❤️ Talking about perfect, both Chris and Tobs are also the most perfect human beings, donating their jerseys from the game to TWLOHA.
September The second game against Chile only features Tobin, but before and after the game she’s wearing a t-shirt that looks strangely like a Supreme-branded shirt with the letters P R E S S spelled out ?? Anyways it's another victory for the team, and everyone eventually heads back to their clubs for the final week of regular season. Then it's postseason time, and Chris returns to Portland to train alone 👎, whilst Tobs is off training with her club. The Thorns play their semifinal game and get the W, obvs cheered on by Chris in the stands. Weirdly enough though, the NWSL championship game for 2k18 just..... never happens ????? Super strange. (Although if it did, Chris was once again there, cheering her girl on) Anyways the season's over, and another season begins— the offseason (aka the best season) where the love birds stroll the streets of Portland (probably holding hands or something cute) and get ready for camp. Although it looks like they might've received the wrong memo about what kind of camp they had coming up— as they end up in the wilderness of Oregon.. camping? And debatably skinny dipping? Who knows?! Is there actually a bikini strap around Tobs's neck? Who knows?! What we do know is that they only packed one suitcase, Christen's gone granola, and the two eventually head on out of there once they realize they're most definitely at the wrong camp— heading off to NC for the camp they were actually meant to be at.
October It's World Cup Qualifiers time, and Chris and Tobs score some goals, Chris has suddenly grown a dragonfly on her arm, and sometime between their last uswnt game and the qualifiers, the two nerds have created their own little handshake— because Chris wanted in on the whole handshake club (who could blame her tbh). So the uswnt qualify for the world cup (!!!!!), and the love birds go and celebrate by showing off their Spanish 101 knowledge in Mexico, and literally murdering everyone by posting photos from their beach and infinity pool photoshoots ??? Like cool, it's not like we were trying to live or anything, right ?? Nah. Oh yeah they're also not being subtle about the fact they're in literally the same place either. But you know what, subtle schmutle thinks Chris, as she posts a boomerang of Tobs and her at tees + jeans like it's like no big deal you know like, whatever. They head to pdx to stand in the fall leaves and take more photos of each other.
November
So there’s a couple USWNT friendlies abroad which Tobs and Chris don’t join in on due to personal and family commitments (respectively), but it's okay (kinda) because they instead
visit an art museum
together— fitting right in as the works of art that they are. Oh yeah Tobin seems to be the
newest Royals signing
? and she's also number 21. Tobs and Chris have a
New York minute week
— jumping into ball pits and casually posting an instastory of themselves together, because obvs it's nbd. They also spend some quality time around thanksgiving with Tobin's fam.
December
The two head back west and drop by stubhub to give some inspirational pep talk to some young athletes at Nike’s,
Play Like a Pro thing
and also so Pressy can
grand marshal
the PV Christmas lights parade ! They also do some
toca training
,
lab visiting
,
sunset watching, more training/testing and family photo taking
. So they basically spend a whole lotta time together— training and being cute and shit ❤️️❤️. They might've headed to Florida also during this time but no one's 100% sure, and it's all a bit of guesswork and squinting. Whatever the case, they were together during most of month because offseason means, barely leaving the bae's side season, until Christmas that is— where they go their separate ways for a couple days. But then it’s Pressy’s birthday aka Christmas 2.0, so Tobs jets back to the west coast to join in on the celebrations, because obviously the best/most important present is Tobin's presence, duh. So they're finally back together in the west coast for the remaining days of 2018, and they finish the year by watching sunsets off rooftops, and preparing to see in the new year together. 💕
The following is when Preathbar took over.
2019
January It’s 2019! Tobin and Christen ring in the new year much like they ended the last one. They play some beach volleyball, To(es)bin watches some premier league, they continue training, Chris gets lost in LA, makes sure we know she’s feeding Tobin, and finally, they watch the last sunset in LA for two weeks😂 lol. Before the fun of camp can start, they get delayed at the airport AND TOBIN ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGES CHRISTEN’S EXISTENCE. It’s fine. We’re all okay from that. (Also Tobin has some Tibetan prayer beads on?) Christen tells us you can’t mess with her zen and they eventually make it to January Camp in Portugal. Because they can’t live without a sunset, they find some (arguably better) ones on a beach in Portugal. Jan Camp finishes up and as luck would have it the whole team gets delayed this time and Tobin passes the time by playing Mario Kart. The orange and pink Kånken bags make a reappearance and of course, Tobes and Chris are airplane buddies. They arrive in Le Havre, France and everyone is still blissfully ignorant about the future events. Apparently, Tobin took a knock during camp and is held out of the first game on precaution so it is CP vs France. Literally and figuratively. The game against France goes very well, and we’re all so glad THAT game was the one on the weekend. After that *ahem* rough, game it’s time to move on and the team makes their way to Alicante, Spain where Tobes and Chris enjoy a day out and about. Tobin seems to have recovered and gets a start against Spain, CP doesn’t, but after a 0-0 first half, Jill decides to sub her in and SHE SCORES A FREAKING (GAMEWINNING) GOAL. The wives only get to play together for 20ish minutes, but we are treated to plenty of Preath content during and after the game. First, there’s the goal celebration that includes a Tobes head pat and a wink from the one and only Christen Press 😉. At halftime, there’s some hand holding glove holding, but after the game we witnessed a to a PreathTackle™ via Tobin Heath. She’s just so proud of her girl she can hardly contain her emotions (and we can’t either 😭). They return to LA after the madness in Europe just in time to catch a sunrise.
February So very early on into the month, Tobin literally comes out of the blue with her “The Ones” interview while promoting the new Air Jordans, and let me tell you, the photos were anything but chill. The go on a little daytime date 💙 and Christen shows off her many rings. After that, Christen decides to prove that Tobin’s not the only model in the family and hits us with the behind-the-scenes of her photoshoot with localemagazine. Stay tuned until May for our Covergirl. Shortly, our family of models decides to return to their day jobs and attend camp in Tampa, FL for the She Believes Cup. They can’t help but be attached at the hip while they’re there (and we’re not complaining). The team makes their way to Philly and Tobin, Chris, and Ash go on a little stroll where Preath proves, yet again, that they exist in the same universe. USWNT vs Japan is first up and again, Christen comes off the bench and makes an immediate impact with an assist, giving the US the lead. She also gets smacked in the face but its okay because Tobes makes sure to check up on her. We also definitely win the game and don’t waste all that work CP did by letting them tie it up.
March After the performance against Japan, the team sets their sights to England at camp. To celebrate the “SheBelieves spirit” they all wear the name of an inspirational woman of their choosing on their backs. Christen chooses the unproblematic fave of Sojourner Truth and Tobin chooses Doris Burke, who was very moved by the gesture. Before the game, Christen gives Tobin her stick of gum bc CP still isn’t starting. Unfortunately, the team seems to play as if they are the names on their back and tie. AGAIN. Maybe it was just the cold because Tobes and Chris almost miss the plane back to sunny Florida, but after quickly boarding the gayng gets to sit together. With one more game left, it looks almost impossible for the US to win the tournament, and we don’t, but we manage to win our last game 1-0 with a goal by the one and only Tobin Heath. Unfortunately, it’s now Chris’ turn to make sure Tobin is okay after a hard foul. Before we take a break from the USWNT for a little while, the World Cup kits are announced with a plethora of promotion. Tobin and Christen both return to their club teams and Tobin does some more promotion for the Thorn’s new kits and sixstar. Christen returns to LA to play some preseason games with Utah and while she’s there she is reunited with Morena and Khalessi. CP is announced as the honorary falconer for the LAFC game and reminds us that if the animal isn’t a dog, she’s slightly intimidated. Tobin also plays a preseason game for Portland and apparently tears it up, but her time with the Thorns is cut short when they both re-port for camp and are re-united for the April Friendlies.
April Camp slowly starts to wind down as the upcoming friendlies draw closer, but not before some exciting news. LUNA Bar announces that they will cover the World Cup roster bonus pay gap for the entire US Women’s National Team! It is revealed that Christen was one of the “chief architects of the team’s current collective bargaining agreement” and she reminds us how smart and beautiful she is in several different interviews. Then, we are provided with an incredible picture that only confirms that Tobin and Christen are bus buddies (in case we somehow forgot). Press is not only smart and beautiful, but she’s also talented at this game of soccer and helps the team win over Australia in an overly dramatic sort-of way. Tobin notches a goal over Australia, but she doesn’t get any minutes against Belgium. CP, however, plays a full 90 minutes and provides 3 assists off of set pieces!!! Nobody seems to notice though. After two successful friendlies with the National Team, they return to play their first (and last for awhile) games for their NWSL teams. Tobin earns POTY with the Portland Thorns and later, an absolutely wild game is played against Chicago. Meanwhile, Press proves what a class act she is in Utah and notches an assist in her first game and then a goal in the second. Just as they start to settle in, we all sadly realize they have to leave their club teams, even though we STILL don’t have a WC roster, but we do get a bunch of amazing gifs. After her game in Orlando, Christen stays a while in Miami where she shows us her coconuts and does lots of promo before we finally get the announcement we were all patiently waiting for. HuLU hAS LivE spOrTS!
May On the first of the month, Tobes and Chris are spotted at the Hulu Upfronts with several other players, looking as gorgeous as ever. Eventually, after virtually the entire roster being known beforehand, USsoccer drops the 2019 Women’s World Cup Roster and Tobin Heath is going to her third World Cup while Christen Press is going to her second, but they’re doing it together this time. With the announcement of the roster, everyone heads to camp before the last of the send-off series games. (Oh and also there’s an incident with Tobin in a button up and her shoulder but whatever. It’s fine.) Remember that “re-” thing Tobin, Christen, Pinoe, and Kling kept teasing/we thought it was an inside joke? Well, it turns Rɘ-inc is an entire company the ladies are starting and they strive to rɘ-imagine rɘ-invent rɘ-configure, and rɘ-volt (to name a few). They are set to launch June 2017 2019 and we can only hope to be blessed with more photos of Tobin wearing... boxers? The first friendly is played against South Africa, and Tobin and Chris actually get to start together, but still, a preath-goal alluded them the entire game. Do you remember back in February when we saw the behind-the-scenes of CP’s shoot with localemagzine? Well now it’s May and Christen is officially a cover girl and I swear they’re all trying to kill us before the World Cup because no one should be allowed to look that hot, but it's Christen so why are we surprised? The penultimate send-off game against New Zealand goes off with little fan-fare (but the girls do notch goals and/or assists). The team seems to have the weekend off before playing their last game and of course, Tobin and Christen return to Portland and decide to watch the Blazers play the Warriors in the Conference finals. How do we know they were at the game? I mean, other than the fact the CP posted a story on Instagram about Nike making Tobes’ dreams come true you could LITERALLY SEE THEM ON LIVE TV BC THEY HAD SECOND ROW FLOOR SEATS BEHIND THE BENCH. Let’s just say we all suddenly cared a lot about basketball that night. A few days later the USWNT heads to New York, is surprised in time square (where T&C are bus buddies, duh), attends GMA, and has Media Day at Twitter’s headquarters. It was a content overload. We never get a break either because few days after that they play their last send-off series game against Mexico and guess what; Tobin and Christen BOTH SCORE (goals)!!! Most would think that having an afternoon game means that the rest of the day is for relaxing and recovery… well, you’d be wrong. Apparently, it’s time for the launch party of Rɘ-Inc and Christen is wearing a Suit. I repeat a Suit at the party and Tobin is wearing a black dress. They both looked absolutely incredible. Rɘ-inc provides us with a lot of amazing content throughout the month. It’s a quick turn around again and the NT now makes their way to London for their final training before the World Cup starts. It’s also Tobin’s 31st birthday and we all hoped and prayed that Christen would post something for it and luckily, she didn’t disappoint.
June It’s officially World Cup Time, but not before a little camp and because the US plays last there’s still time for them to release their 23 stories even after the tournament has officially started. And since we’ve got the time, ESPN announces that Tobin Heath will be profiled on their next E60 special. Tobin finally opens up about… playing soccer… and also her family. In the end, the whole interview makes us love Aunty To-To even more (if that’s even possible) and the unredacted interviews in a podcast are definitely worth the listen. As the last game of the first round of group stage games commences, the USA finally gets their chance to shine, and in a historic 13-0 win against Thailand, boy do they make a controversial statement. Christen notches an assist after she’s subbed in for Tobin because they would be too powerful together on the field. After a few days of rest (and being caught on a live stream with their arms around each other), they play their next game against Chile and while they don’t win 13-0 (which is mostly because Christen gets denied so many times) 3-0 qualifies them for the round of 16. Next up is Sweden and they win 2-0 where Tobin even scores a goal! (Fifa says it’s an own goal but there are lots of things we don’t like about Fifa). Getting first in the group means Spain is our Round of 16 opponent and after a bit of suffering, and Christen’s 2 whole minutes of play time, we win 2-1. Then, it was time for the most anticipated match of the World Cup. A quarterfinal between the USA and France in Paris. Spoiler Alert: WE WON MOTHERFUCKERS and we even got an adorable hug afterward. Tobin scored ANOTHER GOAL but Fifa is plotting against her and it was called offsides. Now a semifinal versus England awaits.
July So… I don’t even know where to begin with this absolutely crazy month. All I can say is... you’re not ready. Guess what! Christen got the start against England and silenced all her skeptics in the 10th minute when she scored a beautiful header! After falling to the ground in pure emotion, Tobin basically nuzzled her head into Chris’s neck in celebration and it was an absolutely beautiful moment for many reasons. The US went on to win and the final would be the USWNT vs the Netherlands. After waiting a little longer to score than usual, THE UNITED STATES WOMEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WAS BACK TO BACK, 4-TIME, WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! TOBIN HEATH AND CHRISTEN PRESS ARE TWO TIME WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS! Tobin ran straight to Christen after the final whistle because they did it together this time. That’s not all though, during the trophy presentation, in the midst of everyone else’s celebration, Tobin looked and Christen and Christen looked at Tobin and they hugged and basically recreated the iconic photo from 4 years ago and I’M STILL NOT OVER IT AND I WILL NEVER BE AND YOU SHOULDN’T BE EITHER. THEN, after ALL of that, T&C decided to go lay in the confetti together and Christen adorably let Tobin throw confetti all over her and I STILL CAN’T. Not to even MENTION the baby Tobin collected and showed to Chris because they’re so domestic™ before Chris decided to adjust Tobin’s medal because they’re also soft™. The real celebration began afterward in the locker room and a lot of alcohol was consumed, but all Chris was worried about was keeping her hair dry with a little blue towel. The next day, after a transatlantic flight and us wondering how they’re going to survive, the team arrived in New York City and the party's just getting started because the day after that the entire team is a guest on Good Morning America. We’re not done yet because the NEXT morning a ticker tape parade through the Canyon of Heroes awaits them (don’t worry, they were on the same float) before a cross-continental flight to LA just in time for the ESPYS (Tobin is apparently dragged, but it was fun). Tobin looks way too damn good in christen’s her v-neck suit, even though her shoe/sunglasses choice was questionable. Christen blessed us with a yellow v-neck suit and both girls were truly “stuntin” on us. THEN THE DAY WE F U C K I N G DIED!!! I’m not even joking. It started out innocent enough (which it really wasn’t but whatever). Christen posted of photo of JUST them together on the float and captioned it “blissful and grateful”. It was already more than we asked for but THEN she started posting pictures of JUST them at the ESPYS on her story and by this point we were already not OKAY. THEN Tobin decided she wasn’t PLAYING AROUND and posted pictures of JUST them on the red carpet and THEN THAT FUCKING VIDEO. T H E STORY TO END ALL INSTA STORIES. What was the video, you ask? Well, what are the New Chicago Bulls Fire J1s… from Travis Scott? Did you see them? How did she get those they’re not even released yet? Watch at your own risk. Finally, both girls decide to decompress and took mini vacay to Los Cabos because why not, you’re world cup champions, and after re-freshing they both fly home to Portland. Of course, their first game back in the NWSL is against each other because only the most chaotic energy is allowed this month. Christen scores the eventual GOTW but the game ends in a tie. Not to worry though because the next week Tobin notches two beautiful assists in the homecoming game against Houston and Christen produces another beautiful GOTW in a game that Tobin attends wearing while wearing a #23 snapback. They really refuse to be separated for more than a few days. Then, as it turns out, they both head back to Portland proving that Tobin’s excursion to Utah really was extra™ and we can only hope we’ll never come down from this content high.
August Just when we thought we were spoiled by world cup content, the girls decided they’re not done yet and we’re blessed with a TC goal during the first of the Victory Tour games versus Republic of Ireland (foreshadowing: it’s not the first of the month). Christen serves a lovely ball right to Tobin’s head and they were sure to hug adorably in celebration. Before heading back to their clubs, Re-inc hosts an event called ResetTheTable, which is basically a dinner party filled with beautiful people (in body and mind). After returning to Utah Christen scores a brace in a midweek game and helps win another so NWSL rightfully makes her Player of the Week. Then, CP heads to NYC to appear on morning talk shows to educate us about the USWNT lawsuit while looking absolutely stunning. In their last club games before international break, Christen gets another goal, and wins GOTW for the third time, and Tobin’s assists continue to grow (it probably helps that Chris goes to watch her). Their travel has been extra™ this month but it’s what you do for love. Finally, they both head to Philly for camp before playing against Portugal and we get ANOTHER TC GOAL. Christen is getting really good at assisting Tobes.
September The second round of victory tour games conclude at the beginning of the month, but Tobes and Chris are pretty adorable at open training before their second win over Portugal. Oh, Christen gets another assist so her total for 2019 is up to… 11! (that’s the leader of the national team). Then, it’s time for Battle of the Baes 2.0 and this time Christen comes out on top. Tobin ends up winning GOTW on week 23… hmm… and the Thorns clinch a playoff spot. Unfortunately, even with Christen’s header, Utah misses out again.
October After celebrating their 2019 Women’s World Cup win one more time, the victory tour games conclude in with a pair of games against South Korea. The first one is pretty uneventful, and so is the second (except for the sendoff). Tobin and Chris return to their clubs to play their last nwsl games of the season and the Thorns move on to the postseason. They face Chicago first and find themselves out of the championship game. However, Chris doesn’t seem to mind and makes her way to Portland pretty soon after. Something with re-inc seems to be brewing, but the end of the month marks the beginning of the offseason (after they play two friendlies in November, of course).
November The girls report to camp for the final time this year and everyone seems to be ready for the end of quite an incredible year but also new beginnings with a new coach. Christen and Tobin get a start against Sweden and Christen records another assist and her 50TH INTERNATIONAL GOAL!!! (Tobin may or may not fall to her knees again but that’s not important). Then, we get a TC hug and Tobin gets an assist of her own. Even after playing a game in freezing temperatures they still manage to both look adorably bundled after. The next game is even more fun than the first because Christen scores ANOTHER GOAL and we get ANOTHER TC HUG and to cap it all off we get CAPTAIN TOBIN. That’s right, CAPTAIN TOBIN (we almost got captain Christen but it’s okay). We were just barely coming down from that emotional high when the next night Pinoe brings the entire Gayng to the Glamour Awards. Tobin and Christen had a black and white moment and all I’m saying is they looked the best dressed. Re-inc launched their RWB collection and Tobin was the designer while Christen was a model. Then, Tobin decided to also be a model but in… Africa? That’s right, T and C went to South Africa for Grass Roots Soccer and they also enjoyed a safari or two before heading to London for the GRS Gala. Christen looked absolutely stunning (as always) at the event and there was no doubt that Tobin was there to support her. The holiday season has begun and at the end of the month, the girls went their separate ways to spend Thanksgiving with their families. The break was much needed and I’m sure they’re looking forward to an entire month off.
December Tobin and Christen enjoyed their month off by staying pretty quiet, but they did enjoy a snowy vacation towards the end of the month. Then, it was Christmas time and it seemed like a lot of gifts were from Tobin + Christen. Before CP’s bday could happen, they had to attend the WoSo Royal Wedding. They both looked stunning and it was just an unbelievable night in general. Finally, Christen celebrated her 31st birthday right before the decade came to an end. What a truly amazing year.
2020
January It’s the beginning of a new year and the end of the offseason, but it was still pretty quiet until the very end of the month. January Camp in Florida began in the middle of the month and didn’t stop for the 20 players named to the Olympic Qualifying roster. Obviously Tobin and Christen were and the team relocated to Texas to prepare for their group stage games of Olympic Qualifying. (Also re inc had another reset the table event). Christen started the first game against Haiti and scored a goal in the 2nd minute… talk about starting the year off with a bang. CP was also named the player of the match and she honestly seemed like she was the only one who wasn’t shaking off the rust. Unfortunately, Tobin missed out on the first game due to a slight strain but she was back in action against Panama. She even scored a no-look goal and didn’t think we would notice. Christen also added to her goal total and has now scored in 4 straight games. With two wins in their group, the USWNT has secured their spot in the semifinals and are one step closer to qualifying for the Olympics.
February Olympic Qualifying carried over into February and so did Christen’s goal scoring. CP scored two goals in the USWNT’s last group stage game against Costa Rica. The first goal she scored that game was an absolute banger and was eventually named the goal of the tournament. Also, Christen was named player of the match for the SECOND TIME of the tournament. The goal scoring didn’t stop because she scored another banger against Mexico after jumping on her own rebound. There was no way that ball wasn’t going in the back of the net. After all of this scoring and player of the match wins Christen was rightfully named best player of the entire CONCACAF tournament. She was absolutely glowing with her golden ball trophy before she gave it to her father (who was more than appreciative). Tobin was also feeling generous and gave her first place medal to a fan in the crowd (I guess that’s allowed?). After successfully qualifying for the olympics and remaining reigning CONCACAF champions, everyone had a slight break before training for the She Believes Cup began. Tobin and Christen were named to the roster, but before training could begin the gals had a photoshoot in the brand new olympic kits. I’m not saying Christen decided to debut her new engaygment ring at said photoshoot but I’m not not saying that. (Good job Tobin ;) ) It’s definitely not the offseason anymore and on February 29th, we were all leaping for joy that training camp had resumed in Florida.
March The whole gayng got to be aunties to Cassius in Florida during camp and apparently it was good luck because the USWNT won their first game in the She Believes Cup against England. It was definitely thanks to Christen’s absolute GOLAZO (the only thing she’s allowed to score against England). CHRISTEN PRESS what have you DONE. The USWNT didn’t stop and neither did Christen because in the next gain against Spain she assisted the winning goal in the 86th minute off a free kick. Christen and Tobin BOTH started against Japan and Christen was even at the number nine spot. Brownsuganumba9 lives on. It must’ve been an amazing position for her (who knew) because she scored another GOLAZO against Japan. It chipped the keeper and it was honestly filthy. CHRISTEN PRESS what did you DO. The USWNT won the She Believes Cup, but are still fighting the equal pay lawsuit against ussoccer. During the warm up of the final game of the tournament they all wore jerseys inside out to display the now iconic symbol of four stars with a blank crest. They’re in this together. Just as the USWNT played their last game, the entire world entered a quarantine. Everyone went home and it’s unclear when anyone will return to the field for club or country. However, in the midst of quarantine, there was a Surprise: Snow Storm! and Re-inc launched their posters. It has also allowed CEO Christen and the rest of the Re-inc team to start doing instagram lives in order to interact with fans. We’re in this together.
April This month began like the last one ended, still in quarantine, but that didn’t stop Re-inc from launching their BW capsule collection, but before that an absolutely INCREDIBLE photo was taken and it's pretty much the only major thing that happened this month. Thank you Miss Tobin Heath. However, all of the re-inc founders have been a lot more active on the account (probably because soccer is momentarily paused for right now). Christen found a Stacy plant and remembrance candle along with other plants for the rest of her fam. Tobin and Christen are most definitely quarantining in Portland together and will be for a while.
The following is when superdupergust took over.
May With quarantine still underway, May was all about the social media (which Christen used to flash that engaygement ring a few more times). Tobin took over re-inc's insta for a day, during which she got up surprisingly early, listened to jazz music, and killed us all with her thighs. Had you forgotten that Preath were living together? No? Well, they decided to bless us with a reminder anyway, in the form of a Zoom snippet in which T&C were adorably domestic. Then Christen surprised us with the a super gay picture of Tobin underneath a rainbow, thus winning Tobin Tuesday forever.
June Bigger and more important things were happening in June, but there were a few Preath happenings to note. Christen appeared on sportscenter and proved that she is queen of the nose boop. She was also interviewed on Load Management. Tobin debuted her ugly af new glasses, which sparked The Great Glasses Debate of 2020, and she also modeled the new Thorns kit, even though she won't be playing in it this year. We got lots of artist!Tobin content with the release of proxɘmics, and one photo was Super Extra Gay with the fridge in the background featuring not only gay art by Tobin, but a print out of a love poem Christen had posted on Insta several months before.
July July started off pretty quietly. Christen did another Instagram live - this time with chopra. re-inc teased and released the popsicle drop, but that was pretty much it. Until...THE DAY WE FUCKING DIED, PART TWO. Thanks to newly appointed gay icon Stacy's Pita Chips, we were suddenly inundated with a year's worth of content in a single day. Podcasts, pictures of T&C in the same frame, touching and looking absolutely smitten, videos where they both used terrible Zoom backgrounds to avoid giving the impression that they were in the same apartment...honestly, it was like something from a dream. Go buy some of their slightly overpriced but delicious chips right now, tbh. We owe them one. Alas, much as we would have liked July 16th to go on forever, it had to end. But the month still had one surprise up its sleeve, and it went out with a bang when Tobin decided to casually drop a pic featuring a very large new ring on a Very Important Finger. An engagement ring? A wedding ring? DEFINITELY one or the other, but no conclusive evidence as of yet. Everyone say a prayer for C to drop a pic in August...
August Alas, Christen did not provide any wedding ring evidence, but she did call Tobin her sun (if you squint a little). More cute popsicle pics dropped, and Tobin tried to murder us with her biceps. Christen did us another solid and confirmed herself as an Oregonian - we love to see it! The weeks passed, and it looked like nothing much was going to happen in August, and we were beginning to cry for content. But behold, the gods of football heard us, and we were surprised by unofficial news of T&C being loaned to Manchester United for the season...TOGETHER? Amazing. Incredible. Legendary. (Still waiting on that confirmation, though.)
September Stacy's Pita Chips is the gift that keeps on giving, and their gift this month was the first mentorship session. But it's time to get back to football, because on the tenth, it became official: Tobin and Christen would be finishing out the season at Manchester United...together. Cue screaming as Preath fans around the world suddenly began dreaming dreams of seeing them playing side-by-side once more! But football wasn't the only thing they were getting up to this month. Re-inc continued to be amazing, and teamed up with Michelle Obama and others for when we all vote. Fun side development: USWNT PA revealed that they ship Preath. How, you ask? They rolled out nothing other than a legit Preath shirt. Yes, for real. And they're not the only ones. Bless whatever Preath shipper secretly runs Manchester United's socials, because the content abounded throughout the month.
October Christen and Tobin made their debut for the Red Devils against Brighton & HA, during which Tobin got her first assist for United! Then they walked out barefoot onto the pitch together, like the marrieds they are. On the 7th, they played against Liverpool, then again on the 10th, against the Spurs. But the most exciting moment on the 10th happened just after the game...when Preath met baby Charlie (and Christen couldn't seem to keep her hands off of Tobin). Then came the 18th, vs West Ham, when Preath decided to pull off the Ultimate Football Wives move: they scored their first goals for United in the same game. In the next few days, they did some interviews together. Christen made the most adorable instagram post of all time, ostensibly as a promotion for the new re- source collection.
November November arrived, and the first game of the month was against Arsenal. Alas, neither of them scored, though Tobin did manage to get a nutmeg in under 50 seconds, because of course she did. A few days later, the expansion draft happened, and all hell broke loose when Louisville acquired the rights to both Tobin and Christen. They both stayed quiet about the change, though Tobin did not adhere to these same guidelines when she threw down some some fighting words in an interview about the upcoming Manchester Derby. Christen, meanwhile, monologued about the weather, and we loved her anyway. Then the Derby happened, and Tobin rocketed in an absolute beauty of a goal of the sort that begs to be watched on repeat. Soon, T&C were off to the Netherlands for the first USWNT camp in close to a year. In the showdown featuring the final two teams from the 2019 World Cup, Christen was starting #9, and she notched an assist just before halftime.
December We aren't the only Tobin fans, Barclays reveals when they name Tobin Player of the Month. The refs, however, aren't as convinced, and one gives her a yellow five minutes into extra time during the game versus Reading. That same day, Tobin's jawline alone converts thousands of TikTok users into woso fans (or at least causes them to briefly question their sexuality). Christen isn't playing, due to illness - non-COVID-related, thank goodness - but that doesn't stop her from being nominated for the USWNT 2020 Player of the Year. Three days later, she's doing well enough to be spotted in the stands at the game versus Everton. The game, sadly, ends in a loss, but it clearly serves as some hella good motivation. They emerge from the game versus Bristol City with a 6-1 victory, two of which are Tobin goals. The games are over for the year, but it's never been a better time to be a Preath fan, because in addition to posting several throwback pictures with Tobin on her social media over the month, Christen wishes us all a Merry Christmas (& you're welcome) by posting a picture of her and Tobin together. Interestingly, it's the same tree from Tobin's post earlier in the month. Almost like they're always in the same apartment or something. Crazy!
2021
January Sharing continues to be caring, because in addition to the Christmas tree, they also happen to share a cute lil plant. They're not always inside, though, because they go for a walk in the snow, and Christen makes some bigtime heart eyes. When the first game of the year rolls around, Tobin and Christen are both there, rather than at National Team camp, as when invitations went out, Christen was still sick, and Tobin chose to stay to help United in the January FA Women's Super League fixtures. Things take a turn, however, because Christen is the starting #9 against Chelsea, while Tobin stays on the bench all game, wearing trainers instead of boots. It's announced later that Tobin has an ankle injury, which will keep her off the field for the next 10-12 weeks, taking her out of commission for Manchester United but also ensuring she won't be competing in SheBelieves. Neither of them play in the next game, but on the last day of the month, Christen scores an absolute beauty of a goal against Everton. We can't wait to see what she has in store for February!
February It's February, and you know what that means: She Believes Cup time!! No Tobin, due to injury, but Christen is ready to rock! Things open up with a close game, as the USWNT squeaks by with a 1-0 victory against Canada. Christen scores in the 11th minute of the next game against Brazil and follows it up with an beauty of a goal in the 88th minute in the game against Argentina. With that, the US solidifies their spot as the winners of the 2021 She Believes Cup! Tobin, left behind in Manchester with nothing to do but post orange hearts on Instagram and root for her favorite girl, actually decides to join the UTD podcast and bless us with her smile as she talks about being the oldest person on the Manchester United squad.
March It turns out, Tobin did have some things keeping her busy in February - secret re-inc projects! Tobin reveals her new art, ADA (ADA as in Ada Lovelace, creator of the first computer algorithm, not as in the Americans with Disabilities Act, much to this author's initial confusion), a painting featuring binary code. CP is a proud wifey, as always. On the pitch, United plays against Aston Villa with no TC on the field, but Christen does show up looking all adorable with her beloved hot water bottle in tow. She plays in the following game against Arsenal, as well as the game against West Ham, where she scores a gorgeous goal! Back off the pitch, TC co-gift the world's largest and most expensive stuffed dog for Krashlyn's new baby daughter, Sloane, who dubs them aunties. (Take a moment to recover from the sheer cuteness.) They also *gasp* share a screen when joining in the background of the Equal Pay Day press conference at the White House, which is honestly enough to hold us over until July.
April April starts off with a bang that none of us could possibly have expected: Tobin tells Christen she loves her in a public forum, in the most adorkable way possible, causing a fandom-wide meltdown. Nothing else much happens on the Preath front this month, but this will honestly feed us for a year. With Tobin still working on recovery, Christen goes to national team camp solo, then starts against Sweden (1-1 draw) and France (2-0 USA). Back at Manchester, Christen scores a goal against Tottenham. Meanwhile, re-inc drops the Gamer Collection, and honestly no one besides Christen Press could make sweatpants look this good.
May May continues the quiet streak, but one high point is Christen becoming an ambassador for Goody hair products, which means lots of new pictures to make us (and also Tobin, probably) fall even more in love with her. She also plays her last game with Manchester United against Everton, during which she notches an assist. Once she is back stateside, she gets vaccinated. She also posts an adorable picture with her dogs, whom she has obviously missed, followed by a very LA-themed set of photos (which just might be some great foreshadowing for an event a few months following...). Tobin's radio silence is finally broken at the end of the month when she posts for her birthday, which she spends with her brother.
June June starts out on a Wild note when T&C lowkey get outed in a Pride Month Instagram story from the cake company they used for Tobin's birthday cake. The next day is Christen's sister's wedding, and Tobin is barefoot because of course she is. They add another piece of jewelry to their shared jewelry box. We also have another instance of our favorite Tobographer. Then it's time for soccer, and our favorite couple heads to Texas for camp, followed by the Summer Series. The first game is against Portugal, during which Christen gets her 40th career assist with the national team. Christen and Tobin can't wink or flirt, but they're still adorable. Next up is Jamaica, and Christen gets Woman of the Match. After that is Nigeria, and Christen scores the opening goal! We FINALLY get a look at the Olympics roster, including both T&C. Then, because June still has more to give, Christen takes over the re-inc insta for a day. As the saying goes, but wait, there's more! Christen and Tobin host a party for the reunite re-inc line. They look entirely too cute eating fruit together.
July July begins with the Send-Off Series, a two-game series against Mexico. AND BOY IS GAME ONE A GOOD ONE. Christen scores twice, and Tobin makes her grand return to football with an absolute banger basically two seconds after being subbed in. AND THERE ARE HUGS. SO MANY HUGS. IN THE RAIN. At one point they basically audition for the cover of a Nicholas Sparks novel. Then comes the second game, featuring the most ridiculous ref ever to ref, when an accidental whistle blow that players clearly didn't hear winds up disallowing an absolutely stunning Preath goal. But not to worry! We still win, and Tobin scores for the second game in a row (featuring another hug and an incredibly dorky celebration). (We're still salty, though.) Then it's officially Tokyo time! The 2021 "2020" Olympics begin with a game against Sweden that all of us would just very much like to forget. Next up is The One with All the Offsides Calls New Zealand. Both our gals get an assist, and Christen gets her first ever Olympic goal!! During practice, they're showing off some pretty out of control grounding heart eyes. Then history is made when Tobin and Christen actually post a re-inc video where they're in the same frame. And guess what? The world doesn't implode! The next game is against Australia, which ends in a nil-nil draw. But the important thing is that there's Preath hug, and in certain angles, it looks like a kiss (even though it isn't, alas). Then comes the game against the Netherlands, which is a 2-2 tie that goes to penalties. Christen is up, and every single person in the fandom collectively holds their breath, the 2016 Olympics running through our brains. But she makes it, and the camera immediately cuts to Tobin screaming her head off for her *cough*wife*cough* teammate. The US wins!
August The game against Canada sadly ends in a 0-1 loss. It takes away our chance for gold, but the silver lining (see what I did there?) is that the game is Tobin's 176th cap, officially moving her up to third place for most Olympic appearances in USWNT history. The US still has a chance for the bronze, and they play Australia for it...and emerge victorious! Christen finally has her Olympic medal!! In fact, she strangely seems to have two of them...wonder where she got the second...? The next day, the Olympic Village is the scene of some cute Preath moments, official and unofficial. Then Tobin gets on Instagram and ends the entire fandom with the absolute cutest post ever. The rest of the month is eventful: re-inc drops the Field of Flowers collection. There's a fan sighting in Jersey. And most importantly, CP to LA comes true! Angel City announces Christen as their first signing!
September The signing news doesn't end with Christen, though. Only a few days later, it's announced that Tobin is heading to Arsenal, her lifelong favorite team! LA continues to provide lots of Christen content. Which is nice, because Christen announces she's taking a short break from football to focus on herself. Therefore, Tobin is the only one at camp later in the month. The US plays Paraguay for back-to-back games, and sadly the Paraguayan national team doesn't let this author sneak aboard their plane to see the game in person. Still, the US wins decidedly with a final score of 9-0 on the first night and 8-0 on the second, with one of the goals in Game #1 coming from Tobin. Then Tobin is off to England. Christen also declares she'll be going on a journey...which also strangely happens to lead her to Tobin's first Arsenal game...and her second, where they share a hug after the game, despite not even being on the field together. We love to see it. :')
October In progress
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duvetsandpillows · 3 years
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Lewis Hamilton Fluffy A-Z
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A = Attractive: what do they find attractive about the other?
Your voice. Your accent is the most beautiful thing in the world. He loves listening to you talk and will stay on the phone to you all night just to hear you talk and occasionally singing to yourself.
B = Baby: do they want a family? why/why not?
You had a little baby girl when you and Lewis had started dating. The father had abandonded you and you were worried that Lewis would get scared off but Lewis fell in love with her immediately and vowed to be the best father figure he could to her. You two had discussed having a baby together and found out just before your one year anniversary that you were pregnant.
C = Cuddle: how do they cuddle?
Lewis loves cuddling with you. He's such a busy man that when he has the time to cuddle he will make the most of it. He had the habit of while talking to people he would stand behind you and wrap his arms around your shoudlers, pressing the occasional kiss to the side of your head if you didn't have much to say in the conversation.
D = Dates: what are dates with them like?
Lewis likes to make dates meaninful. They aren't usually extravagant but they are always perfect to you. He loves taking you along to race weekends as much as possible and would always take you out somewhere in every country you visit. Whether it's going out to dinner or a walk across the beach with Roscoe, the two of you enjoyed spending the time you got together.
E = Everything: “you are my ____” (e.g my life, my world…)
You are my flame.
F = Feelings: when did they know they were falling in love?
After your fifth date Lewis drove you home and walked you to your door. You invited him in for a coffee and he happily accepted. The two of you were chatting on the sofa, he looked at you as you spoke about your childhood, a smile growing larger as you spoke. "What is it?" you asked placing your mug on the sidetable. "It's nothing... I just-" He took his hand in yours, placing his other hand atop of yours. "The last few weeks have been amazing and I don't think I ever want to loose you. I wanted to as you if... well if-" You put your other hand ontop of his and smiled. "Is the Lewis Hamilton nervous?" His cheeks began to turn a light shade of pink. "I would love the honour of being your girlfriend."
G = Gentle: are they gentle? If so, how?
Lewis is always gentle with you nut not too gentle. He knows you aren't made of glass and don't like being treated like a china doll. You two liked to play fight together and you've been trying to teach him some Jiu-Jitsu as you'd learnt it growing up but it usually ended up with him giving yp and insiting on you giving a million cuddles.
H = Hand/Hold: how do they like to hold? how do they like to hold hands?
Lewis liked holding your hand in public because he wants everyone to know you are his. He would always give your hand a squeeze and rub his thumb across your hand when there are large crowss of fans around. He knows you struggled a little but with all the attention and were slowly getting used to it and wanting to help you through it.
I = Impression: first impression/s
He first met you in the park. You were walking your dog  and Lewis spotted you standing under a tree as your dog ran acround the playing with a tennis ball you had brought. Roscoe bolted over to your dog, causing Lewis to smile, giving him an excuse to talk to you.
"It's like they've always known of each other." he said flashing a small smile. The two of you chatted for a while and Lewis thought you were the most interesting person he had met. When you said you had to go he made sure to get your number and a couple of days later asked you out on a date.
J = Joker: are they into pulling pranks?
You two aren't much for pranks but were always making each other laugh with jokes or messing about and being silly.
K = Kisses: how do they kiss?
Lewis always gives you the most passionate kisses. If you're in public he dials it back a little but always makes sure his kisses show you how much he loves you. When you're sad he always presses gentle kisses all over you face, it always helped calm you down and it may not fix what was happening you would know that you aren't on your own.
L = Love: who says I love you first?
Both of you. Lewis had brought you along to the Mercedes christmas party and it ended up with the two of you getting pretty drunk. When the taxi dropped you home Lewis carried you up to his apartment saying 'a princess shouldn't have to walk'. Once you took your makeup off and changed into a pair of his boxers and t-shirt you walked into the bedroom to see him sitting on the end of the bed staring at you. He reached out and pulled you towards him so you were sat in his lap. You ran your fingers through his hair as he pressed kisses up your neck until he reached your lips.
"I love you," the two of you said in sync as you pulled away before you both were in a fit of giggles.
M = Memory: their favourite moment together
You'd decided on having a home birth. After the midwife had cleaned your daughter up and passed her back to you Lewis went out the room and came back in with your older daughter. He sat the two of them on the side of the bed and placed her on his leg facing the baby.
"This is your little sister." The two of you watched as she reached out and gently held her hand, staring at her in complete adoration. You passed her over and Lewis helped your daughter hold her, making sure her nack was being supported properly. Tears began to fill your eyes as your daughter whispered 'I love you'. You two couldn't have asked for a more perfect moment.
N = Nickel: do they spoil? do they buy the person they love everything?
Lewis couldn't help but spoiling on you. It wasn't always extravagant gifts but if he would see something that reminded him of you he couldn't help but get it for you. He also couldn't help but spoil your daughters, they had the biggest wardrobes and even did a kids line for his collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger.
O = Orange: what colour reminds them of their other half?
The whole rainbow. You loved colour, your house and wardrobe was vibrant and Lewis loved it. He could look at any colour and it could remind him of you. Seeing bright green trees, a beautiful red dress or a painting of a lake would always bring his toughts back to you and you showed him how to appreciate every colour no matter how 'boring' other people find them.
P = Pet names: what pet names do they use?
Beautiful, sweetheart, my hero
Q = Quaint: what is their favourite non-modern thing?
You loved helping him design clothes. He would always come to you with first drafts and asks for your opinion. You two would sit at the table for hours until half the room is covered in sketches and bits of fabric you had picked up to try and make a prototype.
R = Rainy Day: what do they like to do on a rainy day?
You two like to go out for walks. Letting the dogs run around and play together while your daughters play in puddles. When you get home one of you will wash the dogs off while the other gives your daughters a bath. Then you'll all cuddle up on the sofa watching a movie together, eating a takeaway.  
S = Sad: how do they cheer themselves/each other up
Lewis usually comes to you fairly quickly when he's upset. You have a very level head and would always be able to find the best way to help his situation. If he's feeling down and not too sure why your daughters will give him lots of cuddles and get him to play a game with him. They were his best distraction and would remind him that no matter how tough it is right now his family is there for him and how lucky he is to have all of you.
T = Talking: what do they love to talk about?
You two talk about everything. Human rights and what's happening in the world at the moment and how you can help, race weekends, tv shows your obessed with, world politics. You two loved to have intense discussions about world issues and Lewis loved how passionate you are about them and how badly you want to help. Even when you made some questionable words to another driver whose comments royally pissed you off.
U = Unencumbered: What helps them relax?
Spending time with your daughters. After a race weekend he loved to come home and get engulfed in cuddles. he will always make sure to spend the whole evening with the three of you with no distractions. Having a teddy bear tea party, playing dress up and then winding down with a movie which usually ended up with you all falling asleep on the sofa together.
V = Vaunt: what do they like to show off? What are they proud of?
Lewis isn't one to show off anymore. He likes to keep most of his life private, expecially his daughters. He would post the occasional picture and would bring them along to race weekends but doesn't want them in the spotlight. He mostly just shows off his projects that he's been working on. he would show you off sometimes, although always making sure he has your permission first, he wants everyone to know how lucky he is to have you and how stunning and intelligent you are.
W = Wedding: when, how, where do they propose?
Lewis took all four of you away for your birthday to a small private island so you could have some privacy and enjoy your holiday. One evening you were all sat int he beach, building sandcastles. You were lying on a towel as Lewis and the girls were trying to build a sandcastle resembling the disney land castle (although it was quite wonky). Lewis called you over to come take a proper look, your eldest daughter pulling your arms to speed you up.
"Mummy look in the door we found a surprise!" You knelt down and and reached your arm in, pulling out a small box. You opened it up to reveal a small diamond ring.
"Lewis what-?" You turned around to see him on one knee, daughters either side of him, your eldest flashing the biggest smile in the world, looking as if she was about to burst.
"(Y/N) (Y/L/N) everyday you fill my life with pure joy. Every since we met you've always made sure I have a smile of my face and have always been there for me no matter what. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?" You burst into tears and nodded your head before flinging yourself at him, wrapping your arms around him tight. The two of you shared a passionate kiss and he slid the ring on your finger while your daughters were cheering in the background.  
X = Xylophone: What’s their song?
Run the World - Beyoncé
Y = You’re the ___ to my ___ (e.g the cookies to my milk, the macaroni to my cheese)
You’re the light to my life.
Z = Zebra: if they wanted a pet, what pet would they get?
Lewis obviously has Roscoe and you have your dog too. You wanted to get a cat but it was a work in progress as Lewis said it was a mad house already but he decided to surprise you for christmas with one after the girls hadn't stopped asking him for once since September.
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lovemesomesurveys · 3 years
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Do you take lessons for anything? No.
Has something really heavy ever fallen on you? No, thankfully. 
If you wear makeup, what colors do you usually wear? I haven’t worn any makeup for like 3 years now.
Does your shower have curtains or a glass door/wall? One does, the other has glass sliding doors.
If you have more than one pet, do they ever get jealous of each other? I only have one pet.
Is there a room in your house that you don’t like going in? No.
Do you remember the last question you were asked? What did you answer? “Is there a room in your house that you don’t like going in?” and I said, “No.”
Besides salt and butter, do you put anything on your popcorn? There’s this delicious garlic parm popcorn seasoning one of my local theaters offers that’s really good. You can actually get it at the store, which I have.
Are you lonely? I feel lonely in what I’m going through right now. 
What’s your favorite magazine to read? I haven’t read a magazine in several years.
Do you like pineapple? No.
Have you ever seen fireflies? Yeah.
Have you ever trespassed? No.
Do you tell your parents where you are going? I don’t go anywhere now except for doctor appointments, which my mom takes me to, but back when I had a social life and friends and actually did stuff I always let my family know I was going to be hanging out. It didn’t matter that I was an adult, that’s how my family is with each other. We don’t give a play by play, but it’s just nice to let someone know.
Do you raise your hand or participate in class? Ugh, I hated the classes that required that as part of your grade. 
Do you like visiting the mall? Why or why not? I used to. 
Have you ever purposely hurt an animal? No!
Would you ever see a therapist? Yes. I’m actually supposed to call Monday and finally set something up. 
Are you afraid of heights? Yes.
Are you afraid of the dark? I don’t want to be out and about at night and I have to sleep with my TV on for both light and sound.
Are you a jealous person? I can be. I haven’t felt jealous in quite a long time, though.
When is your birthday? July 28th.
What are you listening to right now? An ASMR video.
Have you ever been caught doing something you weren’t supposed to be doing? Yes.
Are you still friends with someone from kindergarten? I just have Facebook “friends” that I’ve known since kindergarten.
What is the most important thing to you? My loved ones.
Do you like whipped cream? Yeah.
Are you close to your mother? Yes, she’s my best friend.
Are you close to your father? We don’t have the same kind of relationship my mom and I do, but we don’t have a bad one or anything. It’s just different.
Do you walk around bare foot when you're at home? Or do you wear socks? I always have socks on.
Do you like chocolate popsicles? I did as a kid. I haven’t had one in such a long time.
Would you ever be your school’s mascot who wears that costume? No.
Would you rather see the Great Wall of China or Big Ben? Both would be an awesome experience.
Have you ever written a poem? I dabbled with it in my teens. It’s so cringe.
Would you ever be a tornado chaser? Uh, absolutely not. I’d be trying to get as far away as possible.
What is your favorite thing to eat with bbq sauce, if you even like that stuff? I very rarely use BBQ sauce, but it’s good with chicken tenders.
Your parents tell you that this summer, you get to pick the vacation. Where do you plan to go? I wish I could have a relaxing beach getaway. In the perfect scenario we’d be able to rent a beach house and have our own private beach area where I could rent a canopy bed and lie out at the beach. That’s what I need right now.
What do you think is a good theme for a prom? *shrug* My prom was over a decade ago now, I’m not thinking about that stuff.
Have you ever had to do a class in summer school? I had to take a math class in 6th grade because I missed a lot of school due to a long hospital stay after a surgical procedure and then I had to retake a math course once in community college. I also took some summer classes voluntarily as well at community college to speed things up a bit.
Do you get nervous when you go to the doctor? About what? Always. I just expect the worst all the time.
Have you ever been to the rainforest? No.
Have you ever created a website? Just like on those websites like freewebs or whatever it was called back in the day for fansites. It was just website that let you make your own simple websites.
Ever thought about writing a book? Yes.
Have you ever had a dream where you killed someone? No, but I’ve had nightmares where I’m being chased, attacked, and even shot at. 
Do you ever make up stories in your head and wish they come true? I mean, yeah.
Which is worse: stuffy nose or runny nose? Both suck, but a runny nose can really be a nuisance if it’s bad. I’ve had times where I had to stuff a tissue in my nostril cause it was so bad. Not being able to breathe isn’t pleasant either, though...
Which is worse: Sick to your stomach or sore throat? That’s tough cause I have a lot of stomach problems and it’s absolutely awful. I very rarely get sore throats, I don’t even recall the last time, but having it hurt when swallowing is not fun and swallowing is something you continuously do, so it’s not exactly something you can avoid. I also feel like there’s not a whole lot you can do about it either. 
Do you think your last relationship was a disaster? I wouldn’t say a disaster. 
Have you ever solved a Rubik’s Cube? Nope. I’ve never really given it a real try either, I give up quite easily and quickly. 
Who do you think is the easiest to talk to? It’s easier for me to talk to the void in surveys or on Twitter. 
Would you consider yourself to be emo? I’ll always be emo.
Do you have a favourite metal band or do you not like metal? I’m not into metal, but lately the surveys I’ve been taking it’s clear that the creators sure are. It’s likely the same person.
What is your current desktop picture? Alexander Skarsgard.
Thick or thin blanket? I just use a throw blanket.
Who are your favorite bands? Idk man, I haven’t really been into much music lately. <<< Same. I have my favorites that have been my favorites forever and always will be, but I don’t have any new ones or any I’ve discovered recently.
How do you mark through your word search puzzles? I prefer to use a highlighter, but circling with a pen works.
Have you ever sewn something? No.
What did you eat for dinner last night? A Lean Cuisine microwave meal.
Ever been grounded? Yeah.
Have you seen all of the Jaws movies? I haven’t seen any of them.
When was the last time you played cards? (not on the computer) It’s been a few years.
Have you ever drank Cherry Coke? Yeah. That was one of my favorites when I was younger.
Have you ever had a black eye? No.
Have you ever eaten a bug? Never voluntarily, that’s for sure. I don’t want to think about the times I unknowingly have. *shivers*
Do you like pranking people? No.
Did you ever take a cooking class in school? No.
Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Nah. On that day my mom just makes corned beef and cabbage, mostly cause my dad loves it. I don’t care for it, though.
Do you use Skype? No. 
Have you ever participated in local magazine cover girl searches? No.
Have you ever been called a skank/slut because of the way you dress? No.
Is your ex sexually attractive to you still? I haven’t seen him in like 5 years. He doesn’t post photos of himself on social media either so I honestly have no idea what he looks like now.
Describe the most romantic moment you’ve ever had. I don’t feel like it right now.
Have you ever cheated on a test? No.
Have you ever been to couple’s counseling? No.
How often does your employer ask you to work overtime? I don’t have a job.
Did you often read for fun when you were a kid? All the time. I’ve always loved to read.
When was the last time you were scared? I’ve been really stressed and nervous about some health related things.
What’s your favorite song by Rihanna? I like several of her songs. Can you speak binary? No. I know absolutely nothing about that.
Would you rather live somewhere that had hurricanes or tornadoes? Neither, thanks. 
Have you ever had a pet that you disliked? No.
When was the last time you saw hail? It’s been several years, actually. 
What is on your mind right this second: A lot of things.
Have you ever given a nickname to your pet(s)? Uh, yeah. Countless nicknames.
When was the last time you shaved your legs? It’s been awhile. Hair doesn’t really grow there for me, so.
Do you ever try free samples at the store? Not usually, but I have. Especially at Costco.
Do you like boys with long hair? My personal preference is short hair.
Do you like root beer? I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with Root Beer. I used to not like it at all, then I could tolerate it if that’s all there was and I wanted something, and then there have been times where I’ve actually wanted it and enjoyed it, so. *shrug* It was never a first choice, though. 
What is the best fast food place, in your opinion? I’m gonna count Wingstop as fast food. 
Do you have faith in yourself? No. :/
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notinthemaps · 4 years
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Know before you go and what I’ve learned from traveling:
It’s not a race. I was always so bummed about the number of countries I’ve been to compared to other people my age until I understood that the number of places visited is not what traveling is about at all. It’s not important about how many places you’ve been but the depth you’ve explored them. I have been to some beautiful places all around the world that I am insanely grateful for and it’s incredibly toxic to compare my journey to others.
Traveling is an absolute privilege. Before you spew “everyone can travel, it can be done so cheap!” recognize where you come from. 
Before you book that trip to Haiti or Cambodia to “go build a school” or volunteer at an orphanage, research the hidden harm that is involved with your short term stay. Your good intentions can actually be causing harm within these communities. 
This also accounts for volunteering at animal and wildlife sanctuaries as well. You could unknowingly be volunteering at a place that secretly participated in “canned hunting”. So many sanctuaries have been accused of this in the past and I’m sure they’re still out there. Now, not all places are bad, just make sure your money and time are going towards something that will really help ethical animals and wildlife sanctuaries. This is where it’s important to do your research.
Clean. Get rid of shit. Simplify to the necessities. Pack light. The weight of your luggage is equally proportionate to your misery while traveling. I’ve learned this the hard way. 
You have the power to choose love. Always choose to love.
Stop the exploitation of animals as you travel. Meaning the Luwak cafes in Indonesia where you drink the coffee after the Luwak has digested the coffee beans. Stop swimming with dolphins, participating in lion walks, taking photos next to chained up tigers, riding elephants, camels, and donkeys/mules. These animals are most likely not taken care of very well. There have been times where I have been guilty of giving in to attending these places because they sound great (who doesn’t want a photo with a lion next to you?) but in hindsight, these attractions are most likely incredibly unethical and there’s a lot of physical/emotional harm that is involved with the training the animals.
Reduce your use of plastic abroad. 
Going alone is okay. If we all waited for someone to travel with us, we’d be waiting for a very, very long time. So, please go even if you have no one to go with. There are millions of people all over the world that are just waiting to meet you. Some of them you’ll meet in a hostel room and you’ll end up spending the night walking through the street markets, some of them you’ll meet at a bar and discover new corners of a city you didn’t know existed, some of them you’ll meet sitting on a bench at a bus stop and you’ll end up sharing the best coffee you’ve probably ever had, some of them you’ll meet watching the sunset on the beach and you’ll end up sharing stories and laughing with them until the morning and some of them will end up being your best friends. And sometimes you’re going to be alone and going on tours, to the movies, or to restaurants sounds scary to do by yourself at first but soon enough you’ll learn that it is completely okay to be alone. Solo does not mean lonely.
Don’t say you don’t like anything until you try it more than once.
Save your change.
One of the most reassuring things in this world is that you are never stuck anywhere. You are never unable to leave.
Don’t avoid taking care of your mental health when abroad. Traveling is exhausting and not always rainbows and butterflies. Your mind and body are still important. 
Write about your favorite moments, your least favorite moments, ideas, people you’ve met, strangers you’ve walked past on the street, favorite quotes, words to remember, what the sky looked like at 7pm, new songs you’ve discovered and what they mean to you, places you want to go or places you’ve been, write about your passions, how you feel in this exact moment, draw out the mountains, scribble all over the pages. And when that one gets full, buy a new one. Reread it in 2 years, 20 years, when you need a good laugh, when you’re upset and can’t get out of bed, read it to your children. You need to remember these moments in your life. They are so important.
Spend less time on social media. It’s no secret that social media is addictive and it’s really good at taking away precious moments. It’s important to not be glued to your phone or laptop while abroad. Social media will always be there for you when you get home.
Traveling is overly romanticized. It is very hard work. It does not solve all the problems that you have at home. And traveling is not what it looks like on Instagram. Please don’t feel bad because your experience doesn’t feel the way that it looks like it should on Instagram. 
When you’re eating, really taste your food. Talk to the locals. Immerse yourself fully into this new culture. When you’re out hiking, let go of your phone. This is how you’re going to get the best experience possible. Live in the moment. 
Take photos. It is physically impossible to remember all these moments in your life. Someday down the road, maybe when you’re feeling a little depressed or bored, you can grab your camera and scroll through these photos that’ll remind you of some of the best times of your life. Ask permission before you take a photo of someone. Ask permission to post it on social media (if these are your intentions) and let them know 1,000s of people will have access or will be seeing these photos. Remember: kids can never consent. Just don’t take photos in orphanages or schools. It’s really important to be respectful. People are not props.
Usually, no one wants to hear more than a few sentences about your trip when you come home other than your mom. And the references you make months after your trip, “when I was in...” will sometimes result in an eye roll. Shake it off. I know it can be hurtful but it’s best to just keep it to a minimum for your own sanity. 
It’s okay to look like a tourist. Visit the big touristy places and take your picture pushing against the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You’re not better than every other traveler just because you skipped the popular areas. 
Learn the basics of the language before you go. “where’s the bathroom? how are you? what's your name? My name is..” Always remember it’s your fault for not learning the language of the country you're in, it’s never anyone else's fault for not knowing English. Keep the language barrier frustration to a minimum. Hand gestures, a smile, and patience can go a long way!
You’ll probably get sick at some point. Be prepared for it with a little first aid kit! It’s always a good idea to have insurance. 
It’s important to not judge the way in which other people travel. I’ve met people who have planned their travel to the point where they do not participate in any tourist activities and live off one meal a day and then I’ve met people who pay for every excursion in every city they go to. And I find my initial thoughts to be “...but why?” and I eventually snap out of it and realize it’s not my place to judge how people travel. Everyone experiences places in their own unique, meaningful way. And I mean who really cares if someone is traveling the world full time on mom and dad's money? It doesn’t affect you. 
Cheesy souvenirs are never worth it. Collect sea glass, your train tickets, plane tickets, maps, stickers, and coins. Chances are those Colosseum magnets you bought in Rome were really made in China. Support the locals if you’re going to buy souvenirs.
Slow down.
Google the tipping etiquette within the country you’re visiting before you go. Some places it’s rude, some places it’s the only income someone has. Don’t be the person who “didn’t know” when the information is a 5-second google away. 
Jetlag freaking sucks but it happens to all of us.
Be prepared to be uncomfortable and be open-minded. You’ll probably wash your clothes in a bucket or sink, sleep in dirty beds or on airport floors, be forced to eat with your hands even though you’ve never done it or go without toilet paper for weeks at a time! It’s all apart of the journey. 
The world is not as bad and scary as the news makes it out to be.
Nothing will ever go as you expect it to. Plans go out the door. I learned this the hard way. In fact, I am sure every traveler has learned this the hard way. You’ll miss flights, you’ll get flat tires on road trips, you’ll end up spending a lot more money than you expected, you’ll miss buses, you’ll have to run to trains to get to them on time, I promise you’ll have a dead battery when all you want to do is call mom to make you feel better, the hostel you wanted will be full, your dumb airline will lose all your luggage, things will get canceled and you’ll spend many unexpected nights crying but despite all the struggles that traveling brings upon us, it is always worth it. The tears, sore shoulders and blistered feet are always worth it. There’s no point in getting mad that your plan fell through.
We are all going to make mistakes as travelers. We have to become better researchers and better listeners. Ignoring the requests of locals or the cultural differences is absolute ignorance and another example of flaunting your privilege. Just because you are a tourist and contributing to the economy of other countries does not mean it’s okay to be disrespectful and act as you please. However, we’re going to make mistakes and it’s important to not beat yourself up over it. What’s important is how we respond. Don’t be scared to ask questions. 
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fortheheavenssake · 4 years
Text
MM ANON II - 2.
72. July 1
MM ANON ……… Hong gone ………… Melbourne hellbourn……… Britain made a wedding profit ??? …………… 4 th July closed. …………… Independent’s bug. …………Maple Kate forever……… George is upset…………… 🎼follow er of fashion 🎼………………… MM, a legend in her own lunchtime ……………… Wigan bin in ……………………air Bridge of size.
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73. July 2
MM ANON ………OMG your under arrest………… video link………… across the border Scotland ……………surprise George …………… Charlotte leads………… Kate&William on top again ………… MM pathetic and mendacious ………… fakency lies……………… “ nice to be going soon cabbage“………… “ yes , I’m looking forward to a drive around the grounds” ………… “ shooting party’s this year” ……… “ doctors approval Philip “ …………” we’ll bring Sydney “……… “ Ahhh, that reminds me,Sydney!!”……… “Philip, it’s tic toc.”
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74. July 3
MM ANON ………… 0600 hr. ……………… build,build,build, drink ,drink,drink …………… 🎼Braaaaaazil🎼……………… business as unusual …………… speak to the Guinness ………… TSDONY………… Subpoena ad testomonium…… theatre/ no theatre ……………… but not America ………… Lone Ranger……………… Mt, Rushmore ………… a bad day in LA ………… still hiding
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75. July 4
MM ANON ……… formula sprog………… madness will spill………… stupid father………… no she wont’ yes she will……… Nigel’s illegal pint………… Williams cider………… Spain’s pain……………… ahhhhhh, blonde bits …………… 🎼only the lonely🎼……………… for love or MONEY …………… HMTQ ( NENC) ………… with the contempt she deserves …………… it’s all a gamble , Arrrrrr!!
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76. July 8
MM ANON ……… girl up the creek………hostage man. ………… half free meal………… drug exposure …………… …staff redundancy at HMTQ …………… boarding rules …………… most popular royal ……………… mines a cider……… ( where’s pg 💜💜) ……………”it’s Balmoral Philip, but not as we know it) …… out of his Depp-th… “ more 🎼Braziiiiil🎼…………… Spanish flu?? ……… 🎼we’re all going on a summer holiday 🎼
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77. July 9
MM ANON …… HMTQ The long wait ………… BLM Trumps ………… no taxes………… boarding Charlotte 🥳🥳🥳……Boarding George 😱😱😱😱………… open the Jim…………… Brazil el Presidente……… Amber Amber,red……………IOC allow protest? ………… school 😷 masks. ……………cricket lovely cricket ………don’t cruise ………………glee, not today …………… tic-toc down. ……… red crane down.
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78. July 10
MM ANON …THANK EVERYONE WHO ATTEMPTS AND GIVES SUCH CREATIVE ANSWERS. MY CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO YOU ALL. 💜💜💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
79. July 10
MM ANON …… fly high Vera…………… Johnny poo…………… Murray mint Kate…………… now Pneumonia …………… Break cover……………… without merit ……… cover up Boris………… stop and search 😱😱😱…………… open theatre ���………………… “ we want gan gan !! “ …………… “ we can visit Catherine “ …………… “ yes’ before Scotland “…………… “ clandestine William “ ……… “your grandfather will be ecstatic 🤣🤣🤣”
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80. July 11
MM ANON ………… relaxed on zoom…………… Leeds bleeds ………… office no office ………… compulsory …………… Brooklyn!! Yawn. ………… Smith, Will deny …………… “Well” , solve the mystery???…………… STONE cold guilty………… Bollywood in hospital ……………Beach sleep………… Tapes😱😱😱😱………… In secunda Eboracum venit ………… Boo-Hoo !!
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81. July 12
MM ANON ……… keep my sex life private…………… farm infectious …………… we don’t have to wear them…………… elephants virus ……………… sad swim ……………… down and out in LA…………… Burton blocks…………ROYAL BUTLER. ………… Fourteen Times!!!! ……………… Ritchies holiday camp …………ATMs lockdown ……………… electric scooters😱😱😱😱😱………… Kate tops poll
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82. July 13
MM ANON ……… heartbroken …………… musky Amber…… sleepy ice cream………… sad Lake……………… more organ warnings …………… huge slave factory’s ……………… tin foil………” never call your babies…???………………… second safest road ……………Forest Rambo…………………” you go old thing , it’s for the best” …………… “ I may stay!! “ …………… Ken. Palace bubble.
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83. July 14
MM ANON …… NO BAIL……… happy little people ………… gymnast aghast ………… George is not happy ………… a woke joke…………………… masked rats………………… carry on up the Amazon …………… “ so are White People” ……………… a new rash ……… HMTQ Royal zoom…………Black-burnt ……………… cut my card up………… veggies break out………… blame the dog-poo………………up up and Huawei………”
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84. July 15
MM ANON …… Now a “married”abomination ………… girlfriends!! …………… HMTQ,will she , won’t she…………… Kate’s amazing ascension ……………… the feeding machine ………… a future Queen in all but name. …………… “ Yes!! A homogeneous bubble” …………… a sterile palace ………black Colorado ……… sir Tom?? …………… a hush hush holiday. …………… awoke to a scathing review.
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85. July 16
MM ANON …… “ after re-watching the Crown how on Earth did HMTQ accept the DOEs dalliances…………… it’s a miracle she never castrated him……… GBHMTQAOGC
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86. July 16
MM ANON ……… TODAYS RIDDLE IS A TRIBUTE TO OUR GLORIOUS MONARCHY … GBHMTQAOGC. …… Dear anons, take your time , this riddle is not a race …… GOD BLESS THE QUEEN.
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87. July 16
MM ANON …… HMTQ ……… The engagement …… The courtship …… The wedding …… The commonwealth tour……THE CORONATION …… The dalliances of Philip ……Her stoicism……… The children …… The 50/60/70/80/90…………PC/… W&K…… OUR MAGNIFICENT MONARCHY ……… The future legacy. ……… GBHMTQAOGC 🇬🇧
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88. July 17
MM Anon for PG💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
MM ANON ……… DEAR PG. such a magnanimous and eloquent tribute for all anons to enjoy and wonder at your historical recollections and memorable facts. A thousand thanks. A labour of loving and informative joy. My thanks is to say we’re so lucky and blessed to have a PG. …… BRAVA!!
We are indeed! This was such a labor of love, truly wonderful, we are blessed indeed!🙏🏻💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
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89. July 17
MM ANON …… Bea-discreet …………… “ give them a wave Philip, its a wedding “…………… “ I’m looking forward to congratulating the happy couple and sharing a few jokes “ ………… “ No Philip”…………… “ don’t be silly, I won’t say anything ……… “ NO PHILIP!! “ …………” what’s this Philip” ……… “ just a few notes” …………… “ you can’t say this!! ……… “ OK… bloody hell , it’s a joke” …………… “ if you said this , Italy would declare war!!” ……… “ bloody hell !!”
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90. July 20
MM ANON ………… honeymoon Italia…… “hello my old China “…………… more engagements ………… Balmoral cottages ………… secret snaps ( eyes only) ………………”once upon a time “…………T. R. Ah. …………… the green eyed trasher ………… close the beaches …………… a coach full …………… Bea-frugal ……… unknown posie.
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91. July 21
MM ANON … Hello anons , I have a hospital appointment today at 10.00. At the RD&E for tests and an MRI ,Sounds all a bit dramatic, I hope not , things could be better but ……… one day at a time ! I love you all ,dear Skippy,PG , LK …… all you beautiful anons who fill my world with love and humility. I sincerely love you all , acceptance is the answer to ALL my problems. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜much love and hugs. ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
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MM ANON...” in hospital at the moment, RD&E , so I cannot sleep, catheter!! I’ll attempt a riddle to keep myself awake. Much love to all
Oh…poor you! Prayers for you dear MM Anon..we are here for you❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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92. July 22
MM ANON ………7 into 99…………The “wishing well”……… “ I can hear a canary singing “ …………… “ good news MM ANON, it’s not c***er🙏🏻………… By-polar …………… “ what , not the nurses” …………Biker Justice …………… Cor,i bin apologising …………… “ I wish her hell”……………… LA to stay away ……………… kiss and MAKE UP ………………Colonel Cam. ………… scouse rouse.
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93. July 23
MM ANON ……… love life exposed …………… gift of jewellery ……………… it’s all a mask ………………… sister protection ……………… yippee ,Balmoral …………… 15 Bank accounts??……………… return to school??? ……………… “ it’s the theatre Jim, but not as they show it”………… Sending in Federal Troops ……………………Bojo crabs ……………… a strong union 🤣🤣🤣……………… 4 million. …………” are you coming Sydney”………… “indubitably sir”…………… “ stock the cellar!! “ ……… “ your request is my command sir” ………… “ and don’t tell anyone I’m driving the LR.”
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94. July 24
MM ANON ……” since 1948 ,no changes ………… wags wobble………… phone a drone ………… Kim-vorce ……………… masked burger………… flowers for team Johnny ………… bailed out by old Bailey…………… Ban her from the palace ………………… tell all will destroy her……………… K&W&LCG will sunny fly to island???……………” I’ll drive Sydney!! “ ……… “ I’ll walk sir” …………… “ bloody get in”😱😱😱
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95. July 25
MM ANON … … “ SHOWGIRL”…………… “that girl” ………… “ I don’t trust her “……………… quarantine …… “we never consulted the authors”😂😂😂……………”it’s a gym Jim, but not as they row it”………… “coming for a swim”…………… knock em for SIX……………Four!!!…………… “jump Frankie”…………” it’s only to the Glen Sydney “ …………… “ it’s three miles sir” ……… “ get the bloody hamper” ……… “I’ll drive back sir” ………… “ not a bloody chance Sydney” ……… “ then I refuse sir” ……… “get your bloody arse in the LR” … “reluctantly sir “😱😱
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96. July 26
MM ANON ………… BARC-ALONE-A……… no Transport home………on ya bike …………… obesities ………… floating for Vlad…………… Kim-jong-corona ………… Hurriicant ………… Moderna………Daisy down……… dog collar reunion …………………”more than kin and less than kind” ………… “ a three-pounder Sydney,the Gillie can smoke it” ………” Sydney, Sydney ……… SYDNEY???”
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97. July 27
MM ANON:…… arrivals !!…………… HMTQ, “ ego lava manus meas”……………” you bloody talk to them”……………Kate cry’s lies………… lying interview……… O ‘no!! …………… one man and his dog…………… a foggy moggy……… “ let’s go shooting Sydney “………… “ with guns sir” ……… “ lots of bloody guns” ……………” O dear”
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98. July 28
MM ANON …… colourful Cam !!…………… Fast Far-raar-ri blast. …………” let your daughter breathe “…………… A niece wedding …………… Inappropriate funds??………… Bush tragedy ……………… inappropriately shamed royal ………… a pricey disinfect ………… “ you’re a spot on gun Man Sydney!!”………… “ a privilege sir” ……… “ how’s the shoulder?” ……… “ I’ll recover sir “……… “ it’s stopped bleeding “ ……… “ just a flesh wound sir “ ……… “ next week Sydney? ……… “ I hear the Gillie comes highly recommend sir”……… “Ahh, spiffing!! “
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99. July 29
MM ANON………… Peter,Crouch with William ………… 🎼Son in Law🎼…………Facebook , Apple, google …………… 5 friends , Shhhhhh !!!……………… very upset islands………… MM is leaking 🤣🤣………… Refund , Shmeefund.…………Heath-row row!!……… “Why is ones arm in a sling Sydney ??…………… “ I slipped exiting the LR ma’am………” where was Philip ?………… “ sitting in the back ma’am”……” hello old thing, what’ho Sydney “ ……… good afternoon sir”……” Sydney had a hiatus Philip “……… “ O dear, looks sore Sydney “ ……” yes sir”…… “VERY!!”
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100. July 30
MM ANON ( BALMORAL ANON )…… “ who’s this Sydney?” … “ Mr Angiss sir, he’s come to install Netflix “… “ Ahhh, EPIC, what’s your first name?”… “Angus sir “…Ehh !!!, Angus Angiss”…”yes sir “… “ bloody hell, that’s unfortunate “ … “ My mother had a sense of humour sir”… “ bit like me then, what say you Sydney?……………” indubitably sir” …… “ bloody marvellous, The Queen wants to watch Ozark, she loves a bit of the old ultra violence “……… “ right ‘ refreshments Sydney,I’m parched!!”…… “yes sir “
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101. July 31
MM ANON …… Kate being scilly ……… ……… Borix nails down the caughin ………… roving explorer …………… phew! What a scorcher …………… Lions Arm-y…………… climate is a changing …………… ( get well mr, skippy 🌈) ……………beaches,stay away 😱😱………………Peer- pressure ‘ O brother!! …………… tick tick bite!! ……………”doctor, what’s growing on my arm.” …………… Williams conservs film
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preathbar · 5 years
Text
Mobile Preath Timeline
It’s all here, and it’s a lot
Helpful Links: about  navigation  fic recs
THE FOLLOWING IS ORIGINALLY FROM SKATERTOBIN'S BLOG:
Ok so here’s what we think went down:
2015 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUGUST TO I WANNA SAY NOVEMBER? They get close during the victory tour, Chris being the only other person aside from Alex to be invited to Tobin’s 100th cap dinner and all and them sharing a seat at the White House. Basic stuff.
DECEMBER Christen tags along with Tobin on her Hawaii strolls (especially since both Cheney and ARod aren’t around for the Hawaii game). Wander around Waikiki Beach and hang out with Friends with Flowers in their hair and other fun things like that. Maybe Christen watches Tobin surf at some point and maybe Tobin teaches her how as well. 👀 Idk. But I’m positive swimming happens in cute bikinis because I mean.... it’s Hawaii!! 🙄 They they fly to NOLA for the last VT game. And Press is probs like “hey so where ya staying at after this (the China game)?” like while they’re walking along Bourbon Street where the Leather Jacket™ makes its first appearance. Then tobs is probs like “maybe Portland?” Then Chris is all “well that’s just a state away from where I’m headed wanna crash for a bit?” Then tobs, being the homeless little shit that she is, is maybe like “sweet can we go to the beach” then Christen is all “literally everyday” and then done deal. That’s that. So from there they take the same flight to LA from the NOLA airport. Why? Who knows but tbh Tobs maybe (definitely) stays in PV with Pressy and maybe (definitely) is the reason why Christen’s late to that boat parade at Newport with ARod and Whit cos you know... busy being a good host and such. But then it’s the holidays so we know Tobs would go home to her fam in the east coast for Christmas like the good daughter she’s supposed to be so she does, but she goes right back to LA to maaaaaybe celebrate Chris’ birthday. Boop. And you know since she’s already there they’re probably like, “why not spend New Year’s Eve together and train together at the TOCA center while we’re at it???” Like it’s the most obvious thing because I mean maybe they realize they’d be playing more together with Christen nally being close to a starting spot. Hawink!!!! Work on their chemistry as the kids call it because ya know... First Touch Is Everything™.
2016 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JANUARY So maybe Tobs flies back to spend New Years with fam again because Chris can’t have her forever. But also maybe not because that would have been very convinient since they get called in to camp in Cali shortly after. But I mean you know, who knows. But wtvr. So there they spend a lot of time together like going to the beach together and getting coffee together and entering and exiting the locker rooms and US soccer vans together. You know. Fun stuff. Then the SD game happens and then they all fly to their respective homes but Tobin doesn’t have a home remember so she invites Press to go to Portland with her and they hold hands at the airport while Press is wearing the Purple Hat™ and maybe they go to the Nike HQ together and go furniture shopping and then they have dinner at a fancy restaurant and Tobs shows Chris around her soon to be new home like a local. Then they fly back to LA because beastmode soccer is a thing and they wanna train and be beasts. And then in between they share sunsets together and play with Morena and Khaleesi and Tobin is snookums.
FEBRUARY It’s Olympic Qualifiers in Texas and well what do you know??? The little shits score a goal together, and then steal the van keys so they can go out on Valentine’s Day. There’s a monkey stuffed toy involved and I hate my life basically because @ god, why. 🔥 They go back to LA together after celebrating their Olympic qualifying win to watch the Arsenal vs Barça game in Santa Monica and have sushi together and also crash the u16 camp. Then they go back to PV and Fly Away™ because All We Need Is Love™. Also because christen has a fUCKING BODY ISSUE PHOTOSHOOT that they’re tOTALLY NOT SUBTLE ABOUT. Ok maybe they’re totally subtle. Kind of.
MARCH They go into the SheBelieves Cup in Florida and go Raw Juicin’ and jewelry shopping because that’s what gal pals do obviously. Chris probs tags along when Tobin hangs out with her French friends and they fly back together to NJ to meet Christen’s fam (who would have thought?!) and to NYC to Find Neverland. And then I mean imagine the goodbye for when they go their separate ways for the NWSL preseason and if you’re wondering how they’d cope, the answer is: Not well.
APRIL They meet again for the Orlando camp and they all gotta be lowkey and concentrate on the training but then the OCSC vs PTFC game happens and they’re not so slick and get accidentally recordedand Tobin’s like 🙅🙅🙅... So they train in Orlando and Colorado and win in Connecticut and Philly vs Colombia and then they play chess in between and have coffee. Turns out they’re new bus buddies too now Allie’s in camp. And maybe (definitely), Jill Ellis is a fangirl and ships the little shits together because suddenly Press is a right middy and Tobs is a right back. If not for the sole purpose of Foudy saying on live television that Tobin would be watching Christen’s ass the entire game, basically. Anyway. CAPTAIN Tobs gets some winking action caught on camera and we’re all just gone. Adios. Goodbye.
MAY NWSL starts back up and we’re all excited but also sad because preath but they’re fine and we’re being dramatic but not as dramatic as them because apparently they desperately miss one another??????.... So like, when Chicago plays in Seattle the same weekend Portland plays at home, what else would Tobs do right? Would she drive four hours to watch the game? The answer is yes. But why right???? WHYYYYY???? Because obviously, Press in the west coast means some much needed quality time in Portland i.e. a double date at a fancy vineyard with a view and some tacos.
JUNE The games vs. Japan happen in Denver and happen in Cleveland and that’s apparently not enough for them because Tobin tags along with Press and the Chicago girls to watch the MehNT and the Jumbotron loves them just as much as they do each other. The two part series of a battle of the baes in the CHIvsPOR NWSL games starts in Chicago and ends in Portland so naturally (duh) Press stays in Portland so the little shits could have private training sessions together before flying to Chicago again. Fuckers. (Honestly it’s not practical but thEY INSIST)
JULY The game vs South Africa happens after which they conveniently skedaddle ahead of everyone else in a separate car because of dinner reservations at yet another fancy restaurant. They both make it to the Olympic 18 and they “celebrate” it by going on a not-so romantic getaway to the ESPYS in LA and then they have dinner with Alex and Allie because like, Press probably (I’m sensing a theme, are you?) gotta have an initiation of sorts because things bout to get serious. 💁 But well Tobin gets an initiation of her own too so they’re even. 😅 But well, Tobin gets They head into camp in KC then win their Olympic send off game against CRC👀 and fly again to camp in DC with the NJ crew and chill before flying aGAIN for the Olympic Games !!!
AUGUST They get to Brazil and have a killer Olympics .............Can you believe the Olympics got cancelled this year?????? Amazing. Anyway. That’s irrelevant. What’s not irrelevant though!!!!!! is them coming back to the states!!!! But instead of going straight home, the little shits get a connecting flight from Chicago (to probably get stuff??) to Portland together to get away from it all. Some good music, good coffee, a little kite flying and some R & R with good company and suddenly all is right in the world again. 👍 NWSL regular season to look forward to.
SEPTEMBER So like, the NWSL starts up again right and they go their separate ways and you’d think they’d calm down a bit but BITCH YOU THOUGHT because they secretly meet up again because Press is Tobin’s plus one at her sister’s wedding in Rhode Island and she’s even invited to the rehearsal dinner which is “for immediate family and the bridal party only”. Cyb Press is considered immediate family?????? I can’t TBH. Anyway. That’s only for the weekend though because they gotta get back to their teams to play and try and get berths to the playoffs.... which they boTH DO!! Nice. NT training camp follows and it’s in Columbus so oBVIOUSLY Ms. Portland’s gotta fly in a day early to the east coast to meet up with Captain Chicago & Co. and we find out that Tobin’s tired af and that JJ is a shipper. 😌 Then Columbus happens where we finally get the goal celebration we truly deserve and where the whole stadium empathizes with two college dudes who are like “damn bro, number 12 ain’t straight”. And we can’t forget the regular coffee date . I swear to god it’s an addiction at this point. The game in Georgia isn’t as eventful as the last time we played the Netherlands but I guess it isn’t short of hearteyes. 😍
OCTOBER So anyway. Can you believe the NWSL gets canceled after the Thorns win the shield???????? This “playoff match” doesn’t actually happen. It’s true. Press just visits Portland to go mermaidingwith Tobin. (Euphemism? We may never know) So after then they fly to LA for a Sia concert because they can. But anyway, remember when we thought we got the goal celebration we deserved during that Thailand game? WRONG. Apparently the Swiss have other ideas because we’re all blessed and I’ve never felt more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life in this moment. And we almost get a repeat performance but I mean I guess it’s true lighting doesn’t strike the same place twice. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ̄ or something like that. La Blanquita goes Batista a few days later and Tobin has been established as a pretty useless maid of honor but I mean, she looks cute and her outfit repeater of a plus one (who is yet again invited to the rehearsal dinner!!!!!) looks cute too.
NOVEMBER At this rate is it even still surprising they’re practically living together? Portland Preath gets a part /something/ (because honestly who the fuck is still keeping track? Hint: not me) So Press Painting rainbows in an oversized, expensive ass Pride shirt in Tobin’s Portland kitchen is a thing thanks to Tobin’s (not Kling’s. Gotta make that clear.) very distinguishable floorboards and countertops. And apparently Press is practically a Thorn at this point, too, what with all that ball-kicking and strength training in Providence Park? Yeah. Ikr. Gross. They come to NorCal (to have coffee with a baby for practice) for the first Romania game and CYB they have chemistry on the field????? Like who woulda thunk?!?!?!?!? Also Press gets a hatty because she’s???? good???? at????? soccer????? (Also Christen brings herself sandwiches during games. Tobin doesn’t but CP ain’t selfish. If yanamsayin. Also, they’re literally married. Just thought you’d like to know.) K so anyway, boop boop, ROU part 2 aka the SoCal game becomes the perfect finish to the USWNT calendar year eSPECIALLY for the little shits because not only do we all get Blessed™ with another Preath goal, but basically Preath saves 2016 via great passes, bedroom eyes and hand holding. (PRESS SCORING AND ASSISTING IN EVERY GAME SINCE SWITZERLAND BTW????? Like, thank you, Tobin.) So no more games for the rest of the year, but that will not stop them from doing couple things because!!! They!!!! Are!!!!! Little!!!! Shits!!!!! The zenpups think so too. But anyway! It’s the return of Sunsets and Snookums in LA can you believe!!!!! There’s a romantic museum trip somewhere in the mix and some soccer on the beach too! Chris realizes then that her true passion is to be part of the circus and it’s all because of Circuit Bouldering in Portland (read: their home). Or I guess a second home because looks like Chris finally gets settled into her new house by the beach for a hot minute to enjoy rainbows before jetting off again. ✈
DECEMBER Right so Grassroot Soccer holds a gala and Christen is the guest of honor also it’s Tobin’s turn to be a plus one (and to a red carpet event at that!) in frEAKING LONDON and they’re both beautiful and I’m dead. I’m also thinking Chris is the one that scored them tickets to the Arsenal game the night before the gala because she is whipped and In LoveTM. Gross. They don’t stop there though because they think they’re sneaky Pete about watching El Clasicowith the fam (aka Allie & Bati) BUT NO!!!! You caught muthafuckas! There’s dancing in alleyways and reconnecting with old Spanish friends, too. Gross x 2 Euro trip continues in Sweden and Tobin and Christen literally sit on a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G and it’s all so scenic and romantic. Gross x 3 Well, I didn’t think they’d ever come back from their European bae-cation, but they do and it’s straight to Portland for some Christmas decorating and Tobin wins POTY to make up for this shitty year so they celebrate by getting some coffee and tacos and training - their faves. Duh. It’s kind of a quiet Christmas, celebrating with their own friends and family but I mean, it’s Pressy’s birthday. So they reunite and go hiking in LA and Christen gets a new name. Hi Kristen! 🖐
2017 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JANUARY After ringing in the New Year with skiing and kisses (probably), Chris spends time in Portland, having shakes and breakfast with the bae. They go back to LA coming out of their own little bubble because it’s January training camp season and I’m having major flashbacks with them riding together to training and being locker room buddies! Their off day is as glorious as we’d expect, with some beach time and fun. (Thanks to JJ for being a shipper.) And we’re also blessed with Allie Long and a Harry Video. After camp, they’ve got a ton of down time so it’s the perfect opportunity to go chilling by their beach house. I say “their” because there’s a stray surfboard lying around and I’m sure as hell it ain’t Christen’s. 💁
FEBRUARY The next camp for SheBelieves isn’t til later on in the month so they fly back to home number 2 aka Portland to chill and be low key, watching Tove Lo on their date night. Tobin has a little photoshoot where she's in all her sweaty glory and itty bitty shorts and Christen flies off on her own for a bit for an appearance then it’s back to Portland for a low key vday. And then camp starts up and it feels like a drought but really, we’ll take what we can get. And what we get are matching backpacks and Harry.
MARCH The SheBelieves Cup starts really well with an Allie IG takeover (which is always gold js) and we’re blessed with cameos of the lovers slash bus buddies!! And we see that age old Preath Connection that we know and love. We even get a possible date night in between!!!! The second game is a doozy but the most important takeaway is that they’re literally married. From the bus to the locker rooms, from the bench all the way to the sidelines. Married. Wives. For life. Fact. Even the Press Pack is supportive. Last game of the tourney and it was a loss. Lol. Anyway. They were trying to be sneaky and we learn that the fams are at the games together to support them. That’s it. Next. There’s a lot of debate about whether or not Tobin calls Christen “babe” because we’re all thirsty but there’s also the thing about helping Chris move to her new Chicago apartment so insert Oprah what’s the truth gif here. And then before the month ends, there’s a perfectly planned preseason tournament in Portland. Right before which Press kidnaps Tobin and escapes to LA for some hula dancing and pineapples, and then brings her back because plus ones at weddings are overrated (not). But the tourney goes on and Tobin’s not playing but she’s enjoying her box in the stands. Meanwhile, Christen just wants to say hi.
APRIL Not much really happens because they’ve suddenly gone 100% stealth mode, with Tobin injured and not able to travel and all, but thanks to a little tweet we see that on NWSL opening day there was still some sort of support aka Tobin watching the Chicago game while on the stands for the Portland home opener. It’s better than nothing right? Oh and when Chicago visits PDX for the 3rd game, Chris gets taken down and Tobin looks away because she probably can’t watch it without going apeshit idk. Same. Anyway, Chris sends smiles towards the box and I guess I’m okay with that.
MAY “what injury?!” Tobin then says as she boards a flight to Chicago after the Thorns game to bear witness to/be the reason behind the end of the drought (goals & content tbh thank you). Cyb her back died so CRS could rise? Meanwhile to pass the time though Tobs becomes Asst Director for the Thorns youth program and paints for bae. And right after their respective weekend home games, Press ies out to PDX for Tobin’s birthday shebang. Tobin picks her up from the airport and takes her to her party and everything!
JUNE A couple of friendlies abroad happen but since Tobs is injured she’s off the roster but she does somehousewarming for Chris til she gets back from practicing on babysitting Cash. So after that, getting back into the swing of things in the NWSL is easy for Chris but unfortunately Tobin still can’t play so the next best thing is staying together in ChiTown to keep the blues away for like.... 2 weeks.
JULY ...Tobin’s still injured. But at least she has some fresh shoes (and expensive sliders)! And Press spends some time in LA to keep her company at rehab. Some people thought July was gonna be the first month we don’t get any content and Press personally makes sure it isn’t during the Chi vs Orl game on lifetime.
AUGUST We have a weird Tournament of Nations and it’s probably because Tobin’s back hasn’t resurrected yet but in the last game in LA, we get a rare sighting of a stud at training so maybe we’ve still got a shot. I mean I guess 2nd place in our own tournament isn’t so bad? Kinda? But whatever. What’s important is the roller blading that happens the days after. And then it’s time for CHIvsPOR. And after that, Tobin’s back in LA hanging out with Chris’ sister and bro-in-law at a bar because you know, they’re close or whatever.
SEPTEMBER Ok so it’s been quiet but it’s not because of anything crazy. They’ve just done better at the privacy thing. Good on them you know ? But anyway. They reunite in Colorado and Cincinnati.
OCTOBER The final regular season match is conveniently in Portland and unfortunately, they end up not playing each other in the semis so Chicago has to book a flight to NC but Chris still makes sure to enjoy her time. So after the uswnt game that Tobs has to sit out, the only time we have proof that Tobin is still alive is the Century 21 event in Arizona. Meanwhile Chris is back home with her pups in LA. But Tobs flies to get in on the puppy love but we only know through her shadow and when they turn into wine moms for a night.
NOVEMBER Fall this year is coming along quite nicely but not as nice as it is in Portland, probably, because there are Trainbows, says Chris! In Canada Chris serves some gross hearteyes despite the fact that Tobin’s been sidelined due to injury. They have the last game of the year in Cali and it kickstarts the swaggin they do together. And then November ends with a bang with them posting about flying to london for a red carpet event!
DECEMBER Said red carpet event is the annual Grassroot Soccer Gala. (And this time Tobin doesn’t go ghost!) And they just wander around taking good pictures and visiting friends and watching football! Thanks HAO! Thanks Crystal! And then they’re back to being Domestic!Preath canoodling in their LA loft by the beach, chillingand hangin out with friends and being Christmassy and such.
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT FROM SKATERTOBIN'S BLOG. IT'S FROM PREATH-THINGS
DECEMBER (CONT.) Christmas rolls around, and they end up going back to their respective fams, meeting back up in Portland some days later. They spend New Years eve snowboarding and just chilling in the snow with their friends. 👌
2018 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JANUARY New Years is spent in Portland going sledding, but they eventually head back down to California so Tobin can get her ankle fixed. January camp happens without Tobin. But it's fine because Christen and Tobin spend every other moment together, watching sunsets in the rain and Tobin's having a super duper good recovery. Christen finds a new club in the NWSL, surprise! After the friendly against Denmark, they're back to spending all their time together, holding water bottles and attending conferences.
FEBRUARY Tobin has a new job ! Modelling for the new Mercurials in London, whilst also showing off her piano skills, which Christen's obviously heard before with there being a keyboard and all hanging around at their places. Tobin continues her modelling career in LA because the shoes are orange so of course she would. Christen on the other-hand pays a quick visit to houston then reports to camp. Tobin's still out and not playing soccer because remember she's still trying out her modelling career.
MARCH The SheBelieves Cup happens. Or maybe it doesn't. Debatable, considering Christen is bascially nowhere to be found on the pitch, and there's little evidence of her even being at camp. Tobin's also too busy moving from her modelling career to her acting career to be there and play. The uswnt wins the cup somehow anyway. Christen goes back to Portland after the cup and it's a bit quiet but Tobin and Christen are spending some quality time together so isn't that really all that matters? Another surprise ! Christen doesn't want to be with her new NWSL club. So she's heading to Sweden to relive some good times instead, but not before flying kites with Tobin. Tobin also paints a few things inlcuing a 9 post equality sign because she's just that extra.
APRIL Christen returns to her happy place. 🇸🇪 She signs with Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC and scores goals, lots of them. To the absolute surprise of everyone (read: no one) she's named April player of the month in the Damallsvenskan! Tobin decides to put both her modelling and acting careers on hold in an attempt to try her luck at the soccer thing again. Also, being the supportive gal pals that they are, and separated by an ocean, they get into the habit of liking each others instagram posts every so often.
MAY There are pool parties, sea dips and visits to Norway for Christen, during all of which she proves she did in fact pack Tobin's entire closet, accessories and style before she left PDX. Still separated by an ocean, not really too much happens, other than each of them continuing to practice the liking option on each others instagram posts.
JUNE It's Pride Month 🌈 and Pride Month Delivers. Tobin is called up to national team camp for the first time since forever because her ankle seems to be a-okay, and Jill remembers Christen exists all of a sudden and also calls her up. Which means the two lovebirds finally get to reunite in Utah after months of being super long distance. This officially kicks off Pride month celebrations across the globe. Tobin feels 'tight' prior to the game and decides not to join in on the first Pride month celebration of the USWNT aka the first game against China, instead opting to chill and watch the game from the stands. After Tobin sees the Utah Royals owner get down on one knee in front of her girl, she decides it's time to remind the world that Christen is her's by posting a selfie with her and her gal pal. Christen seems to like the photo too and decides to also repost it because it's pride month after all and you gotta spread the love or something. And that's not the only thing she seems to like, deciding to swap clothes with her girl for their date to the Cavs game. Chris wears Tobin's Cavs jersey, like the traitor she is because apparently whilst it might be the wrong team, it's the right number (in other words words.. the things you do for love, and to wear something with the #23). Pride month continues to deliver with the second game against China and what better way to celebrate pride month by marking the game as Christen's 100th cap?!! Oh there are better ways, says the universe or something because Christen assists a goal in the first half, Tobin enters the match in the second half, and we are blessed with a pREATH GOALl!!! or alternatively a small game of keepy uppy between the two lovebirds which ends up with a ball at the back of the net and a Preath celebration we deserve, whichever you prefer to call it. Pride camp ends, but not before Chris makes sure to just leave one last mark on her time in Cleveland. After flying off together to Chi town, they go their separate ways and Chris returns to Sweden. But it seems that Pride month has one last piece of magic to make happen, and Christen's caught up in another big tangle of a messy trade within the NWSL, which lands her in Utah. A trade she accepts. She is now officially royalty. A queen. 👑 Soon after Chris arrives at her new club, Tobin takes a quick pit stop there on her way back from Houston, because obviously she gotta help her girl settle in to her new home away from home.
JULY So it’s the Fourth of July and the new royalty/royals, Chris and Sam decide it’s a great idea to celebrate it by buying food to grill even when neither of them know how to turn on a girl grill! Stuck on how to turn on the offending cooking appliance, Chris uses a lifeline and chooses to phone a (girl)friend. Grill Master Tobin pulls through and saves the day. Not that Christen wants anyone to know that Tobin did (gotta mute those instastories, you know?), but Sam does (thanks Sam!). At the same time, Laura decides to inform the world that Christen lives in Portland (thanks Laura!). The Battle of the Baes returns to Portland for 2018 and it ends with a hug and a kiss drinks back at home. Then it's back to Utah for Chris. The Tournament of Nations happens again and it’s not as weird as the previous year’s (probably because Tobin decides to join in this time around). To prepare for the games, Christen returns home to Portland so the two lovers can visit the Nike HQ, go berry picking and dream about pies. Gotta have that pre-camp preparation and relaxation at home with your SO, you know?! The first game of the tourney is against Japan, and it ends with a W and has Tobin subbing on for Christen. There’s shoulder rubs and hip taps and some airport shenanigans. Remember how Tobin was subbed on for Chris? Chris is subbed on for Tobin in the next game against Australia! It’s now completely apparent that Jill deems having both of them playing at the same time to be just Too Dangerous for opposing teams due to their ridiculous on and off the pitch chemistry. She’s clearly just sparing the opposition from a super embarrassing defeat. Good tactic. Chris’ fam comes to say hi in Connecticut 🖐️
AUGUST The tourney continues and there’s some team pictionary bonding prior to their final ToN game against Brazil. The Brazil game ends with a Tobin goal and assist, a win and a trophy, as the uswnt finally win the tourney!!!! Also, at this stage it's questionable whether the two are trying to be sneaky or not anymore with Chris throwing literal heart eyes at Tobin at the start of the game, and Tobin putting her arm around Chris' shoulder at the end. 🤷 After the ToN it’s back to their clubs and it’s a bit quiet, but I mean as to be expected. What’s not expected however is the shenanigans that happen prior to the NT's first Chile game back in Christen’s hometown. It’s CP's 100th cap celebration, and Tobin pOSTS her girl a congratulatory post ??? Picture, profile tag, emojis and all?? If you thought the girl would stop there with her public celebration of her bae's 100th cap celebration, you'd be d e a d w r o n g. Tobito also proudly wears Christen’s name on her back ??? somewhat earlier than anyone's anticipated ??? Chris has her ceremony, and Tobin literally has the proudest smile, which you could probably see from space— and it’s debatable whether a tear escapes her eyes during the ceremony, but who could blame her if one did?? So it’s game time and we finally get the long-awaited Captain Press, and it’s everything we could’ve dreamed of!!!! Truly spectacular. Tobin gifts Christen with a PK, which she perfectly finishes because she’s Chris. But there’s a big commotion and suddenly the goal doesn’t count???? Because the ref is apparently trying to ruin Chris’s day ??? and doesn’t know the rules of soccer like at all??? Tobin won’t hear of it obvs— leading the rest of the team as they storm up towards the ref with wagging fingers and pitchforks at halftime, whilst at the same time the Press Pack is up in arms. But it’s (semi) fine in the end because Chris gets another goal anyway (it's beautiful)— capping off the perfect night and a perfect victory in the most perfect place. ❤️❤️ Talking about perfect, both Chris and Tobs are also the most perfect human beings, donating their jerseys from the game to TWLOHA.
SEPTEMBER The second game against Chile only features Tobin, but before and after the game she’s wearing a t-shirt that looks strangely like a Supreme-branded shirt with the letters P R E S S spelled out ?? Anyways it's another victory for the team, and everyone eventually heads back to their clubs for the final week of regular season. Then it's postseason time, and Chris returns to Portland to train alone 👎, whilst Tobs is off training with her club. The Thorns play their semifinal game and get the W, obvs cheered on by Chris in the stands. Weirdly enough though, the NWSL championship game for 2k18 just..... never happens ????? Super strange. (Although if it did, Chris was once again there, cheering her girl on) Anyways the season's over, and another season begins— the offseason (aka the best season) where the love birds stroll the streets of Portland (probably holding hands or something cute) and get ready for camp. Although it looks like they might've received the wrong memo about what kind of camp they had coming up— as they end up in the wilderness of Oregon.. camping? And debatably skinny dipping? Who knows?! Is there actually a bikini strap around Tobs's neck? Who knows?! What we do know is that they only packed one suitcase, Christen's gone granola, and the two eventually head on out of there once they realize they're most definitely at the wrong camp— heading off to NC for the camp they were actually meant to be at.
OCTOBER It's World Cup Qualifiers time, and Chris and Tobs score some goals, Chris has suddenly grown a dragonfly on her arm, and sometime between their last uswnt game and the qualifiers, the two nerds have created their own little handshake— because Chris wanted in on the whole handshake club (who could blame her tbh). So the uswnt qualify for the world cup (!!!!!), and the love birds go and celebrate by showing off their Spanish 101 knowledge in Mexico, and literally murdering everyone by posting photos from their beach and infinity pool photoshoots ??? Like cool, it's not like we were trying to live or anything, right ?? Nah. Oh yeah they're also not being subtle about the fact they're in literally the same place either. But you know what, subtle schmutle thinks Chris, as she posts a boomerang of Tobs and her at tees + jeans like it's like no big deal you know like, whatever. They head to pdx to stand in the fall leaves and take more photos of each other.
NOVEMBER                                                                                                        So there’s a couple USWNT friendlies abroad which Tobs and Chris don’t join in on due to personal and family commitments (respectively), but it's okay (kinda) because they instead visit an art museum together— fitting right in as the works of art that they are. Oh yeah Tobin seems to be the newest Royals signing? and she's also number 21. Tobs and Chris have a New York minuteweek— jumping into ball pits and casually posting an instastory of themselves together, because obvs it's nbd. They also spend some quality time around thanksgiving with Tobin's fam.
DECEMBER                                                                                                      The two head back west and drop by stubhub to give some inspirational pep talk to some young athletes at Nike’s, Play Like a Pro thing and also so Pressy can grand marshal the PV Christmas lights parade ! They also do some toca training, lab visiting, sunset watching, more training/testing and family photo taking. So they basically spend a whole lotta time together— training and being cute and shit ❤️️❤️. They might've headed to Florida also during this time but no one's 100% sure, and it's all a bit of guesswork and squinting. Whatever the case, they were together during most of month because offseason means, barely leaving the bae's side season, until Christmas that is— where they go their separate ways for a couple days. But then it’s Pressy’s birthday aka Christmas 2.0, so Tobs jets back to the west coast to join in on the celebrations, because obviously the best/most important present is Tobin's presence, duh. So they're finally back together in the west coast for the remaining days of 2018, and they finish the year by watching sunsets off rooftops, and preparing to see in the new year together. 💕
THE FOLLOWING IS WHEN PREATHBAR (ME) TOOK OVER.
2019  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
JANUARY It’s 2019! Tobin and Christen ring in the new year much like they ended the last one. They play some beach volleyball, To(es)bin watches some premier league, they continue training, Chris gets lost in LA, makes sure we know she’s feeding Tobin, and finally, they watch the last sunset in LAfor two weeks😂 lol. Before the fun of camp can start, they get delayed at the airport AND TOBIN ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGES CHRISTEN’S EXISTENCE. It’s fine. We’re all okay from that. (Also Tobin has some Tibetan prayer beads on?) Christen tells us you can’t mess with her zen and they eventually make it to January Camp in Portugal. Because they can’t live without a sunset, they find some (arguably better) ones on a beach in Portugal. Jan Camp finishes up and as luck would have it the whole team gets delayed this time and Tobin passes the time by playing Mario Kart. The orange and pink Kånken bags make a reappearance and of course, Tobes and Chris are airplane buddies. They arrive in Le Havre, France and everyone is still blissfully ignorant about the future events. Apparently, Tobin took a knock during camp and is held out of the first game on precaution so it is CP vs France. Literally and figuratively. The game against France goes very well, and we’re all so glad THAT game was the one on the weekend. After that *ahem* rough, game it’s time to move on and the team makes their way to Alicante, Spain where Tobes and Chris enjoy a day out and about. Tobin seems to have recovered and gets a start against Spain, CP doesn’t, but after a 0-0 first half, Jill decides to sub her in and SHE SCORES A FREAKING (GAMEWINNING) GOAL. The wives only get to play together for 20ish minutes, but we are treated to plenty of Preath content during and after the game. First, there’s the goal celebration that includes a Tobes head pat and a wink from the one and only Christen Press 😉. At halftime, there’s some hand holding glove holding, but after the game we witnessed a to a PreathTackle™ via Tobin Heath. She’s just so proud of her girl she can hardly contain her emotions (and we can’t either 😭). They return to LA after the madness in Europe just in time to catch a sunrise. 
FEBRUARY So very early on into the month, Tobin literally comes out of the blue with her “The Ones” interview while promoting the new Air Jordans, and let me tell you, the photos were anything but chill. The go on a little daytime date 💙 and Christen shows off her many rings. After that, Christen decides to prove that Tobin’s not the only model in the family and hits us with the behind-the-scenes of her photoshoot with localemagazine. Stay tuned until May for our Covergirl. Shortly, our family of models decides to return to their day jobs and attend camp in Tampa, FL for the She Believes Cup. They can’t help but be attached at the hip while they’re there (and we’re not complaining).  The team makes their way to Philly and Tobin, Chris, and Ash go on a little stroll where Preath proves, yet again, that they exist in the same universe. USWNT vs Japan is first up and again, Christen comes off the bench and makes an immediate impact with an assist, giving the US the lead. She also gets smacked in the face but it's okay because Tobes makes sure to check up on her. We also definitely win the game and don’t waste all that work CP did by letting them tie it up.
MARCH After the performance against Japan, the team sets their sights to England at camp. To celebrate the “SheBelieves spirit” they all wear the name of an inspirational woman of their choosing on their backs. Christen chooses the unproblematic fave of Sojourner Truth and Tobin chooses Doris Burke, who was very moved by the gesture. Before the game, Christen gives Tobin her stick of gum bc CP still isn’t starting. Unfortunately, the team seems to play as if they are the names on their back and tie. AGAIN. Maybe it was just the cold because Tobes and Chris almost miss the plane back to sunny Florida, but after quickly boarding the gayng gets to sit together. With one more game left, it looks almost impossible for the US to win the tournament, AND WE DON’T, but we manage to win our last game 1-0 with a goal by the one and only Tobin Heath. Unfortunately, it’s now Chris’ turn to make sure Tobin is okay after a hard foul. Before we take a break from the USWNT for a little while, the World Cup kits are announced with a plethora of promotion. Tobin and Christen both return to their club teams and Tobin does some more promotion for the Thorn’s new kits and sixstar. Christen returns to LA to play some preseason games with Utah and while she’s there she is reunited with Morena and Khalessi. CP is announced as the honorary falconer for the LAFC game and reminds us that if the animal isn’t a dog, she’s slightly intimidated. Tobin also plays a preseason game for Portland and apparently tears it up, but her time with the Thorns is cut short when they both re-port for camp and are re-united for the April Friendlies.
APRIL Camp slowly starts to wind down as the upcoming friendlies draw closer, but not before some exciting news. LUNA Bar announces on equal payday that they will cover the World Cup roster bonus pay gap for the entire US Women’s National Team! It is revealed that Christen was one of the “chief architects of the team’s current collective bargaining agreement” and she reminds us how smart and beautiful she is in several different interviews. Then, we are provided with an amazing picture that only confirms that Tobin and Christen are bus buddies (in case we somehow forgot). Press is not only smart and beautiful, but she’s also talented at this game of soccer and helps the team win over Australia in an overly dramatic sort-of way. Tobin notches a goal over Australia, but she doesn’t get any minutes against Belgium. CP, however, plays a full 90 minutes and provides 3 assists off of set pieces!!! Nobody seems to notice though. After two successful friendlies with the National Team, they return to play their first (and last for awhile) games for their NWSL teams. Tobin earns POTY with the Portland Thorns and later, an absolutely wild game is played against Chicago. Meanwhile, Press proves what a class act she is in Utah and notches an assist in her first game and then a goal in the second. Just as they start to settle in, we all sadly realize they have to leave their club teams, even though we STILL don’t have a WC roster, but we do get a bunch of amazing gifs. After her game in Orlando, Christen stays a while in Miami where she shows us her coconuts and does lots of promo before we finally get the announcement we were all patiently waiting for. HuLU hAS LivE spOrTS!
MAY On the first of the month, Tobes and Chris are spotted at the Hulu Upfronts with several other soccer players, looking as gorgeous as ever. Eventually, after virtually the entire roster being known beforehand, USsoccer drops the 2019 Women’s World Cup Roster and Tobin Heath is going to her third World Cup while Christen Press is going to her second, but they’re doing it together this time. With the announcement of the roster, everyone heads to camp before the last of the send-off series games. (Oh and also there’s an incident with Tobin in a button up and her shoulder but whatever. It’s fine.) Remember that “re-” thing Tobin, Christen, Pinoe, and Kling kept teasing/we thought it was an inside joke? Well, it turns Rɘ-inc is an entire company the ladies are starting and they strive to rɘ-imagine rɘ-invent rɘ-configure, and rɘ-volt (to name a few). They are set to launch June 2017 2019 and we can only hope to be blessed with more photos of Tobin wearing... boxers? The first friendly is played against South Africa, and Tobin and Chris actually get to start together, but still, a preath-goal alluded them the entire game. Do you remember back in February when we saw the behind-the-scenes of CP’s shoot with localemagzine? Well now it’s May and Christen is officially a cover girl and I swear they’re all trying to kill us before the World Cup because no one should be allowed to look that hot, but it's Christen so why are we surprised? The penultimate send-off game against New Zealand goes off with little fan-fare (but the girls do notch goals and/or assists). The team seems to have the weekend off before playing their last game and of course, Tobin and Christen return to Portland and decide to watch the Blazers play the Warriors in the Conference finals. How do we know they were at the game? I mean, other than the fact the CP posted a story on Instagram about Nike making Tobes’ dreams come true you could LITERALLY SEE THEM ON LIVE TV BC THEY HAD SECOND ROW FLOOR SEATS BEHIND THE BENCH. Let’s just say we all suddenly cared a lot about basketball that night. A few days later the USWNT heads to New York, is surprised in time square (where T&C are bus buddies, duh), attends GMA, and has Media Day at Twitter’s headquarters. It was a content overload. We never get a break either because few days after that they play their last send-off series game against Mexico and guess what; Tobin and Christen BOTH SCORE (goals)!!! Most would think that having an afternoon game means that the rest of the day is for relaxing and recovery… well, you’d be wrong. Apparently, it’s time for the launch party of Rɘ-Inc and Christen is wearing a Suit. I repeat a Suit at the party and Tobin is wearing a black dress. They both looked absolutely incredible. Rɘ-inc provides us with a lot of amazing content throughout the month. It’s a quick turn around again and the NT now makes their way to London for their final training before the World Cup starts. It’s also Tobin’s 31st birthday and we all hoped and prayed that Christen would post something for it and luckily, she didn’t disappoint.
JUNE It’s officially World Cup Time, but not before a little camp and because the US plays last there’s still time for them to release their 23 stories even after the tournament has officially started. And since we’ve got the time, ESPN announces that Tobin Heath will be profiled on their next E60 special. Tobin finally opens up about… playing soccer… and also her family. In the end, the whole interview makes us love Aunty To-To even more (if that’s even possible) and the unredacted interviews in a podcast are definitely worth the listen. As the last game of the first round of group stage games commences, the USA finally gets their chance to shine, and in a historic 13-0 win against Thailand, boy do they make a controversial statement. Christen notches an assist after she’s subbed in for Tobin because they would be too powerful together on the field. After a few days of rest (and being caught on a live stream with their arms around each other), they play their next game against Chile and while they don’t win 13-0 (which is mostly because Christen gets denied so many times) 3-0 qualifies them for the round of 16. Next up is Sweden and they win 2-0 where Tobin even scores a goal! (Fifa says it’s an own goal but there are lots of things we don’t like about Fifa). Getting first in the group means Spain is our Round of 16 opponent and after a bit of suffering, and Christen’s 2 whole minutes of play time, we win 2-1. Then, it was time for the most anticipated match of the World Cup. A quarterfinal between the USA and France in Paris. SPOILER ALERT: WE WON MOTHERFUCKERS and we even got an adorable hug afterward. Tobin scored ANOTHER GOAL but Fifa is plotting against her and it was called offsides. Now a semifinal versus England awaits.
JULY So… I don’t even know where to begin with this absolutely crazy month. All I can say is... you’re not ready. Guess what! Christen got the start against England and silenced all her skeptics in the 10th minute when she scored a beautiful header! After falling to the ground in pure emotion, Tobin basically nuzzled her head into Chris’s neck in celebration and it was an absolutely beautiful moment for many reasons. The US went on to win and the final would be the USWNT vs the Netherlands. After waiting a little longer to score than usual, THE UNITED STATES WOMEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM WAS BACK TO BACK, 4-TIME, WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! TOBIN HEATH AND CHRISTEN PRESS ARE TWO TIME WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS! Tobin ran straight to Christen after the final whistle because they did it together this time. That’s not all though, during the trophy presentation, in the midst of everyone else’s celebration, Tobin looked and Christen and Christen looked at Tobin and they hugged and basically recreated the iconic photo from 4 years ago and I’M STILL NOT OVER IT AND I WILL NEVER BE AND YOU SHOULDN’T BE EITHER. THEN, after ALL of that, T&C decided to go lay in the confetti together and Christen adorably let Tobin throw confetti all over her and I STILL CAN’T. Not to even MENTION the baby Tobin collected and showed to Chris because they’re so domestic™ before Chris decided to adjust Tobin’s medal because they’re also soft™. The real celebration began afterward in the locker room and a lot of alcohol was consumed, but all Chris was worried about was keeping her hair dry with a little blue towel. The next day, after a transatlantic flight and us wondering how they’re going to survive, the team arrived in New York City and the party's just getting started because the day after that the entire team is a guest on Good Morning America. We’re not done yet because the NEXT morning a ticker tape parade through the Canyon of Heroes awaits them (don’t worry, they were on the same float) before a cross-continental flight to LA just in time for the ESPYS (Tobin is apparently dragged, but it was fun). Tobin looks way too damn good in christen’s her v-neck suit, even though her shoe/sunglasses choice was questionable. Christen blessed us with a yellow v-neck suit and both girls were truly “stuntin” on us. THEN THE DAY WE F U C K I N G DIED!!! I’m not even joking. It started out innocent enough (which it really wasn’t but whatever). Christen posted of photo of JUST them together on the float and captioned it “blissful and grateful”. It was already more than we asked for but THEN she started posting pictures of JUST them at the ESPYS on her story and by this point we were already not OKAY. THEN Tobin decided she wasn’t PLAYING AROUND and posted pictures of JUST them on the red carpet and THEN THAT FUCKING VIDEO. T H E STORY TO END ALL INSTA STORIES. What was the video, you ask? Well, what are the New Chicago Bulls Fire J1s… from Travis Scott? Did you see them? How did she get those they’re not even released yet? Watch at your own risk. Finally, both girls decide to decompress and took mini vacay to Los Cabos because why not, you’re world cup champions, and after re-freshing they both fly home to Portland. Of course,their first game back in the NWSL is against each other because only the most chaotic energy is allowed this month. Christen scores the eventual GOTW but the game ends in a tie. Not to worry though because the next week Tobin notches two beautiful assists in the homecoming game against Houston and Christen produces another beautiful GOTW in a game that Tobin attends wearing while wearing a #23 snapback. They really refuse to be separated for more than a few days. Then, as it turns out, they both head back to Portland proving that Tobin’s excursion to Utah really was extra™ and we can only hope we’ll never come down from this content high.
AUGUST Just when we thought we were spoiled by world cup content, the girls decided they’re not done yet and we’re blessed with a TC goal during the first of the Victory Tour games versus Republic of Ireland (foreshadowing: it’s not the first of the month). Christen serves a lovely ball right to Tobin’s head and they were sure to hug adorably in celebration. Before heading back to their clubs, Re-inc hosts an event called ResetTheTable, which is basically a dinner party filled with beautiful people (in body and mind). After returning to Utah Christen scores a brace in a midweek game and helps win another so NWSL rightfully makes her Player of the Week. Then, CP heads to NYC to appear on morning talk shows to educate us about the USWNT lawsuit while looking absolutely stunning. In their last club games before international break, Christen gets another goal, and wins GOTW for the third time, and Tobin’s assists continue to grow (it probably helps that Chris goes to watch her). Their travel has been extra™ this month but it’s what you do for love. Finally, they both head to Philly for campbefore playing against Portugal and we get ANOTHER TC GOAL. Christen is getting really good at assisting Tobes.
SEPTEMBER The second round of victory tour games conclude at the beginning of the month, but Tobes and Chris are pretty adorable at open training before their second win over Portugal. Oh, Christen gets another assist so her total for 2019 is up to… 11! (that’s the leader of the national team). Then, it’s time for Battle of the Baes 2.0 and this time Christen comes out on top. Tobin ends up winning GOTW on week 23… hmm… and the Thorns clinch a playoff spot. Unfortunately, even with Christen’s header, Utah misses out again.
OCTOBER After celebrating their 2019 Women’s World Cup win one more time, the victory tour games conclude in with a pair of games against South Korea. The first one is pretty uneventful, and so is the second (except for the sendoff). Tobin and Chris return to their clubs to play their last nwsl games of the season and the Thorns move on to the postseason. They face Chicago first and find themselves out of the championship game. However, Chris doesn’t seem to mind and makes her way to Portland pretty soon after. Something with re-inc seems to be brewing, but the end of the month marks the beginning of the offseason (after they play two friendlies in November, of course).
NOVEMBER The girls report to camp for the final time this year and everyone seems to be ready for the end of quite an incredible year but also new beginnings with a new coach. Christen and Tobin get a start against Sweden and Christen records another assist and her 50TH INTERNATIONAL GOAL!!! (Tobin may or may not fall to her knees again but that’s not important). Then, we get a TC hug and Tobin gets an assist of her own. Even after playing a game in freezing temperatures they still manage to both look adorably bundled after. The next game is even more fun than the first because Christen scores ANOTHER GOAL and we get ANOTHER TC HUG and to cap it all off we get CAPTAIN TOBIN. That’s right, CAPTAIN TOBIN (we almost got captain Christen but it’s okay). We were just barely coming down from that emotional high when the next night Pinoe brings the entire Gayng to the Glamour Awards. Tobin and Christen had a black and white moment and all I’m saying is they looked the best dressed. Re-inc launched their RWB collection and Tobin was the designer while Christen was a model. Then, Tobin decided to also be a model but in… Africa? That’s right, T and C went to South Africa for Grass Roots Soccer and they also enjoyed a safari or two before heading to London for the GRS Gala. Christen looked absolutely stunning (as always) at the event and there was no doubt that Tobin was there to support her. The holiday season has begun and at the end of the month, the girls went their separate ways to spend Thanksgiving with their families. The break was much needed and I’m sure they’re looking forward to an entire month off.
DECEMBER Tobin and Christen enjoyed their month off by staying pretty quiet, but they did enjoy a snowy vacation towards the end of the month. Then, it was Christmas time and it seemed like a lot of gifts were from Tobin + Christen. Before CP’s bday could happen, they had to attend the WoSo Royal Wedding. They both looked stunning and it was just an unbelievable night in general. Finally, Christen celebrated her 31st birthday right before the decade came to an end. What a truly amazing year.
2020
JANUARY It’s the beginning of a new year and the end of the offseason, but it was still pretty quiet until the very end of the month. January Camp in Florida began in the middle of the month and didn’t stop for the 20 players named to the Olympic Qualifying roster. Obviously Tobin and Christen were and the team relocated to Texas to prepare for their group stage games of Olympic Qualifying.(Also re inc had another reset the table event). Christen started the first game against Haiti and scored a goal in the 2nd minute… talk about starting the year off with a bang. CP was also named the player of the match and she honestly seemed like she was the only one who wasn’t shaking off the rust. Unfortunately, Tobin missed out on the first game due to a slight strain but she was back in action against Panama. She even scored a no-look goal and didn’t think we would notice. Christen also added to her goal total and has now scored in 4 straight games. With two wins in their group the USWNT has secured their spot in the semifinals and are one step closer to qualifying for the Olympics.
FEBRUARY Olympic Qualifying carried over into February and so did Christen’s goal scoring. CP scored two goals in the USWNT’s last group stage game against Costa Rica. The first goal she scored that game was an absolute banger and was eventually named the goal of the tournament. Also, Christen was named player of the match for the SECOND TIME of the tournament. The goal-scoring didn’t stop because she scored another banger against Mexico after jumping on her own rebound. There was no way that ball wasn’t going in the back of the net. After all of this scoring and player of the match wins Christen was rightfully named best player of the entire CONCACAF tournament. She was absolutely glowing with her golden ball trophy before she gave it to her father (who was more than appreciative). Tobin was also feeling generous and gave her first place medal to a fan in the crowd (I guess that’s allowed?). After successfully qualifying for the olympics and remaining reigning CONCACAF champions, everyone had a slight break before training for the She Believes Cup began. Tobin and Christen were named to the roster, but before training could begin the gals had a photoshoot in the brand new olympic kits. I’m not saying Christen decided to debut her new engaygment ring at said photoshoot but I’m not not saying that. (Good job Tobin ;) ) It’s definitely not the offseason anymore and on February 29th, we were all leaping for joy that training camp had resumed in Florida.
MARCH The whole gayng got to be aunties to Cassius in Florida during camp and apparently it was good luck because the USWNT won their first game in the She Believes Cup against England. It was definitely thanks to Christen’s absolute GOLAZO (the only thing she’s allowed to score against England). CHRISTEN PRESS what have you DONE. The USWNT didn’t stop and neither did Christen because in the next gain against Spain she assisted the winning goal in the 86th minute off a free kick. Christen and Tobin BOTH started against Japan and Christen was even at the number nine spot. Brownsuganumba9 lives on. It must’ve been an amazing position for her (who knew) because she scored another GOLAZO against Japan. It chipped the keeper and it was honestly filthy. CHRISTEN PRESS what did you DO. The USWNT won the She Believes Cup, but are still fighting the equal pay lawsuit against ussoccer. During the warm up of the final game of the tournament they all wore jerseys inside out to display the now iconic symbol of four stars with a blank crest. They’re in this together. Just as the USWNT played their last game, the entire world entered a quarantine. Everyone went home and it’s unclear when anyone will return to the field for club or country. However, in the midst of quarantine, there was a Surprise: Snow Storm! and Re-inc launched their posters. It has also allowed CEO Christen and the rest of the Re-inc team to start doing instagram lives in order to interact with fans. We’re in this together.
APRIL This month began like the last one ended, still in quarantine, but that didn’t stop Re-inc from launching their BW capsule collection, but before that an absolutely INCREDIBLE photo was taken and it's pretty much the only major thing that happened this month. Thank you Miss Tobin Heath. However, all of the re-inc founders have been a lot more active on the account (probably because soccer is momentarily paused for right now). Christen found a Stacy plant and remembrance candle along with other plants for the rest of her fam. Tobin and Christen are most definitely quarantining in Portland together and will be for a while.
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ckret2 · 4 years
Text
The Butterfly (Dream/Effect)
Mothra's going on a world tour. The Chen family is going on vacation. They arrange for a get together on an island just south of the Korean Peninsula.
Mothra and the Chens really do need to get caught up. It's been a few millennia, after all. And whether she realizes it or not, Mothra left them with quite an unusual legacy.
This is part of an ongoing series of KOTM oneshots. If you don't wanna read the others, all you need to know to understand this fic is that the Chen twins are sort of human shobijin and as such can communicate telepathically with Mothra, and in this AU Mothra survived Boston but lost a wing which is why she's riding around on Godzilla's back instead of flying. Links to the other fics are in the source at the bottom of this post.
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The tiny crew of a cargo ship stood on the deck and stared as a giant, prehistoric, radioactive, laser-breathing, amphibious reptile with a building-sized moth riding on his shoulder loomed out of the ocean beside them.
The reptile looked down at the chunk of floating metal three times longer than him and the dozen-odd microscopic primates that were steering it.
"That's so weird," the reptile muttered.
You've seen boats before. A few humans were waving. Mothra waved back.
"Sure, but they used to be wood. That's fine. Wood floats. Tricking metal into floating is weird."
Gesila (whose name wasn't always Gesila, but it was when the eyes of Mandarin-speaking humans were upon him) waded past the ship into deeper water, pushed off the sea floor, and switched to swimming on the surface. Mothra moved lower on his back.
That had been far from the only ship they'd seen so far—Gesila and Mothra seemed to have stumbled into one of the ships' migratory routes—but it was certainly the biggest yet.
"And they're loud, too," Gesila went on. "Underwater, I can't hear anything but the boats' hearts and stomachs now. And they've just been getting louder since I woke up. They're even drowning out the whales."
That's awful. If Gesila couldn't even hear the whales, then they probably couldn't hear each other, could they? How could they talk to each other. Mothra looked back at the ship more coolly. It didn't sound that loud to her, but Gesila had assured her that everything was louder underwater, and she had no reason to doubt him.
They had left Infant Island at the Chen twins' request to meet the rest of their family—two sets of ancestors and one set of descendants that had lived their lives knowing of her, at least in a vague sense, but had never had the opportunity to meet her. It ultimately worked out; Mothra needed to do a circuit of the world and check out her egg sites—reset their hatching timers, see where she needed to lay fresh eggs. It was convenient—beneficial, even—to stop at a nearby island on the circuit to meet some of the people that should have been her representatives before setting out.
And so she and Gesila turned toward Jeju Island off the coast of South Korea.
###
"Look at this," Mei said, holding up another pamphlet. "Lava tubes! A hollow cave left behind by the volcano. We can walk a whole kilometer!"
"Ma," Huidie said tiredly, "you don't want to walk a kilometer in a cave. You're over eighty."
"And yesterday I saw a woman my age diving to catch octopus," Mei said. "If she can catch an octopus in nothing but a wet suit, I don't know why I can't walk a kilometer in a cave."
"Because you have arthritis, Ma."
Mei waved Huidie off with a huff and returned to the pile of pamphlets balanced carefully on her knees.
This was the first time Mei had left China since she'd retired from Monarch. She and and her daughters Congdie and Huidie typically got to see Ling for the major public holidays, Monarch permitting; but they rarely saw Ilene or the Chen family's youngest generation, Athena and Diana, for more than a week in December and a week in the summer—and it was hard to spend time with them one-on-one with the rest of the family dividing their attention and eager to see their wayward American relatives. It was high time that all four generations have a family vacation, twins only.
More importantly, though, it was a chance for the family to meet Mothra.
Ilene and Ling had arranged this trip several days ago—negotiating back and forth while speaking with Mothra on Infant Island, skyping with Dr. Russell in Colorado who was currently babysitting Ilene's children, and chatting with their mother and aunt in Beijing over WeChat. Mothra had needed to make a tour to inspect her eggs, the Chens had wanted this vacation whether they met Mothra or not, and it hadn't been be difficult for the Chens to assemble on Jeju Island and wait for Godzilla to bring Mothra right to them.
Monarch made the arrangements with the nearby nations—no firm promises from North Korea, but China and South Korea had agreed not to swarm the traveling titans with military escorts as long as Monarch could assure them that they were on a pre-planned route and definitely not going to flatten any cities. In fact, Monarch could even promise that no less than two current Monarch agents and three retired ones would be on site when the titans swung by South Korea, which did a great deal to soothe any ruffled feathers.
With that promise of relative privacy, the Chen family trooped out in shorts and shirts and sandals and sun hats, found an isolated stretch of coastline away from the more popular beaches the tourists to Jeju usually visited, helped Mei and Huidie down an uneven slope to where water washed over rocky shore, and waited for their visitor to arrive.
And in the meantime, planned out the rest of their vacation.
"I'd kind of like to go hiking," Congdie said, to Mei's delight and Huidie's exasperation. Congdie and Huidie were sitting on either side of Mei, who insisted that the water washing over her feet didn't bother her a bit on such a warm, sunny day, but wore a towel like a blanket spread across her and her daughter's knees anyway in deference to their concern. It held a dozen glossy travel brochures out of the water. "Look, there's a hiking trail on the volcano. We can do it in a day if we get up early."
"We could do it in a day when we were their age," Aunt said, gesturing toward Ilene, busy with keeping her daughters entertained, and Ling, checking Monarch's titan tracking app to see how close Godzilla and Mothra were. "We're old. My knees can't take a volcano, can yours?"
"Maybe there's an easier route," Congdie said. "I miss getting out in the field."
Huidie waved her off dismissively. "We're on vacation. It's not going to be like getting out in the field no matter what. Look—" she held out another brochure, "there's a couple of spas that look nice. I like the sound of that. Don't you?"
Congdie huffed.
"What about the local culture?" Mei asked. "I haven't spoken with a mudang since Park Chung-lee got a hold of them." (She said this with great disdain. Before joining Monarch, she'd spent years in South Korea, learning what she could about the local religions that the adherents were willing to share, documenting old oral traditions that had been passed down for generations. She was invested enough to take personal offense when the government's "anti-superstition" policies in the 1970s attempted to stamp them out. She saw more parallels than she'd like to the treatment of folk religion in her own nation at the same time.) "I've heard the practice is reviving, I'd like to see if it's true on Jeju."
"It's mainly baksu on Jeju, not mudang," Ilene said distractedly, glancing away from her daughters playing in the surf for only a split second before her gaze focused right back on them. "They've got more male priests than female. They even have different stories about the origins of baksu—they ascribe it to a prince rather than a princess."
Ling, who had moved atop a tall rock and was glancing between her phone and the horizon, said, "I think I see them."
The whole family fell silent, turning toward the horizon. Even Athena and Diana only splashed each other a moment longer before catching the mood and craning their heads to see what their elders were looking at.
And there, on the horizon, they could faintly see Mothra's head and one half-raised wing.
No one said a word for nearly a minute.
"She doesn't look that big," said Athena.
Ilene laughed. "Wait until she gets closer."
Ling, Ilene, Athena, and Diana drew toward their seated elders as Mothra approached. Only Ling and Ilene didn't react when they began to feel her psychic influence, by now used to it. Athena and Diana clapped their hands on their heads at the same time, looked at each other, and burst into quiet giggles. Congdie gasped sharply and Huidie reached for her hand. Mei, who had remained warm, smiling, and collected at her own twin sister's funeral, blinked fast to stop a tear from rolling down her cheeks.
A couple of far ships crested the horizon, more vaguely trailing the titans than actually pursuing them; by the time they were visible, Mothra was close enough that they could make out the scutes on her ride. Diana excitedly whispered "Godzilla" to Athena, whose initial giggles had worn off and left her staring almost petrified at the approaching titans—who were, in fact, that big.
Hello.
The family collectively jumped at Mothra's greeting—Ilene and Ling not because they hadn't been expecting it, but because everyone else's starts startled them. Diana cupped her hands around her mouth and bellowed "HELLO!" back, which made everyone but Athena start again.
Godzilla's back hunched as he moved into shallow enough water that he had to push off against the ground with his arms rather than swim outright—even at that, he was still in deep enough water to drown a human several times over—and he stopped once he was close enough that Mothra could hop off and delicately walk the rest of the way to shore herself. They all stood as she approached; Congdie helped Mei to her feet and Ling helped Huidie.
They had to crane their necks to look up at Mothra, even when she folded up her front legs to rest her chest on the rocks in front of them. They could feel her pleasure at seeing all of them—nothing near the various awe and jubilation the Chens felt at the sight of her, but the same sort of pleased satisfaction that came from visiting a distant town that one hasn't been to in a decade and finding that one's favorite restaurant is still in business and the elderly chef remembers your face. You know who I am, Mothra thought, but allow me to properly introduce myself anyway. I am Mothra. She thought without language, her sentiment automatically translating into words in each of her audience members' minds: Mosila to the five elders, Mothra to the two children. And who are you?
"I'm Athena-like-the-Greek-goddess!" As she always introduced herself, explanation included. Before Ilene could chastise her for not giving her elders a turn first, Athena's younger sister piped up, "And I'm Diana, like Wonder Woman!"
Which was not who she was named after; "Diana" the Roman name for the Greek goddess Artemis, chosen instead of the Greek because it was easier to write in Mandarin—dai-an-na rather than the cumbersome a-er-te-mi-si—and it allowed both girls' names to end with the same character for "na." But if comparisons to Wonder Woman has finally cured her sulking over getting "the boring name," Ilene wasn't going to discourage it.
She cast Mei an apologetic look for her daughters. Mei simply chuckled and looked up at Mothra. "I'm Chen Mei. Just Mei."
You are missing one.
Mei slowly nodded. "My elder sister passed on a couple of years ago."
Remarkable. Usually my twins die close together—within a few months at most. But you look well. The psychic inflection behind the word my was odd; not like she was claiming ownership over "her" twins, but like she was taking responsibility for them.
Mei shrugged. "If I'd died without meeting you first, she would have killed me."
Mothra's antennae twitched as she puzzled her way through the human humor. Then I'm glad you can now meet her without fear.
"But not for another few years, Ma," Congdie said lowly. Feeling Mothra's attention focus on her like a single sunbeam through the clouds, she straightened up. "I'm Chen Congdie. It's an honor to finally meet you."
Her younger twin said, "And my name is Huidie, and I've got a bone to pick with you."
"Sister!"
Do you now? Mothra asked serenely.
Huidie waved off Congdie's scowl. "You've put my family through a load of trouble! Maybe it's no problem for a moth, but do you know how hard it is for a human woman to be a single mother? Especially with twin daughters?"
And this was the main reason the Chen family had taken such pains to meet with Mothra alone, remaining isolated enough that even if anyone tried to record them from afar they'd just be vague dark-haired pale-skinned woman-shaped blurs. At Ilene and Ling's insistence, Monarch hadn't even released the names of the translators who'd been providing transcripts of Mothra's conversations with other titans; nobody outside a select few colleagues and loved ones knew about the family's connection to her. They'd like to keep it that way.
And they had some matters to discuss with her now that they couldn't let anyone else overhear.
For generations, Chen women had given birth to twin girls—without the assistance of a father. Usually between the ages of twenty and twenty-five. Usually only one half of each pair became a mother in such an unusual way—unless they were living far apart, in which case both might get pregnant independently. The twin girls would always be their firstborn children, no matter how early or often they'd tried for children with a husband; some women had tried and failed to conceive for half a decade, had their twin pregnancy, and then easily conceived their next children. A miscarried or aborted twin pregnancy would just be followed by another twin pregnancy about a year later, as would the infant death of one of the twins; only once a set of twins reached about the age five would the death of one not cause their mother to have another set. The right contraceptives would reliably put off the inevitable pregnancy—Ilene hadn't stopped taking contraceptives until she had received her Ph.D., been hired by Monarch, and felt ready to start a family—but not all contraceptives successfully prevented this spontaneous conception even when they prevented normal conception. They'd been living with this miraculous burden for hundreds of years that they knew of, perhaps thousands of years that they'd forgotten; they'd had a long time to observe, to speculate, to experiment, to puzzle out the limits and rules and exceptions, and to pass on their knowledge to their children.
There was some small comfort in the certainty of twin girls. Whether they wanted them or not, each Chen girl at least knew it would happen when she grew up, either to herself or to her sister; and every mother and aunt prepared every daughter and niece for the inevitability of either spontaneous daughters or the task of supporting one's sister through them.
But the consequences outweighed the comfort. For starters: 50/50 odds that the decision to become a mother would be completely out of their hands and control, and that it would start with two children at once. If one of them wasn't married by the time her mysterious pregnancy manifested, she risked local infamy; and even if the impact of the scandal was mitigated by the support she'd receive from her female relatives, it could follow her for years. If she wanted to avoid that, her only option was a shotgun marriage to whoever would agree, and it would have to be arranged quickly enough to pass off her pregnancy to the public as the result of her new husband; passing it off to him as his own was harder, and there were steep dangers in quickly marrying a near stranger who'd soon realize that his new bride had wed him already pregnant.
Having the twins inside an established marriage wasn't without danger either, because what if the new twins decided to conceive themselves a month their faux father was out of town? What if a husband had distinct enough physical features that he grew uneasy when his firstborn daughters were the spitting image of their mother but didn't have any looks in common with him?
What about more modern problems—what about how employers, especially more traditional ones, would look at an employee who began showing that she was with child but wasn't married? What about how employers in general looked down on the career potential of expectant mothers? What about how frustrating it was for an unmarried mother get healthcare and schooling for her children without paying exorbitant fees or producing their "father"—and if she brought in a fake boyfriend to play the father long enough to register the children, what did they do if, as so often was the case for births out of wedlock, they requested a DNA test to confirm that the man was related to the children?
These were issues that all of the adult Chens had turned over and over—either ones relevant in their own lives or ones they had wondered about on behalf of their ancestors. Ilene had tried to shield her daughters from them, but even Athena and Diana were vaguely aware of the fact that they'd been born in the United States mostly because of their mother's work, but partially because it was easier for children without fathers to get American social security cards than Chinese household registration records. None of these concerns were directly shared with Mothra; but they felt her stir through their old family knowledge all the same, her mind washing over their memories like the surf washing over their ankles.
I'm familiar with wedlock, Mothra thought, in a way that indicated a sort of vague theoretical knowledge not unlike how the average telemarketer who'd made the mistake of majoring in art history might be "familiar with" the concept of photosynthesis. I know that many human cultures value completing that ritual before reproducing. My representatives have usually been considered exceptions to that rule, though—their communities have considered their unique ability to reproduce independently something worthy of reverence. Yours did.
Huidie laughed bitterly. "Maybe it did, a millennium ago," she said. "We don't even know where that community was. Humans move and memories are short."
You don't know your home? Mothra asked, surprised.
At the word home, the seven of them thought of four completely different neighborhoods: three in Beijing and one in San Jose.
"All we have is a myth of the place we originally came from," Ling said.
It was one that had been passed down for generations, mothers to daughters, a fairy tale for three-year-olds to explain why almost all the girls in their family had twins when no one else did. Once a butterfly the size of a mountain cast its shadow over a small village and landed on a cliff overlooking the sea. Everyone in the village was terrified of the butterfly except for one young woman, who that night dreamed that she was the butterfly, traveling over the sea. When she woke up, she could hear singing that no one else could. She scaled the cliff and sang the song to the butterfly, who was so pleased she granted the woman twins, born only from the butterfly's blessing, as well as twins to all her descendants; and gifted the village with silk that could be woven into clothes strong enough to stop arrows, enough silk to fill a ship.
Affronted, Mothra thought, Butterfly?
"We've never written it down. We lost a few details over the centuries," Congdie said apologetically.
Ilene said, "I actually think the story cross-pollinated at some point with Zhuangzi's butterfly dream. 'I dreamed I was a butterfly, but when I woke up, I didn't know if I was a man dreaming I was a butterfly or if I'm a butterfly dreaming I'm a man.' The silk suggests that the story was originally about a silkworm moth. It's really quite fascinating—I've been trying to reverse-engineer our original story based on what other stories might have influenced it over time."
And it was a fine story for inside the family; but try it on a husband or a neighbor and expect to be called a liar, a lunatic, cursed, or worthy of exploratory medical examination.
So they'd kept it their family secret. Passed down orally from generation to generation, along with family anecdotes never written down, the private Chen mythology, the clever ways they lived with their unique biology.
Here a married and an unmarried sister who had switched places for almost a year when the unmarried one became pregnant, and a baffled husband who spoke of how his wife grew cold and distance during her first pregnancy, how her milk had stopped only two months after the births, and how her body had recovered so fast it looked like she'd never given birth at all.
There a younger brother taken into his older sisters' confidence who had been sent home in disgrace for "accidentally" destroying several imperial census records in the Yellow Register Archives through his "carelessness," erasing evidence of his own maternal ancestors in order to protect them from the possibility that some future governmental official might notice they produced twin girls not just three or four lucky generations in a row, but for centuries.
A twin who had children giving one to a sister who wanted a daughter and raising them from infancy as cousins rather than siblings. Women who claimed they felt, from hundreds of miles away, when something happened to their duplicates. Girls who woke up feeling as though they remembered a song they'd never heard before, to be told by their mothers and aunts and grandmothers and grandaunts that they knew the song too but had never sung it in the girls' lives.
"We've been trying to figure out where we came from for a long time," Congdie said. "Ma and her sister, my sister and I, my nieces... The only compass we've had is our myth."
Tao and Mei, sharing their mother's fear in the fifties that the Chinese Communist Party's attempts to eradicate folk religions would also eradicate anyone else's memories of the myth that explained their family, turned themselves from unambitious teenagers into untrained researchers. Mei traveled between rural communities collecting old local beliefs, even having her daughters on the road. When she married a man who was pleased to offer his services when she said the girls had no other father that wanted them and who didn't need to know more when she didn't want to say more, she simply brought him along on the road with her. Tao dug through papers and records hundreds of years old to try to pick out traces of their family farther back than their living memory could recall. She'd even found a point where their twin matrilineal line had branched at the tail end of the Ming dynasty when the sisters had been separated as teenagers and each had twin daughters; she'd lost these cousins' paper trail sometime in the 1850s, but thought their descendants might still be alive somewhere today. And with Monarch's assistance, as the state mounted pressure against folk religions and the people who championed them, they'd quietly left China with their families and their research to continue documenting folk religions in Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
(Ironically, they'd even made it to Infant Island, never knowing how close they'd come to finding out their past. The islanders, who over the past few centuries had grown justifiably wary of foreigners asking about their beliefs, had shown the Monarch agents to some interesting fossilized bones of what happened to be a Titanus gojira specimen, as a test to see what they'd do. When the first thing they did was start snapping pictures, the islanders had hastily explained that these days the population was half Muslim and half Hindu and really none of them remembered very much about their local folktales—did you say "Mosura" was the name the Dutch colonists had written down for this... yakshini? No, never heard of her, they must've named the wrong island—while a handful of kids were sent running into town to go hide their moth-wing-patterned wooden shields.)
Congdie, deeply impressed at five years old by the Godzilla bones and seeking physical proof of the "butterfly," had gone into paleontology, and to this day any college powerpoint presentation on insect fossils included an average of three photographs she herself had taken. Huidie, seeking the people who had invented the butterfly, had gone into archaeology, and was hailed by the CCP for rediscovering ancient human settlements that even China's long memory had forgotten and digging up temples that a generation earlier they'd tried to bury; together, they unearthed bones and buildings along half the east coast of Asia.
Ilene and Ling had both followed their grandmother into mythology, albeit in different directions: Ilene had climbed to the upper echelons of academia to study beliefs that stretched across the planet, spending her time in universities and libraries rather than small villages, hoping to either find parallels in other stories to their own or else find a new perspective that might give them a new avenue to search; and Ling had taken cues from both her grandmother and her aunt, traveling again through rural communities to seek local knowledge of prior cultures and using that to find old ruins and religious sites.
Their butterfly myth had even touched the lives of Ilene's daughters, from birth named for two famous foreign goddesses whose virtues she hoped they'd emulate: Athena whose most prized possessions were a dense book on Greek mythology with the pages describing her namesake earmarked, and a precious illustrated edition of Journey to the West (purchased in San Francisco's Chinatown before it was flattened by MUTOs) which she used to motivate herself in Chinese class; Diana who would look at entomologist Dr. Mancini's insect collection with Madison any time Ilene took her to work and who constantly drew self-portraits with insect wings (sometimes also sporting a Wonder Woman-esque costume and a "moth silk lariat").
And generation after generation, without meaning to and without trying to, their research brought them all to Monarch.
And at last, Monarch had brought them to Mothra.
She read the family's lives—between the seven of them, over a combined three centuries of experiences—in seconds, sifting through everything they'd ever known and ever been. I understand, Mothra thought. I'm sorry that I left your family for so long that you felt the need to search so diligently for me. It's sometimes difficult to wrap my mind around how short your lives are—or that you can't pass your memories on to your descendants as I do. I never intended for my gift to be such a burden.
"Well," Huidie said, "maybe I'll forgive you."
"You didn't even have twins," Congdie snipped, "you've got nothing you need to forgive."
"I can decide whether to forgive her on behalf of my family," she said grandly.
I can't remove my modifications from any grown humans, Mothra said, but when they become pregnant, I can change Athena and Diana's children so that they won't parthenogenetically produce twins, if you want.
"I think that decision should be up to them," Ilene said, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. She'd meant when they're old enough to worry about kids, but they each immediately voiced their opinions: "I don't want babies." "I want them to have dragonfly wings!"
I can't give humans dragonfly wings, Mothra thought.
Diana flung her hands up, as though to ask then what good are you?
"They'll think about it," Ilene said.
In the meantime—I can at least answer your questions about where you came from. Images filled their heads: a small fishing community that had popped up on the coast near a hill millennia ago; the hill concealing a subterranean hollow that held one of Mothra's buried eggs; a half dozen excited teens who'd abandoned their chores and ignored the warnings of their families in order to scramble up the hill and inspect the colossal moth; one girl, just a little bit more psychic than her neighbors, who had heard the song stuck in Mothra's head and sang it to her, and as a reward had won for herself and her village stewardship over Mothra's egg.
Ling gasped quietly, and Mei nodded; the hill had collapsed, the nearby flora had been replaced with a small town, and the shore was now a port, but they both recognized the landscape all the same. Ling had visited it to follow up on a myth Mei had recorded there fifty years earlier: a goddess had placed her baby in a cradle near the village and left it under the protection of two attendants, but under the cover of a furious storm, three white snakes had disguised themselves as bolts of lightning to sneak past the attendants and devour the baby. No butterflies in dreams, no girls that heard songs nobody else could hear. And yet it was part of the same story. Two different compasses pointing at the same truth from different directions.
If your family chooses to continue on as my representatives, I can ensure any of your descendants will be born knowing their history as well, Mothra thought, so no matter how many more generations pass, your family won't forget where you came from again. I wouldn't ask you to waste any more lives just trying to find your own past.
"My sister didn't consider her life wasted," Mei said firmly. "Neither do I. Nor do my daughters and granddaughters."
Mothra's mind brushed over the family's memories again, checking for the truth of Mei's proclamation. They'd all lived strange lives; but they'd also lived rich lives, glorious lives full of gods and monsters; and while none of them would have chosen to force such a life on every generation of their family for millennia, each of them would have gladly chosen this life for herself.
I'm glad.
###
Once Mothra and Godzilla had departed, the Chen family beat a hasty retreat before anyone could get close enough to identify them, managed to find two taxis that hadn't fled to the far side of the island at the titans' approach, and returned to their hotel for a late lunch.
As Ilene drilled her children on what they were not going to tell the other kids at school about what they'd done on summer break, and Congdie and Mei tried to talk Huidie into into touring the lava tunnel, Ling emailed Monarch about a small hill along the northeast coast of China that might have the remains of an ancient Mothra egg.
###
They'd traveled far enough that Mothra's mount's name had changed from Gesila to Gojila to Gojira—and soon any human names would cease to touch him at all—before she spoke to him. Do you ever stop to think about the huge impact even tiny actions can have on humans?
Gojira contemplated the question so long and so deeply it felt to Mothra like his brain was trying to form its own weather system. And then, after this prolonged moment of deep meditation, he said, "Nah."
Mothra rapped on his skull with her legs.
"All impacts are huge to something tiny," Gojira said. "Why? Do you?"
When I alter the way my future generations will be born, it's always just a slight tweak to me. I'm only stuck with it for a couple of centuries if it doesn't work out. Then I can declare the experiment a failure and go back to how things were,Mothra thought. But in humans, in the span of a couple of centuries, eight or nine generations can be born whose entire lives will be affected by a tiny tweak. And what about when I can't get back to them in a couple of centuries? What about when it takes millennia? If human society changes enough that what was once a boon becomes a burden...
Gojira considered that. "You can't help if humans change."
Perhaps I could help by not getting involved in the first place.
"How do you know that would help? Maybe what you gave them let their family survive millennia longer than it would have," Gojira said. "Every little thing everyone does permanently changes the future, right? We don't know how the little things now will affect big things millennia later. You just got to see a more obvious consequence of that than most of us do. Don't blame yourself for not predicting the future."
She rapped on his head again. When did you get so smart?
"After hanging out with you."
Still. She fell silent a moment, listening to the sound of the ocean. Straining to hear human ships in the distance. Wondering how their noise disturbed the future in ways she couldn't yet see. Still. I think I should be more careful with humans.
"You're already more careful with them than anybody else I know."
Maybe so; but nobody else Gojira knew was intimately, telepathically aware that, no matter how small and brief humans were, each and every one of them contained a whole, complete, sentient person. An entire brilliant vibrant life that flared and vanished as soon as it had ignited.
And yet they carried on anyway, their societies marching on in defiance of their finite timespans—the way one ember on dry wood could ignite five more could ignite fifty more, the way an inferno was just a billion tiny embers all together, pushing outward and consuming as it went.
Could she be certain she wouldn't smother a few embers by accident? Who was she to play with fire?
They continued silently swimming east.
###
(Replies/reblogs are welcome & encouraged! Check the “source” link below for my masterlist of KOTM fics set in this continuity, as well as my AO3 and Ko-fi links.)
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chaechae151 · 4 years
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[INTERVIEW] MONSTA X Shownu for Bella
Monsta X leader personal interview!
SHOWNU: “We got first place, thanks to our fans for giving Monsta X support and love.”
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A warm hello, broke the image of how hard it was to get close to Korean idols; Shownu, being Korean group Monsta X’s leader, in the (Korean) pop industry which is like a battlefield, his passion towards performing can clearly be seen from his innocent, warm gaze.
Getting along like a family helps a group build up synchronization
In this personal interview, Shownu specially left a whole afternoon for us to record and ask questions, just months before this encounter, Monsta X, who had debuted for a little more than 2 years, received their first win ever on a music show with DRAMARAMA. “We never thought we could get first place, at that time, I involuntarily started crying, thank you to all the fans and other people who gave Monsta X support and love.” Thinking back at the moment before announcing the winner, the seven members changed from their harsh personas, to crying like children, you might think debuting for 2 years is not long, but in Korea’s music industry, you’re faced with new competitors every week; and adding the strict training pre-debut, it won’t be hard to believe how much hard work they put in for the success they have today.
“Because now we’re familiar with each other like family, and we understand each other really well, so the seven of us have really good relationships. We would eat delicious food and talk, and we play games in the dorms, and if we have time we would go to the theaters to watch movies, we basically spend all of our time together, naturally releaving a little of our stress.” From training to debut, all of the members grew up under the same roof, these times have caused us to develop family relationships. To Shownu, the daily bickerings between members is their way of releaving stress.
Looking forward to collabing with Taiwanese artists
Jolin Tsai performed at 2015 MAMA with “PLAY” and it topped charts in Korea, and also in the past years, Korean idols and Taiwanese singers have been interacting a lot lately, Shownu mentioned “If we have a chance to, we would love to work with Taiwanese artists, our members all watch Tainwanese movies, we all like Jay Chou’s “Secret”, if we can collaborate with Jay Chou who is both a director and a main actor, that would be so great! And also Wang Leehom who we have went on a show with in China, he is another star we would like to collaborate with.” Compared to Korea, artists who sing and dance vigorously on stage, Taiwanese artists are much more shy. Wang Leehom and Jay Chou are of a much different style as compared to Monsta X, and makes people wish that the collabs would become real in the future, they would really create Asian music that is one of a kind.
Family Deeply longging see them
Besides from Japan, Korea is becoming the place where Taiwanese people want to visit the most, starting from K-Dramas, to cuisine & fashion, they have all affected Taiwanese people’s past likings. “If you guys come to Korea, I recommend DongDaeMun Market, you can feel two different atmospheres during day and night. And also today’s National Palace Museum tour, especially Seoul Palace, you can different appearances at different seasons, so i highly recommend touring GyeongHui Palace, and GyeongBok Palace, DeokSu Palace, and ChangGyeong Palace are all very entertaining.” Shownu seems to have an old soul living inside him, all the places he recommended are places that will help you understand Korea’s history, as compared to shopping, maybe touring deeply will help you understand what you love better.
Received fans’ love, and also the family like love and support from members, but deep down in Shownu’s heart, he misses his family the most. “If I have a long break, I want to take my parents to Taiwan, to Kenting National Park, we can swim by the beaches, and I want to eat delicious food from the streets of Kenting, hearing my friends recommending Kenting, it seems like it’s a very nice place!” The simplest dream is actually the hardest, at the peak of their career, it is so hard to have a long break.
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Affability and Modesty under his cold appearance
After the filming, Shownu gave every single staff a signed album, and also shook everyone’s hand in thanks. Throughout the process, his smile never stopped, the phrase we heard the most from him was “Thank you”. In a music industry with so many outstanding new artists, besides from singing and dancing, modesty is a trait you must have. Shownu’s warmth melted the coldness during the day of filming, and also changed our thoughts of Korean idols.
Source: Bella
translated by fymonsta-x ϟ take out with full credit.
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philcusic-blog · 4 years
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ineffably-good · 4 years
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Flufftober #28: Souvenirs
Summary: Crowley doesn’t collect souvenirs. Of course he doesn’t. Souvenirs are stupid.
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Humans and their constant need for knickknacks and souvenirs was something that had long puzzled and occasionally disgusted Crowley. He didn’t understand the instinct to crowd your surroundings with cheap little pieces of plastic that served only to remind you of something you were already going to remember fondly. Does looking at a snow globe really make you more nostalgic for your trip to the beach, he wondered. Does a shot glass emblazoned with a tacky lizard really take you back to Mexico?
He thought not.
He would never stoop so low.
No, his souvenirs were entirely different.
++
“When did you get this?” Aziraphale called from another room, on one of his rare visits to Crowley’s apartment in the days before Armageddon loomed.
Crowley hurriedly finished with putting the groceries away and wandered out to see what the angel was looking at now, only to find him running a hand over the eagle statue he’d liberated from the church after it was bombed. The church with the Nazis, where he’d rescued Aziraphale and Aziraphale had, in turn, saved them from incineration.
“Oh,” Crowley said. “Caught my eye when we were, you know – and I just decided that it would look nice in here.”
Aziraphale looked at him, one eyebrow raised coolly. “You stole this from a church?”
“No!” the demon said, a tad defensively. “I stole it from an exploded church. That’s entirely different.”
The angel, to his relief, laughed and didn’t press him any further, or question his explanations of why he had a piece of (formerly) consecrated statuary in his abode.
++
Several years later, as Crowley moved into the bookshop, Aziraphale tried to be helpful and assist him with some of his unpacking. This quickly became problematic because the demon was almost as fussy with his belongings as the angel was, and trying to help quickly led to having orders barked at him, being handed a box and then screamed at to “no don’t touch that” or “for fuck’s sake, be careful with that angel, it’s old!” until Aziraphale finally sat back and quit.
“I think I’ll just watch, if that’s all right, my dear,” the angel said, leaning back in the armchair and whipping himself up a whiskey – no, better make that a double – and taking a deep, calming breath.
“Perfect,” Crowley said. “Company is good. Helping is not.”
Aziraphale rolled his eyes and sipped his drink. He wasn’t truly put out, though, because he enjoyed watching Crowley do almost anything, and he had to admit that a fascinating array of items were emerging from Crowley’s boxes.
“What’s that?” he asked at one point, when Crowley pulled out a hunk of what looked like iron link chain.
“Oh,” Crowley said, “that’s nothing.” He looked around for a small wooden chest he’d unpacked earlier and quickly crammed it inside, but not quickly enough to prevent the angel from catching a glimpse of a variety of odd-looking objects inside.
“No, it’s not,” Aziraphale said, “what was that? It looked like chain.”
Crowley looked at him for a long beat. “Okay,” he said finally. “It’s a piece of chain.”
“From where?”
“From the Bastille.”
Aziraphale sat up with interest. “You have a piece of the chains from the Bastille? Why?”
“Well –” the demon sputtered for a moment. “Because I’m a demon, aren’t I? Never know when you’re going to need chains. Might have to secure something. Always pays to be prepared.”
Aziraphale raised an eyebrow, but he could see the demon’s discomfort from where he was sitting, so he decided to gracefully let it go.
++
It was nearly two years later when it came up again. Both demon and angel had gradually shed many of their secrets, learning to reveal themselves, slowly and carefully, to each other. Aziraphale supposed the process would never really stop, finding new layers, peeling back the surface just a little bit more. It was almost addictive, really, the sudden surprise of finding something new about oneself that your love wanted you to open up about, the shock of pain and fear (lessened over time) wondering if this was it – the one thing that the other would not be able to accept, the one thing they would turn away or laugh at. And then the wonderful warmth and glow of being accepted, continually and constantly accepted, just as you were. It was better than any kind of drug, it was scarier and more rewarding than the highest roller coaster. It was the best kind of falling.
So when they decided to renovate the bedroom a little bit – expand the walls to make a little more space for a seating area, move Crowley’s big black wardrobe to a different wall, paint it dove gray – and the small wooden trunk appeared from its spot where it had been hidden in the corner behind the wardrobe, Aziraphale felt they’d progressed far enough that he could ask the question he’d wanted to ask at the start.
“Love,” the angel said carefully, “can you tell me about that trunk?”
Crowley sat down on the bed and looked at the item in question. It was a small, black wooden travelling chest, the old kind that were designed to be strapped on the back of a carriage and were reasonably-sized enough that they could be carried by hand if needed.
“I got it in Lisbon,” he replied evasively. “It’s old.”
Aziraphale gave him a look. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
Crowley took a deep breath and picked it up, placing it on the bed next to him. “Okay,” he said. “Come see.”
Aziraphale walked over and sat down cross-legged across from the demon and smiled encouragingly. “Only what you want to show me, of course. But it seems like it’s important to you and I’d love to know more.”
“It’s things – things I’ve collected over the years,” the demon said. “Silly stuff, mostly.”
Crowley opened the lid. Inside were a hodge-podge of items, none of which made any initial sense to the angel from his vantage point.
The demon started with the chain segment, which was on top. “Already know about that one,” he said, laying it aside.
The next thing he pulled out was a piece of charred wood, about the length of his hand. “This…” he cleared his throat, nervously, “this is from the fire, at Glastonbury, where I pulled you out at the last moment.”
Aziraphale blinked, utterly surprised.
Crowley laid it carefully on the bed next to the chains. He pulled out a small bundle of red cloth and unwrapped it carefully, revealing an ivory-colored hunk. “This is a tooth from the big wolf that almost ate you in Germany in the 1100s.”
Aziraphale reached out and touched it, curious. “I’d forgotten about that. You saved me, ran him through just as he was landing on top of me.”
“Yep.” Crowley refused to look up. He continued to finger through the contents of the box, trying to decide what to pull out next. He came up with an old-fashioned metal pomander, a small silver sphere full of holes, with what looked like an ancient crumble of herbs and flowers inside it. It was attached to a long slender chain.
“This,” he said, “is from the fourteenth fucking century, when you got the plague.”
“I didn’t get the plague,” Aziraphale admonished.
“Oh, didn’t you?” Crowley said hotly. “Ran around helping and healing everyone until you were literally fainting on your feet left and right, drained all of your grace, then showed up at more door literally swaying and moaning about how you didn’t feel so good? You definitely got the plague. You just didn’t die because you weren’t human. But I had to nurse you back to health for almost two weeks, you fucking idiot.”
Aziraphale fidgeted his hands; he had to admit his memory was rather fuzzy on that whole point, but the demon’s words had a ring of truth to them. It sounded like exactly what he would have done. And there was a suspicious two week break in his memory of that time.
“Still a sore point, then, is it?”
“Damn straight,” Crowley said. “Why do you think I hated the fourteenth century so damn much?”
“Oh,” Aziraphale said. He reached out and took the pomander and took a sniff of it, then sneezed explosively. “Well that was foolish of me,” he said ruefully.
Crowley grinned a little, but his eyes looked oddly vulnerable.
“So, Crowley, my dear,” Aziraphale said softly. “Are you telling me that you’ve been saving something from each and every time you’ve rescued me? For all these years?”
Crowley blushed. Watching a demon blush, Aziraphale had discovered, was an unmitigated pleasure. For all his swagger, Crowley was incredibly easily embarrassed, and he blushed beet red from his hairline down to his collar when he felt exposed.
“Perhaps,” he finally mumbled. “Just, you know, something to remind me that you’re a bloody moron and I better keep an eye on you.”
Aziraphale laughed softly, not fooled for one minute. “I don’t think that’s the reason,” he said.
“What do you know? You’re the angel who got the plague, for fuck’s sake.”
Aziraphale smiled and leaned in to kiss the demon soundly. “Well thank you for showing me your souvenirs, love… it’s wonderful to see them!”
“For heav – for hell—for Satan’s sake, they are not souvenirs, angel!” the demon snapped. “Souvenirs are stupid, tacky little coasters and keychains made in china and weird hats that don’t fit anyone right. I do NOT collect souvenirs.”
“Of course not, my mistake,” the angel said soothingly.
“These are my memories, that’s all.”
“That’s good enough for me, dear.”
Crowley snapped the box closed again. “All right, enough of that. Let’s get that wardrobe shifted, ok?”
Aziraphale let himself be distracted, knowing full well that he was going to ask the demon to show him the rest of the box at the next possible opportunity. He had learned, through six millennia, to be quite patient in his pursuits. He knew he would get there eventually.
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chocoluckchipz · 5 years
Text
Dance with Me, Chaton - 27
Read it on A03, WattPad, FF.net
Written for @ladynoirjuly2019
< Previous
27. Comfort
Wednesday afternoon, Adrien stared at a rather impressive house just outside of Cannes. “So, let me get this straight, you own this luxurious, waterfront villa in one of the most sought-after parts of French Riviera?”
Plagg shook his head. “I don’t, but Tikki does. That’s her escape place from when I get too overbearing. Just like my Parlour, only more suitable to her taste.”
“Who are you guys?” Adrien asked. “Oil barons or something?”
Plagg chuckled. “Just your local dance instructors who happened to come from old-money families. Nothing spectacular. And why would you, mister rich boy, be surprised? Didn’t think anyone else could have money?”
Adrien shied away. “No, not that. I’m just… I didn’t expect you…?”
“I don’t look the part?”
Adrien glanced at Plagg’s baggy clothes and sticking in every direction hair. “Not really?”
Plagg laughed and motioned Adrien into the house. “Appearance isn’t everything, kid. Now, feel at home, don’t forget it’s Tikki’s baby. She’ll smother you in your sleep if you break something.”
Adrien nervously chuckled. “The way you talk about her… Are you sure you are in this marriage on your own will? She didn’t threaten you in, did she?”
Plagg snorted, then almost sung. "Tikki's the most incredible woman I've ever met, kid. Her quirks are what makes her so interesting and fun. Irresistible in a way. I’m sure Marinette has something too that you’d hate in others but love in her.”
A lopsided smile stretched Adrien’s lips. "She's so clumsy. It's adorable."
“There you go, kid. Now, stop this dopey look on your face so I can show you around and escape to relax for a bit before the food gets here.”
“You ordered something?”
“Back on the train. The best cuisine on the coast. Hustle, kid. I need to stretch on my lounge chair like yesterday.”
Plagg didn’t spend much time on guiding Adrien around. He quickly walked through the spacious living quarters, motioned towards the kitchen, balconies, mentioned they had their own strip of beach adjoint to the house and led Adrien to one of the guestrooms.
"You sleep here. I'm off to the lounge. Call me when the food arrives."
A moment later, Plagg was gone. Adrien placed his bag in his room and went to explore the house on his own. Apart from being just as spacious, it was a complete opposite of Plagg's apartment. While Plagg's pad was sleek and modern, somewhat intense, Tikki's villa invited one to relax. Mostly white and cream interior incorporated a few rich earthy undertones and featured a couple of sporadic red accent pieces throughout the space. Flowing, white sheers and an abundance of cushions on every surface imaginable softened the edges. Live plants brought the outdoors inside. Sun flooded every corner. Adrien had visited many richly decorated places in his life, but he’d never felt as cozy and relaxed in any of them as he did in this one.
The doorbell rang. Adrien went to answer. A delivery guy gave him a few bags with food and, after saying that it was already paid for, vanished. Adrien brought it to the kitchen, finding Plagg already pottering around for plates.
“Finally,” he muttered under his nose. “I’m starving.”
The food was delicious, Plagg hadn’t exaggerated about it being the best cuisine on the coast. Yet, after finishing his meal, Plagg stretched and mumbled under his nose. “Can’t wait for this exile to be over.”
Adrien snorted. “Exile? This doesn’t feel like it to me. Or is it the company that makes you want to escape back to the city?”
Plagg sent him a glare, pursuing his lips. “It’s an exile because my Queen isn’t by my side. The company, though, is the only reason I agreed to come here alone voluntarily. You should be honoured.”
Adrien chuckled. “I am honoured. Thank you for sacrificing yourself for me to escape the mess I’ve created.”
“A mess indeed,” Plagg hummed. “Did he even tried to contact you at all after you left?”
“Nope. He sent the documents I asked for with Nathalie when she came to pick up the keys from my apartment. She told me they wired the compensation straight into Marinette’s account, but there is no way for me to check it—”
“She got it,” Plagg inserted. “Tikki wrote me a message this morning.”
“Oh. Good. I’m glad.”
“Marinette’s mad at you for that, by the way. Just so you know.”
“What? Why?”
“Something about not needing your help. I decided not to tell her you sent out her resumes and portfolio to every major fashion house yesterday, but I’m guessing she won’t like it, either.”
Adrien frowned. “I’m only trying to fix what I’ve done. Why would she be mad at me for that?”
“Don’t know,” Plagg said, standing up. “But you’re lucky we’re out of her reach for now. At least until Saturday.”
Adrien leaned back into his chair. “What’s happening on Saturday?”
“On Saturday, kid,” Plagg said with an overly satisfying voice. “We’re going back to Paris and debuting you at Kwami Kave.”
Adrien’s eyes blew wide. “What?”
Plagg groaned. “Do I really need to explain how this works? You are a smart kid, you can figure out this yourself. We go in there. You perform. They love you. Boom! You are in.”
Adrien shook his head. “Plagg, no. I can’t. I’m not ready yet.”
“That’s up to me to decide.”
“Seriously. There is so much more I need to learn from you. Even from what I’ve seen you doing—”
“No one said I’ll stop teaching you,” Plagg interrupted. “Marinette debuted years ago and Tikki still teaches her. Though at this point, they are more like partners than a teacher/student combo, but that’s not the point. The point is, kid, that you’re good enough to not embarrass me at the club. So, I’m debuting you, but our training will continue as before. Don’t worry about that. That’s a standard procedure,” Plagg puffed with a smile on his face. “I still have plenty of ways to torture you. Or did you think I’d let you go that easily?”
A smile tugged at Adrien’s lips as he watched Plagg. No matter how tough and cruel and grumpy he was pretending to be, with Plagg being the only one by Adrien’s side in all of this, there was no way Adrien would believe him to be that anymore. He was peculiar and eccentric, but Marinette was right, Plagg had a heart of gold.
“What about Marinette?” Adrien asked. “I doubt she’d be happy to see me there.”
Plagg huffed. “It isn’t her club. She can’t tell me who can join and who can’t.”
“No, it isn’t,” Adrien said. “But I can’t invade her safe space after what I’ve done. Not unless she wants me there. Can’t we postpone it for a few weeks? Until we make up?”
“Nope.” Plagg shook his head. “I’ve waited long enough already. Master Fu would think me an incompetent teacher if I won’t bring you in soon, and I, for once, care what Master Fu thinks.”
“What about Tikki? I doubt she’d approve—”
“No, kid. Can you stop this?” Plagg grumbled. “Don’t threaten me with my own wife.”
“I just—”
“No ‘I’-s, no ‘just’-s,” Plagg silenced him. “We’re going and that is final.”
Adrien sighed. He didn't want to argue with Plagg. He always seemed to have a good reason behind what he wanted to do, something Adrien couldn't see yet. That much he’d learned already. And it wasn't like Adrien didn't want to go. He did. He worked hard to get in. However, he wasn't sure Marinette was ready to see him yet. He stood up and walked to the window, focusing his sight on the waves of the ocean.
“Can you at least tell Tikki so she can warn Marinette?”
“You know what I don’t get?” Plagg stood behind Adrien. “You were so eager to talk to her, I had to keep you away. Why are you suddenly trying to avoid a meeting? What happened? Given up?”
“No way,” Adrien protested. “I just think you were right. I can’t push her before she’s ready, or I might end up losing her instead. You told me so yourself, didn’t you?”
Plagg hummed. “I did, didn’t I? And now I’m telling you we’re debuting you this Saturday and everything will be alright, or do you not trust me, kid?”
Adrien turned to Plagg. A smirk on his lips, kindness in his eyes, Plagg offered him a hand. “Deal?”
He probably shouldn’t have, but the truth was Adrien trusted Plagg. He didn’t know why but he did. So, with a hint of a smile on his lips, Adrien shook Plagg’s hand. “Deal, but if it backfires I’m blaming you.”
“Perfect.” Plagg grinned. “Wanna go for a swim?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Adrien chuckled. “Let me get my swimming shorts.”
Plagg smirked, opening up the balcony door. "Sure. But keep in mind, the last one to the beach washes the dishes.”
With a shift movement, Plagg jumped over the railing and landed on the sand of their private beach strip. “See you later, loser! Be careful with china. Tikki adores it.”
***
Adrien sat on the balcony of his bedroom, watching the sunset when his phone beeped.
Nino: Okay. That’s it. This isn’t funny anymore. Dude, what’s going on? I’ve been calling you for the last few hours. You aren’t picking up; you aren’t texting back. With that father of yours, I’m starting to think you’re already ten feet underground. Do you really want me to unleash Alya on you? She’ll find you even if you’re hiding in a corner of a fisherman’s hut deep in the forests of Amazonia. So, you have five minutes to reply or it is ON.
Adrien chuckled, his smile disappearing a moment later. He saw Nino’s missed calls. He read his messages. But being on the road, with everything that’s been going on, he delayed replying, waiting for the time things would calm down a bit so they could talk in peace. Adrien snapped a picture of the sunset over the sea and sent it as his reply.
Adrien: <image 5674>
Adrien: Sorry, Nino. Been a little busy. Out of town now. What’s up?
Nino: Bro! You are alive!
Adrien: XD Barely, but yes, I’m alive.
Nino: Where are you? What do you mean barely?
Adrien: Cannes? And barely as in I’m physically exhausted from everything that’s been going on.
Nino: !!! What? How? Why didn’t you invite me? You're partying, aren't you? With that cute co-worker of yours? That’s why you’ve been MIA?
Adrien: LOL Sorry. I wish that was the case, but no. My… let’s say life coach brought here me.
Vague enough to say the truth and not give out his newly found dancing hobby. He’d tell Nino later. Not yet. At least not everything.
Nino: A life coach? Fancy. Does he teach you how to live?
Adrien: Yup. Something like that.
Nino: Please, don’t tell me your old man hired someone to brainwash you even further into slavery?
Adrien laughed. Oh man, Nino would get a blast out of this.
Adrien: LOL Quite the opposite. Plagg’s all for me stopping obeying everything my Father says and get a life for myself.
Nino: I like this Plagg already, even though his name is weird. Follow his advice.
Adrien: I did. Father and I had a huge argument, and as a result, I’ve been disowned as of yesterday afternoon.
Nino: LKJFOWQNEFOPNWO YOU SHITTING ME???
Adrien: Nope. I’m in Cannes on a recovery. XD
Nino: AND YOU TELLING ME ABOUT THIS ONLY NOW??? ADRIEN, DUDE! I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS!!!
His phone rang. Adrien picked up and was immediately deafened with an overly excited Nino. They spent the rest of the evening chatting. Nino was ecstatic Adrien had walked out on Gabriel and even offered him to crash at his apartment while he looked for a new place for himself. Adrien had to decline, though. Being the third wheel on a daily basis while he was at odds with Marinette wasn't his idea of fun. In any case, he promised lunch as soon as he'd be back in Paris.  
Falling asleep, Adrien couldn’t help a lingering smile on his lips. If tonight’s conversation taught him anything, it was that Nino was the best friend one could ever ask for. Someone who was ready to fully support him no matter what was going on in his life. Someone who didn’t judge him, and who accepted his flaws, who knew how to make even the grimmest discussion fun, and someone who could find a sliver of light even in the darkest of rooms. Maybe he should trust him a little more with his problems? Nino was exactly the kind of a friend Adrien wanted around him from now on, in his new future, the one he’d build for himself the way he wanted it.
***
Chat Noir: Plagg told me you’re angry at me for that compensation. I won’t apologize for that, though. You were fired. Whatever you’ve received is what the law requires my father to give to you for unfairly firing you. It isn’t a special treatment or anything. It’s justice. So, I’m not sorry and you have every legal right to that money.
Chat Noir: I will, however, apologize for this coming Saturday. I don’t know if anyone has told you yet, but Plagg insists I come to Kwami Kave. Just thought I’d warn you, in case you don’t want to see me.
Chat Noir: I love you.
Chat Noir: Please, Marinette. Say something. Anything. Even an emoji would be fine.
Chat Noir: Goodnight.
***
The sunrays sneaked through the curtains, gently kissing his eyelids. Adrien scrunched his nose and turned around. The rays travelled to the back of his neck and caressed his skin. Adrien covered himself with a blanket but got too warm almost instantly. He tossed and shifted a few times, but the damage was done. He woke up.
Lured by the sounds of waves, Adrien got up and walked out to his balcony. The sun was just rising above the horizon, reflecting off the ripples of the water. A cool breeze ran through his hair. He inhaled deeply and, closing his eyes, smiled.
Refreshing, exhilarating, and simply wonderful. This was the perfect place to kick-start his new life. Plagg was right once again.
Mind relaxed and peaceful, Adrien stretched. He was accustomed to daily intense workouts, and even though yesterday’s slower pace was necessary and welcomed, all he could think of now was movement. His muscled yearned for it. Back into his bedroom, Adrien pulled on a white tank top and white shorts before grabbing his cellphone and heading downstairs.
The house looked and sounded empty. Plagg was probably still asleep like all normal people would be. Adrien looked outside to the beach. It was empty, and most likely not just because it was private but because of the early hour. A perfect opportunity for him.
Sand on his feet, Adrien walked barefoot to the water. What he planned to do was a workout. What he’d ended up doing was missing the music while he worked. He looked around. Still no one in sight. He glanced at the house. No evidence of Plagg waking up. Adrien hesitated for just a moment, then pulled out his cell phone and put on the music he never dared to offer Plagg.
He stood just by his ankles deep in the water, but it was enough to make this dance an unforgettable experience. The music electrified him, and Adrien couldn’t help but move in tandem. Legs, arms, his whole body. He let the music overtake his senses, control his movements, move his every muscle. Just like Plagg had taught him. A kick; water splashed. A jerk and a swing. His arms moved together at his sides. His head to the sky, he closed his eyes for a split moment and felt the wind on his face.
He had never felt so free before. Never been so full of energy and hope. Hope for a better future, for a better life. Hope for Marinette’s forgiveness, even though he dared not to beg for it. Adrien expressed it all with the movement and a melody to match, collapsing to his knees with a smile on his lips at the end. Liberating. How did he never realize how badly he needed to dance in his life?
“Nice routine, Chat Blanc,” Plagg snickered behind him.
Adrien jerked around. “Plagg? You’re awake?”
Holding his cellphone in his hand, Plagg read out loud. “Mikio Sakai, Identity. Where did you find this?”
“That’s an opening to Chivalry of a Failed Knight,” Adrien said. “I watched it a while ago.”
“Anime?”
“You don’t get to judge me,” Adrien said, standing up. “You stuff yourself with stinky cheese all day long. I can listen to Japanese songs.”
Plagg laughed. “Not judging, kid. Whatever does it for you. I’m fine with anything. As long as you move.”
“Anime was my escape ever since I remember myself. I still watch it. There I said it,” Adrien said, glaring at Plagg. “Now give me my phone back.”
Plagg laughed harder. “Kid, I said it was fine. In fact, I think this song has an interesting beat to it. Want me to show how I would’ve done it?”
Adrien quirked an eyebrow. Plagg re-started the song and put the phone back in its place. Walking to Adrien, he offered him a fist to bump. “Or better yet, let’s do it together.”
It took him a moment to realize Plagg was serious, but when he did, Adrien grinned and bumped Plagg’s fist. One of the most intense dance routines Adrien had ever seen from Plagg followed. One friendship strengthened because of that. One hardcore anime binging session ensued. As a result, one more weeb was born on the shores of French Riviera later that day, much to Tikki’s annoyance.
***
They spent the next few days in a similar fashion: relaxing, dancing, and watching anime. A few times they went into the town to pick up groceries, but otherwise, neither left the premises much. This was exactly what Adrien needed now, his wounds slowly but surely starting to close. Undoubtedly, it’d take some time to heal properly, but the easy comfort he’d been plunged into was a great start for sure.
Thursday's sun was setting when Plagg stretched on his lounge chair and offered, “I’d say we take the overnight train tomorrow evening. I want to be in Paris first thing in the morning.”
“Sure,” Adrien said, watching the red disk slipping behind the horizon.
“Then I’m calling it a night.” Plagg yawned. “Doing nothing is exhausting. So glad we’re going home tomorrow.”
Plagg stood up, fixed his clothes and not walked away. Instead, he leaned on the railing with his back to the sun, face to Adrien. “So, about you buying an apartment…”
“What about it?” Adrien looked at Plagg. “It shouldn’t take long. I’ve already contacted a broker, and he has a few options for me to look at as soon as we’re back in Paris. Don’t worry, I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”
“You shouldn’t rush with that,” Plagg said. “You should first figure out what you want to do next and then look for a place that’ll fit your new needs.”
Adrien stared at Plagg wide-eyed before letting a small smile to sneak onto his lips. “Thanks, but I don’t want to invade your private escape for longer than I need to.”
“You aren’t invading anything.” Plagg shrugged. “I’m going back home after this, so you can have my Parlour for us long as you need it.”
“Plagg—”
“Listen, I won’t bother you there. I might visit you once or twice a week to get my Camembert fix, but I’m sticking by my Queen’s side for the next millennium. I mean you’re lovely and I enjoy our time together, but, kid, you are no Tikki.”
Adrien laughed. “I’m sorry I forced you away from her.”
Plagg’s eyes sparkled. "Oh! Usually, I’d say it’s nothing, but seeing how you apologized to Marinette, I’m excited to see what you’ve got for me.”
Adrien quirked an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Plagg dramatically swooned. “You took me away from the love of my life for a week. I’ve never been away for so long. Do you even realize how hard it’s for me? And Tikki? She admitted to missing me, and believe me, kid, Tikki never admits she misses me. You made my Queen miserable. I say you take us both someplace nice and we’re even. Apologies accepted.”
Adrien laughed. “Fine by me. I even have a place in mind.”
Plagg perked. “Oh? I’m all ears.”
“Three words,” Adrien teased. “Cheese-flavoured coffee.”
Plagg’s eyes blew wide. “No way.”
“Yup.” Adrien chuckled. “Found it online yesterday. Wanted to surprise you, but since you insist I apologize, that shall do it.”
“Perfecto,” Plagg grinned and stretched up. “Well, I’m off for tonight then. See you tomorrow.”
“Hey, Plagg,” Adrien called out before Plagg could vanish into the house. “Did you talk to Tikki recently?”
“Kid, she’s my wife. We talk every day. I was going to call her just now. Why do you ask?”
Adrien hesitated. “Did she say anything about Marinette? How is she doing?”
“Oh yeah, about that,” Plagg leaned on a door frame. “Marinette’s got two job interviews scheduled for next week.”
“She did? That’s awesome. Do you know with whom?”
“Dorian Chian and I think Tanvin. How did you manage this, though? I thought for an application to be processed through their HR takes ages.”
“Not unless you send it by courier addressed to their HR head with my name on it.”
Plagg shook his head. "Won't they think you're doing her special favour?"
Adrien shrugged. “They might, and they won’t care. My name would be enough for them to open the letter right away instead of throwing it into a waiting bin with others, but that’s about it. Marinette’s portfolio would have to do all the convincing. I know people who work there. They won’t hire unless they are interested in her work.”
“Well, whatever you did, it worked,” Plagg shrugged.
“Is she angry with me for that too?”
Plagg sighed. “Tikki said she was pissed at first, but then she didn’t reject the offers. That’s a good sign. In your favour.”
Adrien smiled. “I shall hope so.”
“Well, I’m off then,” Plagg straightened up. “Got a wife waiting for my call. See you tomorrow.”
“Night, Plagg.” Adrien raised his hand to bid his farewell. When Plagg was gone, he reached for his cell phone. His messages from a few days ago were still unanswered. Maybe she’d finally blocked him? Or perhaps she needed more time before she’d want to talk to him again? Adrien didn’t know the cause, and he dared not to disturb her without a reason. However, he couldn’t not congratulate her on her job offers. It was her own accomplishment, even if he was the one to mail out her resume and portfolio.
Chat Noir: Plagg told me the news, so I just wanted to stop by and wish you good luck with the interviews. You’re an incredibly talented designer, and a wonderful, hard-working person. Any fashion house would be lucky to have you.
Ladybug is typing flashed at the bottom of the screen.
Adrien’s eyes wide, he sat up straight, staring at the screen.
Ladybug is typing.
His heart skipped a beat. She was there! She was typing! He wasn’t blocked, and she was finally willing to talk to him! Why did he suddenly feel dizzy?
Gripping his phone, Adrien watched the screen. The line disappeared. Then it was there again. Typing. Stopped. Repeat. In the end, he got a single line, but it was enough to make him grin all night into the darkness.
Ladybug: We’ll talk when you get back to Paris.
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