#and that will indeed influence the next steps in my life and make my next chapters happier since I know what I do and do not like

[artykyn]

I was like “I’m so excited to move somewhere new and do a lot of exploring and traveling!” only to discover that actually I find exploring to be really boring when I’m alone

Like yeah sure I can go on a road trip and see some cool views and interesting places. But if I’m not sharing those memories with someone, then all my memories might as well just be dreams. I want somebody pointing things out to me and saying something funny about it. I wanna point things out to them. Quietly gazing at the ocean is boring alone, but a wholesome relaxing moment if I’m with someone. When something weird happens I want someone to laugh with me. When I’m alone I just go “huh okay” and move on.

At first I thought “maybe I can get a remote job and then pop around living in temporary housing for a few months at a time and explore everywhere!!” but the more I learn about myself, the more I realize I would be soooo bored. Unless I had a partner who also had a remote job and was willing to lead a lifestyle like that. 

#sometimes I forget I lived in Pennsylvania for a year literally because I just don't share that memory with anyone #I haven't kept in touch with anyone I met there either #a whole (small) chapter of my life that feels like it had no impact #other than teaching me that east cost humidity suuucks #like.... yeah okay so I had severe depression for half of it and I learned how to get over it #so okay that's at least some personal growth I got from the chapter #actually you know what yeah sometimes even the *bad* or *short term* chapters of your life are actually really good for you #because even then you are learning a lot about who you are #I may be mega lonely right now. but what I'm learning about myself is that I value my friends above all else #and that I can make due living pretty much anywhere and doing anything. it's clearly not as important to me as the people I'm with #and that will indeed influence the next steps in my life and make my next chapters happier since I know what I do and do not like #Idk yet how long I'll stay here in Oregon. When I moved here I was prepared to spend 5+ years of my life in Portland #now I'm like. eh. pretty locations are fun vacation destinations but everything becomes boring when you live there and get used to it #so might as well pick the location with the people you love the most #or maybe everything just seems boring to me right now because I'm depressed again. whatever #i'll finish school and get a job and figure out my next life steps after that

[naomihatake]

In search of freedom (Ch. 3)

3. A change of heart

Chapter 2 ; Chapter 3 ; Chapter 4

⠀⠀⠀⠀She's been searching for freedom her entire life and everytime she thought it was laying right in front of her eyes, she was mistaken. She was running around the East Blue, seeking herself and her dreams, meeting people she never forgot. No matter how much she traveled, she could only catch a glimpse of peace before realizing everything would crumble at her feet.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Maybe it was destiny that brought her on that ship with three strangers — foolishly, that's what she tried to believe when the moon shined beautifully and hope settled in her chest, squeezed by the same ribcage where feelings were blooming.

Pairing: female!reader x OPLA Zoro Roronoa.

Warnings for this chapter: anxiety, tarot readings, canon typical violence, tension, mutual pining

Word count: 8k (um? It wasn't supposed to be that long, but I'm not unsatisfied at all)

Theme song: “Hoist the colors” by Bobby bass (click on the link)

A/N: I tried my best to add Zoro's perspective in this part. I don't know if I did a good job or not, but I'm experimenting with writing specific characters and personalities. I think I understand him a tad bit more than I did last time — in case you haven't noticed, I love psychoanalyzing my favorite characters and Zoro is one of them. The last chapter felt quick paced because of the fight, but this one is slow paced; I wanted to stretch the tension that way.

The reader is referred to as "Witch" because I have no intentions of using "Y/N".

I'm open for comments and opinions <3

"He has quite the bounty on his head," the witch commented as she looked at Buggy's wanted poster. 

Zoro's fingers gripped tighter at the hilt of his white sword after he huffed. 

"I should've killed him."

"And how were you supposed to be paid for it when you're a wanted man yourself?" Luffy laughed at him. 

Another huff left the swordsman's lips and he averted his eyes with a scowl. 

"I guess that's also right."

He tore the poster from the wall and squeezed it in his fingers, the paper getting destroyed right in front of his eyes. 

"Stupid clown," he muttered. 

A light chuckle got his attention; the witch who stood with her arms crossed right next to him didn't seem lively at all. Ever since they stepped on land in the Syrup Village, color drained from her face and she was constantly fidgeting and playing with her fingers. It was weird; the swordsman didn't spend much time with the other three, but they weren't impossible to read. 

She didn't seem the type to be so awfully quiet. She had smart comments sitting on the tip of her tongue and it wasn't necessarily hard to make her smile; if anything, Luffy's smile was so contagious and it influenced her greatly, Zoro observed. The straw hat wasn't the only one in that situation — each one of them was. The witch somehow knew what to say and how to treat them, how to approach a topic. 

Maybe that's why she was called a witch. For the life of it, Zoro didn't like to read between the lines and his usual blunt personality drew people away because they misinterpreted it as rudeness. Did he care? Not really. So why did he suddenly think too much about it? Why was he thinking of ways to get a word out of her mouth? 

The woman his eyes were fixated on didn't hear Nami when she appeared, coming back to earth only after Luffy nudged her side with his elbow. 

"Let's go find a ship."

She only nodded and followed along, burying one hand in the pocket of her pants. He saw when she bought a pocket knife from a stand and hid it. Zoro guessed her fingers were always curled around the knife for safety reasons, even if her fear seemed irrelevant — nothing was suspicious in that village. 

They were the only suspicious people around there. A navigator who is a thief, a green-haired tall man with three swords attached to his hip, a pirate who wore a straw hat and a beautiful witch. 

Beautiful, indeed, even if that word alone didn't do the woman enough justice. Not only the way she looked was pretty, but the way she carried herself, how stable she was on her feet, the sparkle in her eyes, the taunting mischief of her gentle smile. 

A smile that has been gone for half of a day, now replaced by anxiety. Even a blind man could see the unsettling feeling she was carrying. 

Zoro didn't realize when he took the opportunity of looking at her hair bouncing with each step after he chose to walk behind them all. He shook his head and shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants, moving his gaze away. His mind shouldn't be wandering on useless things. 

Nami stopped in her tracks once they reached the dock. 

"We don't need something flashy, we have to sneak it out of here without anyone noticing."

"You mean we're gonna steal a ship?" Luffy furrowed his eyebrows. 

"Yes?" the navigator frowned. "Wasn't that obvious already? How else are we gonna get a ship?" 

"We can ask for one!" he beamed.  

"So you think that just talking with someone would bring us a ship?" 

The witch only sighed and shook her head at the other two's argument. 

"Fine," Nami gave in after looking for too long at Luffy's puppy eyes. "But if it doesn't work, we do it my way." 

"Deal."

Instantly, he walked away in search of a ship. 

"So, what's the actual plan?" Zoro asked nonchalantly. 

"You two look around and see how lax the security is around here. I'm gonna look for a ship and if we have enough luck, we will bribe Luffy into stealing one."

"I wish you luck," the swordsman smirked. 

That's how they split up, Nami heading in a different direction while the witch walked straight up ahead with one hand still in her pocket. He approached her after a few long steps, merely looking at her from the corner of his eyes. 

"If you keep walking around so stiff, people will guess we have something to hide."

"The only thing I have to hide is a pocket knife. On the other hand, you have three swords and no one looked at you suspiciously yet." 

Finally, she said full phrases. However, there was no change in her expressionless face. 

"What's up?" he fully turned his head towards her. 

"Hm?" 

Those beautiful eyes looked up at him curiously. 

"Is someone suspicious?" he asked. 

"No, just the air." 

Once again, she turned her face away before he was able to read what she was hiding. It didn't seem like something big or dangerous, but she was definitely acting shady. 

On top of it all, she wasn't exactly paying attention to her surroundings, since she didn't notice the two marines walking around the corner. Zoro wrapped an arm around her middle and placed a palm over her mouth, shoving the both of them between two buildings. 

Her fingers grasped at his wrist and if she wouldn't have reminded herself to let go of the knife, she could've cut him. 

"You could've just warned me," she whispered to him after she moved his hand away. 

They both noticed their situation way too late. Her back was pressed against his chest and his arm was holding her securely next to him. His fingers burned her skin even through the large shirt she was wearing. The air got knocked out of her lungs and for a moment, she remembered the second reason for her unsteady feelings — him. The pirate hunter she didn't like thinking of because it was better that way. 

When Zoro noticed the marines went away, he let go of her, even if too slowly. He let his suspicions get the best of him. 

"What are you hiding?" 

The witch — who just grabbed at his arm to move it away —  was in that moment frozen on the spot. 

"Nothing important."

From behind her, he couldn't see the way she frowned. 

"You're like a walking ball of anxiety." 

"I told you, it's just a shift in the air. Nothing important," she gritted her teeth, getting irritated. 

Why was she distant? Did she think he wouldn't believe in her intuition? — that's what she'd probably call it. 

She moved away after what felt like years, but her shoulders relaxed. It seemed like she figured out God-knows-what. 

"I don't like the energy. It feels like I'm gonna die soon."

"Did you see a black cat?" 

"No, I feel something crawling up my throat."

She resumed her walking and he kept up with her for the second time that day.

"Everything seems fine. I saw only those two marines and they were awfully relaxed," Zoro changed the topic. 

"Then, just like Nami guessed, the security isn't exactly top class," the witch responded. 

They walked around in silence, spotting Luffy on a ship with a goat figurehead. The swordsman could see the happiness bouncing around the straw hat who just called out at them. 

"Guys! I found it!" 

"Did you think for more than two seconds before choosing it?" the witch arched her eyebrow, amused. 

"Actually, one glance was enough to know this was the perfect ship for us."

"Why am I not surprised you were right?" Nami sighed. 

"He will sell it to us," Luffy pointed at a young man who walked behind him. 

"Um, actually, this is not for sale," he tries to smile, rubbing at the back of his neck in embarrassment. 

His golden-brown skin glistened in the early sun rays, which most probably meant he was working on something. 

"And I'm not a salesman," he added. "But my friend owns this ship." 

•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈

They found out his name was Usopp and the friend he was talking about was a girl who was celebrating her coming of age on that day. Kaya not only invited them to dinner, but insisted they could sleep over, considering they were “Usopp's friends”. The witch was still getting used to being called a friend or comrade, since she doesn't remember the last time that word was met with serious intentions. 

The girl's mansion was… big. It was like a labyrinth and even if Zoro was bad at directions, she thought it started to rub off on her the moment she walked towards the dressing room after taking a bath. The lights weren't particularly bright and the sun was setting by that time. The curtains were tied together, leaving space for the warm golden lights to bathe the hallways. 

Mystery clung to each artifact and painting. It was beautiful, yes, but there was a certain aura of that place that unsettled her. 

Not to mention the staff — she never thought it would come a day when she'd say “these people are weird”. For the past two years she's been traveling alone around the Blue East and she met dozens of people, one more intriguing than the other. However, that butler was suspicious. She wanted to believe he was just a father figure for Kaya and he was protective of her, but she couldn't. 

From the moment when she entered the dressing room — she's surprised she even found it —, she decided to answer some questions of her own. 

She shuffled her tarot cards in her hands, meticulously arranging each card that fell, putting them in order. It was confusing her — it was the second time she does the same thing, with the same question in mind, and she received the same ambiguous answer. Why did the cards have to be particularly hard to guess on that day? 

She ran her fingers through her hair and ruffled it, accidentally tugging harshly enough to make her frown deepen, but she held back a hiss. Maybe some pain would help her focus, instead of letting her mind waver. Luffy, who sat cross legged on the carpet, just like her, was analyzing her reactions because he had no clue what she was doing. 

"What do you see?" he asked in a hushed voice.

"Why are you whispering?" Zoro asked. 

The swordsman hasn't moved since he came into the dressing room and sat on a comfortable chair. He flexed his arms when he crossed them over his chest and threw one or two glances at the swords leaning against the armrest. 

"I don't know," Luffy whispered again, snapping his head towards him. 

She didn't pay attention to them at all. She had to admit that she felt better than an hour ago, before having the opportunity to take a bath, the reason why she was wearing a dressing gown only. It was so soft and the material felt perfect against her flushed skin, her collarbones exposed entirely. 

She was completely unaware of the gaze locked on her. The woman had no clue a specific swordsman was thinking more than he usually does. There was an inner battle he couldn't fight by using his three swords style. He occupied himself by focusing on the material things; the carpet was soft. 

Just as soft as her body when he glued her back to his chest to avoid those marines. 

"What do you think?" Nami smiled proudly after she appeared from behind the room divider. 

"You look like Nami," Luffy shrugged. 

The witch chuckled at the response. She didn't smile once since she entered that mansion, but she couldn't help her reaction. Instead, she raised her head to the orange-haired woman whose shoulders fell at the answer she received. 

After a few seconds of thinking, the witch decided to give her a real opinion:

"It compliments your body, but it isn't necessarily flattering — maybe you can find a few other options?" 

Nami nodded, moving around to search for something else. 

"I kind of feel bad for Kaya… she must feel lonely in such a big house," Luffy commented. 

The witch decided to avoid the conversation, her eyes stuck once again on the few cards splayed over the carpet. She took in a deep breath and then sighed. It made sense, but it didn't feel like a complete answer. She decided to turn the rest of the deck upside down and take the card on the top. 

"Dammit," she cussed out. 

It confused her even more, so she just put the card back in the deck. 

After a minute of spacing out, she managed to focus on the other three in the room. 

"Rich people don't feel emotions the same way we do," Nami said flatly. 

"She seems kind, though," the witch hesitated as the words left her lips. 

"That's a big word," Nami probably rolled her eyes, considering her tone. 

"Probably. She seems better than the butler, by the way."

"Have you guys seen him before?" Zoro asked, shifting in his seat. 

Immediately, the witch moved her head towards him. He answered a question she didn't even ask and her fears felt validated for a brief second. So he also found that man suspicious. 

"No, but I don't like him at all," the witch responded firmly. 

"How come you can talk so easily about people you just met? No offense."

Nami was still looking around for a dress when she talked. 

"It's not that I'm being judgmental — I can't assume what those people did or not. However, tell me, what about the staff makes you go 'oh, yes, they're good people'?" 

"Good point," she pulled her lips together in a straight line. "They're weird." 

The shuffling through clothes stopped, which meant Nami found something. Except, it wasn't for her, but for the swordsman who caught the caramel silky shirt that was thrown into his lap. 

The witch let out another long exhale and closed her eyes. She hoped she could ground herself in a way or another, despite the unhelpful air surrounding the entire house. It was suffocating and it felt as if there was a heavy press on the crown of her chest, making it hard to breathe. 

Seconds passed and the only thing she found in the depths of her thoughts was doubt and uncertainty. Nothing felt right, but she couldn't point out exactly what gave off that kind of aura. Slowing down her breathing didn't help either. 

By the time she gave up and huffed, Nami and Luffy were out of the room. She saw the glimpse of a red silky dress pooling around someone's legs. Said person was Nami, surely. 

A dress. Maybe it would be easier to hide a knife in her thigh holster. 

"You're staring at these cards like you're gonna find out something, but I doubt you found anything," Zoro got her attention. 

Once again, her fingers gripped at the strands of hair. Putting her confusion into words left a lump in her throat. 

"I don't know what's going on and it's annoying. I don't have time for life lessons."

"Going on with what?"

"This entire mansion, maybe?" she looked at him. 

His gaze made her skin tingle and she didn't know if she welcomed that foreign sensation or not. Everytime he talked, he managed to get her out of her thoughts, and she was both grateful and angry about it. For some reason, his stoic personality was safe in that maze. 

"The butler is hiding something, that I know for sure," she whispered this time. "I never saw him, but something doesn't feel right at all. Protecting Kaya? It sounds like bullshit to me, Zoro."

She was stubborn about the opinion she has of that man and maybe it was wrong, but did she really care? 

The swordsman didn't expect the sound of his name rolling off her tongue to stir something inside of him. It almost stung, her voice craving words in languages he's never spoken on his ribs. He paid attention, even if on a normal day he wouldn't listen to superstitions and the words of a probably insane witch. 

Except it sounded like she was the most sane of them all. 

"It probably won't make sense for you, but he's lying about something. He's not just a butler," she continued after glancing back at the cards. "He's fooling everyone and he's doing it well. This isn't what I'm actually concerned about — there's another lie I can't point out. The cards don't help. It feels like I'm being deceived, but for a good reason."

"By who?"

"I don't know. Or maybe I just want to avoid the answer."

She always hated her suspicious nature, the way her trust could be gained only by a few, and all of these people have been gone for years. She shouldn't be like that, it would be better if she'd have some faith in the people around her, if she'd allow herself to believe in them and their words. The ability to trust was a desire — something she wanted, but didn't have. 

Zoro's body tensed and his frown deepened when he realized she was suspicious about one of them. At the same time, her attitude didn't match up because she seemed to despise her own suspicions. 

Why was he so concerned about her? Yeah, right, he has no clue. Amazing. Perfect. 

"I hate this," she muttered under her breath. 

The witch put all of her cards in the deck and threw it on a chair after she stood up. Her eyes fell on the variety of clothes and she wondered what the fuck she was doing there in the first place. 

Why was she there? She didn't promise to stay with Luffy. She had the opportunity to remain in Syrup Village for a while and then leave, just like every time. What was she doing in that mansion, looking at too many clothes hung in a huge room? 

"Aren't you also gonna change?" she said without turning towards him. 

"Do you even trust us?"

The question had the same effect as the tight embrace she was pulled into a few hours ago. Her breath hitched and she hesitated, fingers clutching at the material of her dressing gown. 

The truth was other than what she thought of this entire time; yes. Yes, she did, and that was the most dangerous situation of them all. 

"I wish I didn't," she whispered. 

It was inexplicable, the faith she had in humanity after meeting Luffy. She would clutch at her heart and talk about how humans don't deserve her trust, she would talk for hours about how mischievous people are, that they adore taking advantage of others. 

So it was normal to despise that feeling of longing, the desire to get attached to people, the need for a connection. It was normal to fear a bad ending and it was even worse that she thought such a thing couldn't happen anymore. 

That was why the tarot cards confused her. They told a story different from the one her soul knew. What betrayal? What secret? Who was in pain they couldn't express? And why did she get the feeling that it wasn't exactly betrayal? 

Her answer probably satisfied Zoro, since he got up from the chair and took a black suit he noticed minutes ago. He didn't say a word, but his shoulders were relaxed again. 

•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈

The witch was the last one to arrive downstairs, in a room that seemed like a living. She found it uncomfortable to wear a dress in a house filled with strange people, since it held her speed back and it wouldn't be exactly easy to defend herself. She opted for a dress she could move in, only squeezing her waist and chest, fluttering around her knees. It was long enough to hide a knife in her thigh holster. Getting discovered wasn't on her to-do list, but she had to ensure her own safety. 

While she changed, her mind wandered… would any of them help if something happened? Her guess was that yes, they'd jump into action. 

Without noticing, after she walked down the stairs, she gravitated close to the swordsman. She was with her back at one of her comrades, never out in the open, sharp eyes scanning each corner of the room. The table in the middle was strong, she figured out after she tapped her nail over the surface. If there were guns involved, she could use it as a shield. 

"You should try these!" Luffy spoke with his mouth full of cookies as he looked towards her and Zoro. 

"I have everything I need right here," the green-haired man responded with a smirk. 

There was a glass of cocktail in between his fingers and he took a long gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. Only now, the witch took her time to gaze at the expense of his shoulders, the suit fitting him perfectly. Considering how casual he dresses, it was surprising to see that kind of formal attire hugging his body so deliciously. The usual cockiness of his smirk was still present, just like the hand shoved into the pocket of his black suit pants. 

Roronoa Zoro was more attractive than she liked to admit. His sharp jawline and the smallest bump at the base of his nose, the tall stature, those deep brown eyes sparkling in the light of a candelabra — damn, he looked like he'd been sculpted by the gods, despite the lack of belief he had in such almighty beings. The air was tight when she inhaled and she almost felt bad for ogling at him — almost, because the first time she met him, she was busy sweeping the floor with some Marines. 

A feeling of control and steadiness oozed out of him, pulling her closer like a spell. For the briefest moment, her shoulders relaxed at the reminder that she's not alone there, that there are three other people she can put an ounce of trust in. That was the least she could do at that time. 

With her arms crossed loosely over her stomach, the witch watched the interaction between Nami and a businessman — he looked and acted exactly like one, but lacked the mischief. 

She missed the glance the swordsman threw at her, a look that lasted for too long to be friendly, but short enough to miss it. No, he thought to himself before taking another gulp of the liquor in his glass. He doesn't have time to indulge into such things. 

The witch sighed at her own observations; she should unwind for a little while. She picked another glass of cocktail that was on the table and sipped, furrowing her eyebrows. 

"It's sweet," she mumbled, surprised after licking her lips. 

"Don't confuse sweetness for how strong it is," Zoro chuckled. 

That simple sound made her heart skip a beat or two, bringing an uncomfortable sensation in the pitch of her stomach. 

"Beginner's mistake, I suppose," she shrugged. 

Too bad she wasn't exactly a beginner. 

The talkative Usopp and Luffy stopped, which caught her attention; these two were the loudest people she's ever met in her entire life. Kaya was walking down the stairs, her slim arms curled around one of Klahadore's — the butler. 

Only now, the witch took her time and looked at her. The pastel pink dress drained the life out of that girl, as if her pale skin didn't do that enough. Her cheeks were sunk and her smile seemed fragile like glass. She still remembers the cough that ripped through Kaya's lungs like an old knife. 

Usopp looked at her as if he saw his dream before his eyes. He was love-struck. 

The witch smiled at the realization. A puzzle so easy to solve.

The only thing Luffy loved as much as his dream and crewmates was food. Behind the door where the stairs ended, there was a big table filled with too many plates to count and a variety of dishes. His eyes sparkled as if there was gold. 

A simple minded person, indeed, and maybe that was for the best. 

She couldn't rest. She was on high alert, her heart beating faster each time her eyes glanced over at the butler. The fork in between her fingers stabbed the meat in her plate once in a while, but the knot in her stomach was difficult to undo. The only reason why she managed to remain steady was the swordsman who sat to her left and — by some powers bestowed by the gods — felt steady and safe. His presence pulled her back to reality, stealing her attention. The witch has never been more glad not to be alone. 

"We wanted to talk with you about a ship," Luffy said with a big smile on his face. 

"Right," Kaya smiled back, letting her fork down. "Usopp told me you are sailors."

"We aren't sailors, we are pirates."

Damn it, Luffy! 

The witch gulped, squeezing her eyes shut at their captain's excitement. This was about to end very badly. 

•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈

The dinner ended abruptly. Kaya had a coughing fit and she wasn't feeling well, meanwhile, the butler blamed it on Luffy, who got on the table and had an entire speech. They weren't welcome there anymore and were supposed to leave at the first hour in the morning. 

The witch found each opportunity not to be alone, aware it wouldn't be in her advantage in case something happened. When she saw Nami head back to their guest room, the witch followed her. She needed to change out of that dress into something she could run and fight in, like her usual clothes. 

After locking the door behind her, she looked at Nami who was already slipping her arms out of the sleeves of that beautiful red dress. 

"I didn't get to tell you that you look stunning in that, by the way. Definitely the best choice," the witch mumbled as she averted her eyes to offer some privacy. 

"Not really the moment to talk about dress up, is it?"

"I know, but some compliments wouldn't hurt anyone, right?"

Wrong, apparently, since Nami stilled in her tracks. The witch decided to sit in silence for a while, while she changed from the dress as well, pulling on a plain t-shirt and some comfortable jeans she tucked into her boots. 

The woman was aware of Nami who was moving behind her, now holding a pillowcase in between her fingers. It was clear she tried to move fast and leave the room before she could be noticed. 

"Wanna be petty towards that rude butler?" 

"It's not like anyone would notice. She's filthy rich," Nami mumbled through gritted teeth, disappointed about being caught. "Do you have eyes at the back of your head, by any chance?"

"Nope," the witch accentuated the p sound. "Just associating the rustling with the source." 

"Did you eat some kind of sensory devil fruit?"

"Got born with it," the woman joked lightly. 

Only then, she turned towards Nami, who stood tall, head tilted towards her. The witch was convinced about the suspicion she had while doing that tarot reading, but this time there wasn't a turmoil in her chest. The thunderstorm stopped, despite the clouds still covering the sky of her mind. 

"Be careful roaming around with a pillowcase in your hand. We'll get in trouble if anyone catches us, especially the staff. They're creepy as hell."

"The girl hissed at me," Nami scoffed. 

"Gods," the witch placed her hand on her forehead and shook her head. "Do you have any guesses about where the others might be?"

"Zoro drank like two bottles of alcohol, so I'll suppose he's searching for more."

The witch smiled softly at the response, despite the fact that she missed the undertone of Nami's answer. 

"Don't tell me you were curious about Luffy or, worse, Usopp."

"Hm?" 

An intelligent retort. The witch gulped down and looked away, biting at the inside of her cheek. 

"I mean, Luffy gets himself in trouble all the time, it's not hard to find him."

"Are you acting stupid with me?" 

Nami was grinning like the devil itself. Dammit, did she really have to be so observant? 

"I'm pretty aware I'm smart, actually, so I don't get where this comes from," the witch whispered. 

There was a hue pink covering her cheeks and she was fidgeting with her fingers behind her back, doing all of these gestures unconsciously. She felt like an idiot at that moment, she had to admit. 

Then, as if lightning struck her, she widened her eyes for a brief second. She didn't even know why she was there, in that mansion, surrounded by strangers she wanted to put her trust into. 

"What are you thinking of?" Nami asked. 

"None of us promised to become a crew," she shook her head. "It doesn't matter."

The navigator narrowed her eyes at the witch whose shoulders fell, the shyness she felt earlier deflating. 

"It looks like it matters to you, though."

"That's exactly why I'm saying it," she smiled sourly. "Gotta make myself believe otherwise." 

Silence stretched between the two of them. Two women who had stories and feelings to hide knew when to stop from asking questions, even if it would end up bloody later. It was clear both of them wanted to avoid sensitive subjects, even if the witch barely noticed when Nami started being the interrogator. 

"Be careful, Nami," the witch smiled at her sincerely. "Usopp may be good at bluffing, but I'm better at playing the innocent. If you need someone to gaslight the shit out of the butler, just tell me."

I know what you do is wrong, but I believe you'll make a wise decision by the end of this all. I believe in your reasoning and I hope you can put your trust in me as well. 

"Noted," and with that, the navigator left the room. 

The witch almost got lost in that labyrinth again. She wanted to go to the kitchen, place where Luffy most probably was, but maybe she walked down a bit too many stairs and headed to the wrong side of the mansion. 

She saw a tall figure in the dark basement where barrels full of wine were arranged with utmost care. She furrowed her eyebrows when she saw Klahadore standing in the way, making one step back. Face to face with him was Zoro, who was ready to draw his sword out of its scabbard, but he quickly got hit in the back of his head by someone.

The witch's eyes widened, but she received the same treatment by someone who managed to sneak behind her back. 

•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈

Her head ached, sending daggers all the way to her forehead. The witch let out a guttural groan and her hand flew to her nape, caressing the sore spot.

When her eyes opened, she was greeted by the dead body of Merry, the business man she noticed at the dinner. She flinched, scrambling to her feet, which wasn't an intelligent idea. Her vision blurred black and she felt dizzy, suddenly unsteady. If not for Zoro's grip on her arms, she would've fallen ungraciously on her butt. 

"What the heck?" she mumbled. 

After a few seconds that felt a bit too long, she couldn't understand exactly why it was so cold in that place. Her chin tilted back so she could look up at the night sky. 

They were at the bottom of a well. 

"We have to get out," Zoro spoke in a gruff voice. 

He sighed heavily and let go of the witch, while she looked at him with the face of are you fucking serious? 

"How?" she spoke without thinking. 

After a failed attempt to escape by using a long rope with a big hook attached to it, she tried using her short knives to stick the blades in between the rocks; it didn't work either. 

There was only one option left and she was speechless. 

Her heart sank when she watched Zoro grip at the rocks. He was strong, yes, definitely stronger than her on the physical side, but what if he couldn't climb up? What if he would fall? 

Then I'd catch him. We either die here together or we get out together. 

Her mind was set. She watched him carefully, gulping when she watched him struggle. His weight might do some damage if she dared to be reckless enough to catch him, but he was the only one who could climb those rocks. If she would've tried, she'd surely fall.

Just like she supposed, his fingers didn't grip well enough at one of the rocks and his feet slipped. He lost his equilibrium and wasn't fast enough to clutch onto another rock or stabilize his foot in time, and he fell back. 

Maybe that witch was more reckless than anyone would've guessed. On top of it, she was selfless enough to believe that if he managed to get out and get help, it didn't matter what happened later, so she tried her best to mitigate the impact.

She was right — air got knocked out of her lungs when his body fell on top of hers and she groaned, but at least he didn't break some ribs. Her arms were wrapped around his waist and her fingers clutched at his shirt. Pain traveled through her body quickly and didn't disappear, but the adrenaline paid off. 

"Are you alright?" she asked him in a hurry. 

"You're insane," Zoro concluded, exasperated. 

His back was glued to her chest and he tilted his head to the side to look at her. Maybe, for once, he was right about her. 

"I'd rather break one of my ribs. You're the only one who can get us out," she argued with a frown between her eyebrows. 

The witch looked away and blinked. She didn't want to focus on how hot the air felt, despite the bone chilling cold in that tight space. The butterflies in her stomach could be ignored if she gathered enough self control in time. 

However, Zoro didn't move. He seemed troubled, completely out of it as he continued to look up at the night sky with a scowl on his face. His entire body was tense and he was deep down in his thoughts, especially since he didn't move a finger since he disagreed with her idea of "helping". 

As if struck by lightning, he got back up, following the same steps from earlier. 

"Be careful." 

He stopped in his tracks right after his fingers gripped at some rocks. 

"Move away if I fall again."

"I won't move and you won't fall." 

It pushed him at the edge, mingling with the memories flowing through his mind about his long lost friend, about the girl whose strength he admired so greatly it made him move again. For a brief second, he thought of himself as a coward for overthinking the process. He either got out alive and managed to get her out as well, or they were both doomed — there was no in between. 

Steadily, a tad bit slower than before, he climbed up the wall. His body ached at the effort when he was more than half way through and he would stop for a few seconds before making another move, clutching at another rock that would get him higher. 

Despite being so low, several meters under the ground, her trust in him didn't waver. Her heart squeezed with worry, but she wanted to follow her instinct and how much she believed in him, even if it was unusual. Maybe it was because of his stubbornness, since if he was set on something, there was no way of stopping him. 

He lost his equilibrium for a fraction of a second. Her breath hitched, eyes widening, his name stopping on the tip of her tongue. 

His foot slipped and some dust fell to the bottom of the well, next to her. She breathed out in relief when he was quick enough to grip at another rock. 

The witch didn't doubt him one bit when he finally got out of the well. He kept the rope he found in the well at his waist while he climbed up, so he could help her get out too. 

From up there, Zoro held tightly onto the rope, just as tightly as she did, even if her fingers hurt and she didn't exactly trust her body to be strong enough. She gripped at the cord and climbed the stone wall, gritting her teeth whenever it seemed like she might fall.

Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Repeat.  

It was a slow process, which was worrisome from her perspective. She advanced, but the longer she struggled, it felt endless. 

For the record, she believed in Zoro more than she believed in herself — she didn't have low self-esteem either. 

"Look up," he reminded her firmly. 

He prompted his feet into the ground and held tightly, waiting for her. 

"Trying," she mumbled to herself. 

Slowly, she got closer and closer to the exit. Zoro bent his torso and curled his fingers around her forearm, managing to help her out. 

"Fuck," she cursed. 

Her breath was labored and she was sweating heavily, a droplet falling from her temple to her jaw and down her neck. She let herself on the grass, her arm still in his hand. 

"I owe you my life," she breathlessly mumbled. 

Unconsciously, her fingers were clutching onto his arm for support, even if her knees trembled from the tumult she went through. 

"We have time for that later," he brushed it off. "We have to find the others." 

"That butler isn't new to killing people who stand in his way. We better hurry before he chops us off." 

"His name is Kuro. He was the captain of the Black Cat Pirates and supposedly died three years ago, when Axe-Hand Morgan killed him — the Marine Captain we encountered back in Shell Town."

The swordsman kept his grip firm on her, carefully bringing her back to her feet while he talked. 

"I saw his face on a wanted poster some time ago, but since he was presumed dead, no one cared anymore."

"He looked very much alive to me," the witch retorted. 

"I was with Usopp when I went to get wine and he managed to escape from the butler. Maybe he went to search for help, even if I doubt any untrained person could harm these pirates. Luffy was in the kitchen, eating some weird blue food." 

Zoro let go of her and walked in the opposite direction of the mansion and she looked at him confused.  

"Oi, Zoro, the house is the other way—"

Then, when she looked at the path that went through the forest surrounding the mansion, she felt a pull towards it. She furrowed her eyebrows and continued staring.

"You go that way. Nami is surely still inside."

"You just said I went in the opposite direction, though?" Zoro arched his eyebrow at her. 

"Usopp searched for help, but if we think about it, Kaya said he has a lot of stories to tell. He's bluffing a lot, even if with no bad intentions. Maybe he found someone — if there's no sign of life on the path, come back."

"And you?" 

"I'll find Nami and Kaya somehow." 

Zoro didn't believe in superstitions and higher beings, but he trusted her instinct, so he headed the other way. The witch opened the door slowly, making no sounds. She slipped inside and looked around for an insane pirate who hisses — these two were creepy. 

The young woman flinched when all the light suddenly disappeared and behind her, a heavy metal wall met the floor, stopping everyone from moving in or out of there. Fuck. 

She gripped with both of her hands at the daggers she held at her hip, holding them securely. With slow steps, the witch made her way through the house. The big candelabrum hanging from the ceiling marked the way to enter and leave the house. To the left was the kitchen and to her right was the living room. The guest rooms and dormitories were upstairs. She still remembers which one was her room for the might and the bathroom. 

If she didn't want to die there, she had to quickly figure that place out. 

She heard one single step from the stairs and her attention shot up. Sham looked at her perplexed, but grinned widely. 

"You were supposed to be dead, little mouse."

"Don't confound me with your food," the witch held the knives tighter. 

Instantly, the woman jumped at her with a mop in her hands. The witch dodged the attack with a knife and the one that followed, bending her knees to avoid getting hit again. She tried to cut Sham's leg with her knife, but the maid was fast, jumping back in time. 

Zoro, if you get lost on the way back, I'll wake up from the dead and kill you, she thought to herself. 

"Captain Kuro will kill Kaya tonight and there's nothing you can do to stop him." 

Sham's wooden mop clashed against the witch's dagger and avoided the knife which almost sunk into her shoulder. Sham attempted to make her fall by kicking her legs, but the witch made a light jump before she could fall. 

It would draw attention to her and the cook might appear out of nowhere, but the witch sheathed one of the knives and pulled a pistol, aiming at the hissing woman. 

"I'm too fast for your shitty guns, girl."

Yeah, sure. It was her time to grin at Sham. 

Her eyes followed each of the maid's movements, moving her arm just in time to shoot her side. Sham was lucky enough to move out of the way, but the next bullet scarred her upper arm, another hiss leaving her lips. 

"Fuck."

Aw, the kitty was angry. 

The witch widened her eyes when she saw Sham pull a sword that seemed more suited for decor. She had to dodge the next attack, the blade almost touching her neck when she stopped it with her knife. 

"Hey, Sham, do you need some help?" 

The witch gulped at the new voice. It was the cook. 

"I don't really think so." 

The witch jumped back before her neck got cut, breathing heavily. She had to block other attacks while she attempted to find a weak spot, an opening to shoot and do it well. 

The witch groaned when the blade left a deep and clean slice on her left upper arm. It stretched horizontally on the side. The shock almost paralyzed her and blood was quick to flow down her arm. 

She tossed a knife through the air, the tip sinking straight into Sham's right arm. 

A weight sound caught her attention and she turned her head towards the metal wall behind her that was slowly being lifted up by strong arms. Who the fuck could—

Oh, right. They had a bulky swordsman as part of the crew. 

"Took you long enough," the witch muttered through gritted teeth. 

Luffy bent down and smiled at her widely. 

"Sorry for that."

"Keep apologies for later. Go after Kuro — he wants to kill Kaya." 

Zoro followed the straw hat, straightening his back when he got inside. His eyes narrowed when he saw the crimson liquid covering the witch's arm, drawing his swords out. He could use the adrenaline pumping through his veins against the man who launched an attack at him. 

"Go, Luffy. We'll keep these two occupied," he instructed. 

The scent of blood filled the witch's nostrils. She aimed the gun at Butchy and the bullet flew right next to his ear, stopping him from hitting the swordsman. Sham was bold for taking the knife out of her arm and running towards the witch with the weapon in her hold. The witch stumbled and her back glued the floor, both her hands gripping harshly at Sham's arm, stopping the tip of the knife a few centimeters above her eyes. 

"You little bitch," the pirate hissed at her. 

The witch kicked the maid into the stomach with her knee, pushing her off of her. Luffy disappeared and the sound of blades clashing against each other filled the room. 

Zoro used raw strength whenever he attacked Butchy, his swords almost cutting through the man with swift gestures of the wrist, elbows angled perfectly. He had more fighting experience than her and it showed, so she was more than just happy not to get sliced in half by the other two. 

She cussed when she remembered she had only one revolver, the other one left in the room. She had three bullets left. 

Her head got cloudy when she quickly got back to her feet, her breathing labored. She was tired and the only reason why she ignored her bleeding wound was the adrenaline. 

This time, when Sham attacked with the mop, the witch only moved to the side and took advantage of the opportunity to cut with the knife through the flesh, the tip sinking deeper and deeper into the maid's stomach, until her body went limp. 

The witch let Sham fall to the floor and stepped back. She felt her pulse pump through her head, slowing her down. She tried to focus on breathing evenly and eventually not passing out. 

She heard a loud thump — the cook was down and Zoro sheathed his swords. He didn't break a sweat, or so it looked from her blurry perspective. 

A sound rang through the air sharper than her daggers and it lit her on fire. The sound of her name being spoken with worry latched onto Zoro's voice. 

He walked down two or three stairs at once, undoing the bandana from his head and wrapping it around her wound. She hissed when he knotted the material tightly in order to stop the bleeding. 

"Thanks," she whispered, her body still tense. 

•┈┈┈•┈┈┈•┈┈┈

"Don't mention it," Luffy smiled widely at Kaya. "We couldn't have let him hurt you or deceive people anymore."

If it wasn't for his rubber body, maybe they wouldn't have gotten out alive, but luck sided with them again. 

"I could never thank you enough, but this is all I can do for you now."

The witch stared at the goat figurehead of the ship Luffy was enamored with. Kaya talked, but the words weren't registering in the woman's ears since a small little creature curled around one of her legs. The black cat mewled sweetly and begged for attention, a luxury it received quickly. The witch crouched down and petted the animal with a smile on her lips, brushing her fingers over the soft fur. The cat purred loudly, rolling on its back and pawing at the woman, greedy for affection. 

"How's your wound?" 

When she lifted her head, her eyes met Zoro's. One of his hands rested on the hilt of his Wado Ichimoji and the other was stuffed into the pocket of his jeans — she learned that was one of his most relaxed stances. 

His bandana was still wrapped around her upper arm and the bleeding stopped long ago. She didn't get the chance to properly clean her arm or tend to the cut, but she felt content. 

"I'll care for it on the ship after we set sail," she said in a soft voice. 

Yes, that was the voice that made his heart hammer in his chest, he remembered. Finally, after a day filled with anxiety and panic, he could watch her shoulders relax, even if he wasn't exactly pleased with her lack of attention. 

"Let's go!" Luffy shouted at them. 

The witch stood up, wincing at the smallest movement of her arm, and that didn't go unnoticed by the swordsman. 

She still avoided his question, he concluded. She said she'll care for the wound, not how it felt. 

He tapped the hilt of his sword repeatedly and took a decision he didn't know if he'll regret later, following close behind her. 

Tag list: @emelia07 @dimplewonie @tfamidoingwithmylife @murnsondock @the-skys-musical-echo @conspiracy-crows @hallow33nz @ramae17 @gaslysainz @bunntsu @katt58 @katiemrty @hopefulrascalstatesmantoad @freyademartel @boofy1998

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[acefaun]

Hi, can i request a Thorin x human girl reader story? Reader is scared of Thorin because of the dragon-sickness and seeing that he slowly realizes his mistakes and apologized to her. Please 🥺 🙏

I know you can do it! 🥺💖

Thorin~ Dragon-Sickness

Synopsis: Being afflicted with dragon-sickness, Thorin fails to realize his mistakes until your fear of him shakes him back into reality. But he has to deal with the consequences of his actions. 

🍃Masterlist🍃 Female MC!

A/n: Dude. 🥺 Writing this hit me super hard considering not long after the dragon-sickness you-know-what happens to Thorin. I know you didn't mean to, but my FEELINGS are hurting and I hope yours hurt too after this! 🥺 

–Word Count: 2,889–

From the minute your party stepped into the Lonely Mountain, you knew what you were possibly getting into. You’d heard the horror stories of this place, stories which you thought were nothing more than what they were: stories. 

But… much to your heart ache, you were wrong.

You took Thorin’s desperation to get into the mountain as a simple determined wish to return home. After all, he was so close. You knew it would break him to have to turn around when his home was in his grasp.

There were… subtle changes that you noted upon gaining access to the mountain. You thought he seemed too merciless upon sending Bilbo to face the dragon. Sure… going into the mountain to retrieve the Arkenstone was the whole reason Bilbo was part of your company in the first place—he was your burglar hobbit. But… that didn’t mean any of you wanted to put him in any real life-threatening danger all on his own. 

The only thing that seemed to sway your feelings was that Bilbo was determined to do what he signed up for. He was going to help these dwarves reclaim their home, and it was an honorable choice, in your opinion.

However, Thorin even seemed to treat his dwarven allies much worse as time went on. You had all been searching tirelessly for the Arkenstone, but Thorin was less than pleased by any of your efforts; he wanted results. He wanted the Arkenstone in his hands. You helped as best you could, but to no avail. Your aid did not grant them restful nights and chances to stop for food—Thorin was impatient.

From there, things only proceeded to get worse. Your heart ached for the people of Laketown, whereas Thorin had seemingly no sympathy for them—this was only proven to you when Bard later failed to negotiate for their fair share of what was in the mountain. Thorin had indeed changed, and not for the better. You had never seen him more selfish than he was under the influence of this dragon-sickness.

To make matters worse, your heart broke when Thorin came to you and Bilbo, his most trusted supporters, with his concerns. “I have been blind,” he said carefully, eying the two of you as if you'd agree with his next statement. “Now, I begin to see. I am betrayed.”

You were both surprised by his sudden conclusion, but Bilbo was the first to question him. “Betrayed?” 

You couldn't tell if this was a personal accusation towards you or Bilbo, or if it was some mistake toward his kin. Thorin wasn't making his intentions or suspicions very clear, so you said, “Thorin… I think you're overthinking the situation. What could make you think-” 

“The Arkenstone,” Thorin interrupted, staring harshly as if he were accusing either you or Bilbo. But he was very swift at adding, “One of them has taken it.” He paused, a tense silence filling the air as if he were waiting for the so-called traitor to pop out. “One of them is false.”

You shared a worried glance with Bilbo who tried to calm Thorin’s irritation, “Thorin, our quest is fulfilled. You've won the mountain. Is that not enough?” Thorin remained stubbornly silent, convinced of his accusations. Pleadingly, Bilbo looked at you. “(Name)?”

Nodding in agreement with the small hobbit, you insisted, “We've all made it here together alive and well. We've won the mountain. You made it to your home, love.” 

Still, the dwarf King seemed to ignore all reasoning as he brooded, “Betrayed by my own kin…” He truly looked betrayed, and your heart ached for the pain he must have been feeling despite his mind being in the wrong place.

“You- You made a promise… to the people of Laketown,” Bilbo frantically tried to bring Thorin back to reality before he lost himself. I could tell that Bilbo’s feelings of concern were genuine and that he wanted to see Thorin in his right mind as much as I did. They were friends. “Is this treasure truly worth more than your honor—our honor? Thorin, I was also there. I gave my word.”

“For that, I am grateful,” he nodded. “It was nobly done by both of you. You've both shown true loyalty to me…” For the briefest of moments, he was soft and I saw a glimmer of the man I loved. “But the treasure in this mountain does not belong to the people of Laketown.” His tone took a sudden turn, and I was startled by his harshness—though, it seemed to be a pattern nowadays. “This gold… is ours, and ours alone. By my life… I will not part with a single coin… not. one. piece of it.”

“Thorin Oakenshield!” Your outburst caused Bilbo to flinch. He had never seen your anger; Even Thorin was taken aback that you had yelled at him. “You are a dwarf of honor,” you continued your heated rant, “You're a dwarf of your word—a respectable King. Why now are you treating the people who have followed you on this quest as if they are nothing more than petty thieves and liars?! This is your family and if you push them away, you will be left with no one; but all the filthy gold you desire will be yours and yours alone.” 

You simultaneously viciously defended the dwarves, complimented Thorin, and declared your stance of things before storming away. This only left Thorin in furious shock and Bilbo was quick to place a hand on Thorin’s chest, keeping the enraged dwarf from following you. Bilbo knew it wouldn't end well… 

Nodding his head reassuringly, Bilbo suggested, “I'll talk to her. I'm sure it was nothing but nerves working. After all... you are pitting her against her own people…” He awkwardly patted Thorin’s shoulder at the look of repressed rage in Thorin’s glare. Bilbo repeated, “I'll talk to her…” He quickly escaped Thorin’s brewing fury to track you down. 

It was needless to say that you were furious with Thorin. He clearly wasn't in his right mind to be making any sound decisions, so you aided Bilbo in escaping the mountain with the Arkenstone by providing him with some rope you found. After all, there had to be some way to help Thorin, and maybe the answer was getting the Arkenstone as far from him as possible. This dragon sickness had affected him too severely. You were fairly confident that the Arkenstone could be used as leverage to stop this oncoming war; Bilbo was the only way this war had a chance of being avoided. 

Though… maybe you should have come up with a different approach when the little hobbit was nearly killed by an enraged Thorin. You were much too late to step in and help, but you were ever grateful to Gandalf for coming just at the right time. He seemed to have an affinity for last-minute rescues. 

However, after viewing Bilbo’s safe retreat to Gandalf, you too retreated into the mountain so as not to face Thorin, your broken beloved.

***

It wasn't that much longer later when a war erupted outside of the sealed entrance of the mountain. It was primarily between elves, dwarves, and humans; that was until an army of orcs showed up, forcing the three races to band together in their fight… Well… All but Thorin and his company. 

There was chaos brewing, and all Thorin could think was to find you, his love… a traitor. “You…” He hissed. “I never imagined you'd stoop so low…”

Your eyes wearily trailed over the dwarf King you loved. How did it suddenly become just you and him there? Where were the other dwarves? Were you going to have to fight Thorin similarly to what you'd just seen happen between him and Bilbo?

Still, you felt disrespected with the way he was speaking to you. “You would have killed him,” you accused. “You'd have fought your own kin over something they didn't have! I couldn't let you do that…” 

“You knew he had the Arkenstone,” Thorin shot back with a deep frown, something you weren't used to seeing him with. He continued his accusations, “You knew he'd give it to our enemies.”

You huffed, incredulous at the pure audacity he seemed to throw your way. “They are not our enemies, Thorin! The elves, the men from Laketown, Gandalf, Bilbo… me. I'm not your enemy.”

“An ally…” Thorin started slowly, his eyes boring into you. “My love… would never choose another over me.” 

“It was in your best interest,” you replied quietly. You thought you were doing something good by ensuring the Arkenstone was out of his grasp, but it seemed he was too ill to see that you were only trying to help him. “Thorin,” his name came out in a disappointed sigh. “Bilbo’s right; you can’t see what you’ve become. You can’t see what this gold is doing to you.”

“So, you also think I should part with my treasure?” Thorin titled his head, but his expression wasn’t a pleasant one. “Man does not deserve the riches that rightfully belong to my people—to me! I am Thorin, son of Thrain! I am the King under the Mountain!” 

“You’ve abandoned your people to die out there in a needless war!” You argued fiercely, trying to get him to hear you. “You’re the reason Laketown has been turned to ashes, you almost killed Bilbo, and now you forsake the lives of those who have given you their loyalty!” 

“I am their King,” Thorin bellowed. “The number of lives lost is nothing compared to the riches this mountain holds. Life is cheap… A treasure such as this cannot be counted in lives lost. It is worth all the blood we can spend.” His words were heartless. You could see that he was looking at you but his eyes were glossed over with an ugly obsession; He was looking at you, but he could not see you; He was listening to you, but he could not hear you. 

You hummed absently, tears glistening in your eyes as you whispered, “You’re not the Thorin Gandalf introduced me to.” 

“Nor are you the woman I fell in love with,” he hissed. “She was not a deceitful wench.” After a tense moment of silence, his voice seemed to waver, as he ordered, “Leave… if you wish to live.” 

That was your breaking point where the tears dripped down your cheeks, but you didn’t give him the privilege of letting him see you break. Abandoning Thorin, you left to gather your things. Even after your long adventure, you didn’t have many personal items on you aside from the bag you’d come all this way with. 

But as soon as you mentally prepared yourself to leave your short-lived home, Balin stopped you, meeting you at the door of your room. Meeting each other’s gaze, Balin apologized, “Sorry you have to go through this, lass. Dragon-sickness can overtake even the strongest of us.” 

“I can’t blame him… for something he didn’t choose. But I also cannot stay to see a stranger in the eyes of the King I love.” You paused, your heart aching as you lamented, “We’ve been through a lot together, all of us, and we made it to Erebor. I’m sorry I can’t follow through until the end. If Thorin refuses aid, I will return to my people and help them myself.” 

Balin could only support you with a small smile. “Understandable, my lady. We wish you luck.”

“I would think the dwarves need luck far more than I do…” You offered a slight smile in return for his kindness before leaving. 

For extra measure, you took an extra bag filled to the brim with gold treasure. Just because Thorin had lost his mind with dragon sickness that didn’t mean you would forsake your people. You would do what Thorin could not. It was too late to repent for the war that had begun, and it might not have been enough for the whole of Laketown to rebuild their lives… but you prayed it would help lessen their suffering once this horrid war was over—at the very least, you hoped it would help the children and elder. 

However, when leaving for the exit of the mountain fortress, a voice sternly called out, echoing through the stone halls, “(Name)!” 

You froze, unable to face him, but fearful of his continued wrath—especially now that he was there to catch you making off with his gold. Warily, you uttered, “Thorin…” 

“Is this how you choose to end us?” Thorin asked venomously. “Stealing from me and making off with that bowman?”

End…? No. That’s not what you wanted—especially not with another man. You simply wanted to preserve what was left of something good while, at the same time, helping your fellow suffering people. Thorin surely had some audacity telling King Thranduil about the suffering of the homeless and suffering dwarves when he was going to leave the humans of Laketown homeless and suffering in the coming winter. 

But, for you, it was too late for running back to your people. Thorin caught you red-handed, and you didn’t have the will to fight him. You couldn’t protect yourself as you did Bilbo; you didn’t have the heart.

Tears blurred your vision as you turned to face him. “Thorin…” Your voice cracked as you looked at his blank expression. “I don’t want to remember you like this… But if you should kill me for trying to fulfill your broken promise…” You trailed off, your bags falling beside you, clattering with the weight of the gold coins. You couldn’t see him like this… His expression hurt your heart far too much, and that’s not the last thing you wanted to see if he decided to kill you. So you dropped to your knees, your head bowed in surrender. 

Thorin’s sharp eyes were glued to the bags beside you for but a moment, softening as they landed back on you… You were shivering before him, something… he never thought he’d see. Your cracking voice should have been enough to shake him, but seeing you trembling in terror on the floor struck a chord in him. He never wanted to see you like this—not because of him, of all people. He’d have killed anyone who had the audacity to make you cower in fear. Thorin’s throat tightened almost painfully as he quietly called, “My love…” 

You sharply lifted your wide, misty eyes, finding a kind-faced dwarf King gazing down at you with his hand extended. Sadness was deeply etched into his features; he no longer looked like a man possessed… Your throat tightened, and you choked out, “Thorin-”

He interrupted you, enveloping you in his strong arms, exactly where you belonged. “My love,” he repeated, again and again. “My love… I should never wish to bring you harm.”

An audible sob left your lips, your eyes flooding with tears that billowed down your cheeks and soaked into his sleeve. Your cheek pressed into his shoulder as you held him tightly as if he’d slip away at any moment if you were to let go. “You’re back…” You cried, “My Thorin.”

“I am… I will not let gold sway my loyalty to those I love.” He caressed your hair reassuringly, holding you firmly against him. You could feel how deeply he inhaled, taking in your presence in his arms, the feeling of you pressed into his chest—this was something he never wanted to lose, and neither did you. Quietly, he continued to speak, “I have a war to fight. Orcs are overtaking our forces. Will you wait for me? I will aid your people once we’ve won. I doubt that will be a suitable enough apology… But I will never stop seeking your forgiveness for all that I’ve done.” Pulling away enough to look at your face, his thumbs gently caressed your cheeks, wiping away your tears. Deep within his gaze, you could see the great anguish he felt for his actions; he loathed that he had hurt you. “(Name), I am sorry… Dwarves are foolish creatures.” “You are an idiot…” You agreed in a surprisingly delicate manner as you caressed his cheeks, your fingers lightly tracing over his beard. Despite your consistent hiccups and sniffles, your eyes were filled with infinite warmth and affection that could only be for him. “But I love you, Thorin. Please… Go help your friends. Lead your people. Save them.” You offered him a smile in return to his small, adoring one. “I’ll be here,” you promised. “I’ll wait for you.”

#the hobbit #the hobbit fanfic #thorin oakenshield #the hobbit thorin #thorin x reader

[fog-and-rust]

Hogwarts Legacy Incorrect Quotes Part 3 (feat. my Hufflepuff!MC, Ellie)

Send help, I can't seem to stop. That's waaay too enjoyable. MC is steadily evolving into a gremlin "The Polyjuice Plot" quest revealed her to be.

Leander: But what about Ellie?

Natty: Don't worry so much about her.

Garreth: I once watched her fall down 5 flights of stairs, stand up, and keep casting Revelio like nothing happened.

***

Sebastian, Poppy & Natty: In our defense, we were left unsupervised.

Amit: Wasn’t Ellie with you the whole time?

Ellie: In my defense, I was also left unsupervised.

***

Poppy: What’s your biggest fear?

Ellie [after clearing Aranshire from spiders]: I am incredibly arachnophobic.

Poppy *under her breath*: You don’t want spiders to get married?

***

Ellie: So, Poppy is no longer allowed in the Room of Requirement.

Leander: Why?

Ellie: Because I've caught her trying to train Nifflers to fight five times in a row.

Poppy *arms crossed and pouting*: You'll be thanking me when the third Niffler battalion saves your ass.

Ellie: Why would I need Nifflers if I have my Chomping Cabbages?

Leander [an avid fan of ferocious plants]: That's a good point actually.

***

[Someone's trying to trespass into Ravenclaw common room is becoming one of my favourite plots as well as Chomping Cabbages]

Ravenclaw knocker: What's worse than a heartbreak?

Poppy: Stepping on a Kneazle's tail and not being able to explain that you're sorry.

[The door opens]

Ravenclaw students: How do they do that? First Leander, now Poppy. Who's next, Venomous Tentacula?

Ellie & Leander [who are already inside]: Tentaculas can't walk. Beware of the Chomping Cabbages!

***

Leander: My life is a little too much panic and not enough disco.

Ellie: My life is a little too much fall and not enough boy.

Garreth: My life is a little too much chemical and not enough romance.

Poppy: My life is a little too much imagination and not nearly enough dragons.

***

[In the goblin mines]

Ellie, to Amit as they cast Disillusionment spell: First rule of battle, my dear friend... don’t ever let them know where you are.

Sebastian, somewhere in the distance: WHOO-HOO! I’M RIGHT HERE! I’M RIGHT HERE! YOU WANT SOME O’ ME?! YEAH YOU DO! COME ON! COME ON! AAAAAH! Whoo-hoo!

Ellie: 'Course, there’re other schools of thought.

***

[After the quest in the goblin mines]

Duncan, to Ellie: One universe, nine planets, seven seas, seven continents, and I had the unfortunate luck of meeting you.

Ellie: Hey, that’s not very nice-

Everett: There are only eight planets, you Puffskein Dunkein!

Amit, appearing from nowhere: VIVA LA PLUTO, FUCK YOU!

Ellie, rolling on the floor and laughing: That's my boy!

***

Poppy: Ellie learned how to fold origami penguins from Amit the other day. I told her, “I feel a little bad for the penguins, it’s hot here”, and she immediately cast Glacius on them.

***

Leander, to Garreth: If you see Ellie, give her this message *makes a neutral face*

Leander: She'll know what it means.

*later*

Garreth: Oh, and Leander said to give you a message.

Garreth: *makes a neutral face*

Ellie: Oh no. The neutral face of displeasure.

***

Ellie: Judging our life choices, I really hope we all make it to adulthood!

Natty: That’s a great prayer.

Poppy: A needed one.

Sebastian: A needed one indeed.

***

[The squad is bored as hell during History of Magic lesson]

Garreth: What is the most illegal thing you can do with one galleon?

Ellie: Exchange it for knuts, put them all in a sock and beat someone to death with it.

Leander: No more hanging out with Sebastian for you! He's a bad influence! You're grounded for till O.W.L.s!

Ellie: For till O.W.L.s?!

Leander: For till O.W.L.s!!!

Sebastian*offended but taking notes*: That's too cruel even for me!

Leander: Ellie, is this why you've been to Azkaban?

Ominis & Sebastian: You've been to Azkaban?!

Other students: Calm downess, relaxation, chill out and stop screaming...

***

Leander: How long do you reckon it’ll be until Amit finally snaps and commits a murder so that he can fit in with the rest of your friends?

Ellie: I’ve been going through this year assuming it’s already happened at some point and it’s just that no one was ever able to trace it back to him.

***

Ellie: Caffeine no longer keeps me awake while I complete the trials, so instead I have Leander periodically send me howlers saying ‘we need to talk.’

Ellie: It gives me the right amount of adrenaline and fear I need to keep going.

***

Sebastian: Just trust me. Have I ever put you in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation?

Ellie & Ominis: All the time.

Sebastian: Then you should be used to it by now.

#hogwarts legacy #incorrect quotes #hogwarts legacy incorrect quotes #hogwarts legacy mc #leander prewett #natsai onai #garreth weasley #poppy sweeting #amit thakkar #ominis gaunt #sebastian sallow #everett clopton #duncan hobhouse

[hedonistrum]

Intro to Hedonism - Hedonistic Virtues

Open-Mindedness - This is pretty obvious. We should not close our hearts and minds to new experiences, even those that, at first glance, make us uncomfortable. Break through that initial reaction and find the potential for pleasure. Try twice before you decide against something!

Beauty - Whether you're seeking beauty in yourself, in others, or in the world, an appreciation and respect for beauty should be a powerful influence on your daily practices. Indeed, I would advise newcomers to my lifestyle to seek beauty in every location they find themselves in throughout the day. Take time to admire and appreciate. Even if that appreciation is through masturbation!

Living in the Moment - We all have a great many worries and cares. Life is non-stop, and so must we be. But it is important to abandon those things, even if temporarily, and drown yourself in the present moment. Through pleasure, pain, ecstasy, agony, or simple placidity.

Optimism - A hallmark of hedonists should be optimism, even in the face of hopelessness. There is always a silver lining, there is always pleasure in pain, there is always an end to the tunnel. Take your next step.

Self-Care - Nothing is more important to your quest for self-discovery and self-indulgence than self-care. Ensure you are healthy, rested, fed, hydrated, and prepared for your coming activities. Exercise, sleep, food, and water are integral to our lives and serve to enhance our blissful experiences.

Empathy - For we are not islands, but a great collective, let your thoughts ever consider those around you, for their experience, their sensation, their quest for release is no less sacred than your own. We are edified by encouraging, supporting, and coaxing our peers through their pleasure, their ecstasy, even their penultimate release.

Balance - Your quest cannot simply be pleasure for pleasure's sake. There is more to life than ecstasy. Know when to turn off and do what must be done, that you may better indulge in what can be done.

Honesty - How can you hope to achieve true bliss if you cannot openly confess your desires to yourself? To your lovers? To your companions? Let those who would judge you fall like chaff and embrace those who hear your most authentic self and offer to give you the most depraved head you can imagine.

#hedonism #hedonism 101 #professor perverse

[draconicsparkle]

SCP! SCP! You want it? You got it!

This was one I was eager to get to as soon as I thought of it. Made me grin like mad whenever I recalled that it was coming up on my list. And now it’s here!

It was so fun to write. And I’m sure it will be fun to read as well.

If you make a character a cosmic being, might as well give him some crazy abilities! Oh and don’t worry, I shall explore more abilities in the next SCP au too.

“Hey, can you clean up the dishes? I’m really tired tonight and don’t have the energy or motivation to do them,” Hajime requested his companion, who was sitting across the table from him.

The SCP tilted his head, but still nodded. “I can most certainly clean up. But if I may inquire, are you doing alright? Anything worrying you or stressing you out?”

“Nothing that you need to concern yourself over. Just… tired.” The brunette slowly pushed himself out of the chair and stepped over to the bedroom. He shut the door behind him, sighing as his hands left the doorknob. He wasn’t sure why, but he just felt drained today. He had tried his hardest to overcome it all day, but he had no more energy left. Hence his request to avoid doing the clean up.

But… he supposed there was something that could have influenced this energy deficiency. Lately, he had been thinking more about the friends and family he had left behind when he came to this place. Were they thinking of him? Were they doing okay? Did they worry about him? Would he ever see them again?

“Ah, so that’s what is on your mind.”

Hajime didn’t even flinch when the entity’s voice suddenly appeared behind him. Nor when the arms wrapped around his waist. He only sighed, not speaking.

Nagizuru was quiet for a few moments, but spoke again soon. “You know, perhaps we could, I don’t know, sneak out of the facility during the next containment breach. They wouldn’t know if we, let’s say, paid your family and friends a visit. How does that sound, my dear?”

Instantly, Hajime’s heart felt lighter. “You… you mean it? We could… go see them?”

Nagizuru laughed softly, the vibrations of the action felt through their physical contact. “Of course. They may not hold much meaning to me, but they do to you. And your happiness is my top priority.”

Hajime sighed, nearly shedding tears at the thought. “Thank you so much. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m eager for the next containment breach.”

“Indeed. Best not share this with the staff. They would surely not be of similar thinking.” The entity squeezed him a little tighter. “But in the meantime, let us preoccupy ourselves with other activities.”

The human raised an eyebrow. “You sound like you have something in mind.”

“Perhaps.”

Hajime blinked rapidly. The voice… had come from Nagizuru who was now standing in front of him. But if he was there, then who was holding him? He looked back and to his shock, the one holding him was the same person. “Wait! What? How?”

“Oh, Hajime. You underestimate my abilities.” That voice came from his left, where a third entity grabbed hold of his arm.

“I am quite capable of doing this. Is it that surprising?” a fourth asked, grabbing his right arm.

The one behind him tugged him backwards, so that they were now on the bed. The one in front extended a pale arm, pushing on his chest so that he fell back onto the other’s lap. The two on his arms wiggled close, still holding tight. And the one in front moved so that he was laying on the human’s legs.

He was now unable to move, trapped by four copies of the same creature. His heart and mind felt like they were about to explode from both confusion and being more flustered than he had ever been in his life.

Front looked at him with an amused grin. “I’ve not seen this expression on you before.”

Right rubbed a thumb on his shoulder. “It’s a sight I wouldn’t mind seeing again.”

Back ran his fingers through the brown hair. “Penny for your thoughts, Hajime?”

Left maneuvered so that he could whisper in his ear. “I would love to know.”

The human had to really fight to speak without squeaking in embarrassment. He could barely keep himself composed. Who could blame him? But he did manage to ask his question with only a bit of shakiness. “Are you… all different people? Isn’t… cloning yourself a bad idea? Won’t you fight each other to be the one true body?”

All four laughed. “Where did you get that idea? So silly,” Right asked him.

“Perhaps too many sci-fi films? They get so much about the universe wrong,” Left tacked on.

“As if they know anything of the horrors lurking at the edge of the universe,” Front commented, eliciting a bit of a shiver down the human’s spine.

Back pet his hair. “But to answer your question, Hajime, we are not separate.”

“We are one and the same.”

Hajime gulped as the four spoke at the exact same time. It was a little freaky, if he was being honest. Not to mention the implications of his earlier comment. “Uh… what did you mean by the horrors?”

“Oh, don't worry about it, Hajime.”

“You have nothing to fear from them.”

“They won’t come this far.”

“I’ve made sure of it.”

Again, that did little to calm him. “How powerful… are you?”

“Don’t concern yourself with that.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“All that matters right now is us.”

“And making you feel better.”

“Huh? You are… trying to make me feel better?” Hajime asked, not having expected that to be the reason for the clones.

“Of course!”

“You were feeling down and tired.”

“So I wanted to help in some way.”

“And I decided on comforting touches.”

Hajime let out a huff. “Don’t lie. You also wanted to do this to see my reaction.”

“Maybe.”

Groaning a bit, he laid his head back with force on the lap he was resting on, the only movement he could accomplish at the moment. Four sets of identical giggles filled the air, and the soothing touches began again. “I… guess I’ll admit that this is nice. But I’m surprised it’s taken you this long to do. Knowing you, I’m shocked you didn’t do this from the start.”

“Oh, it was considered.”

“Multiple times, in fact.”

“But I refrained.”

“I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

Hajime raised an eyebrow. “Your definition of overwhelming is clearly not the same as mine. You waited for this but didn’t on inverting another person in front of me?”

“Priorities.”

“My.”

“Dear.”

“Hajime.”

The brunette decided to give up, knowing that winning was an impossibility. “At least you are comfortable,” he conceded.

The four smiled wide, the two on his arms slotting one of their hands into each of his. He curled his fingers around the hands, feeling them squeeze back.

“That’s right.”

“Relax.”

“Let your worries fade away.”

“And your mind ease.”

The combination of the various hands massaging him made all the tension in his body fade away. He felt himself go limp, not wanting to move at all. He was practically a rag doll now. He had half a mind to drift off, but would that be rude?

“You may if you desire to. This can certainly be repeated. And allow me to assist in another way.”

Hajime supposed he was thankful for the mind reading capabilities for now, as he didn’t have to speak to express his wants. He closed his eyes as the four around him began to hum in harmony. The gentle tune along with the gentle touches were enough to make him drowsy. And with one final squeeze, he fell asleep while held by the entity.

Masterpost

#danganronpa #nagito komaeda #hajime hinata #komahina #fanfic #au #nagizuru au #nagizuru #scp au

[crookedkingdomruinedme]

Your dad's home.

Your dad's come home and he's bought the family's favourite take out and he's drunk and smiling and laughing.

You're freshly sixteen and you let yourself relax because what else do you wish for in life except these small snippets of your loved ones at ten o clock at night.

(You don't consider how your dad comes home drunk almost every day now and you definitely don't consider how the only time you see him smile so freely is when he's under the influence.)

(You also pray to all the gods you don't believe that today might be different)

(It's not. You know it won't be.)

You sit with your mom and brother and father in your tiny kitchenette and you grab the biggest piece of chicken. Your brother whines and your dad laughs and it's such a boisterous sound that you feel something inside you break a little because just how long has it been since he laughed like that when sober.

Mom's not eating the takeout but she's also smiling and telling my dad how stupid he is and it's just all so domestic and typical that you have to take a step back from that moment to fully indulge yourself in it because you know what comes after.

Things go awry by the end of dinner.

(it always does. every day. You still don't know why you get your hopes up)

Dad says something and Mom snipes back and suddenly it's not so lighthearted anymore and you can feel yourself getting tired of it. So sick and tired of the same day being played over and over again.

Dad ends up storming off before a fight can occur and you finish your meal in growing frustration. After washing off you go to the master bedroom, where he's star-fished on the bed, comfy and relaxed and so fucking soft that you feel at war with yourself on how to not defend this man.

You climb next to him and he hugs you and kisses you and whispers I love you's into your ears like he does everyday when he's drunk.

(Never sober though. You may be a bitter about the fact that it's never sober)

he assaults your face with kisses and you scream and yell at him to get away from you because he's growing out his stubble and it tickles. Your brother comes in and starts his own shenanigans and then mom comes in right after.

She's smiling, like she always is just minutes after a fight. And your dad smiles up at her and you can see her love for him but his eyes are fond. Never in love, only ever fond.

They start talking again but this time there's a tease to their words, not of the lighthearted kind. Intentional mocking of each other's family while still smiling and laughing like this is all completely normal.

(You can feel your throat clogging up, just as it does everyday. Your smile no longer fits your face and it stills. awkward and not knowing how to soften it.)

Your family is still talking and your brother also has that awkward smile on him but for some reason you just know he isn't on the same side as you. Your dad tells you how he's going to sell a family heirloom because he's starting a new business and money is tight.

(It's the heirloom he currently has around his neck. It's a big and shiny thing, and you have to subtly clutch it very tightly so you won't let out the sob you can feel pushing at the back of your throat.

It was your mom's gift to your dad at their wedding.)

Things get darker as it goes on. Mom talks of death so very casually that sometimes you feel it choking you when she smiles.

(You don't like it. you don't like the way she talks when she's like this. you yourself are obsessed with death and decay of life but the way your mom talks makes you want to hide under your covers and clutch your plushie.)

Dad tells us how he won't die by suicide. Then tells us that if he does indeed die by himself then the sole reason would be your mom and her nagging. You don't like it. You really don't like it when they get like this. Dad goes on about how he had almost thought of offing himself last Sunday at least a hundred times but decided not to.

(this wasn't how the script was supposed to go. Your mind is no longer yours and there's static noise buzzing in your ears.)

Your voice doesn't sound like yours when you speak and tell him how you want to study psychiatry so you can put both of your parents in a ward and take care of them. Dad asks why him and you tell him how having thoughts like this isn't normal.

Your mom laughs and it's a small but cruel laugh. She speaks to Dad about how you're just in a fantasy world and aren't ready to face the real world.

(She speaks as if you're still a six-year-old sobbing in her arms because your brother stabbed your arm with a rusted pencil. You hate it. you don't like it when she talks of you like you're inferior. like you're a child who's yet to face reality.)

(This isn't normal, you want to scream. A normal family doesn't speak of death or cheating so casually. A normal family won't have their fathers come home drunk every day of the week. A normal family won't have a mother who's scarily possessive with emotional instability. A normal family won't have a daughter who craves the days her father comes home drunk because she's scared of his sober self but needs his reassurance to get through her days. A normal family won't have a narcissistic younger brother who feels like his value of life is higher than that of his sister.)

But your mom runs her fingers through your hair and tells you that the dream of the family you have is nothing but the musings of a little girl who wants her perfect family. And how normal families are like this.

That's when you realise that no, you never want to be a part of a family ever again if this is how it will be.

You're the eldest daughter of a brown family, newly sixteen when you realize that you love your family, but will never like them.

#spilled ink #spilled thoughts #eldest daughter #brown family

[doctorbrown]

DOCTOBER '23 ⸺ 「 16 / 31 * STAGE 」

July 27, 1985

❝I mean it, Einie,❞ Marty says, frowning slightly in concentration as he strikes the E and A strings of Emmett's neglected guitar; the harmonics vibrate—out of tune—and Einstein cocks his head at the wobbling notes, staring intently at Marty's fingers on the tuning heads. He tunes up the A string until the harmonics ring out perfectly.

❝This is going to be my year. Next month the Pinheads are going to record their first demo tape—we've got some original songs I know they're gonna love—and we're going to make it big. You'll see!❞

Marty runs through the same process for the rest of the strings, finally grinning when he strums a few chords and each note rings out in perfect harmony. He glances off to the far end of the lab where Emmett is bent over one of his projects, goggles on and welding equipment in hand.

Guitar clutched firmly in hand, Marty hops up onto the couch and beams down at Einie, who has also jumped to his feet, tail wagging. ❝People cheering our names all across the country—we'll go on tour to sold-out concerts!❞

Emmett doesn't look up from the blinding light from the blowtorch, nor does he hear the commotion going on across the room through his intense concentration. Just a little more and this final piece will be finished and ready to be bolted onto the DeLorean—he's been at this project for nearly four hours, careful and meticulous and pausing occasionally while Marty came over to check out what was happening to quickly thrust a welder's mask at him for fear of him losing his sight because he stared too long.

He grins behind the mask when the last of it is completed and when he switches off the torch, the sudden sound of music startles him from his concentration. He recognises the song immediately—'I'm the One' by Van Halen.

Marty has been quite into him as of late, Emmett recalls, and he's heard a number of the songs played around the garage while he was working or Marty needed a distraction from his schoolwork or what he assumes must be boredom; waiting around for him to complete his tasks could not be entertaining at all for a seventeen-year-old, yet the boy never complained. The repetition and Marty's unbridled enthusiasm for the genre has, indeed, changed his opinion of the music over the years, improving it from noise to something he finds himself occasionally humming or singing along to when Marty plays.

Emmett dumps the helmet on a nearby table and abandons his completed work on the stand to bear witness to the impromptu concert happening on the opposite side of the room.

❝Take it away, Einie!❞ Marty shouts, holding an invisible microphone out to Einie who takes his cue immediately; Einie barks and howls along to the music, horribly off-key, but Marty doesn't seem to mind, not with that grin still plastered across his face.

Emmett watches quietly, not yet willing to make his presence known and interrupt; he's always enjoyed watching Marty pursue his interests and this moment here, now, makes him glad that he stepped in where needed, always encouraging the boy to pursue his dreams.

Nothing was impossible if he set his mind to it, and Marty had such a natural talent for music, not to mention an impressive singing voice, that to watch him throw away that dream because of his own fears and self-doubts and negative influences of his life seemed, to him, absolutely criminal.

Marty hops off the couch and Einstein comes to stand by his side as he bows to an audience that doesn't exist. Emmett claps and the noise jolts Marty out of his moment, so much so he nearly drops the guitar in surprise.

❝Doc! How uh—how long were you standing there?❞ He looks back towards where he last saw him hard at work, half-expecting to see a second version of him still hunched over.

❝Long enough.❞ He smiles. ❝You sounded great, Marty, however I'm afraid Einie is going to need much more practise if he's ever going to perform on-stage with you someday.❞

Einstein makes a noise that sounds far too much like a huff and Marty pats him on the head. ❝We'll work on it.❞

#doctober 2023 #marty's definitely mastered the art of tuning his guitar with harmonics you can't tell me otherwise #i just thought this was something fun and cute for them to do #also you know doc's gonna support him in whatever endeavour he pursues; he wholeheartedly believes in him #and i also hc that after a while of marty coming around and when he learned of his interest in music and his love of the guitar #doc went out and bought one - not the best one but it worked - to keep around the lab for marty to use as he pleased #if he was feeling stressed or sad or just wanted to practise - he didn't always bring his guitar around so having one there for him just #made sense #&; a great idea can change the world 「 hc 」

[smilingangel582]

What a crazy night?

OK, alright, well... ahem! So I know you guys are sick of this anime tk fics... but! I just finished all these seasons (though I doubt they'd consider making S3)... my point is *sigh* um... I felt like writing another. Tehe! I promise I'm gonna write something trendy next time! Soooo enjoy!

Warning spoilers alert!

"No,"

Hanae Ashiya ran a hand through his face with deja vu. Meanwhile, Fushimi and Saga held their pillows together with a look of disappointed children grounded from Disney land. Their mature friend just declined a childish offer.

Haruitsuki Abeno folded his arms, now sitting back down on his futon with an irritated expression. He looked older now, Ashiya was worried partly about his age if he was actually older than sixteen.

"Abeno~ please... come on, you never join our group so easily..." Saga whined now reaching over to the blond by grabbing his arm.

Abeno just rolled his eyes "What children"

"Hey guys... I told you Abeno's a real party pooper" Ashiya nervously added, sensing the death glare.

Saga pouted more, still holding Abeno's arm as he attempted to leave, "At least smile... I've never seen you so happy before!"

"I don't need to smile to be happy" was Abeno's stingy response. The argument began with Saga and Abeno while Ashiya tried to calm them - specifically worried if he would be a victim in the next job with the master's foul mood currently.

However none of the boys knew Fushimi's plotting from the shadows. After observing the situation and analysing his options available, he smiled internally with an evil plan.

Creeping behind Abeno, he suddenly pounced on the blond. This startled the trio and Saga exchanged surprises glimpses with Ashiya who still cuddled the pillow.

"Oi! Fushima! W-what the he -hehehell?"

Ashiya blinked in surprise by thst sound. Abeno, the master of the monokean, actually giggled like a child.

The pale boy's face was flushed with panic. He struggled to escape the fingers that firmly kept kneading on the bones of his ribs. He let out another surprised cry when Fushimi wiggled them properly.

"I felt like Abeno needed to lighten up," he mentioned simply with no indication of menace.

Saga grinned back by slowly catching up to the incident at hand, crawling towards them he stepped down to pin Abeno's failing legs.

"Oh, the grumpy pretty boy isn't ticklish, now is he?"

Ashiya never expected Abeno to be ticklish. After all this time, the thought never crossed him. He felt a twinge of excitement to join in and hear Abeno sputter in bright giggles like a child. Suddenly becoming his own age.

"Ahahahashiyaaa mahahake thihihis idihihiot stohohop!" Abeno snapped through his cheerily titters.

"Rude... He's such a stubborn and ungrateful guy, " Saga huffed, now pinning his knees so he could get his feet, which made Abeno's giggles increase pitch and volume This was a rare sight indeed. Cute...

Ashiya was glad Abeno can't read minds. Otherwise that will spend the end for his life.

"Wait up! Get his shoulders... I bet he hates that" Fushimi snickered with pondering intentions of curiosity. Abeno shrieked at the when Ashiya reached out to grab his shoulders... although he barely tickled him, it made the later laugh even more contagiously.

"Wow... your this sensitive?" Mumbled Ashiya now massaging them to make things worse for his employer.

"QUIHIHHIT IHIHIT! YOHOHOHOU GUHUHUYS SUHUHUCK -GOHOHOHO AHAHAHWAYYY!"

"He's finally getting tired, now I can get these," Ashiya chuckled, worming two fingers between the sides of his scrunched neck, though this revealed another tickle spot, which Fushimi just lunged after.

"Nohoho thehehehere! Gehehehet OOHOHOUT OOHOF THEHEHEHERE!!"

Ashiya blinked in content "Oh don't back down... they are good targets!"

"Roger that Ashiya!"

Abeno wished he could use influence on these nitwits. But at the same time, he didn't want it to stop (though he wouldn't admit it), then he didn't want to hurt them.

"So cute..." Saga from the bottom muttered as he felt bored being further away from the view of Abeno's red face.

"I know," Fushimi calmly stated, taking down a knotch with his attacks on Abeno's armpits

"Ohoho fihihine! Ihihihihill plahahahay thihihis stuhuhuhupid gahahahame ohohof yours!"

"You swear?" Ashiya threatened mockingly, pinching his ears and making Abeno squeak in bewilderment."Yehehehes Yehehes YEHEHES! HAHAahaha, stohohop nohohow... plehehehease! -Gahaha.... Ohohohoii!"

Saga and Fushimi exchanged delighted glances with Ashiya, who winked. "I didn't expect him to agree so easily... he's that weak, eh?"

Abeno growled now and then got up on his elbows the other two preparing the Fort which they wanted to build for this 'game'.

Ashiya whispered, now being teasing, "Hope the yokai don't find out the great master of the mononkean to be ticklish..."

Abeno frowned "Say that again and I'll slap you"

Ashiya paused on that now reaching to poke his side and it made the blond jolt away with a gasp "Hey! Ashiya!".

Ashiya snickered like a child "If you decide to slap me... I can tickle you to stop you... simple as that"

Abeno glared, being speechless for the first time. Adorable... Ashiya thought again when Abeno sheepishly, but infuriated, approached Fushimi and Saga.

Forts did happen but tickles followed and Abeno might, or perhaps if his pride does allow, get revenge with the similar childish method... even if he hates it.

Still, he smiled more unbeknownst to him. Ashiya was glad.

#tickle fic #cute #fukigen no mononokean #lee abeno #ler saga #ler fushimi #ler ashiya #haruitsuki Abeno #hanae ashiya #morose mononokean

[storytheanimist]

Ill-Fated Forever

In July of 1819, the English Poet John Keats began to experience the early signs of tuberculosis not long after his engagement to Fanny Brawne. Over the course of the next year-and-a-half, Keats wrote a total of eighteen love longing letters to Miss Brawne until his death on February 23, 1821.

On canvas resembling tea-stained parchment, written in wedding-band gold, are some my favorite excerpts from these letters. Adorned with autumn Flora, these powerful pieces elicit a quiet urgency; a feeling of both the immortality of love and the immediacy of time running out. This series is dedicated to my own beloved, who is the only person with whom I can imagine running into the arms of eternity.

A testament to powerful love in the face of insurmountable adversity, this Flora series is one I've been wanting to complete for some time. Each piece comes with a printout of what is written on the canvas, as well as a brief explanation of the series. These are available by corresponding with me directly and an exchange of ei ghty United States currencies in addition to parcel transport (please forgive my careful wording as I don't want these lovely pieces to get lost in netherspace).

"Newport"

July 3, 1819

Ask yourself my love whether you are not very cruel to have so entrammelled me, so destroyed my freedom. Will you confess this in the Letter you must write immediately, and do all you can to console me in it, make it rich as a draught of poppies to intoxicate me, write the softest words and kiss them that I may at least touch my lips where yours have been. For myself I know not how to express my devotion to so fair a form: I want a brighter word than bright, a fairer word than fair. I almost wish we were butterflies and liv’d but three summer days — three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.

"With Pleasures"

July 8, 1819

Your Letter gave me more delight, than any thing in the world but yourself could do; indeed I am almost astonished that any absent one should have that luxurious power over my senses which I feel. Even when I am not thinking of you I receive your influence and a tenderer nature steeling upon me. All my thoughts, my unhappiest days and nights have I find not at all cured me of my love of Beauty, but made it so intense that I am miserable that you are not with me: or rather breathe in that dull sort of patience that cannot be called Life. I never knew before, what such a love as you have made me feel, was; I did not believe in it; my Fancy was affraid of it, lest it should burn me up. But if you will fully love me, though there may be some fire, ’twill not be more than we can bear when moistened and bedewed with Pleasures.

"So let me speak of your beauty"

July 8, 1819

I would never see any thing but Pleasure in your eyes, love on your lips, and Happiness in your steps. I would wish to see you among those amusements suitable to your inclinations and spirits; so that our loves might be a delight in the midst of Pleasures agreeable enough, rather than a resource from vexations and cares. But I doubt much, in case of the worst, whether I shall be philosopher enough to follow my own Lessons: if I saw my resolution give you a pain I could not. Why may I not speak of your Beauty, since without that I could never have lov’d you. I cannot conceive any beginning of such love as I have for you but Beauty. There may be a sort of love for which, without the least sneer at it, I have the highest respect and can admire it in others: but it has not the richness, the bloom, the full form, the enchantment of love after my own heart.

"Will you heart never change?"

October 13, 1819

This moment I have set myself to copy some verses out fair. I cannot proceed with any degree of content. I must write you a line or two and see if that will assist in dismissing you from my Mind for ever so short a time. Upon my Soul I can think of nothing else – The time is passed when I had power to advise and warn you again[s]t the unpromising morning of my Life – My love has made me selfish. I cannot exist without you – I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again – my Life seems to stop there – I see no further. You have absorb’d me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I was dissolving – I should be exquisitely miserable without the hope of soon seeing you. I should be afraid to separate myself far from you.

"Yours for ever"

October 13, 1819

I have been astonished that Men could die Martyrs for religion – I have shudder’d at it – I shudder no more – I could be martyr’d for my Religion – Love is my religion – I could die for that – I could die for you. My Creed is Love and you are its only tenet – You have ravish’d me away by a Power I cannot resist: and yet I could resist till I saw you; and even since I have seen you I have endeavoured often “to reason against the reasons of my Love.” I can do that no more – the pain would be too great – My Love is selfish – I cannot breathe without you.

"If I should die"

February ?, 1820

Now I have had opportunities of passing nights anxious and awake I have found other

thoughts intrude upon me. “If I should die,” said I to myself, “I have left no immortal work behind me – nothing to make my friends proud of my memory – but I have lov’d the principle of beauty in all things, and if I had had time I would have made myself remember’d.” Thoughts like

these came very feebly whilst I was in health and every pulse beat for you – now you divide with this (may I say it?) “last infirmity of noble minds” all my reflection.

#art and poetry #John Keats #John Keats poetry #John Keats letters #Fanny Brawne #John Keats and Fanny Brawne #mixed media #words and pictures #momento Mori #love #romance #Valentine's day #tragic romance

[sams-fluffadise]

I got yet another wonderful ask for Comfort Prompt #32 but sadly I lost the ask. The prompt was “You’re allowed to be weak, you know.” for 00Q.

—-

„Bond?“

The only answer Q got were irregular puffs and pants that didn‘t exactly manage to inspire confidence in the young Quartermaster‘s mind. Nevertheless he kept talking.

„007, please come in…. A simple sign of comprehension would suffice.“

That got him a grunt that could mean everything between acknowledgment or pained last sounds.

„Fair enough. Perhaps a verbal sign as well?“

It took another few minutes until the panting decreased, the action scaring Q into pulling up the agents vital signs. But while his bpm was rather high, the rest seemed to be in the realm of normality.

Finally, Bond‘s side of the comm‘s crackled to life: „Can‘t a man get shot at in peace around here?“

Q sighed in relief, trying not to let any of it influence his voice. God knows, Bond‘s head was already big enough without knowing how much Q cared.

„Since it is my job to keep you alive, I am going to say no.“

For a moment, it was silent between them while Bond calmed his breathing and Q asked himself if his nonchalance had succeeded. If he could see the agent smirk, he would have his answer.

After a minute the Quartermaster cleared his throat, „I don‘t have eyes on you, 007. Do you know your location.“

„Not since I diverged from the main road down some ally about ten minutes ago.“

Q huffed a sigh and opened a map, feeding it the small amount of data he had.

„At least that gives me a radius. What do you see?“

„Nothing.“

„Nothing? Come on, I am not asking for a street name but at least the buildings around you?“

„I don‘t know. I jumped into some window and closed it behind me. Can‘t be opened from the inside.“

The Quartermaster started to rub his temples, a migraine already starting to settle in.

„Well, then find a bloody door, Bond!“

The agent mumbled something about impatient youth before hissing like a cat whose tail was stepped on.

„Bond?“

Another hiss, before: „Give- Give me a minute. I have a bit of a stab-wound-situation here.“

„What?! Why didn‘t you say anything?“

Frantically Q pulled up the vitals again and indeed, his blood pressure was very slowly decreasing, indicating that he was actively bleeding.

“Alright, put pressure on the wound, as much as you can.”

“Thanks, Q, I hadn’t thought of that yet.”, how the double-oh agent could still be sarcastic while his survival critically depended on the next few minutes, perhaps hours if they were lucky, the Quartermaster would never know.

“Shove it, smart ass. What does the blood look like?”

“Red?!”, Bond tried to huff a laugh that was immediately followed by a pained groan.

Q would never admit it out loud but it served him right for being so difficult.

“Light or dark? Is it pulsating or has bubbles?”

“Dark and neither.”

The Quartermaster finally took time to take a deep breath. “Okay, so neither a vein nor an artery was hit. Just keep the pressure on, find a clean cloth to do it with.”

Bond gave a grunt, that was followed by some fabric rustling.

“So…”, Bond sighed, “are you free for dinner after I get back, Quartermaster?”

Q gave a startled laugh. “Only you could think of that now.”

“Come on, give me a break.”, the agent smiled but there was an urge in his voice. An urge to talk about anything that wasn’t the - only superficial but still bleeding - hole in his stomach.

Q sobered and swallowed hard. To a lot of people the spies employed by her majesty’s secret service seem invincible but not to their Quartermaster. He sat with then, right in their ears, as they ran, as they fought and as they occasionally lost. He stitched them up, not just physically. Their safety was his duty and he would give everything he had before he would ever admit defeat.

“You’re allowed to be weak, you know. To admit you’re scared.”

Bond paused for a long time before replying: “I’ve had more stab wounds than I can count. It would be absurd to be scared.”

“Practice might make perfect at a lot of things, but not at getting stabbed. I won’t judge you for being human, James.”

“So, what? You want me to admit I am scared of dying? Scared of meeting my end alone in the middle of nowhere?”, Bond’s voice was drowned in ridicule, so much of it that the truth of his words would become clear to everyone with an ounce of empathy.

Q’s heart ached for the agent. Ached to be there with him, hold his hand and reassure him. They both knew Bond wasn’t going to die today, his wounds far too superficial for that. But they also both knew that the agent’s chances for dying on the job became higher every time he was send out to a mission.

“You’re not alone. I am here.”

Bond smiled softly. “That you are.”

#my writing #00q #james bond #quartermaster #ask game #once again tried for like 300 words and it turned into 800 whoops #should i post the on ao3 too? #remix eligible

[samwargacki]

Title: The Unseen Journey: Commitment and Encouragement in Youth Soccer

In my journey through the world of competitive soccer, from playing in the Professional Arena Soccer League to reflecting on the path not taken in collegiate soccer, I've discovered the core elements that sculpt an athlete: commitment, encouragement, and an unwavering belief in oneself. My experience has taught me the profound impact of these elements, not just in sports, but in any endeavor that demands excellence.

The Foundation: Belief and Commitment

It begins with a belief, a burning desire within that says, "This is the path I choose." But belief alone is not enough. It must be coupled with an ironclad commitment—a commitment that reshapes your life, prioritizing your goals above all else. This isn't about a fleeting interest or a temporary passion; it's about knowing what you want and rearranging your life to make it happen.

For me, the realization came too late that if one wishes to reach the heights of collegiate soccer or any high-level athletic pursuit, there are no shortcuts. It demands more than just talent; it requires a lifestyle built around the goal.

The Role of Encouragement: A Parent's Influence

Reflecting on the journey, I've come to understand the unparalleled role of encouragement, particularly from parents. The power of a parent's belief in their child's dream cannot be overstated. When a child says, "I want to be a professional golfer," or "I aim to play soccer at the collegiate level," it's the parent's belief that ignites a similar belief in the child. "Why can't it be you?" becomes a powerful mantra that drives the young athlete forward, pushing them to embody the discipline and hard work their goals demand.

Discipline: The Cornerstone of Success

This discipline isn't confined to the playing field; it infiltrates every aspect of life. It's about showing up for practice even when your mind screams no, pushing through the pain, and clinging to the regimen you've committed to—because the goal at the end of the road is worth every sacrifice. And it's not just the athlete's commitment; it's a family's journey. Every practice, every game, is a step forward, a collective effort toward the dream.

Navigating Peaks and Valleys

In the pursuit of excellence, understanding the inevitability of peaks and valleys is crucial. There will be moments of doubt, times when the path seems insurmountable. But it's in these valleys that growth occurs, where the determination to push through the hardship refines the athlete, sculpting them into a warrior ready for the next challenge.

As parents and mentors, our role is to remind the young athlete of their commitment, of the reason they started this journey. "You said you wanted this," we remind them, anchoring them back to their initial spark of passion. And when the valleys seem too deep, we're there to reassure them that peaks are on the horizon, waiting to be conquered.

Conclusion: A Journey of Growth

In the end, the journey through competitive sports is about more than just the game. It's a lesson in life, a testament to the power of belief, commitment, and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams. Whether you're an aspiring athlete or a supportive parent on the sidelines, remember: the path to excellence is paved with dedication, discipline, and the unyielding belief that yes, it can be you.

As I look back on my journey, I realize that the lessons learned on the soccer field have shaped me in profound ways. The commitment, discipline, and the belief that 'I can' are not just principles for sports; they're the ethos for a fulfilling life. And to every young athlete dreaming of collegiate soccer or beyond, I say: believe in yourself, commit to your goal, and embrace the journey. The peaks are indeed as breathtaking as the valleys are deep, and every step is worth it.

#soccer #athletics #coach #athletedevelopment #soccer training #sports psychology #mental toughness #coaching #goals #perserverance

[bluesky88diary]

Who can explain this? Just a thought that we cannot meet and who know will we ever meet... such a thought strikes me by depression. Merely don't want to do anything... the feeling when I want to run away, afar from people and merely travel. Back looking back at the path we went though together I think it worth to keep moving even almost without hope. Merely force myself to make another step, another effort, find one more opportunity to face next day and who know what then. Doesn't matter how bad it feels, stupid and miserable, but I have to keep moving forward.

Despite my wish to be a sunshine in your life, beside all warmth we share withing heart... sometimes I merely want to be silent, to find in prayer peace and hope to face future together.

Dear flower, forgive me for my weaknesses, but beside all flaws I still yet love you in my heart. Even though it's hopeless, but there is no other way for love, but miracle. Only divine power can maintain it like everlasting flame uniting two hearts forever in one. Indeed, love is divine power, and requires divine influence to be maintained.

[tarotmundomonde]

Hello!

My initials are B.L.M 💞

I'd like to join for option 2 please.

My sun is in leo at 12°. My Venus is in cancer at 20° 7th H, and my Moon is in sag at 9° in 12th H.

I'd like a reading on option 2 because I have been growing and learning more about myself romantically and my emotional needs. Ofcourse I had a romantic interesting however due to confusion and the realization that even tjoygh we bith have feelings for one another the timingin our lives is not in alignment and we have different prioritiesand needs at the moment soI think it's best that I leg him go for the sake of us being on good terms and maybe some day we'll get together(we both decided it was best) until we grow individually, seeing g as we at at out peak of 18 and soon we will have to face the real world and we both have our own personal ambitions and goals that are very likely to set us I different directions in life. So I'd like an overall reading on my energy romantically and perhaps anything regarding a relationship or feelings. I hope this makes sense 😅.

A gif that resonates with me:

This reminds me of the guy(N.U.E.M) , who I decided to let go of.

A gif for you:

Another color that I see you as is orange. A complementary color of blue. It's vibrant, bright and beautiful. I say this because I feel a very loving and lively aura from you. It's very warm and sweet.

Thank you for your time, guidance and energy.

Much love.

Wishing you all the abundance you deserve!!

- B💞🤍

NOTE: This reading counts from today to the next 5 months.

Hello BLM, let's dive into your reading, shall we? At first glance, it looks like there is a connection you'll be holding on to. Like you really don't want to let go of it. There is a sense of a strong feeling of compatibility and liking the already built foundation and comfortability that comes with it. But there could be also a feeling of being in a labyrinth and not being sure, if you and that person come out from the same gate or if you end up in different places. But it looks like you will not want to give up. A lot of patience is showing up and optimism. But there will be some surprises on the horizon for you. So, let's go deeper into the details of your reading. It looks like for the next five months in romance, you'll be tapping more into strong determination and courage. Loving or wanting love will strengthen your sense of determination and courage in matters of romance. There will be some conflicts, but it looks like you are choosing to trust. A strong sense of not giving up. But at the same time, there are things you'll have to release to make space for expansion. It looks more like it's on an energetic level. Interesting, you have both masculinity and femininity showing up in the reading for you. Like about how a man meets a woman and they are both strong in their energies, like the male has this strong masculinity and the female has this strong femininity and they are compatible. They feel strong attraction towards each other, a strong pull. And it looks it's not just energetically, it's also physically. Like in you there this softness and female power that can make the man weak on his knees and that influences the man so that he feels, how it's his job to step up and clear away the obstacles. The cards are kinda emphasizing that the balance comes from this type of dynamic. Like you are you and they are them and that's how you come into union. I hope that makes sense. Because it's like it balances things and there is also this physical balance. The cards are talking about feeling light, like lightweighted, and that you recognize what you need. So when you like someone, it's important to physically match. That's what the cards are telling you. Indeed, a lot of messages about balance, but also about energy and vitality. It's like there will be new energy coming in for you in romance during the next five months. A lot of joy. You are challenged to face the unknown and that if you have any fears, that you face them. Again courage. And it looks like someone is pulling you towards them with such strength, like it's irresistible. You do have love showing up and it's like it's going to be so obvious. It's like someone makes you feel like you are shining? So whatever your situation is, just let yourself shine so the right people can notice you. You do have some fatal event on the horizon for you. And there is a message about listening to one another. So it's going to be important to listen carefully to what the other says, but also to feel the same. To feel that they are truly listening. Otherwise, the cards want to remind you that nothing is yet set in stone. After all, this reading is only about five months. And so it will be a lot about going with the flow and just seeing, what happens and comes in. Because you do have some surprises coming in. And one more thing is to learn to trust yourself more. You are kinda going through a soul mission currently. ps. feedback is always appreciated~

#tarot #tarot reading #daily tarot #divination

[seminars1]

Navigating the Marketing Seminar Series: Embracing Change, Building Networks, and Finding Career Success

Welcome back to my blog! As I continue to share my experiences from the Marketing Seminar series at George Brown College, I'm excited to delve into the impactful lessons I learned and the strategies I employed to build a strong network and discover invaluable resources for my career in the marketing industry. Join me as I reflect on the inspiring speakers, networking successes, and best practices that have shaped my career journey.

What I Learned - Insights from Inspiring Speakers

Throughout the Marketing Seminar series, I had the privilege of learning from esteemed career experts, including Melanie Evely, Aadhar Mehta, and Danielle Humilde. Each speaker brought a unique perspective that resonated deeply with me and transformed how I perceived my career options.

Melanie Evely's emphasis on embracing change within our current positions reminded me of my own transformative career shift. Her words encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and explore new avenues, leading to personal growth and fulfillment.

Aadhar Mehta's innovative approach to job hunting, especially utilizing LinkedIn as a powerful networking tool, revolutionized my job search strategies. His insights on investigating job postings in-depth helped me tailor my applications effectively, showcasing my genuine interest in potential employers.

Danielle Humilde's perspective on defining success on individual terms encouraged me to reassess my own career goals and align them with my values. Her wisdom inspired me to focus not only on external achievements but also on continuous self-improvement and making a positive impact on others.

The Most Important Lesson and its Impact

The most important lesson I learned from the Marketing Seminar series is the power of aligning personal interests with professional development. Melanie Evely and Danielle Humilde both emphasized the significance of pursuing our passions alongside our careers. This insight resonated deeply with me as I witnessed how integrating my interest in Marketing into my professional journey led to unexpected opportunities and a unique edge in the job market. This lesson has influenced my career decisions and continues to motivate me to explore ways to nurture my passions in my professional life.

Networking Success: Building Relationships

During the Marketing Seminar series, I had the opportunity to network with professionals in the marketing industry. I connected with several speakers after their talks, exchanging insights and experiences. Additionally, I participated in industry events and activities, which provided me with valuable knowledge and contacts. Joining LinkedIn groups related to marketing allowed me to engage with professionals who share similar interests, building credibility and extending my network.

Volunteering also played a significant role in expanding my network. By giving back to the community, I established meaningful connections with like-minded individuals who shared a passion for making a positive impact.

Resources for Job Hunting

In my search for job opportunities, I explored various job-finding resources. Online platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and industry-specific job boards proved to be valuable resources, offering a wide range of opportunities. However, I discovered that personal connections and networking played a crucial role in uncovering hidden job prospects and accessing insider information about companies.

Staying Connected for Future Opportunities

To maintain my network, I actively engage with connections on LinkedIn by sharing industry insights, congratulating milestones, and initiating meaningful conversations. By nurturing these relationships, I aim to position myself favorably for potential job opportunities in the future.

Co-op Success and Networking Impact

I had 4 interviews, but unfortunately, I was not approved for the next level. However, I have a couple of interviews next week, Furthermore, I could get a connection with the marketing manager of a start-up company he said that he is interested in my resume and gives my CV to the CEO. I keep in touch, and I have an interview with her in the ongoing week.

Networking Tips and Best Practices

Be Genuine: Approach networking with authenticity and a sincere interest in learning from others' experiences.

Follow Up: After networking events or conversations, follow up with a personalized thank-you message to solidify the connection.

Engage on Social Media: Utilize platforms like LinkedIn to engage with professionals, share insights, and expand your network.

Attend Industry Events: Participate in industry-related activities to gain knowledge, build connections, and stay updated on trends.

Volunteer: Engage in volunteer work to connect with like-minded individuals and demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact.

Conclusion

The Marketing Seminar series at George Brown College has been an incredible journey of growth and discovery. Embracing change, nurturing personal interests, and building a strong network have been essential components of my career development. Inspired by esteemed speakers and equipped with invaluable networking tips, I am eager to embrace new challenges and pursue my passion for marketing with confidence.

As you embark on your own career journey, remember the power of networking and the importance of aligning your passions with your professional pursuits. May the insights and best practices shared here serve as a guiding light, empowering you to build meaningful connections and find success in the dynamic world of marketing.

#marketing #inside job #jobsearch #work

[astronomyforastrologers]

Beaming Through Planetary Pulsations ~ 07 Apr 2023

Beaming Through Planetary Pulsations ~ 07 Apr 2023, Philip Sedgwick

Lately, it has been all over the news that Earth now receives coherent radio bursts from a source in space only 12.04 light years distant. It does seem the effort is to imply that LGM (little green men) are behind it all... that aliens live just down the universal block. While that may be true, the emanations now detected occur at 2.02 day periods related to the magnetic star–planet interactions (SPIs) of an exoplanet and its star.

The exoplanet is YZ Ceti b that with other stars orbits YZ Ceti. Because of the closeness of the planet to its star, the temperature is extremely hot and this exoplanet does not reside in the Goldilocks Zone of the potential for supporting life - at least as we understand life. Sorry, it’s just a groovy magnetic interaction that produces radio waves. No aliens are behind the radio signals despite their “coherence.”

Where is this thing that’s causing all the fuss? This planet’s star system is in Cetus the whale and weighs in at 10 Aries 05.

Also presently in Aries, are the Sun, the centaur Chiron, and the planets Jupiter, Eris and Vesta. No doubt this time could be touted as one in which those tracking the planetary influences beam the best of all personal attributes with confidence and certainty as to the desired anticipated outcome of such coherent emanations.

On 23 April Jupiter advances to stand conjunct Eris - a transit which marks the inclusion of all, affirmation of life pursuit, and the realization that achievement may be at hand as a result of proactive efforts taken. Indeed it is a time when any previous sensation of being left behind by life organically heals with affirmed action, a sense of self worth, and optimism.

All this even though, the Jupiter to Eris alignment occurs during the next Mercury retrograde in Taurus. There’s always something.

My forecast for 2023 into 2024 predicts this is a time when collectively people can make hay despite life and worldly conditions. It takes grit. It takes grease and grind. It takes gracious gregariousness. In fact, the upcoming Jupiter to Eris transit of self proclamation sets up a significant Leo phenomena that we must all prepare to exploit in the interest of conjuring gains in life that stand as not only gratifying, but evolving, too.

Two days before Jupiter and Eris match wits with the greatest intensity Mercury retrogrades as the Sun enters Taurus 21 April. This retrograde ends when Mercury turns prograde on 15 May. About a day and a half later or so, on 16 May, Jupiter enters Taurus. The point here is two-fold: There is an organized sequential strategy that the planets support that naturally yields optimal results when well applied; There is always something going on planet-wise that one might use as a means of excusing the need for progressive action.

Less than a week after Jupiter enters Taurus, Mars takes the stage in Leo come 20 May. Venus, waiting in the wings, steps to her ingress in Leo on 5 June. She loves the Leo lights so much, she wants to bask a while longer. So, she retrogrades on 23 July. She remains retrograde until 4 September when she pauses, then inches prograde... the same day that Jupiter retrogrades. See, there’s always something.

Venus remains in Leo until 9 October - a performance of four months by the classical planet least likely to engage in retrograde motion.

During Venus retrograde, Mercury in Virgo retrogrades again. See, there’s always something one can use to explain shunning progress.

Here’s a huge thing. During the course of Mars and Venus in Leo this year, commencing in slightly more than a month, these personal planets will advance to square the gaseous giants Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus. Suggestively, applying the determined momentum of said squares with Leonine self-assuredness makes the most of all opportunities that promise advancement in life and shifts gears to apply new behaviors that support extracting the best from all life opportunities, bar none.

To keep the eye on the longer term prizes in life, on 21 April 2024 Jupiter conjoins Uranus in Taurus. This transit marks a completion of any amazing cycle of accomplishment and good getting while the getting’s good that is currently in play and reaches a significant start-up check point on 23 April 2023 as Jupiter aligns with Eris.

This April requires queuing up. Get yourself going and get in the dang line. While waiting your planetary audition as it were, set yourself apart with distinction, confidence and clarity of purpose. Simply the way one stands, the coherent pulsations that come from the chakras within and beam through the aura makes all the difference in the world.

Come May both Mars and Venus demand one participate in all life events with extreme assuredness, affable articulation and acting like you mean it. Mean it means demonstrate impeccable understanding and application of all life skills and talents. Apply them fully with the panache those efforts deserve. This is a no-boasting, bravado-free zone. You just do it and what you’ve done speaks for itself and perhaps if well-polished goes beyond speaking into brilliant beaming and the dazzle that results.

Soulful self-certainty is key. Speaking up for oneself is paramount. Demonstrating can-do confidence and showing up present and accounted for when the opening appears... even if Mercury is retrograde or some other astrological configuration cattywampus... you go Nike and Just Do It! After all, like Mercury, Nike is winged and is in fact the goddess of victory in both war and peaceful competition.

In the next SkyScraping, I will detail the Venus and Mars (and other Leo) transits to Jupiter and Uranus. These aspects may require some personal culling of non-productive habits and grooming forward-facing favorable traits, thus gaining a notable head start on the transiting stimulations makes a heap of sense.

Stand by... more soon.

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