#anyways the work load is supposed to be A Lot and for someone like me who feels like if they arent perfect theyre a failure? its rough

[jonnywaistcoat]

Hey, Horrormaster Sims. I have a wildly different question that barely relates to TMA (Sorry about that) but its about your own process. Please, if you could, can you tell me how your first drafts made you feel? I'm on the fence about writing my own thing (not a podcast, and again, not Magnus related, though I have a million little aus for that delightful tragedy you wrote, thank you for that!) But I'm discouraged by the collective notion that first drafts are always terrible, because there's no ... examples I can solidly use to help the dumb anxiety beast in my brain that tells me everyone who is in any way popular popped out a golden turd and not, well, you know. One of my friends said 'Oh I bet Jonathan Sims's first draft was nothing like what he wanted' and I got the bright idea to just. Send you an ask, since you're trapped on this hellsite like I am. Anyway, thanks for reading this (if you do) and if you'd rather ask it privately, I am cool with that. Alternatively, you're a hella busy man with Protocol (you and Alex are making me rabid, i hope you know) and you can just ignore this! Cheers, man, and good words.

To my mind all writing advice, especially stuff that's dispensed as truisms (like "first drafts are always garbage") are only useful inasmuch as such advice prompts you to pay attention to how you write best: what helps your workflow, what inspires you, what keeps you going through the rough bits. There are as many different ways to write (and write well) as there are people who write and so always consider this sort of thing a jumping off point to try out or keep in mind as you gradually figure out your own ways of writing.

On first drafts specifically, I think the wisdom "all first drafts are bad" is a bit of unhelpful oversimplification of the fact that, deadlines notwithstanding, no piece of writing goes out until you decide its ready, so don't get too hung up on your first draft of a thing, because a lot of writers find it much easier to edit a complete work than to try and redraft as they go. It's also important to not let perfectionism or the fact your initial draft isn't coming out exactly how you want stop you from actually finishing the thing, as it's always better to have something decent and done than to have something perfect and abandoned.

But the idea of a "first draft" is also kind of a fluid one. The "first draft" you submit to someone who's commissioned you will probably be one you've already done a bunch of tweaks and edits to, as opposed to the "first draft" you pump out in a frenzy in an over-caffeinated weekend. For my part, my first drafts tend to end up a bit more polished than most, because I'm in the habit of reading my sentences out loud as I write them (a habit picked up from years of audio writing) so I'll often write and re-write a particular sentence or paragraph a few times to get the rhythm right before moving to the next one. This means my first drafts tend to take longer, but are a bit less messy. I'm also a big-time planner and pretty good at sticking to the structures I lay out so, again, tend to front load a lot of stuff so I get a better but slower first draft.

At the end of the day, though, the important thing is to get in your head about it in a good way (How do I write best? what helps me make writing I enjoy and value? What keeps me motivated?) and not in a bad way (What if it's not good enough? What if everyone hates it? What if it doesn't make sense?) so that you actually get it done.

As for how my first drafts made me feel? Terrible, every one of 'em No idea if that's reflective of their quality, though, tbh - I hate reading my own writing until I've had a chance to forget it's mine (I can only ever see the flaws). I suppose there's theoretically a none-zero chance they were pure fragments of True Art and creative perfection, but Alex's editing notes make that seem unlikely.

#writing advice #rambling #first drafts #gotta say not mad on being called a horrormaster #feel like ive a ways to go yet #horror journeyman maybe

[tempe-brennans]

and i'd come back if you'd just call

author's note: soulmate au + apocalypse

summary: you show up in jackson and turn joel's life upside down

warnings: implied smut and handsy touching

word count: 2.7k

There’s gray in his hair. He’s sure he should feel grateful for that–especially now–and some part of him does, he supposes.

He has people.

There’s Ellie and Tommy and Maria. You.

He’s not sure exactly what to do about you.

Besides, he’s more concerned about the ache in his back and the knots in his muscles–much more important problems than the love he’s beginning to think he still feels for you or the sunflower burning on his wrist.

There’s heating pads for his muscles and pain pills for his back–concrete solutions.

You, on the other hand, you’re young and fun and something he can’t quite get his fingers around.

And, you had left him–a fact he can’t quite forget. No matter how much he’d like to.

His throat is sore, scratchy in the way that tells him he spent last night snoring. Sighing as he sits up in bed, he cracks one shoulder and then the other.

His feet don’t want to find the floor. His body doesn’t want to hide behind the curtains in his own home because he can never be sure if you can see him.

Tommy thought he was so funny, making you two neighbors.

Joel does turn, eventually, let his feet land on the too cold floor. Toes slip into slippers he’d left in reach when he’d gotten into bed last night. He reaches blindly for the faded flannel robe that’s draped over the chair in the corner of his room.

He hasn’t had time for such indulgences, too busy running–from life, monsters. Anything. Before, he simply hadn’t wanted them.

But, Ellie had presented them both–a set, though the patterns didn’t match at all–as a gift and he hadn’t been able to say no.

He’s tired of being so sharp, so tough. In his own home, at least, maybe he can rest.

Home.

The thought brings his mind back to you, against his will, and as he pours his coffee he tries to see if your lights are on.

He can’t tell. The sun is working against him. He resolves himself to the fact that he’ll run into you at some point in town, so, really, what does it matter if you see each other sooner rather than later?

Besides, he’s almost positive you aren’t sitting in windowsills, pining after him.

He sits in the recliner Tommy had insisted he just had to have and welcomes the ability to put his feet up. It’s a relic–a handle raises and lowers the foot rest–but, somehow, it still works.

Taking a drink of his coffee, he thinks.

There’s no sound in the house, something Joel still hasn’t gotten used to since Ellie moved out.

I’m 20, she had said when Joel had asked if she was sure she wanted to leave, as if that was an explanation. Besides, don’t you want your own space?

He didn’t, if she wanted to know the truth. He wanted to hear her downstairs cooking breakfast or the sound of her snoring through the crack in her bedroom door.

He knew why she had gone, though. It was the same reason he had left home the moment he turned 18.

Freedom.

So, he could understand it, even if he wasn’t entirely fond of it.

He sees her every few days anyway.

Coffee now gone, he knows his day has to start, even if the town now feels like a loaded gun is waiting around every corner. He dresses–a flannel still happily coasting between cozy and too threadbare and jeans. He cracks his front door, feels the bite of the winter wind, and shuts it firmly.

An extra jacket wouldn’t hurt.

x

“I’m telling you,” Joel mumbles, “she probably doesn’t even remember.”

Tommy quirks a brow. “Are you kidding?” Shaking his head, he laughs. “You spent the better half of a year together. The tattoos–”

“I don’t wanna talk about the tattoos,” Joel dismisses. “Besides,” he mutters, “it was eleven months.”

“Oh,” Tommy hums. “My mistake.”

Silence and then, “You know someone will notice, right?”

Joel tilts his head. “You see me wearing a lot of short sleeves in the winter?”

“You can’t use the weather to hide forever, bro. The minute Ellie–hell, anybody–notices the two identical sunflowers on your arms?” He shakes his head. “Secrets out.”

“Yeah?” Joel asks. “What secret is that?”

His little brother leans in, whispers, “You can still find your soulmate after the apocalypse.”

“She’s the one that left.” Joel sighs. “Obviously, she didn’t care that we were soulmates.”

“You don’t even know why she left!” Tommy exclaims, exasperated.

Joel quirks a brow. “Somehow I haven’t had a lot of time, what with the apocalypse and all.”

His brother claps him on the shoulder. “You’ve got nothing but time now.”

x

Joel walks the streets of Jackson, spitting snow beginning to fall around him.

Maybe Tommy is right. It’s not like Joel doesn’t have some extra time on his hands, a strange concept after the last twenty years, he has to admit.

Maybe he should take advantage of it.

It’s that thought that’s rattling around in his brain when he collides with someone else.

“Sorry!” He reaches out, blindly, tries to catch the person or their belongings–something. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” a voice says. It’s a voice he’s never forgotten–couldn’t forget, even if he wanted to–and he kicks himself that this is the way he’d run into you again.

Literally.

“It was really,” you stand, catch sight of his face for the first time, “my fault.”

He’s older now, grayer and a little softer around the edges, but, still, he can see the moment recognition lights on your features.

“Joel?”

He nods, suddenly sheepish. For once, his mind is completely blank. It can’t begin to come up with an adequate greeting for an old flame that, maybe, still burns somewhere behind his rib cage. He settles on an all too casual, “Hi.”

You smile, a soft thing. “Hi.”

On instinct it seems, you take a step closer and hug him. Though it’s been years, the feeling of you pressed against him, your arms around him, it’s familiar.

He wants to hate it, but he doesn’t. Not even a little.

He barely resists the urge to press a kiss to your forehead, take a minute to inhale your scent, before you pull away.

“S’nice to see you.”

Joel nods. “You, too.” Somewhere between the truth and a lie.

“Your hair, it’s…softer,” you murmur.

“Yeah?” Joel reaches up, runs an idle hand through it. “Haven’t had a lot of time for haircuts, I guess.” He shrugs. “I kinda got used to it.”

You nod. “It’s been a long time.”

Joel quirks a brow. “Whose fault was that?”

It’s too sharp, too biting, and he can see the results flash across your face.

Shaking your head, you glare at him, blow out a breath. “I should have known you hadn’t changed.”

You turn on your heel, away from him, and he wants to reach out, tell you he’s sorry, but something won’t let him.

He thinks it’s his heart.

“I’ve changed plenty!” He calls after your shrinking form. “Changed enough to know I should stay away from you.”

You look over your shoulder–just for a second–long enough to cut him to the core. “The feeling is mutual!”

He sighs and continues on his own path, towards his own lonely house, entirely too close to you for comfort.

x

“So.” Ellie sighs. “That went well.”

Joel chuckles, rolls his eyes. “You think?”

“We can fix it,” she says, sitting on the couch closest to him. “It’ll be fine.”

“Sure about that?,” he asks. “It’s not a leaky sink, you know.”

Her eyes light up in the very particular way that tells Joel she’s had an idea he won’t be fond of.

He’s suddenly nervous.

“That’s it,” she exclaims.

“What’s it?”

Ellie leaves the room, obviously in search of something, and ignores him.

“Ellie,” he calls after her. “Ellie, what’s it?”

x

It’s her scheming that puts him on your porch, in fact, toolbox in hand and looking for something to fix.

Real or fake, it hadn’t really mattered to Ellie.

He should never have told her he had been a contractor.

The door opens and you glare at him, unsurprisingly.

“What do you want?”

He spits it out, before he can change his mind, run back home and hide.

“I’m sorry for earlier.” He shakes his head. “You left…before. And, I was angry and seeing you again…” He trails off, settles on simplicity. “I’m sorry.”

Something in your face softens as you step aside to let him in.

“I’m sorry for leaving, you know.”

You take him off guard, turn his pulse to a gallop.

“I was…I was afraid,” you murmur, skipping over his own apology in a way that’s entirely you.

Of course it’s the way you’d let him know things are okay.

“I should have told you that, though, instead of disappearing.”

He nods, swallows down a memory he doesn’t exactly want to relive right now, whispers, “It’s okay.”

You nod, smile at him. “You want a drink? Some food?”

He nods, places the toolbox in the floor next to your couch.

“That’d be nice.”

x

Joel isn’t sure how long the two of you have been talking–minutes or hours. Maybe days. Easy familiarity settles over the pair of you, and things are like they used to be.

He’s glad for it.

“Were there others?” Joel asks, words slipping out before he can stop them.

It’s the question that he somehow desperately wants the answer to and also never wants to hear.

You nod. “A few.” But, then, “None like you.”

It’s more honest than he expected, like your heart has opened to him once again.

You’re vulnerable. He knows you hate that.

“That makes sense.” He nods, rising to his feet, hand curling around the handle of his toolbox, imagining you want him to take his leave. “I’m pretty unforgettable.”

You laugh, look at him with something he would have called affection, once upon a time. “Yeah, you are, Miller.”

Something buzzes inside of him at the knowledge he can still make you laugh, even after everything, and he ducks his head, starts to head for the door.

“Joel?”

He turns, finds apprehension on your features.

He aches to set you at ease.

“Yeah?”

“Could you…would it…” You shake your head, shoulders squaring like you’re heading into a fight. “Would you want to stay? The night? With…with me.”

In a minute, he forgets it all. The pain and heartache and anger disappears with one look at your eyes.

“Yes.”

Simple–the way it’s always been between the two of you.

x

You crawl on top of him in a way he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t imagined over the years.

His hands find a resting place on either of your hips, squeeze the flesh there lightly.

“Hi,” you murmur, grin on your face.

“Hi.” He smiles.

It’s different when you’re with your soulmate.

Joel had been with others, sure.

Tess comes to mind, but he quickly shakes the thought away–along with the memory of her death.

But, every time, even when stars popped up behind his eyelids and warmth erupted through his every limb, it wasn’t what it had been with you.

The best way he could think to describe it was…more.

As you lean down, press a kiss to his lips, he finally admits to himself how much he’d missed it. You.

x

Joel feels you pull away and squeezes you closer. “Where you goin’?,” he mumbles, already half asleep.

“Shirt,” you whisper.

He shakes his head, nuzzles his nose into the hollow of your throat.

Chuckling softly, you say, “S’winter, Joel.”

He holds you even closer–if that’s possible. “I’ll keep you warm.” Then, just to tease, fingers dance over your hip bone, inches from the crux of your thighs. “Any way you want.”

“Joel…”

“Or, are you too old for this game?” He hums, getting a rise out of you too tempting to ignore. “You get soft on me while you were away?”

Your own hand–cold from it’s trip beyond the faded quilt that covers you both–dances along the soft skin of his stomach, curls around his still too sensitive length. He jumps, hisses out a breath, interest already simmering at the base of his spine.

“I can still play,” you purr. “Can you?”

Your hand works him over, languid strokes finding a pattern that makes his skin buzz.

Joel rises, mouth desperate to find yours.

He’s always liked to be kissed–especially by you, especially when you’re touching him the way you are.

You indulge him, lips parting to let his tongue tangle with your own. He can’t help but grin into the kiss.

x

In the morning, he wakes alone. Part of him isn’t shocked. Part of him is heartbroken all over again.

Quickly, he gets dressed–avoiding mirrors with the hopes of missing any evidence you’d left behind of the night before.

He goes to Tommy’s, doesn’t even look towards your house as he walks down the street.

x

“You’ve been in love before.” Tommy shrugs. “Maybe it could happen again. Nothing says you have to be with your soulmate.”

Joel hadn’t thought about it when he’d fallen in love with Sarah’s mother.

He hadn’t had much choice, if he’s honest. One look at her and he had been done for.

So, the fact she didn’t have a sunflower on the soft skin of her forearm wasn’t of much consequence. The fact she had her own tattoo–purple dahlia petals curling around her own wrist–had never mattered to her either.

They had shared a life and love and had turned that love into something that lived outside of them.

Sarah.

It was only a few months after she was born that Joel had woken up alone to the sound of Sarah’s crying.

He had adjusted, though. The two of them had made a team and found happiness all on their own.

Until…well, Joel didn’t really like to think about that day–that last day. He preferred to imagine her laughing, head thrown back in joy.

“I know,” he murmurs. He adds, almost under his breath, “I don’t think I want to fall in love. Not if it’s not with her.”

Tommy ducks his head, sheepish all of a sudden.

“What is it?”

“I promised I wouldn’t tell you.”

He leans forward, insistent. “Tommy, what is it?”

“She told Maria that she was…thinking of leaving Jackson.”

Joel is off Tommy’s couch and out the door before Tommy can ask where he’s going.

Joel suspects he knows.

x

His knocks are incessant, barely a pause between them.

“C’mon,” he murmurs to himself. “Please don’t be gone.”

The door opens, shocking Joel, and he almost falls through it.

“You can’t leave Jackson,” he pants. There’s an ache in his side, a pulling at muscles that scream with use more often than they don’t these days. He’s certain he shouldn’t have run to make sure he caught you.

You shake your head, hands coming to rest on either side of his face.

It’s a gesture full of affection and hope ignites in his gut.

“I’m not leaving,” you murmur.

Joel’s tongue is heavy, suddenly too thick to form a reply. “You…you’re not?”

“No.” Gently, your thumb rubs back and forth over his cheekbone. “I thought of something to stick around for.”

“Yeah?” Joel hums. “What’s that?”

“You.”

Joel feels the heat flush his cheeks. The emotions he really feels are too much–too real–so, he settles for a joke.

“That makes sense.” He nods. “I’m pretty unforgettable.”

“Yeah.” You laugh, duck your head for a minute before your eyes meet his again. “Yeah, you are, Miller.”

x

Later that night, with most of your closet mingled with his own, he pulls you close to him in bed. His lips ghost over your forehead and an arm wraps around your side.

He glances down at his wrist, takes in the bright yellows of the sunflower petals. With gentle fingers, he finds your wrist, brings it to his mouth and kisses the yellow of your own petals.

There’s gray in his hair, but, right now, he couldn’t feel more grateful for it.

#joel miller #joel miller x reader #joel miller fluff #joel miller fic #rebeccawrites

[scremogirl]

HEAR ME OUT PLS!... reader whos fine w casually/non casually/no romantic fucking... this prompt is sickening LITERALLY as long as reader gets birth control/condoms theyre ay-okay with it

(doesnt need 2 be added:D FIND WHAT U THINK SUITS UR WRITING ATM)

example js

reader scrolling on their phone while nerd is rearranging their guts

or

council president railing reader while theyre in a mating press on a chair

or

childhood friend who didnt even have to ask you to take care of their problem since middle school(?)

seems like NONCHALANT!Reader but this reader just doesnt care abt what they want and just cares for their friends...in their own way...Add whatever u like sosa!!!! <3

stawppp it.

(presents an AFAB reader)

Yandere! Nerd has been so pent up lately and never has time to relive his stress. With all the club meetings, preparing for college and the love of his life ignoring him, it's obvious he's got a lot on his plate. Therefore, when he finally has the time to let loose, there's no way he could bother with protection.

"Please, baby? I know how much you like it raw anyways. You're still on the pill right? oh what he hell, it's not like you care that much. You have been a little snippy with him lately so he deserves this much. The only problem with is that you can't be bothered with putting in that much effort. So here you are now laying flat on your stomach while Yandere! Nerd pounds your brains out.

"Ugh fuckkk angel, it feels so gooddd," his heavy breathing and the light blush on your cheeks make you clench around him harder. You make him pull out as you roll yourself over on your back. You grab your phone again as he shoves himself back in you. You angle your camera to where your hips meet, occasionally aiming it at his face. He cums so much that when he pulls out some of it lands in the camera lens.

!Ping!

Angel😇💕💍: 1 attachment

Angel😇💕💍: srry I can't be there tdy. cramps and what not.

enjoy this instead :p

When do you get off your period again?

Sigh. How's he supposed to work like this?

Yandere! Council president rubs his temples and lets out a deep sigh of frustration. The council is having an after school celebration along with some club members because of last weeks fundraiser.

They did well but someone needs to count all of the funds and there's no way he'll trust anyone else do it.

He stands from his chair opening the door, on his way to tell them to keep it down bug to his surprise your on the other side of the door.

"What're you doing here?"

"I go to school here," he sighs at your blunt behavior.

“Yes, I know that. I mean what are you doing at school after hours?" you held up a bag of food and he already knew what you were gonna say before you said it. He opens the door to let you in, relived that at least one thing can cheer him up.

"Besides." you continue

"I'm horny. I was gonna get a quick one out before I went back but then I remembered you were here. I can obviously see your not feeling well and Im in the mood for something rough: take it out on me,"

The chair bangs against the table as you legs are pressed against your head. Who knew you were this flexible? He'll have to keep that in mind for later, right now he's focused on shooting his load as deep as he can. The music outweighs your moans and isn't until you here a loud bang on the door that you stop.

"(Y/N)? You in there? We're about to start truth or dare. Julie's gonna dare Chris to jump ass naked into the school pool. You don't wanna miss it." says a voice from outside the door.

“I’ll - fuck I'll be out in a second. Ate to much, ugh dip y'know; a little full," and with that they leave.

Yandere! CP turns your face towards him with an animalistic sneer.

"The only thing you'll be full of is my cum."

Please take a plan B 🙏🏾

(You guys are seniors here!!!)

Everyone's masturabted before, let's be honest.

Curious minds wanting to feed their growing sexual appetite. So when Yandere! Childhood friend came to you about his little problem, it was your duty as his best friend to help.

"(Y/N) it hurtssss! Just look how red the tip is!" on queue it twitches and pulses under your gaze.

Jeez the guy has no shame does he? He grabs the base, stroking his hard cock under his strong palm. It didn't take you much conniving since you were already on your knees before him.

"Oh shit baby! Gonna let me pump it all down your throat? Ughh, gonna-gonna milk all of it outta me princess I swear,” he says between pants, continuing throat fuck you. His orgasm nears as he grabs the base of your neck and forces you down on him. Spit and cum dribbling down your child and into your chest. He paints your face and swipes his fingers on your face before forcing it back into your mouth. After you all cleaned, you stand to your knees After you all cleaned, you stand to your knees sitting on the couch turning on Lilo and Stitch.

"Make some popcorn for us will ya?"

You literally suck the soul outta him and then ask him to do something other than go another round; he’s gonna do it but damn 😭

#yandere x reader #yandere x you #yandere x y/n #yandere childhood friend #yandere! nerd x reader #★♑︎☆彡𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎✪𝐍!☆♏︎★ #yandere student council president #💕 anon

[wintervalewritersecond]

weathervane - xavier thorpe

requested: sort of! requests: open! i am begging for literally any kinda of xavier fluff 😭 can be fluffy fluff, hurt/comfort idc i love it all. i have no specific ideas i’m just desperate for more xavier

A/N: its not very original or special, but i hope you like it <3 not a lot of plot, just fluff <3

wordcount: 1,517 warnings: tyler is a bit of an ass, outreach day, she/her pronouns for reader, fluff

Xavier had gotten 'Weathervane' as his volunteer job for Outreach day. You, his normie girlfriend, decided to keep him company while he works.

"Oh my god," Xavier groans when he opens the blue envelope. "I got the Weathervane."

He has not stepped foot in that shop ever since Tyler and his friends tried to beat him up.

"Dude, can we trade?"

Ajax looks up from his own paper. He was actually quite excited about his offer. Uriah's heap. It was some kind of freaky store with loads of taxidermy. He hopes that Enid has the same pick. No way would he trade his volunteer job. For the Weathervane, you need people skills, and even if you don't have those, there will still be loads of people in there.

"I can't man," Ajax shrugs. "What if one of the snakes comes out and I accidentally stone someone trying to get a coffee? Besides, why don't you just invite your girlfriend to hang out with you?"

He immediately texted you afterward, asking what you were up to and if you were willing to keep him some company while he works. If he would be left there with Tyler, there surely would be some type of fight.

You immediately agreed. You had a day off from school anyway, as you were supposed to visit some of the places where the Nevermore students volunteer. Something about testing them, although some of your classmates also went only to bully them.

Xavier had already been working for two hours, having to start at 10:00 in the morning. A machine had broken, so he had to use Google Translate to get it working again while Tyler cleaned the rest of the restaurant. After that, he got lectured on how to perfectly pour coffee into a mug. Not his thing. After today, he probably can't even stand the smell of coffee at all. Before this, he used to love drinking coffee, but in the last two hours, he already downed four cups.

When the little bell above the Weathervane door tinkles, he doesn't even flinch. Who knew that in two hours, there could already be tens of people that hopped in for a coffee.

He is wiping the tables and collecting mugs when he hears a familiar voice.

"Hi!"

You stand at the register, a smile on your face and a bag on your shoulders. A smile immediately makes its way onto Xavier's face as well. Thank God, he isn't stuck with only Tyler anymore.

He immediately hops over to the cash register before Tyler can, leaning on his elbows with a grin on his face.

"Can I offer you a hot chocolate? On me."

You snort as you look at your boyfriend. You wouldn't often go to Weathervane by yourself, but you just wanted to hang out with him. There are not a lot of moments where you can really see Xavier. Not only do you attend different schools, but no one is supposed to leave or go to Nevermore without a proper chaperone.

"Sure," you smile before sitting down in a booth hidden in the corner.

It is right next to some sort of cork board which is filled with random pins and notes. You unpack some of your things. One activity you always love to do is drawing, which is the exact thing that was the start of your relationship with Xavier. The entire Weathervane was filled with people, and the only empty seat was across from him. It was cold outside and you craved your favorite warm beverage, so after mustering up some courage, you asked if you could sit by him.

He was confused at first. Most people in the shop avoided him like the Plague. They knew he went to Nevermore, so they wanted nothing to do with him except to spit on his table or 'accidentally' kick his bag. He moved his sketchbook to the side before nodding, allowing you to sit across from him.

The two of you started talking as you also grabbed your own sketchbook, doodling away as your hot chocolate got placed next to you. He showed you some of his art as you showed yours.

"I can show you something," he then whispered before pointing his fingers to the page.

He had drawn a spider on it, but before you could even blink, it started moving. The spider went in a circle on the table, his legs moving in a slow way before it crawls back onto the page. You had never seen something like it. Your mouth had fallen open as you looked from his hand to the sketchbook.

After that, you hung out together as much as you could. Be it at your house, his art studio, or somewhere in Jericho.

"One hot chocolate with whipped cream and caramel toppings."

You look up at Xavier who is standing next to you with a big grin as he places the drink on the table.

The day went by fast. For you, at least. At some points during the day, Xavier would subtly move his hand to make your drawings move, distracting you from whatever it was you were drawing. He also refilled your cup multiple times. You had taken a break from sitting in the Weathervane, taking an hour to stretch your legs and buying a sandwich from the shop nearby. Tyler didn't let Xavier have any breaks, so he must be hungry by now.

When you come back, you see your backpack in the same position. Xavier told you that he would keep an eye on it, that way you didn't have to carry around a huge bag with you. At the register are three boys, standing with their arms crossed and sour looks on their faces.

"We don't want a freak to serve us. What did you do to Tyler, huh?"

Xavier rolls his eyes before leaning over the register a bit.

"That lazy shit is taking his fourth break for the day. So, either I help you, or you have to wait until he is back."

One of the guys scoffs, looking at the rest of his friends.

"You hear that? A freak is cussing at us normies. Maybe we should teach him a lesson!"

You clear your throat as you stand behind the three, making them look down at you.

"Y/N!" They were your classmates. "I wouldn't go here if I was you. I don't know what this freak did to Tyler, but for the last few minutes that I was here, I haven't heard from him or seen him. Not to mention..."

He points to your bag.

"This freak here insists that he is just watching it, but we all know he stole it. Say the words, and I will beat him up."

You avert your gaze from the boy before loudly ringing the small bell that stands on the counter. After ten times, Tyler immediately emerges from the back.

"Oh, Tyler!" You say with a sickly sweet voice. "Something horrible happened and I need to take Xavier with me! You can handle Weathervane by yourself, right?"

Tyler has always had a weak spot for you. It annoyed you, but the least you could do is use it to get Xavier out of this building.

"Please? It is an emergency!"

"I uh- Yeah. Yeah, go ahead."

You grab your bag before taking Xavier's hand in yours, pulling him out of the store. When you are out of Tyler's sight, you both burst out laughing.

"What dumbasses they are!"

Xavier nods, he totally agrees. He is happy that you got him out of there. The two of you head to the center of the city. There are chairs set up there anyway, as a new Crackstone statue would be introduced in only an hour.

"I can't believe he didn't even give me a break," he groans. "I had to do all the work, I couldn't even eat-"

You immediately hold up the brown paper bag. The smell of sandwiches enters Xavier's nose as he gasps. He takes hold of the bag, seeing two sandwiches neatly packaged.

"Oh my god, I love you so much."

You take both out, giving him one while taking a bite of your own. It is the least you could do for him. You are already happy enough that you got to spend some time with him today, even if it meant having to run into your asshole classmates.

More and more of the chairs get filled up as Nevermore students finish their volunteering jobs.

The unveiling of the statue went as wrong as it could be. You don't know who did it, but the statue caught fire, making everyone evacuate the field. Xavier grabs your hand, pulling you away from the heat while laughing. You look up at him once you're safe from the fire. The only normie that stood with a Nevermore kid. But you couldn't really care less. If anything, Nevermore is interesting.

Xavier presses a kiss to your forehead, smiling down at you as you can only stare back lovingly. You can't believe that he is all yours.

It is never a dull day with a Nevermore kid around.

#xavier thorpe #xavier thorpe imagine #xavier thorpe x reader #xavier thorpe oneshot #wednesday imagine #wednesday oneshot #request

[neuroprincess]

August - Larissa Weems/Female Reader

Larissa Weems/Female Reader

Summary: Larissa has heard rumors that make her curious, anyway she can't help but be surprised when she meets August, the supposed copy of Principal Weems and coincidentally another shapeshifter.

Classification: Light angst (?)

Warnings: Maybe a almost sad talk about being a teenager, OC (original character)

Word count: +1800

Part One | Part Two | Part Three (soon)

Unrevised

Walking through the halls of Nevermore she hears rumors, small conversations between students as she passes and they believe she won't hear, part of these conversations is something about the next event at the academy or some bizarre gossip they made up spreading like flames, but now most of them are about a new student that was accepted in the new semester. Slowly she was gathering information, in short the girl apparently looks like her physically, hair so blonde it approaches white, pale skin, blue eyes, long eyelashes and tall, at least taller than most of the students. No additional information, no names or anything that makes her outstanding beyond appearance. Even so Larissa couldn't find her anywhere, for almost a week she was curious and unconsciously searched for someone who matched the characteristics, there weren't any kids but a boy who dyed the hair. At least until the fountain in the courtyard was filled with pink bubble soap and soon they pointed to a newbie, a brunette girl, with green eyes and tanned skin trying not to look nervous as if she was fighting for body expression not to give her away, which didn't work, startled eyes stared at the principal and she couldn't even deny when asked about.

"I don't think I've seen you here before." the woman says and sitting down in the chair while the teenager does the same in the armchair, eyes down avoiding eye contact "New student?"

"Yeah..." is all she says "Look, I swear I don't do it anymore, I just..."

"Hey, calm down! You weren't the first kid to mess up at Nevermore and won't be the last, believe me, I've faced worse pranks." she laughs and opens the laptop "So, you are?"

"August."

"Okay!" she focuses on the screen searching for the name, but finds nothing but a list of names that are similar or have as a middle name "I don't..." when she raises a gaze finds a totally different person sitting there and she gives a little jump of surprise.

It's the girl with white hair, all the characteristics described in flesh and blood. Her light hair is wavy and cut at shoulder length, the skin is pale and this highlights the big blue eyes, she is tall, evident by the bone structure and the big legs that try to cross each other awkwardly. And she understands why she has caused so many rumors, she is incredibly alike to the woman, they share the same nose, shape of lips, and their expressions are eerily similar, as when she frowns. As if Larissa is staring at a younger version of herself.

"I'm sorry, I'm used to introducing myself like this, you can find me by Lara August." she shrugs the shoulders and blushes, feeling guilty for making her waste her time in research.

"Shapeshifter?"

"Yeah, I guess, that's what they put on my record." the principal looks at her confused and the girl sighs "And what my mom says, she's a normie."

"Oh, I get it." Larissa types the girl's name and soon a record is being loaded, the internet doesn't help the process "You know, you can return to your normal form, I know being a shapeshifter can be cool, but I need you to be yourself."

"This is my normal form." the woman doesn't believe this and just shrugs shoulders at what appears to be some sort of rebellion or joke about her appearance "Principal Weems, am I really screwed? My mom works a lot and it's hard for her to get here. So if you could not involve her I would appreciate it."

"I'll have to let her know anyway, but I don't think her presence is necessary." the record continues to load and this frustrates her, it's not uncommon for the signal to drop interrupting her activities "Now tell me, why did you do that?"

"I... I don't know, maybe I was just trying to stand out... and make friends." the teen confesses and snorts, throwing herself against the armchair, her expression isn't angry or frustrated, it actually looks sad.

"You're a shapeshifter, you could easily stand out since they're not so common these days."

"That's not how it works, Principal Weems! Everyone has something to be outstanding at, whether it's grades, arts, fencing or other sports. My grades are average, I'm a disaster at sports and I already tried to join the yearbook club, but they turned me down." she blurts out and finally looks her in the eye "So I tried to be the funny one and danced in the first prank, something added to the list to be terrible at."

"You remind me of me as a teenager, it's a tough phase, no?! But you don't have to try so hard to get them to like you, if someone approaches you that's for who you are and what you represent to them. You know, being a shapeshifter is a big deal and it can confuse you, change shape, voice, personality. It's all confusing and you feel that you can be someone different, someone they love, but that's not you and it's important not to let yourself get lost. You are special and you stand out in your own way."

"I didn't want to be like that, I wanted to be someone better, cool and maybe normal, sorry to say that, but I feel so out of place here and out of here too." her eyes tear up, but Lara soon wipes it away before tears could fall "You don't have to hear or see this. What will be my punishment?"

"Well..." Larissa turns her eyes back to the laptop and the record finally seems to have loaded, her name written in graphical letters Lara August Leonore Y/L/N, she swallows dryly at the sight of the familiar surname and mentally tries to reassure herself that it's a common surname, then continues to read the record at a glance, the girl was born in late 2006 far from Jericho and as she runs her eyes over the names of parents she chokes on her own saliva "You said your mom is a normie right?"

"Yes, she worked in Jericho as a youth and moved away before she had me."

"Y/N?" Larissa read and reread the name on the record, but still can't assimilate what she had just read "Are you Y/N Y/L/N's daughter?"

"Yes, do you know her?"

"We're old friends." she says simply, trying not to sound shocked or uncomfortable "She used to work in a cafe in Jericho."

"I think she told me that...since you know her, can you brandish my punishment please?"

"We've barely met and you're already asking me for favors, Lara?!" she jokes and the two laugh exchanging amused glances "Your punishment would be lenient, but since you asked I'm going to have to order you to stay a week without shapeshifting. I'll keep an eye on you. Right?"

"Right! I'll try not to shapeshift, only in case of life and death. Girl Scout's word!" she raises the right hand and swears, happy that she was able to resolve this without having to involve or call her mom, she had never been in the presence of the principal so it was a nice surprise when she was pleasant and understanding.

"And you're going to get the pink paint off the edges of the fountain."

"Very fair. Thank you Principal Weems!" she stands up and extends her hand, waiting to be shaken, but Larissa doesn't get up in shock at the girl's height, when they said she was tall they meant really tall, measuring enough to reach her shoulder even while wearing heels.

"Yes, fair enough. You're free." the blonde finally reaches out and shakes her hand, feeling awkward about the whole interaction after finding out who her mom is. The girl makes mention of leaving the room as she picks up the backpack she left on the armchair "Lara, before you go, who is your father? Shifters are few in our community, maybe I know him."

"If you know him introduce us, I grew up without a parent other than my mom, I don't know who he is." the teenager laughs and turns to leave, but before she turns to the woman again "Please call me August, I prefer it. And I love your eyeliner"

"Thank you, August!" she says goodbye in a nod and waits for the girl to close the door before letting out a long heavy sigh "Y/N and a child? No way."

She says to herself and analyzes the whole situation, as much as this possibility hit her deep in the chest and made stomach flip in a strange way, Larissa still can't believe. Not in a thousand years. That girl is a copy of herself physically, while they were talking she realized that even the teeth and the wide smile are the same, the mannerisms are also similar, how the legs come together when they are not crossed, the way she blinks when relaxed and, mainly, how she feels about her abilities. Her teenage years were like that, trying to fit in, and she doesn't deny that she changed her form to please people sometimes, trying to be accepted in social groups until she realized that it was okay to be eccentric in her own way. Despite being similar to her in many ways the director realizes that she has some Y/N things, she saw this after learning of her link and immediately recognized what she found alike in her from the beginning, the sweet eyes. She remembers those same eyes staring at her fondly when they kissed after a hard day, with devotion when lying in bed, with animosity on late night encounters, with anger when she said she was still not over Morticia even after 10 years and with pain when she left carrying only a suitcase with her. That's what she thought until she met August. Because although the world is big there aren't many coincidences that would lead to the teenager being born eight months after she and Y/N broke off their engagement. Nor to her coincidentally being one of the only shifters in Nevermore. Much less to Lara August being a copy of her.

She puts face between her hands and looks at the record again, there beside it is the phone number of the girl's mom. Larissa wonders if she should call or not, after all, it has been more than 16 years since the last time they saw each other or talked, because both of them thought it was better to cut ties completely to avoid suffering more from the breakup. They changed phone numbers, no longer asked about each other to mutual friends and slowly disposed of the memory of their respective existences like a paper that burns in flames becoming ashes. She quickly dials the phone number, without thinking further and taking a breath of courage. Larissa isn't dumb, everything points to something and Y/N would have to explain herself. Explain how she has a teenage daughter she didn't know, how this happened and why she hid her for so many years.

#larissa weems x reader #imagine #female reader #larissa weems #gwendoline christie

[rageprufrock]

Hi Pru, this is a career question... I am in my mid-twenties, female, not quite the most junior employee at my organization but treated often as one. The workplace is highly male-dominated, competitive, the older supervisors sometimes hilariously old-boys'-club, and the younger men (my age) mean well (feminist, etc.) but have their own territories to defend. For complicated reasons I cannot leave. I knew some of this coming in but am ashamed to say that

You’ll love this: my response is so late because I too girlbossed too close to the sun and have accidentally reached mid-senior leadership status at my organization and the past month has been the most hilarious cluster of fucks. Insert clown emoji herey.

ANYWAY.

I have a few thoughts on this one, and hopefully one, or some, of these are helpful as you're navigating your early career.

To address your most immediate question: is it meant to be this hard? I think "is it meant" or "is it always" are two different questions, and each with branching answers completely dependent on your field and profession. Some are notorious for early career hazing--banking, medicine, etc--and then the answers are that the suffering is a feature, not a bug, for these industries (this can be debated ad nauseum but you know what I mean), and then for many, many other professions, the answer is that while it's not meant to be this difficult, it still is, and that it's all we can do to survive it.

But setting aside the macro issues, of whether the role itself is objectively hard or if the environment you're in is objectively sub-optimal, the more nebulous and inescapable thing is that each one of us, individually, in our early career are undergoing one of many puberties and all its attendant implied indignities. I find it weird that culturally we don't talk about this much--at least not in Western or the Eastern cultures with which I'm most conversational--but think about it: in the first five to ten years of your working life, you're often simultaneously navigating a staggering number of life-changing systemic shifts that have a tectonic impact on your lived experience. I

For a lot of us, beginning your life as a working adult means you're likely moving out of your parents' home, which adds a huge amount to your mental load and financial burden.

For a lot of us, these early professional jobs are also the first time we're operating in a performance-reward system for which there is no clear rubric or understandable progression monitoring--there aren't any grades, and I can't tell you the number of people who I've spoken to in my career who have been shocked when they're told they're being put on performance improvement plans even though they thought they were doing fine.

It's like being sent to college with no class list, textbooks hidden in eight different departments run by varyingly helpful people, while trapped in an inescapable group project run by someone who seems just as frazzled as you are, and told "okay well you should need to bring me your completed degree by EOD Thursday." This doesn't even take into account your genetic assignment to play this entire game on hard mode by failing to be a cisgendered man in the dominant cultural demographic.

People who've had multiple jobs and career changes can attest, every new job, no matter how seasoned you are, is fucking exhausting. It's almost a joke among my friends at this point how often I change jobs, and every single time I do, there's at least a six month run where at the end of every day, I'm fucking spent. I couldn't calculate 1+3 if my life depended on it, because I've spent my working day so furiously trying to read the professional tea leaves and figuring out what the actual fuck I'm supposed to be doing--which, funnily enough, is never as clear as you would think! Even if you are at increasingly senior levels of responsibility! It's really fun and good! Your boss's boss's leadership team meetings? Surprisingly similar to when I used go get coffee during my break working at an ice cream shop to complain about our customers and equipment and boss! It's amazing how no matter how much changes, everything stays the same!

So I think in the end, my answer to your question is this:

Is it meant to be this hard? Depending on what you do, maybe.

But should it be this hard? Of course not. Life is short and lush and wonderful, but already so filled with challenges, and it's a shame that being rooted in capitalism, we're all forced to participate in a system that's so unbending and unforgiving.

But does that mean it's going to be forever? Or that you can't survive and thrive and have fun in the process? Absolutely not.

However awful you feel, however bad the job is, it doesn't have to be forever. This role you're in now may be just what you need to find your next, better, better paid opportunity. And maybe that one won't be the ideal for more than a year, maybe two, but that's why you keep an eye out and a keen focus on what you want, and what's most important, and like a shark, you continue to move and grow as you get clearer on where you want to move and how you want to grow. The person I was at 24 could not have imagined the person I am at 38, and I'm guessing that the woman I am today can't fathom who I'll be in another 10 years. Whoever she is, I hope she's still choosing to do hard things and--to the very best of her ability--having a good time in the process.

It's okay to cry about work. It's okay to cry at work, even though I strongly recommend that you do this huddled in a restroom in privacy because otherwise it gets messy--fairly or otherwise. It's okay and normal to do these things. It's okay and normal to feel like a fucking disaster, to feel--or to in actuality!--be categorically failing. It is okay and normal to hate and love your job, and to love money and hate the work. There is no right way to do this, and the only wrong way is to give up on yourself, or to create a situation where you cannot have the freedom of your choices or your future.

It's also going to get easier with time. Even if you don't feel it, every day you're getting more experienced, more confident, more discerning. Those microscopic, atomic changes in you accrue, and I'm sure if you're honest with yourself you can already identify how even today, you are a stronger, more capable person in your professional context than you may have been just a year or two ago. Even if you don't mean to do it, just the experience, the bruises, the callouses from throwing yourself at the brick wall over time will rewrite the person you are--if you do this with your eyes open and intentionally, all the better.

Five years from now, ten years from now, you might still find yourself crying about work. But hopefully you'll share the good fortune I have been privileged enough to have, and find yourself the type of good friends who say, "don't care during work hours, it's beneath you to give them the satisfaction--cry later," and actually have the wherewithal to follow that extremely correct guidance.

So anyway, it shouldn't be this hard, but it is. The good thing is, you're better and stronger than it is, and you can look forward to the day you get to look over the shoulder at all the worlds you've conquered as you get ready to do it all over again.

💖

#advice #career advice

[doyouknowthischaracter]

RANDOM ASKS GRAB BAG

Putting a bunch of answered asks in one post so I don't spam your dashes too much. Under the cut because it's a very long post. If your ask isn't here, don't worry! The ask box is far from empty, and I'm sorta trying to group them by topic. Enjoy?

Anonymous asked: you mentioned in another ask that there were a few things you were probably going to check out from doing these polls and I was just curious which ones those are, if you don't mind sharing fjdjsj

I don't mind sharing! I had to go through the archive to remember which ones I wanted to check out, but a few of them would be The Walten Files, Red vs. Blue, The Murderbot Diaries, I Am In Eskew, and The Mistholme Museum of Mystery, Morbidity, and Mortality. Many of the characters posted here look interesting, but I'm such a slow watcher/player/reader/etc. that it'd take me decades to go through everything lol

Anonymous asked: Have you considered doing like uhhh idk how to explain properly, but statistics/data from loads of polls in a summary every so often? I've seen some poll blogs do a most known/least known type bar graph every so often. And I would be super interested in seeing this sort of thing for this blog!! It's fair enough if not though, obviously this would create a lot of extra work for you. Anyway, thanks for running this blog :-) Anonymous asked: I just asked a question about seeing the data statistics/ bar graphs - please ignore it! Just reread your pinned and realised I'd missed that bit :'). BUT, last point remains, thank you for running this blog and putting up with repetitive anons I bet aksjskdjsk

I haven't put the data in a graph yet, but if I figure out how to organize that in a way that's both comprehensible and actually tells us something new, I'll give it a try for sure. Until then, we do have the spreadsheet. And no worries, I'm glad you're enjoying the blog! :)

Anonymous asked: *sees a poll blog* "I must answer each and every poll I can"

Godspeed on your journey and remember to stay hydrated! 🫡

Anonymous asked: this is my favorite blog! Every morning I wake up and check the polls like they're the paper, just to say "I don't know them" Truely a humbling experience!

Happy to be your neighborhood paperboy!

@iceice-baeby asked: Are olyou fearing the day someone submits Solid Snake from MGS and you will choose the wrong picture Because everyone always seems to choose the wrong picture

The only difficulty will be in not using this one:

Anonymous asked: Just scrolled back through your blog up to posts from Dec 3rd and I know why those polls are closed now but I cannot describe the genuine anguish I felt seeing Mr Orange and going NO I KNOW HIM - I KNOW HIM!!!! Anyway I found this blog like ten minutes ago and I love it

Don't worry, he's A-OK! 👍

(Also, thanks! I appreciate your dedication.)

Anonymous asked: scrolling through to catch up on the characters and knowing a whole three of them was so bizarre. im not supposed to press the yes i know them button, im supposed to do my sworn duty and vote no with unending confusion. the world has been flipped on its head 😵‍💫

I bet the next 30 were characters you've never heard of, just for balance to be restored.

Anonymous asked: Whenever i misclick I feel sooooo bad like im sorry my dear friend for not recognizing you I apologize for my rudeness

No polls so far ended with only one vote difference between answers, so you don't have to feel too bad. For now. 👀

Anonymous asked: this is fun cause i’ve definitely submitted some characters but i’ve immediately forgotten who. so i’ll also be pleasantly surprised to see my beloveds on the blog.

A gift from you to you, courtesy of unreliable memory! Sweet!

Anonymous asked: Devastating. I keep missing the voting for the only characters I know.

You'll do it one day, I believe in you!!

@iceice-baeby asked: Would you consider writing in the tags if YOU know a character or not You have done it sometimes before, but I'd be curious if you do recognise some of those random niche as all hell blorbos Also I can't wait for my Blorbos turn. Because either He-and-she is gonna take most obscure place, OR I will actually find maybe more than two people, myself included, who know him-and-her and who I can ramble at for hours until they block me

Oh yeah, for sure. I didn't think anyone would be interested to know, but I can do that when I remember to!

Did your blorbo show up already?

Anonymous asked: I have been having the opposite problem of everyone else, apparently. I'll see a name and be like, "I don't know who that is". But then I see the picture and realize… Yes I do!

That's why I take the time to include fitting pictures, helps jog the memory!

Anonymous asked: I feel very superior every time I know a character most people don't

Hey, nobody likes a show-off. (<- Joking)

Anonymous asked: Wait, has Beetlejuice not been submitted?? I could've sworn I submitted the musical version! Anonymous asked: Oh wait no I didn't submit musical Beetlejuice to you, got you mixed up with @/every-character-ever-poll lol my bad

Indeed he hasn't been submitted yet, maybe next time!

@thetisming asked: sorry for saying something negative in the replies to a post someone was being a dick about jukebox musicals

No worries, but don't let it get to you. People are allowed to dislike your favorite things even without any good reason. It's a matter of taste, which is highly subjective. It's more constructive to focus your attention on people who do enjoy the same things as you!

@autism-criminal asked: What is your favorite color of the rainbow (red orange yellow green blue indigo purple) ?

Orange! 🍊 What's yours? :)

Anonymous asked: "data is not accurate" bro if ur going to a tumblr poll blog for accurate data you NEED to reassess some things asdfghjkl; anyway this blog is great thank you for running it it's a lot of fun and has resulted in some very funny interactions between me and my fiance. notably "what the fuck do you MEAN 6% of the sans undertale website doesn't know who sans undertale is" and "i'm sorry i simply don't believe that ANYONE doesn't know who DRACULA is"

Different people come here with different expectations, I suppose. Which is fine, I don't mind, but they're bound to be disappointed if they expect 100% accuracy all the time. But anyway! I'm happy to hear I can provide a new form of enrichment for you and your fiancé!

@sweetpollyolliver asked: So many manga and anime characters and I know like 1% of them 😭

I'm ngl, I'm not a big manga/anime connoisseur either, so I'm just as lost as you most of the time lol 🤝 (<- shaking hands in solidarity)

@cringelordofchaos asked: If I go insane one day I am going to try to make an English translation for Mesec Boje Purpura so everyone can know who veštica Noks is

I'm fully behind you! Keep us updated if you do.

Anonymous asked: I scroll through your blog. I don’t recognise any of these characters. ‘No,’ I click, ‘no,’ ‘no,’ ‘no.’ I am content in the darkness of the rock I live under. But, alas, all things must end. I continue my scroll, the glee of the irrelevant rampant in my veins. But what’s this? It can’t be… My shelter is cruelly ripped away and the brutal light of knowledge seeks me out like a bloodhound, it gives me no place to hide. ‘Yes,’ I sob, defeated, ‘Yes, I do know the jjba character.’

A modern-day Greek tragedy, truly 💔

Anonymous asked: was really surprised to vote and see that a character was 100% know them. then I noticed I got there early enough to be the only vote

For one shining, brilliant moment they were 100% known and surely that counts for something.

Anonymous asked: You should make up a character and make a poll for them and see how many people lie or misclick

Well....... I'm not going to comment on that. 🐰

Anonymous asked: I follow this blog and another blog that does smash or pass and occassionally I will come to one of your posts and examine the images to decide and then remember this blog's gimmick before trying to hit smash

Imagine voting smash there and then coming here to vote "I don't know them at all" on the same character. Brutal.

@ink7blot asked: *sees big naturals* I hate that. *reblogs*

A job well done, then 😌

#dyktc chatter #asks #not a poll #anonymous #iceice-baeby #thetisming #autism-criminal #sweetpollyolliver #cringelordofchaos #ink7blot #phew that was a lot

[i-cant-sing]

Was feeling down so I talked to one of my uncle's from my mom's side and he and his wife, my fav aunt, were telling me to catch the next flight as soon as my exams end and it then reminded me how much of a spoiled princess I am when I am with them.

Like even when I was a child, I used to visit them a lot and they're both like rich rich, very much self made (like my uncle's a lawyer with his own firm, kind of like Harvey Specter but more smart and without any arrogance and ego issues, and my aunts works in advertising for this really luxurious chocolate company).

Anyways, I was saying that I am super spoiled by them because like mu uncle would send me an airplane ticket whenever I was missing them, and they'd buy me loads of gifts and I loves staying at their "not really a mansion" but still very big house, that had more servants and guards and house help than I could ever count for, and they ALL LOVED ME TOO OMG. Like fr, even one of their oldest drivers and house guards are so protective of me to this day, that they'd still interrogate whenever someone would come by their house (usually my cousin's from dad's side of the family so I didn't really mind😭) and would still rather drive me around the city all day and night than let me get an uber.

And like my uncle and aunty, even though they have a kid now (who I love to death and regularly remind that even though she might be the apply of their eyes, I am still their princess. Yes, I am 11 years older than her. No, I still don't let her win in games. Yes, she has the same sense of humor as me and is also into anime. And yes, we practically do look like twins.) They still very much spoil me rotten. From taking to super exclusive restaurants where even A list celebrities struggle to get in, to literally taking me on those shopping sprees and you see in those chick flicks.

And I'm not even gonna start om their whole ass collection of the coolest cars😭😭😭 I do feel like a celebrity with them black tinted windows and the way the driver would just slowly drive ahead or away whenever he thought some guys next to us were "trouble" or "bad crowd".

And you guys might say? Yeah your family loves you. Big deal. Family is supposed to love family. Yeah, well i got a brother as well and I ain't seen 1 single picture frame of him at their house????? Not to mention the whole ass file of pictures of me in their phones???

In their eyes I can do no wrong, and the only time they'd yelled at me was when I tried to pay for a plate of tacos at a food festival (no cause my heart cracked a bit when my aunt pulled my hand away and literally told me off "Snow, stop making a scene. You are NOT paying." And when i was like 7, i was playing outside my house and then suddenly my uncle picked me up and to the side and yelled at me "CAN YOU NOT HEAR THE CARS HONKING?! YOU ALMOST GOT RUN OVER!!!" and i only burst into tears because why would my fav person in the world yell at me??? In hindsight, that shouldve been a sign for them to have me and my attention span checked out😭😭)

Anyways, now that I think about it, they are kind of like those protective yanderes that I write about. Even the house help and my little cousin's nanny act like that😫

The way these exams have drained me this year, I for real am gonna go there again this summer because I deserve princess treatment only😭

With my brother's wedding coming up this year, my aunt was asking me about my love life and I told her I didn't have anyone rn, and that I probably will end with marrying whoever my parent's or my Muslim neighbours choose for me (no cause they're like family too and my friend's mom said that she can definitely set me up with someone who is worthy of me🥰🥰 and I though she was kidding but then she showed me like 8 guys and ngl... they were pretty. Like wattpad blue eyes with kohl, and tanned skin pretty) and they both kinda looked concerned at first and I assured them that whoever I would eventually marry would need to get your guys approval first and I'm not kidding when I say that my aunt had a sad smile om her face as she nodded and said of course, while my already stoic looking uncle looked even more upset before leaving to get himself a drink.

#the way they love me more than my own family😭😭 #some of yall wanted to date me but yall will have to be incredibly successful in all aspects of life or else you guys might not be seen #again

[tyran-the-tyranical]

Raphael’s character and a lot of references to Ancient Greek mythology/history

Ok, so there’s some really obvious ones like, I think there’s some story in the game about a bard winning over a devil that he likes, which is a clear reference to Orpheus and Eurydice (also Raphael holds the power to free Orpheus in the game, like hades being able to free Eurydice) also hope being a parallel to Persephone 👁️👁️.

Besides the little things like that, I’ve noticed his character kinda resembles Alexander the Great, LEMME EXPLAIN FIRST

Raphael as we all know really wants the crown of Karsus, and knows alot abt the guy (he was even there when he failed, or when the city fell) , and maybe admires what he managed to accomplish to some extent and he kinda even models his house on his work, as they both float in the sky (also gonna make the obvious connections to Icarus here) and Raphael “believes” he should rule the hells and that he could end the blood war ect etc… and he’s so great, anyway.

Now Alexander was similar in that he too believed he should rule the world/Persia or Asia (debatable which) and he also admired someone with a great “folly” which was Achilles, whose weakness was yknow his Achilles, and Alexander basically modelled his life after this guy too, so he’s a bit more extreme than Raphael, like man carried the illiad wherever he went, but it shows he’s a fan of literature and epics, like Raphael.

Also, Alexander is supposedly of “half divinity” or whatever, he believed he was the son of Zeus or at least more than just a human, which Raphael is, but I suppose less Divine in his case.

Another thing is, Alexander also was kinda a dick, in that in his pursuit to conquer he also sieged the city of Thebes which was also a Greek city state, like he says he later regretted it but still. Also during his siege he did let some people live, like some ppl in a temple of Heracles (another idol of his) and a woman who attacked some soldiers after being assaulted and he was impressed by her or something. Ithaca wasn’t the only place he sieged, later in Babylon during a party some girl convinced him to siege a city and burn it, he did lol. Alexander wasn’t a great person, also a conqueror so there’s that.

Raphael, is obviously not a good person but it’s hard to say he isn’t somewhat likeable or has his moments, korilla even says so herself, that’s he a much kinder boss than she’s had before, especially for a devil. Though in the end, Raphael still wants to conquer, and not just the hells, he says that he’ll go further and conquer other “worlds”

(Also the attack on Thebes was one of Alexander’s first key victories, but it was on his own country, unlike everything that he attacks after, which yknow is like Raphael starting his attack in the hells then moving outward)

Also just gonna mention it here, but it’s been said loads, when Raphael dies, it’s a total reference to Kronos eating his children, as Raphael gets nommed on by his father.

There are totally more references and especially to other cultures, like his cat/mouse rhymes kinda remind me of Hickory Dickory Dock and his miss tuffet being miss miss muffet, but my guy is totally Italian/Greek? Coded, like it’s hard to believe otherwise.

Maybe the similarities to Alexander are a bit out there, a lot of “leaders” or “greats” were like that. Anyway, I’m probably missing more references but that’s all I couldn’t remember off the bat.

EDIT: To be fair though, maybe he’s more of a Julius Caesar, since Alexander was quite young when he died and Julius was said to have cried in front of a statue of Alexander since he accomplished so much more than him in his youth, since most of caesars big stuff was later in his life, but like I said you can find similarities with a bunch of other similar dictatory guys,

#bg3 raphael #raphael bg3 #bg3 #baldurs gate raphael #baldur's gate 3 #baldurs gate #baldurs gate 3 #baldurs gate 3 raphael #bg3 hope #hope bg3 #bg3 korilla #korilla

[twogeeseinatrenchcoat]

Spaceship Short Stories

Yeah why not. Title is self-explanatory. I'll be bringing back my aborted plan for a spaceship story in favour of this because I want to. Also, I will be changing and retconning past work in this as I go. Don't expect anything to stay the same.

Intro.

This is the official logbook of the Vchern'ixt, or Merchant and Delivery Ship 382. (382-MDS). We are, as our work tag suggests, an interplanetary merchant ship. This logbook will almost certainly be used by the crew, and knowing my crew, will not be taken seriously. I can only hope it will provide actual information, and I will hopefully find the time to add actual updates between the crew entries.

Entry 1: 218-4-7 (Kaylie - Pilot)

First week on the ship! Not much happened this week, few deliveries, some unnecessarily (but fun) dangerous asteroid-dodging. I think everyone else is still getting used to a human in board, they're fairly cautious around me. To be honest, I would be as well! I think their previous pilot was a lot more cautious than me. They've been watching me, though. Curious but cautious. I've tried to make some friends, be nice to people, but it's kinda hard when everyone half expects you to explode at any moment.

Truly, the worst part is that they don't have coffee here. I'll make sure to fix that with the first paycheck I get, Captain said that "you can spend your own money on your comforts. I'll spend the ship's money on the ship." So they're no help. Anyways, paycheck is in two days, and we dock for supplies at Kerroi-825B in... Whenever our orbits get close, so I'll be able to get my coffee then! For now, I'll live with the mimicry that Grömerg makes.

Entry 2: 218-4-10 (Grömerg - Medic, Chef)

My coffee is not bad, is it? I do not know if the taste is as it should be, though it smells like the sample you gave me. I'm sorry if it is [untranslatable]

Translator suggestions: Subpar, worse than typical, less than.

Entry 3: 218-4-12 (Kaylie)

It's not! I just prefer real coffee over synthetic, not a problem with you at all!

Update: finally got my coffee machine! And I remembered to buy coffee beans this time! It didn't take as long as I thought to find the "Human Items" section of Kerroirå Market (Fun fact: that's "Kerroi Market Market in Tychfing), and I was able to grab my coffee making items (coffee ingredients?) In time to not be left behind by the crew! Yay!

In other news, I was able to pick up a roll of duct tape and a knife for our beloved cleaning robot. Now I just have to fit Stabby with a camera to record everyone else's reactions to him. He is now one with the hivemind of Stabbies. Oh, and I grabbed the stuff I was actually supposed to. The boring stuff. It was heavy, but some people helped me load the boxes into the ship!

Entry 4: Galactic Year 218, Standard Lunar Cycle (SLC) 4, Standard Solar Cycle (SSC) 14 [218-4-14] (Ky'tchas - Secretary, Accountant)

Kaylie, what is your new creation for? It has caused several minor injuries, and I don't understand the purpose of the "laugh track." Or the confetti. Why do these only occur when it stabs someone? Are they incentive for violence?

Additionally, I will include the "boring stuff," or our pickup for the next delivery. We have picked up:

14 Planetary Leap Drives, 10 Warp Cores, 2 Wormhole Accessors, 24 Guard-8.6 Androids, 48 Holo-Screen 18.5s, and 36 Extragravitory Flight Suits.

These are important things to record. Kaylie, as the one who ordered some of the parts, you should be the one to relay them to me. As it is, you should have placed the order through me in the first place, since it is my job to place orders and file them.

You're new, so I assume you haven't heard anyone explicitly state this, though the captain should have during your viewing and explanation of the ship. Either way, I expect any further orders to be placed though me.

Entry 5: 218-4-18 (Grömerg)

Kaylie? Is it alright if I make a request of you? Please, I beg, slow down when flying. The food almost did not survive our last warp-jump.

IN PROGRESS

#space australia #science fiction #humans are space australians #humans are space weirdos #stabby the roomba #Sergeant Stabby #Spaceship log #Feat. Confused aliens #coffee #Humans need coffee to live #Kaylie slow down please #Humans are reckless #Just like as a species

[librathefangirl]

The Boy and the Rain

ao3 (Chapter 1/1; 1.7k+)

Ban stalled, silently watching Meliodas in the rain for another moment before he retreated inside. As he fell back asleep, he did so with the feeling that there was some vital part of his captain that he was missing. Maybe it was something Meliodas was keeping from him. Maybe it was something he didn’t let himself see. Years later, Ban would come to realize it was both.

Fun fact: I started this fic back in like december or something, completely forgot about it, and then had to basically recreate it because I couldn't remember where it was supposed to go XD

Read on ao3 or under the cut!

It was raining outside. The droplets fell unforgivingly with enough ferocity to make the ground all muddy and send everyone seeking shelter inside. Well, everyone except one person. Meliodas was standing in the middle of the street in the same position he had for a good while now. He had his face angled up towards the dark skies. A soft smile played on his lips and his eyes were closed. Without the protection of his armor, his clothes were defenseless against the rain. He was completely soaked from top to toe, yet looked the epitome of someone at peace. Water dripped from his blonde locks in beat with the rest of the rain.

“Bartra’s gonna kill you if you get yourself sick, you know.”

Ban was leaning against the safety of the doorway, watching his captain without any intention of actually joining him in the downpour. Meliodas just tilted his head in a small acknowledgment that he’d heard him, but made no move otherwise. It wasn’t the first time Ban had caught him out in the rain like this. Probably wouldn’t be the last either. He never did seem to catch a cold from it either, that bastard.

“It’s incredible, isn’t it?” Meliodas suddenly asked, pulling Ban’s attention back to the present. His voice sounded slightly breathless as he spoke. His eyes practically shone as he opened them to gaze up at the falling droplets.

“I- What? ” Ban frowned. Was the captain actually drunk?

“The rain!” Meliodas clarified without tearing his gaze from the sky.

“It’s… water.”

“Yeah… It’s just water.” Meliodas sounded almost in awe. His smile grew larger as his voice turned softer. “No matter how many years I spend here, it still feels like a miracle every single time.”

“Okay, what the hell are you talking about, Cap’n?”

“Oh!” Meliodas suddenly seemed to realize what he was saying. A somewhat startled expression overtook his face as he met Ban’s eyes for the first time since he had ventured outside. “I- Uhm…”

His gaze flickered behind Ban to the building housing the rest of the Seven Deadly Sins. A multitude of snores could be heard. They were the only two awake. Whatever passed through Meliodas’ mind in those few moments of searching, Ban wasn’t privy to, and in the end, Meliodas just shrugged his shoulders and turned his gaze back to the sky. Almost unconsciously, the smile returned to his face.

“There wasn’t a lot of rain like this where I grew up. That’s all.”

Ooh, now that was intriguing.

“Really?” Ban questioned, tilting his head curiously. “And where was that? Because here I thought Britannia was just one big pile of wet mud.”

Meliodas’ smile turned crooked as he threw another glance back at Ban, “That’s a bit complicated. It doesn’t even matter. I was never allowed to enjoy things like this anyway.”

Now that was a loaded beehive Ban was not about to poke. He couldn’t remember a single time when Meliodas had spoken of where he grew up or of his parents. Ban had always had a nagging feeling about the latter though. Just a small insistent thought that maybe he had his reasons to keep quiet on the matter. Not like it was a conversation Ban would want to have either. Besides, that wasn’t how the Seven Deadly Sins worked. They talked about the present, maybe even the future; they never spoke about the past. Not really.

“Well, enjoy all you want, Cap’n. Just don’t come bitch to me if you actually get a cold this time.”

Ban stalled, silently watching Meliodas in the rain for another moment before he retreated inside. As he fell back asleep, he did so with the feeling that there was some vital part of his captain that he was missing. Maybe it was something Meliodas was keeping from him. Maybe it was something he didn’t let himself see.

Years later, Ban would come to realize it was both.

– X –

The sounds of the Boar Hat muffled when Ban closed the door behind him. He remained where he was for a moment, quietly watching his captain. Meliodas was standing by the railing on the balcony, his arms resting on top of it as he had his face turned upwards. He didn’t appear the slightest bothered by the rain that fell on him, if anything he seemed happy about it. Then again, that was hardly something new. For as long as Ban had known him, Meliodas had always had a strange attachment to the rain; a wonder for it Ban had never understood.

Now, though, he was beginning to.

Ban had watched his captain enjoy the rain from the safety of the doorway many times before. Today, he decided to actually join him. He leaned against the railing beside Meliodas, reaching out a hand and watching the water slowly pool in it. The sight felt weirdly nostalgic. Ban scoffed quietly.

"Who knew I would actually miss the rain."

Meliodas closed his eyes briefly, taking a slow careful breath. When he met Ban’s gaze it was with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“I never thought I’d get to experience this again,” Meliodas admitted, looking back at the sky with a sigh. “But here we are… one more time.”

The warm feeling Ban had felt shattered at Meliodas’ words. In an instant, a cold matching the soaking rain replaced it. One more time – one last time. Ban tried not to let himself follow that line of thought, but the finality of Meliodas’ comment reminded him of another rainy night. There wasn’t a lot of rain like this where I grew up.

“It doesn’t rain in the Demon Realm at all, does it?” Ban asked. Meliodas shook his head slowly. His smile softened, becoming more genuine.

“You know, at first I didn’t think much of the rain. It just seemed to make Britannia…” Meliodas let out a chuckle. “Make it into one big pile of wet mud. ”

“So what changed? Because let’s be honest here, Cap’n, I have never met anyone more invested in the rain than you.”

Meliodas shrugged a little helplessly, “Elizabeth.

“There was this one time, still a while before I even left the Demon Realm. I had snuck out to see Elizabeth and this storm hit. It was pouring down, the worst I had seen, and Elizabeth-” Meliodas let out another laugh, his smile making the corners of his eyes crinkle. “She was absolutely delighted! She didn’t care about finding shelter or getting her wings soaked. She danced and she laughed, just enjoying the thing that I had always found so annoying. Before I knew it, she had dragged me out into the rain too.”

A teasing grin spread across Ban’s face as he nudged Meliodas in the arm, “You danced in the rain?”

“Yes,” Meliodas admitted completely unabashedly. “We had no right to. There was a war going on and we were supposed to be natural enemies, but we were dancing in the rain together. That was the day I realized that I would do anything for her, just to get to see her smile like that again.”

Meliodas’ smile dimmed once more, his gaze falling to the ground below them before he continued.

“I realized a lot that day. After that, I knew I couldn’t keep going like before. How could I? One day I’m dancing with Elizabeth, realizing how much I love her, and the next I’m just supposed to keep fighting, keep killing? I couldn’t stand the idea that one day I’d have to hurt her.”

“So you left,” Ban commented softly.

“So I left,” Meliodas agreed, the smile now completely gone. “Turned my back on everything I’d ever known… even abandoned my little brother.”

The cold feeling returned in Ban’s gut. I left… Everything I’d ever known… Abandoned… It was all too close to the things he didn’t want to think about. Not tonight. He needed just one more night without having to think about what was to come. Because the truth was, no matter how much Ban was prepared to support his friend through this, the thought of losing Meliodas was killing him.

“So,” Ban said, trying to distract himself. “That is why you like the rain so much? Because it reminds you of that day with the princess?”

Meliodas nodded his head, the smile returning little by little; “That day, Elizabeth… The freedom I felt in that moment. Meeting her changed everything. It made me believe in a better future, and that day in the rain was one of the first times it didn’t just feel like a possibility but a reality. Like we could actually have a life like that together. At that moment, nothing else mattered, and I wished we could stay there forever.”

“Cap’n-”

“There you are!” Elizabeth’s voice was suddenly heard behind them. As they turned around they saw her and Elaine standing in the now open doorway, illuminated by the light and warmth of the tavern.

“Oh, you guys are soaked,” Elaine giggled as all the worry seemed to leave Elizabeth when her gaze found Meliodas. Ban tried not to feel guilty, tried not to think about all the things he knew Meliodas hadn’t told her.

“You should come in and dry off,” Elizabeth suggested but Meliodas just shook his head, grin spreading from ear to ear.

“Come on now, Ellie, don’t tell me you’ve gotten scared of a little rain,” Meliodas teased, pulling a startled shriek from Elizabeth as he pulled her out into the rain with him. Ban chucked at the sight.

“All yours, princess,” he told Elizabeth as he side-stepped the couple to reach Elaine. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to his side as the door shut behind them.

In some ways, Ban understood exactly what Meliodas had talked about out on the balcony. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do just to see Elaine happy, and listening to Meliodas’ laugh as he and Elizabeth danced in the rain, he wished they could stay in this very moment. Here, when his best friend was happy and carefree, and Ban wouldn’t have to face the day when Meliodas disappeared and left them all behind.

#nanatsu no taizai #seven deadly sins #nnt #sds #7ds #meliodas nnt #ban nnt #background melizabeth #background ban x elaine #libra writes #my fics #nnt fic

[lunawings]

Animaniacs in Concert, 2/17/24 in Bristol, CT

Or, the story of how I ran into Rob Paulsen and immediately threw up.

Not on him, thankfully.

Where to begin? From the beginning, I guess.

I talk a lot about Japanese voice actors on this blog and I have almost no thoughts about American anime dub voice actors (no offense, I just don't know their work). However, if you asked me my favorite American cartoon voice actor, it's Rob Paulsen. I knew his voice before I even knew he existed, and if you ask me, he's one of the most recognizable male voice actors in Saturday morning cartoons.

He's probably most known as being Yakko on Animaniacs, and "half the Ninja Turtles" as he puts it. ("Maybe if I live to 102 I can voice all of them!") I also personally really liked him in The Mask cartoon, I think it's some of his best work. (Even though he was doing Jim Carey, he kind of wasn't at the same time. He made it his own.) But even beyond his leading roles, he just seems to pop up all sorts of places, and it always makes my day when I recognize him as additional voices.

While Japanese voice actors are often young and excessively beautiful people you're supposed to swoon over, 80s/90s American cartoon voice actors aren't... quite... the same. And yet. I sorta do, in a weird way. I mean I've known Rob Paulsen's voice for as long as my brain has been making memories and that's a pretty huge impact on a person. A few years back, I stumbled upon a few videos of him on YouTube attending cons performing Yakko's World and such, and I just loved his personality and energy so much. So, I added seeing him perform someday to my mental list of goals to accomplish if I ever returned to the US.

Fast forward again to the 2020s, the Animaniacs revival comes out on Hulu (I don't care what anyone says I freakin loved it) and I hear he's touring again with Animaniacs in Concert. I looked up the dates and none of them were remotely near me. As I checked back one day, mourning the possible missed opportunity and debating how far I might go, a new show popped up in Bristol, CT. How random, I thought. I checked if it was doable for me, and it was! It wasn't feasible as a day trip, but still doable. And once I saw there was one FRONT ROW SEAT LEFT, the deal was sealed as I quickly bought the ticket and reserved a room at the only hotel I could find in the area, the Bristol Double Tree.

Fast forward to yesterday. I arrived in Bristol just after noon following an uber and FOUR different buses. I'd woken up way too early, I was hungry and tired, and not feeling too great. I decided food would be my first plan of action, and since I didn't quite understand how to order room service (the menu wasn't loading on my phone anyway) and there wasn't anything within walking distance, I decided to just head downstairs and eat at the hotel restaurant/bar.

As I was waiting for my impossible burger and fries, I decided to take off the Yakko's World hoodie I'd been wearing.

I bought it specifically to wear to the show, and I'd already spilled a little coffee on it this morning and didn't want to risk having to wash it again. So I tucked it behind me in the booth.

Shortly after that, another group walked in and sat at the table next to me. An older guy and some ladies. I wasn't paying much attention to them as I thought they were maybe a part of the wedding party I heard was at the hotel. My food came and I focused on that.

But then someone else walked in and joined them. Someone I very much DID recognize. "Oh there you are!" "Hi, I'm Rob!"

The next moment is kind of a blur so I'm not exactly sure whether I jumped a little or if I did the dramatic eyes widen slow turn, but I definitely had some kind of a visible reaction as I looked over to the table. It was then that I locked eyes with who at that moment I first realized was Maurice Lamarche, voice of Brain (from Pinky and the Brain) and many MANY Futurama characters (more than I realized as I learned later). He was the older man I mentioned earlier, and had been sitting there the entire time. And at that moment I thought perhaps he knew everything. (Both the fact that I recognized the new person who had just walked in, and the fact that I hadn't recognized Maurice himself until now.)

So I'm pretty sure I have at least mild prosopagnosia (face blindness) so it is hard for me to recognize people right away.

But there was something I could never fail to recognize, and that was the voice of Rob Paulsen, who was the person who had just walked into the room and joined the table with Maurice.

I'm not sure how they knew the women they were dining with, but they were all catching up, asking them if they were going to the show, etc. I listened a bit as Rob happily talked to them about the impact of the show and its fans. Such as how devoted fans would actually fly in to see them and how the average age of the audience was about 40 (hah ha... not yet but I'm getting there). He even mentioned Tress MacNeille at one point! Maurice was right in my view, but Rob was at an angle where I couldn't see him without turning my head but oh lord it was definitely him.

I had no idea what to do at this point. Do I say something? Do I not? Would it be terrible to just say hi and that I'm looking forward to the show??

I've been to a lot of events with voice actors in the past, especially in Japan, but I still just... cannot handle meeting famous people that I admire. Actually seeing them up close is intense enough, but actually TALKING to them? I don't know how anyone can do it.

I'm reminded of Amari in Idol Land PriPara, that episode where she meets Hibiki...

Yeah, basically me. For the people who visualize in their head while they are reading something, just replace whatever you imagine I look like with Amari and this story will fit very well.

All while this is all racing through my mind, I'm still shoveling french fries into my mouth while trying (and probably failing) to stay calm and act normal (even though I'm pretty sure Maurice is onto me) and I soon realize I've got a couple fries stuck in my throat (as often happens when I'm eating without paying attention, as I'm a very fast eater). I exaggerated a little in my previous post when I said I was choking, but it was hard to swallow and I realized I'd have to sneak off to the bathroom to deal with it without causing any more of a scene. I basically threw my credit card on the table and ran, though (which was dumb in hindsight, but I didn't want anyone to think I was dine-dashing).

In the end, after I came back, I decided to just quietly pay the bill and leave without saying anything, scrunching and hiding my Yakko hoodie the best I could. I didn't want to interrupt them during their private time, and for that reason I didn't try to take any photos or videos either. So I have no proof that this happened but it very much did.

And it made sense, I realized later. I already knew that the Double Tree in Bristol was literally the only hotel in the area, where else would they be!!?

After leaving the table I was so worked up I basically walked straight out of the hotel because I didn't know what else to do and headed to the Carosel Museum of New England where I killed at least two whole hours sitting on a bench looking at intricately carved 100+ year old wooden animals while nursing my exhaustion and caffeine cravings. (The museum isn't that big, I just literally did not know what else to do with myself.)

But I learned that most carousel horses are only decorated on the side that faces the customers. And since they were all hand-carved back then, the opposite side would often be carved by a less experienced carver in training or something. ISN'T THAT NEAT?

I thought that was neat.

Anyway.

Eventually I downed an energy drink I bought from a convenience store as I went on my way to the venue of the show.

I was still super early since I ran out of the hotel super early but there was already a crowd gathered outside. At first I didn't know this was the reason people had gathered, but the first 40 people to line up were eligible to sign up for a "meet-and-greet" with everyone after the show. And when I reached the front of the line, it was still open.

"Sure?" I said, not really fully understanding what I was signing up for. And so I headed inside.

The show opened with Yakko's Universe (SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SONG) and of course closed with Yakko's World as the finale. What came in between was quite random. Despite not being an actual cast member, the real star of the show was composer Randy Rogel. Rob of course voiced Yakko and his other characters, and Randy voiced... almost everyone else haha. Just using his own voice most of the time, but still. He sang as Dot a lot.

And it seemed like he picked the songs they played not necessarily by what songs were popular, but by what songs he and Rob had stories to talk about. For example, they did a bunch of songs from the failed show Histeria when Rob literally broke into tears (he was acting) while talking about how Randy had to actually, physically, go to a library to research the topics he was writing about back in those days. Randy also played an alternate version of the song LA DOT that had sat untouched in a folder for decades.

Rob's voice doesn't sound quite the same as it used to, as anyone who has seen the 2020 Animaniacs series would know, but he can still do it all! And considering he survived throat cancer, and came back to not only work again but sing live!? He sounds amazing!

Maurice Lamarche was also of course a part of the show, and although he only "sang" one song as Brain, his interactions in character as Brain with Rob as Pinky were probably the highlight of the whole show. (They did a whole "Who's on First" sketch talking about what countries to conquer, with Pinky misunderstanding "Hungary", "Turkey" and "Chili".)

Maurice also did a showcase of his voice, including so many other Animaniacs and Futurama characters I had no idea were him, not to mention frikkin Toucan Sam and the narrator of Lexus commercials.

The only thing that disappointed me a little about the show, was they didn't really do anything from the 2020 series, but I guess Randy wasn't as involved with the music in that. So, oh well.

I didn't take many photos/videos during the show, since I wasn't fully sure of the etiquette (still kinda have my Japan brain for these sort of things) and since I was in the front row I wanted to give them my full attention. I think there are plenty of videos online anyway, since at least one segment was one I'd already seen before.

So, after the show ended, people began to line up for the meet-and-greet, and it was then that I fully understood what I had gotten myself into.

Each of us would get about a minute to talk with them individually, get their signature, and get a picture if we wanted. I was really kicking myself for not bringing anything to sign! I really had no idea it would actually be an option! (In the days leading up to the show I had been looking at Rob's website where I noticed he normally charges $60 for an autograph, so I didn't think he would do it for free.)

But more importantly, I realized I was going to have to actually face them. TALK TO THEM. The exact thing I had run away from earlier in the day.

And again, I considered just running away. But I had taken a spot on that list. A spot that could have gone to someone else and it was too late to give away now. So, I told myself, I had to see this through. No matter what.

As the line inched closer I panicked over whether they would recognize me from the hotel or not as I rehearsed in my head over and over again all the things I could say. I was honestly juggling between two or three entire scripts by the time it was finally my turn and when realized... after all that...

I did not need to say anything.

Rob saw my hoodie ("It's me!") so he knew I was there for him, and he knew I was nervous. So he did all the talking. (After all, that is his job. Literally!) He took my hand and complimented my hoodie, my hair, and everything. He said so many nice things about me (I even got a "Hellooooo nurse!") and even broke the ice by introducing me to "his friend the Brain" so I got to shake hands with Maurice as well. (I STILL THINK HE KNEW. So I felt a little awkward then but other than that) it was just such a wonderful interaction. Rob was so nice and kind and I got the impression he really, really cares about his fans.

So I missed out on the autograph, but I did get a picture, and I left the entire experience feeling so warm and fuzzy and oddly complete. Childhood dream achieved.

It took me another four busses and an uber to get home today (I left around 8am, walked into my door after 4...) but it was all very worth it.

I'm mostly at peace with how things turned out, but if I ever get the chance to see them again, at a Comicon or whatever, I'll be sure to bring a Futurama DVD boxset for Maurice to sign and maybe try to acquire an old Animanics or Mask the Animated Series VHS for Rob!

You know, it's pretty ridiculous how easy it is to meet and get signatures from famous voice actors in this country. That almost never happens in Japan. I mean, I'm planning to go to an actual Love Live concert in Japan next month, and here I am oddly depressed I can't fly out to Seattle to see Chiemi and Coco at Sakura-con instead because I might get to actually meet MEET them there haha.

Even though it would be another disaster if I actually did.

Hahah...

#another very long and rambly event/travel story from my life #maybe mostly so i myself can look back on it #but maybe you'll enjoy reading it too #animaniacs #rob paulsen #maurice lamarche

[womanofwords]

Fixed

Villain liked repairing things. He liked the way broken things looked as they were slowly reconstructed in his hands. Also, Villain grew up poor, so he didn’t get to have new things a lot. Things were repaired to save the trouble of scraping together the money to get a new one. Villain was no longer in that financial situation, he did enjoy the feeling of repairing things.

However, it had to be said that even though Villain liked repairing things, he had never worked on anything that was alive before they met Sidekick.

They knew of Sidekick, vaguely. They’d seen Sidekick with Hero a couple of times, by their side fighting Villain. But they didn’t know anything about Sidekick, and they assumed the same for Sidekick.

So it was a shock when they found them at their doorstep at 2 AM, whimpering with pain and shivering from the cold.

Of course Villain took them in, they weren’t a monster. But they had no idea what to do after that. Their first thought was to call an ambulance, but Sidekick shook their head frantically.

“They’ll trace the call,” Sidekick warned. “Hero will find me.”

“Did Hero do . . . this?” Villain asked, waving a hand over Sidekick’s cuts and bruises. Sidekick nodded. “I see. I’m not sure what to-”

“Don’t send me back, please! He’s evil!” Sidekick begged, looking even more pathetic. “He did this to me because of a game! He wanted to see what sort of things my skin could withstand!”

“A game?” Villain’s voice got low. “He did this to you for the sake of a game?” Sidekick nodded, trying to get up and letting out a whimper of pain. “Don’t move. You shouldn’t be moving.” They got their phone and dialled numbers, this time ignoring Sidekick’s frantic babbling. “Now, now, Sidekick, I’m not getting an ambulance. I’m calling in a favour.”

Medic arrived half an hour later, two subordinates in tow. “You called, boss?”

“You have to help them,” Villain said, pointing at Sidekick. Medic fumbled.

“Um . . . that’s a hero.”

“That is not a hero. This is someone seeking shelter from a hero. Now. Help. Them.” Villain’s eyes burned a hole into Medic’s skull, and they caved.

“Fine.” Medic loaded Sidekick into the back of a van, and they took off. Villain watched them leave, their face expressionless.

Now Sidekick was safe, they could turn their attention onto Hero.

Hero didn’t have any safeguards in place to keep him safe. He was the safeguard, and that knowledge had left him cocky and overconfident. With that, it wasn’t difficult to overpower him and take him somewhere else.

“Where am I?” Hero asked, after he regained consciousness.

“You’re with me,” Villain told him. “And I have some questions about Sidekick.”

Hero sniggered. “Sidekick? Why do you care about such a weakling? Trying to recruit them?”

“I found them beaten to a pulp. They said you did it.”

“Complaining about their hazing ritual, I suppose.” Hero scoffed. “Like we all said, weak.”

“Well, that’s a good place to start. But who is we?”

Hero scoffed again. They did that a lot. “Like I’m telling you.”

Villain grinned and picked out the largest, sharpest machete out of the many tools they had brought with them. “You will.”

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

After wiping off the blood, Villain visited Sidekick. “Hello, little one,” Villain cooed. “Feeling any better?”

“A little,” Sidekick replied. They was sitting up (or maybe they were being propped up by the bed) and even smiling. “Medic is a total miracle worker!”

“I know, that’s why I hired them,” Villain bragged. “And I have successfully convinced Hero to leave you alone. As far as anybody knows, you left due to medical reasons and you were on good terms with the League at the time.”

“Seriously? You did that? Thank you!” Sidekick reached for Villain for a hug.

“I don’t do hugging, little one. This is all I’m comfortable with.” Villain gave Sidekick an awkward head pat which extended into a back rub. Their hand came away bloody, to both of their horror. “Oh, sweetheart, let me handle that. Medic won’t be back for a while, anyway.”

They had learned how to apply bandages earlier, and they did a passable job with Sidekick. Nothing Medic would consider amazing, but it did the job. “It still hurts,” Sidekick groaned. Villain patted Sidekick’s head again.

“I’ll massage the pain out of them, if you want,” Villain offered. Sidekick immediately nodded, flashing them a grateful smile.

Looking at Sidekick, Villain remembered why he loved fixing broken things.

But judging from the way they handled Hero, they had to admit that they loved breaking things too.

#creative writing #my writing #writers on tumblr #writers #writeblr #writerscommunity #heroes and villains #whump #caretaker villain

[sakumz]

Nnatsume please... stares...

𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒

𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒

₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ. [ s. natsume x gn reader ]

warning❗: slight ooc

genre 𑁍 : fluff

wc ⚘ :ㅤ

a/n ꕤ : ( ˶ • ༝ • ) stares back 𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒𓂃𓈒

you can't help but let out sigh after sigh as natsume stares at you from across the table. what's gotten you in distress? the answer to such question at the moment was the undying amount of works you've gotten. you promised to take a break, days before and yet the works you've longed to do were about to be due soon.

natsume being the supportive bf he's supposed to be, agreed to help you as long as you did take a few day breaks and by that he means doing absolutely no work and only fun and relaxing for you. you did enjoy the day breaks he planned but all good things come to an end. how did tsumugi even managed his own works at hand?

" quit zoning out, let's finish this paper and go home, " natsume says as he takes the paper he was currently working on to put in the completed paper stack you've made.

" natsume... you can go off first if you need to be somewhere, there's only three stacks left and I can complete it by myself... " natsume looks at you, baffled and offended. he offer help and you're chasing him out? do you not believe in his works?

" no can't do, if you want to finish all three I'll help you. it was my fault you're now locked into doing all these papers when you could've done it days ago, " looking at him stunned, what did you do to deserve such a kind gentleman. letting out a few giggles as you label natsume as your knight in shining armour, he can't help but be confused by your sudden attitude.

a good hour has passed and you're finally done, all you got to do was to drop off the papers at the council room and then you can walk home with natsume. the walk from there to out the school was quiet, natsume trailing behind you.

" now kitten, don't you think I deserve a little reward? " he points to his lips as you let a smile crept up to your lips, knowing all too well he does deserve the kiss for being somewhat more helpful than usual.

getting on your tip toes to plant a kiss to his lips, it was short yet magical as always. natsume was about to peck you once more when you both heard a few whistling and then cheering from behind you both. looking back, it was trickstar.

he can't help but blush and you turning a familiar shade as well, what's wrong with displaying such acts in public? let alone it was embarrassing when someone caught you in the act.

" wow! didn't know you had it in ya, to kiss your lover out in the open, " mao says as natsume glares at him. he's the one giving you a hard time by giving you a lot of work.

" hey now, aren't you the one with no first kiss yet... unless- " you say but makoto quickly wrap his hand around your lips, shushing you.

" no I do not kiss ritsu, nor has I kiss any of my friends! " everyone couldn't help but laugh at the sudden mao outburst.

" aren't you the one giving y/n a hard time? shall I cast a spell to make sure you'll never get a kiss? " natsume threats.

" thinking about it now, yeah almost every work he could possibly hand over to someone he does think of y/n first, " hidaka spoke up.

" hmm does sally like y/n too? " subaru chimes in, getting the group to stare at him.

" I doubt that's the case, " makoto replies to subaru.

" no I don't have any lingering feelings for y/n! don't jump to weird conclusions... I only gave them plenty of works because uhhh- "

" the council president hates me, " you faked cry, natsume couldn't help but pat your back to comfort you as he glares daggers back to mao.

" no it's not like that! you're always teasing me and- well I'll just lessen your burden from now... didn't know I've been giving you loads of work. besides, most works are for switch anyways, " mao mumbles the last part. leaving you and natsume to think of a counter.

#ensemble stars x reader #sakumz.pdf #ensemble stars #enstars x reader #esworks #sakasaki natsume x reader

[cainluvr69]

Surely, We Can Make Miracles Chapter 2

Previous Chapter

Northern Citizen: When it comes to wizards… They're the only reason we can live in the North, with its harsh nature and strong spirits. I'm grateful to them from the very bottom of my heart… I hope they never abandon us.

✦✧☾✧✦

Western Citizen: Wizards? Magic is soooo old-fashioned! Now we're in the era of magical technology! Just take a look through my shop! Here's a toy made with magical science that lets you produce sparks with just a snap of your fingers! Just put a mana stone in here, and…tada! It's not a magical item, so there's no dangerous curse on it! It's practically a steal!

✦✧☾✧✦

Eastern Citizen: …What's with you…huh? …You want ask me about wizards? … …I don't know much about them, so you should ask someone else. And… …Talking to people you don't know is expressly forbidden on this street. …Be more careful.

✦✧☾✧✦

Southern Citizen: Wizards? We've got a few in town! They're all wonderful people! They're always helpin' us out with their magic! Last time, I gave them some butter as thanks! Our butter's delicious, you know! This country's still developing, so we all work together and help one another out! Tornadoes are way scarier than wizards. Just a while ago, one blew away our shed!

✦✧☾✧✦

And wizards' opinions on humans are also quite varied. Country, age, and personality all influenced them.

Riquet: Humans lack the strange power that we do. That is the chosen ones have a great responsibility to guide them.

Cain: What do you mean by "chosen ones"?

Riquet: The pastor of the church I was raised in, and our very own Prince Arthur.

Arthur: I haven't been chosen, or anything like that. I'm just descended from a lineage with a lot of political power.

Riquet: But you're still a wonderful person who regards both wizards and humans equally, without any arrogance in your heart.

Arthur: That's something anyone could do, not only princes.

Riquet: Cain can't do it. He treats everyone equally during the daylight hours, but excludes me once night falls.

Cain: I'm not trying to exclude you from anything. I just think it's a little too early for you to be joining adult conversations.

Oz: … Regarding these adult conversations…

Cain: Don't worry. Arthur doesn't get to join them, either.

Arthur: Even though it's fine for me to join in.

Oz: You are too young for them.

Cain: Shouldn't we be worrying about the fact that Oz doesn't join in on adult conversations first? I mean, you're two thousand years old. You should join us next time.

Oz: …

Riquet: Oz. Join their discussions and report back to me about what they're about.

Arthur: Tell me about them too, Lord Oz.

Riquet: Anyways, we have an obligation to lead those who lack the mysterious power we have down the right path. We must spare no effort in our dedication to this task.

✦✧☾✧✦

Mithra: Humans? Well, I suppose I like them.

Owen: Liar.

Bradley: Man, don't start telling lies about this. I've never heard any stories about Mithra of the North and humans…that had happy endings, at least.

Painting Snow: Now, now. Let's finish hearing him out.

Painting White: You said you like humans, Mithra?

Mithra: Although I don't remember where… When I was a ferryman, I had the job of ferrying human corpses across the lake. I liked being a ferryman.

Owen: I've heard about that, and it sounds like the most boring job in the world. You were just being made to dispose of corpses.

Mithra: Sigh…

Owen: What's that look for.

Mithra: I was thinking about how stupid you are.

Owen: Excuse me? Do you want me to kill you?

Mithra: Anyways, as I was saying, there was a human settlement around there, and this place here was the land of the dead. When one of them died, they'd load the body onto my boat and then summon me. And then I would take the boat to the land of the dead. See. Doesn't that sound fun?

Owen: Not in the slightest.

Bradley: Haha. So Mithra's customers were all dead humans. And he was the only one alive in the land of the dead, yeah?

Mithra: …

Painting Snow: Being alone as a child in such a lonely place must have led to many quiet days.

Painting White: Though it was for funeral purposes, you must have been happy to have had humans beckon you to their side. Weren't you, Mithra dear?

Mithra: Sigh… I never said that. Anyway, humans die, so I like them.

✦✧☾✧✦

Chloe: To be honest, I'm still a little scared of humans. I'm always worried they'll start to hate me once they find out I'm a wizard.

Rustica: But everyone loves you once they get to know you, Chloe. Because you are a truly lovely person.

Chloe: Ehehe… Thank you, Rustica. But after they find out that I'm a wizard, it's harder to get people to want to know me as a person. I wish that people who hate wizards could see me as Chloe the tailor instead of Chloe the wizard. Like, you know what I mean?

Shylock: My, how very philosophical of you.

Chloe: Murr taught me some stuff! About cognition and psychology and stuff like that. Like, how to interpret how other people think of me.

Shylock: …You talked about philosophy with Murr? Are you quite alright?

Chloe: I'm a-okay! But talking to Murr about philosophy was kind of scary, to be honest… But it was also really interesting! Listening to Murr taught me so much about so many things. How can I put it… It was like he was happy that I wanted to learn.

Shylock: Murr has always been an academic at heart. He has always welcomed those who love to learn, and those with naturally curious hearts. Murr, be a dear and come here. Could you tell me everything you talked about with Chloe?

Murr: You don't need to know that!

Shylock: And why not?

Murr: Because you already know it! You don't need words to understand it! You've listened to as many people as there are stars in the sky over the long years you've spent watching over this bar, and touched each and every one of their lives. You know exactly how you look to others. And you know how to look that way, too. You indulge in pleasure and displeasure as much as you want to. With little more than how you move your fingers, where your line of sight falls, how your tone of voice sounds--with even just a single gesture or change in mannerism, you can pluck on the heartstrings of other people and draw them close to you…or push them away. You let people approach and draw back like waves on a beach. I don't have aaaanything to say to someone who's already such a master of interpersonal connections!

Chloe: Wow…! You're amazing, Shylock! But I never expected any less!

Rustica: There's a very good reason everyone finds themselves so taken with you!

Shylock: Fufu… You only ever praise me reluctantly, Murr. What mischief have you gotten yourself up to this time?

Murr: The raisins you were drying out were really tasty, so I ate them!

Shylock: Oh, how cruel… And I was so looking forward to eating them tonight.

Murr: I didn't eat all of them! I was just feeling like a snack, that's all! I made sure to leave some!

Shylock: Then let us share them with everyone.

Chloe: Wah…! Sounds good! I totally get why Murr would want some for a snack!

Rustica: I believe wine would suit them better than tea.

Shylock: Oh, but of course.

Murr: Are you mad?

Shylock: I am not. Now then, shall we all enjoy ourselves again this fine evening?

Murr & Chloe & Rustica: Cheers!

✦✧☾✧✦

Heathcliff: I'm…pretty shy, so… I'm not good with anyone, human or wizard, that I don't already know…

Nero: Yeah, I totally get it.

Heathcliff: It's not that I dislike them or anything like that. It has less to do with who I'm talking to and more with myself… I get worried about if I'm responding to things the way I'm supposed to…

Shino: Of course you are. You're already perfect, Heath. Just look at Faust. He's supposed to be the instructor for us Eastern wizards, but he just bluntly hates humans in general.

Faust: And?

Heathcliff: Shino, don't be rude.

Shino: I wasn't being rude. I was complimenting you.

Heathcliff: …I'm always happy to get compliments from you, but…

Shino: Yeah. Getting a compliment from you always makes me happier than anything, too. You're the son of the East's illustrious House Blanchett and one of the Sage's chosen wizards, after all. Anyone can tell you're beautiful just looking at you, you're smart, and you're always polite. You're almost too perfect to be real. It only takes half a second to fall for you.

Nero: The Blanchett servant's as obsessed with his beloved master as always today. It's kind of refreshing, somehow.

Faust: Even though he's using a nickname for him, there'll always be that bit of distance, huh.

Heathcliff: … You know, I've thought about this before, but the things Shino compliments me on are things that could be about anyone, not just me.

Shino: What are you talking about?

Heathcliff: It's not like being born to the Blanchett family is something I had to work for… The same goes for my appearance, and it's only because I was given the opportunity that I was taught how to properly compose myself as a noble and receive an extensive education… And even my home is something that my parents gave to me.

Shino: Th…

Heathcliff: You never compliment me for anything on the inside. Even though you say I'm too timid and should be more bold…

Shino: There's no way that's true! Right?!

Nero: Don't ask me!

Heathcliff: If I hadn't been born to the family that I was, if I didn't look the way that I do… Would there even be anything about me that you like, Shino? I worry about that sometimes.

Shino: But…

Nero: There's no way that's true! C'mon, Shino! Tell Heath everything else you love about him!

Shino: I… Uh…

Nero: Hello?!

Heathcliff: …See.

Faust: You're a naturally kind person. You're skilled at using your hands, and you're very tenacious. You try to keep a broad outlook on things, too.

Heathcliff: Mr. Faust…

Shino: That! That's what I wanted to say! I just couldn't get it out…

Heathcliff: Oh, I bet.

Shino: I mean it…!!! You know I'm stupid, Heath!!

Nero: Knock it off, Shino! Just stop talking!

Faust: The reason you lack decisiveness is because you try to take the circumstances and standings of the people around you into account as much as you can. Where a normal person might consider ten possibilities, you consider a hundred. I imagine that's why you find it so tiring to be around people for long. And no matter who you are, I'm proud to have you as my student. I don't think I'd have ever considered teaching anyone magic if I'd never met you. Thank you for letting me be someone who could be a good influence, despite being a curseworker who hates the world.

Heathcliff: …Mr. Faust…

Shino: Get your hands off my master, you misanthrope shut-in!

Nero: That's your followup?!

Heathcliff: Thank you so much… I'm really happy to hear you say that…

Shino: Heath! I feel the same way…

Heathcliff: … Uh-huh…

Shino: …! Fine, whatever! It's not like I--! ….Mmgghh…!

Nero: There, there, it's quiet time now. Now, now, don't start cryin' on me.

Shino: Mmmggghhh…!

Nero: Uh-huh, yep, you're not crying even a little bit. Ow…! Don't freakin' bite me!

✦✧☾✧✦

Lennox: How I feel about humans…?

Figaro: Do you even have any feelings about them at all, Leno? Regardless of if who you're talking to is human or wizard, male or female, or what country they're from… You're so bad at handling them, I swear you liked that sheepdog you used to have more than you like me.

Lennox: Huh…? Is that a bad thing…?

Figaro: Man, are you hearing this guy?

Lennox: I mean, it's my dog.

Figaro: I was thinking that between myself and a dog that only knows how to herd sheep the scales would be tilted in my favor, but I see how it is… …That's true love…

Mitile: Have you been drinking, Dr. Figaro?

Rutile: That would be my fault. The Rheita Mountains are cold, so I put a little alcohol into Dr. Figaro's tea, and into my own.

Mitile: What?! When did you do that?!

Figaro: Oh, and that was supposed to be our little secret. But that's not enough to get me drunk, you know.

Mitile: But, the way you were talking about Leno just now, was kind of…

Lennox: Maybe you never noticed, Mitile, but Dr. Figaro talks about me like that pretty often. And it's not like I have a problem with it. It's fine with me, really.

Figaro: But it'd be more fine if I was your dog.

Mitile: The world of adulthood seems complicated…

Rutile: Don't worry, Mitile. I put snow ginger in your tea and in Leno's! I dried it myself! This way, all of us can stay nice and warm! Cheers!

Figaro: Cheers!

Mitile: Jeez… You don't say cheers about regular tea. If you're saying it, it means you think it's like alcohol, and that means you're drunk. Isn't that right, Leno?

Lennox: Yes. I think so, too.

Rutile & Figaro: Ehehe!

Lennox: Well, as long as they don't try to ride their brooms while under the influence, we can stay at a cottage I built in these mountains overnight.

Mitile: Did the two of you live here?

Lennox: Hm?

Mitile: Both you and your sheepdog.

Lennox: Yes, we did.

Rutile: What did you name it?

Lennox: Courir.

Rutile: Wah, how cute! I wish I could've met it. Did you ever get to see it, Dr. Figaro?

Figaro: Yeah, I did. The two of you got along great.

Lennox: We did. I loved that dog even more than you think I did. Maybe even…the most out of anything in the world.

Figaro: Really?

Lennox: Yes. I have someone I would dedicate my life for. But if he wanted me to, I would've thrown away everything for him. But I don't think I could've thrown away my days with Courir so easily.

Rutile: How wonderful… Your lives must have been lovely, living out in nature's splendor like this.

Lennox: Yes.

Mitile: If you couldn't understand each other's words, how did you make sure of how each of you felt?

Lennox: Hmm… We just understood by looking at each other. We could look into each other's eyes and see what was in there, be it fear, or anger… And that doesn't just go for dogs. The same goes for wizards and humans. We all have hearts somewhere inside… And we use our words and voices to represent our hearts. A dog's barking and howling is the same as that. Though we do tell lies sometimes. But the eyes can let us see someone's true colors. Is someone calm, or are they acting weirdly energetic, and so on…

Mitile: …Do you know what's in my heart, too?

Lennox: I do. Just a general image, though. As long as I don't get that outline wrong, then it's fine.

There are so many different kinds of humans and wizards in the world.

Next Chapter

#.mhyktl #.main story tl #.eventtl #4th anni

[little-cereal-draws]

"Laters Gators" (MKtober day two)

Voicemail 1 out of 42, May 2nd, 2024, 11:49 AM

Beep

"Hiya, Mum! It's me! I just got to the flat you're renting me and let me just say it's gorgeous! Super spacious and has a wonderful view of the street! Yeah, I'm looking at it now. All the people look so small."

Laugh, traffic noises in the background. The sound of a window closing, the traffic is quieter now.

"Anyway, Mum, I was just calling to say thank you so much again for letting me live here a while until I can get on my feet. As soon as I finish unpacking these boxes, I'm going to start job hunting. Yeah, might take a day or two for me to get through them all though, there's a lot."

Uncertainty, lying.

"Um, yeah. But anyway, hopefully I can find a job soon enough. I mean it's a big city, someone has to be hiring."

Laugh.

"Call me back when you can, I know the time difference makes it wonky. Love you. Laters gators."

--

Voicemail 2 of 42, May 10th, 2024, 3:44 PM

Beep

"Hi, Mum! Good news!"

Traffic, wind, definitely walking outside.

"I just got out of an interview with a school, and I think it went pretty well. I'm applying for a librarian position. Work with kids and teach them, y'know? I really think they liked me! They certainly seemed more interested in me than that bookstore. Hopefully they call me back soon! Anyway, I would love to hear how you've been, call me back when you can. And I'll let you know if I get the job. Love you. Laters gators."

--

Voicemail 5 of 42, May 24th, 2024, 6:37 PM

Beep

"Hiya, Mum. I've been doing well."

Sad, tired, light sounds of clanking metal in the background.

"I'm cooking dinner right now. I'm still job hunting. It's been a bit tougher than I thought. I mean, I don't have any credentials or schooling for one. Also, I don't have any proof of my identity. It's a bit silly but since I don't have a driver's license or a passport or a social security card, I've started carrying around that postcard you sent me as proof. It's like 'Look, mate. I'm sitting right in front of you, that's my name and address on the card, and I exist, don't I? You can hire me!' but I understand why they can't do that. Criminals and all that. Stealing people's identities or whatever."

Slight laugh that ends in a long sigh.

"So, I'm working on getting an ID first and then I'll get back to job hunting. That postcard looks fun though, I've always wanted to go to Rome. Roma. Well, call me back and tell me how it went. Love you. Laters gators."

--

Voicemail 15 of 42, July 1st, 2024, 6:18 PM

"Hi, Mum. I was just calling to let you know how the first day of my new job went! The one at the museum. I'm, um, a tour guide like I was telling you, yeah."

Uncertainty, lying.

"It went really, really well. I met so many new people and I think I really inspired them, y'know? My boss Donna is just a peach. She calls me Stevie. It's like an inside joke we have."

Tense, gritted teeth.

"We just get a long like peas in a pod. No problems there! Everyone is just so nice!"

Nervous laugh.

"Everything's going just great. I loved your postcard from Bejing. All the signs and lights. Looked really cool. I know you've always got loads of work and you're always traveling but call me back, please. I miss you."

A long pause. A throat being cleared.

"Um, right, yeah, ok. Anyway, I'm home now so I gotta go. Love you. Laters gators."

--

Voicemail 24 of 42, August 24th, 2024, 8:11 PM

Beep

"Hi, Mum. Sorry for calling so late, though I suppose it's not late there, I don't know. I had to stay late to do inventory. Again. Not as punishment, I just enjoy endless counting and scanning. It really gets me going."

Tired, so tired. The sound of a bag being dropped on the floor. A long pause.

"Ok, Mum, just tell me when you're free and I'll call you then. It doesn't matter if I'm at work, I'll just step into the toilet and call you there. You haven't returned a single one of my calls. You send postcards all the time, and I love those, but the messages -if there is one! - are always very short and terse."

Footsteps followed by the sound of papers rustling.

"'Hello from Caracas!' 'Sending love from Karachi!' This one says, 'Hello from Casablanca. Love Mom.' That's the longest message you ever wrote me! Please, Mum, I want to know how you're doing! I want to hear about your day! I want to hear your voice-"

Voice breaking, long pause, slight sniffling.

"Please, Mum. I- I miss you. I've- um, I've been having a really tough time actually. London's been hell. I don't have any money or friends and I hate my job; everyone bullies me there. I'm actually a stupid cashier in the gift shop not a tour guide like I told you."

Getting more choked up.

"I can't even have a peaceful homelife! I've got some sort of sleeping disorder and I keep waking up in weird places with horrible injuries. It's only a matter of time before I get arrested for trespassing or some other crime! I can't rest in the day, and I can't rest at night! I hate my life; I hate it so much!"

Sobbing.

"I am so lonely!! I don't- I don't-"

More sniffing and sobbing.

"Mummy, please... call me back... I need you..."

Sobbing.

--

Voicemail 25 of 42, August 24th, 2024, 8:47 PM

Beep

"Hiya, Mum."

Voice hoarse, uncertain, tired.

"So, um, about the message I just sent you. I was um, just... drunk. Yeah, that's it."

Uncertainty, lying.

"But I'm better now. I threw up and had some tea and potatoes. I, um, did that all really fast. So, um, sorry about that. Please disregard that last message, I don't know what I was going on about, I'm actually doing quite well."

Forced laugh.

"Anyway... I'll stop bothering you now. Let you get back to whatever you're doing. Love you. Laters gators."

#I swear I'll draw some of the prompts but i really wanted to write this one #it got so angsty lol #marvel #mcu #moon knight #moon knight 2022 #moon knight fic #steven grant #wendy spector #mktober2022 #moon knightober 2022 #my fics