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#ch: various (foe)
kayssweetdreams · 1 year
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Maestro Hiccups 3: Chaos Incarnate Ch 22
"I'll check the workshop, you go and check the Kitchen." You say to Haoyu. He let's out a groan, but knows it's for the greater good. The sooner you find the switch, the better.
"Alright. Let's go. Um...are you gonna be alright finding the way there because...well, your..." He trails off, hinting at your pink eyes. You think over his words. So far, your new pink eyes have been causing you to see things that weren't there, not to mention that they made a false happy reality that made it hard to see the real world. But you couldn't let that stop you, you needed to stop that bass and find the others to make Balan's cure.
"I'll be fine Haoyu. Everything will be OK. Let's go find that switch." You say, rubbing at your eyes. The two of you split up to find the emergency switch, hoping that your eyes wouldn't be much of a problem. But that didn't seem to be the case. Once more, your vision was getting the best of you, making you crash into random rooms that looked like Haoyu's Workshop. You had already stumbled out of a bowling alley, a recording studio, even a swimming pool room...that you accidentally fallen into.
You grumbled as you ringed the water out of your clothes, before you bumped into another set of doors. You look at them, but you notice that these looked more like the ones back in the Windmill building from before. "I wonder what's in here..." you say as you gently push the door open. To your surprise, you see what seems to be a small workshop, filled with various tools and prototypes. You give a sigh of relief. You finally found Haoyu's Workshop, now you could start looking for that shut off switch.
You gaze around the room, looking for anything that could possibly be the shut off switch, when your eyes begin messing with you again. The rosy outlook on life begins making everything brightly colored, along with making anything that could possibly be the switch look like random things from toys, to candy, to flowers. "This is gonna take me forever if this keeps going..." you mutter, bumping into what you assumed to be a table...although, what was in front of you was a large peppermint. You feel around the room, hoping not to bump into anything.
You suddenly hear what seems to he footsteps from out in the hall, and they sound like they are getting closer to the workshop. You get worried. You have no idea whether it's friend or foe, and given your new...eyesight, REALLY couldn't be sure. The steps are getting closer, and you're running out of options.
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sunnydaleherald · 1 year
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The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Wednesday, April 12
SPIKE: I'm really glad I came here, you know? I've been all wrongheaded about this. Weeping, crawling, blaming everybody else. I want Dru back, I've just gotta be the man I was, (stands proud) the man she loved. I'm gonna do what I shoulda done in the first place: I'll find her, wherever she is, tie her up, torture her until she likes me again. (goes to leave) Love's a funny thing.
~~Lovers Walk~~
The Sunnydale Herald is looking for at least one new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more here.
[Drabbles & Short Fiction]
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Friend And Foe by badly_knitted (Buffy, Joyce, Spike, Angel, PG)
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Homecoming by SomeKindOfADeviant (Spike/Drusilla, T)
I'll Get Older (But Your Lovers Stay My Age) by thoughtsofahouseplant (Buffy/Spike, T)
April Showers (Bring Me Flowers) by BeatriceEveryTuesday (Buffy/Anya, E)
take heart by ElasticElla (Buffy/Drusilla, M)
scars by BeatriceEveryTuesday (Buffy, T)
Dead Man’s Best Friend by disco_tea (Buffy/Spike, Spike & OC, T)
Poem: Bring Me Back To Life by LiraelClayr007 (Buffy/Spike, T)
Girls' Night by SomeKindOfADeviant (Fanged Four, T)
Dreams by decapiitare (Wesley & OC, T)
I Wish We Could Have Stayed Friends. by spikesgirl58 (Buffy x Spike, T)
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Untitled ficlet for the prompt "Angelus + affection" by prose-for-hire (Angelus/reader, not rated, brief mentions of murder and torture)
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The Key for Lover's Walk by Julikobold (Buffy/Spike, G)
[Chaptered Fiction]
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In The Dark With You, Ch. 5 by Geliot99 (Buffy/Spike, R)
Spiderwebs, Ch. 18 by Willow25 (Buffy/Spike, R)
ever waiting airports (full of the love that you deserve) Ch. 10 by MixSaysRawr (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
From Hell with Love, Ch. 4 by temporarytitle (Buffy/Spike, R)
The Witch’s Gift, Ch. 5 by RavenLove12 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
The Key Saves Spuffy, Ch. 12 by Dynamite (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
42, Ch. 12 by Dynamite (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
Crushing Expectations, Ch. 4-6 by RavenLove12 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
Creative Solutions, Ch. 4 by Harlow Turner (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)
Unconditional, Ch. 2 by Blade Redwind (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
Give Me Back My Girlhood, It Was Mine First, Ch. 8 by Wonder and Ashes (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)
Cinder-Buffy, Ch. 5 by holetoledo (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
And Then, Spike Was a Girl, Ch. 3 by Harlow Turner (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)
Trying, Ch. 5-12 by Pet35 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
So One of Us is Living, Ch. 2-3 by violettathepiratequeen (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)
Fidelity, Ch. 1 by Sigyn (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
Lover's Envy, Ch. 1 by DeamonQueen (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)
The Scooby’s Auxiliary Fight Club (& Support Group) Ch. 1 by fortes775 (Buffy/Spike, R)
The Neighbor's Point of View, Ch. 1 by the_big_bad (Buffy/Spike, PG)
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The Nymph's Kiss, Ch. 8 by KyliaQuilor (Amy Madison / various characters, FR21)
Ressurrected, Ch. 4 by Kate (Highlander crossover, Scoobies, FR15)
Healed By Love, Ch. 6 by Buffyworldbuilder (The Vampire Diaries crossover, Scoobies, FR21)
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Postcards and Snapshots, Ch. 4 by TheSunnySlayer (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)
Bring Him Home, Ch. 7 by Acb6293 (Buffy/Spike, G)
Those 2 again, Ch. 1 by Julikobold (Buffy/Spike, G)
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Echoes of Beljoxa, Ch. 48 by myrabeth (Buffy/Spike, 18+)
[Reviews & Recaps]
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Pop Culture Role Call: Equal Opportunity Insults - Angel S04E11 - Soulless
[Recs & In Search Of]
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Johnnystation recommends an interview with Sarah Michelle Gellar
pjsvids is in search of Buffy original promo posters
[Fandom Discussions]
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The core 4 should always have someone [a romantic partner] throughout their entire appearance by girl4music
Today I’m gonna buy ‘Angel the Series’... by girl4music
Something Blue is like a fanfic writer going “haha what if I shipped this"... by midnight-mismanagement
[Spike is objectively wrong about the whole "love isn't brains..."] by mulderscully
Re: if David Boreanaz didn't get the spin-off... by nevergonnabemuchmorethanweather
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How Have You Gotten Friends & Family Into Buffy? by drreginaphalange3
Poll: Which character's "downward spiral" storyline is the most frustrating to watch? by Opening_Knowledge868
Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!
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the-gunship-kali · 1 year
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Sand-Punk Salvager Sulphura The Dragon
                                                                                   Ch.1 The Adventure Begins 
Way beyond the alien Succubi spider Queens of Mars, Sulphura Aranea Aesma StarDew A beautiful Charizard Trans-Woman who uses they/them pronouns. and lives deep beneath the sea of the Rayuban coast. A 10,000 lb borderline ultralightweight lightweight Mecha called B-115 or more commonly known as "The-Orca" was their home and primary means of transportation, except for flying of course since they were a Charizard, or inheritor of the sacred dragon Genes from the great <Electro-Dragon>. She was looking for Relics of a long gone age and various types of tungsten and copper scrap metal from sunken vehicles from the Rauban war which had taken place here over 150 years ago. 
The 13 ft. Mech hit a rock though which tore its hull open causing water to flood the inside shutting down the electrical components inside. Unfortunately the other Mechs working down here were unwilling to help Kali so she swam to the surface about 50 ft up from where the tear in the hull was and flew to the nearby Orca Steamer which had steam pouring out from its large and powerful blowhole. I jumped in and was surrounded by blood throbbing Orca tissue, which was surrounded by electrical wires , galvanized steel plating, anti-freeze tubes and pyramids. 
From the Shadows a figure stepped forth. "who dare approach Hanuman the third?" said an elderly (maybe 60 years old) anthropomorphic monkey man 
"I am in desperate need of repairs for my Mech ship I hit a sharp rock out about 1 mile south of here and was hoping you and your friend could help me?" 
"I just need a Subaru P24 Enki F1 K 17X69 48 with a 20 ply Titanium hull"
"Hmmmmm 20 Ply you say?" "Quite a tall order, what are you willing to trade?" said Hanuman++ the third who was third generation Leggio Mechanic whose family had been here since the Rayuban war. 
"How about 18 Bananas, 12 Coconuts, one pound of Dragons Tongue and 120 Gil?"( which was the new Rupee in Rayuba) 
"This has Been a real learning experience." said Kali who was flying back and forth day by day delivering coconuts they found along the coast to the monkey whose Orca circled around mountains of fire and ice. 
The repairs were made almost instantly though I did not have the money to pay the Salvagers which is when I decided to become one salvaging the depths and then returning them to the sandy Rayuban coast . I was on my way slowly descending to the Ocean depths were I found a new kind of foe. A mutated relative to the Xixo. I tried to flee from the crusty crustaceans crawler using the large propeller mechanism attached to the back of "The Orca" but it was too large and continued chasing me so I had to Switch from mobil armor mode to battle mode and fired a bolt of plasma from its crossbow attachment on its arm and then hid behind rock where they brought out the beam trident which turned it into crab meat.
Its skewered body was roasted that night and very delicious a local tribe of anthropomorphic seagulls came to bring me things one of which was a relic from one of the local shrines. A bone Cestus left there by Aranea <The-Electro-Dragon> before leaving to fight for Bastion, for our freedom. They were a beautiful intersex DragonShark and we worship her for she came from the ocean and this is were she was found as a young child by our people the Lorrito tribe over 150 years ago. 
"I am De-Wa-Do daughter of the righteous sealer De-Leedo, and priestess of Kali. Please take it and Free us from the demonic Hordes which Inhabits the Islands of Fire and Ice, for they come to our beaches and try and eat our eggs and young seagulls. 
"We will do what we can" said Sulphura
"Currently I am in need of one pound of Dragons Tongue to help pay the debt I owe for the salvage crew to fix my mech"   
"I will take you to the mountain east of here where it grows...the fabled 'Fire Red Mountain'.
end of ch.1
please let me know what you think
read more at the https://the-gunship-kali.blogspot.com
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mathhouse0 · 2 years
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Warzone Hacks Cheats Download Free 2022 Finest Undetected
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fyleejoongi · 4 years
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actor_jg: 추억의 암기노트를 접으며 ... 정말 과분한 사랑을 받아서 영광이었습니다. 쉽지않은 나날들에 어려운 과제들을 매일같이 풀어가며 함께 웃으며 하루하루 성취해나갔던 나날들이 떠오릅니다. 너무나 많은 분들이 함께해주셨고 너무 좋은 추억들을 함께 만들게되어 기쁘고 한편으로는 가족처럼 함께 뛰놀던 그들과 헤어짐에 그리고 우리 작품을 함께 해주신 모든 분들과 다음인연을 기약함에 아쉽고 헛헛하고 먹먹합니다. 내가 잘했던가 잘한건가 반성도되고 궁금하기도합니다 다음에 더 나은 배우 이준기 인간 이준기가 되어가기를 바라며... 국내 그리고 해외의 수많은 악의꽃 시청자 매니아 팬여러분들의 사랑에 진심으로 감사의 인사 전합니다 두서없이 긴 감사인사라 다국적 언어가 불가능함을 이해해주세요 ㅎㅎㅎ여러분의 열정이 있었기에 악의꽃이란 드라마가 만개할수있었습니다. 진실된 사랑의 꽃으로 더 만개하길... 사랑합니다. 건강하세요💖 🌹💌 p.s 스토리에 우리스태프들 이름들 꼭 한번씩 봐주세요 상황이 이런지라 따스한 인사한번 제대로 못하고 헤어진 분들도 참 많아 안타깝고 아쉽고..
Before putting away the notebook I used to memorize my lines ... It has been really such an honor to receive much more love than I deserve. I remember those tough days when I was struggling to solve difficult challenges every single day, laughed with the others, and achieved something with them every day. So many people worked together on this project, and I am happy I got to make so many great memories with them, but at the same time, I feel so sad and empty I have to say goodbye to those people I had fun with like we were a family and everyone who has worked on our drama together, wishing that we could meet again next time. As I look back, I get to reflect on myself and wonder if I did well and if I am doing well - hoping that I will become better actor Lee Joon Gi, better person Lee Joon Gi next time... From the bottom of my heart, I want to express my gratitude for the love of Flower of Evil 악의꽃 viewers and fans both in Korea and overseas. Please understand that because I am writing this long thank you message, it sounds like rambling and I can’t write it in multiple languages ㅎㅎㅎ Because of your passion, this drama Flower of Evil 악의꽃 could come into full bloom. I hope it will bloom even more fully into a true flower of love... I love you. Please stay healthy💖 🌹💌 p.s Please do make sure to check my Story out to see the names of our staff. Due to the current circumstances, I had to part ways with so many people without giving a warm farewell to one another, so I am feeling sad and frustrated..️
Translation by gunman
[2020.09.24 Instagram]
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kohanayaki · 3 years
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.:Time And Time Again:. (Marauders Era x Reader) Ch 1
Old habits die hard— and so do feelings, apparently. Relive moments high and low from your life with the Marauders and co. as you tell your godson, Harry, about all the mischief you got up to back in your school days. Takes place mainly in the Marauders era but also has content congruent with the Order of the Phoenix timeline, with some cannon divergence, of course~
- Main pairings: Sirius Black x Reader, Severus Snape x Reader, James Potter x Reader, Remus Lupin x Reader, slight Regulus Black x Reader, and a bunch of friendships! Gender neutral pronouns :)
LINKS:   CH 1   CH 2   CH 3   CH 4   CH 5   CH 6   CH 7   CH 8
____________________________________________________________
Ch 1 .:Memories And First Meetings:.
12 Grimmauld Place was cold.
Not in the temperature sense of the word, especially in the heat of London summer, but something about it felt distant. Perhaps it was the cookie cutter exterior, dreadfully drab, although you knew its true nature was anything but. Despite its grandeur, the interior was as ornate as it was dull and unsaturated, like a black and white photograph in all its monochromatic glory. Maybe it was the fact that you knew what had happened here in the past, or the fact that you knew who was waiting here for you in the present.
You felt the strange sensation of stepping through the thick blanket of protection charms surrounding the house, as if your body were moving through molasses for a fraction of a second. The moment you were fully inside, you began to hear the hushed bits of a conversation echoing through the entrance hall from the dining room whose door was slightly ajar. The words became clearer as you neared the door.
“Harry's not ready! Have you gone completely mad?”
You found yourself grinning at the first voice, Molly Weasley's stern tone unmistakable.
“He's not a child, Molly.”
You froze as you heard the second one; you'd know it anywhere.
A heavy wave of emotion surged through you as you got near enough to the entrance to see the face of Sirius Black through the gap in the door. His time in Azkaban had taken a toll on him, you could tell. Heavy bags hung from his face, his cheeks hollow; although his gray eyes still held that spark in them. His hair was longer, somehow even more wild and unruly than before, but it suited him.
“Well he's not an adult either! He's not James.”
You caught a flash of ginger as Molly crossed the room, using her wand to aggressively clear away the plates on the table as she made her point.
“I know he isn't, but he can handle himself,” Sirius said, “and I'll be there to protect him.”
“How touching, Black. Perhaps the boy will grow up to be a felon just like his godfather.”
Your stomach dropped at the third voice. Shit.
Your presence remained unannounced, but as you peaked your head around the corner of the door frame you were met with Severus' stoic face, an imperceptible crease of distaste in his brow as he regarded Sirius. As your view widened you saw that Lupin sat to his left, a human wall between the two former foes.
You stilled at the door, taking a deep breath in an attempt to settle your irrationally rioting nerves. It's not as if you didn't know they would be there, but it had been so long since you'd seen any of them. So much has changed. . .
“You stay out of this, Snivelus. I don't care what Dumbledore has to say about your supposed reformation, but I know better.”
“Don't you have to go play fetch elsewhere?”
“Oh come on, you two,” Remus sighed.
Well, maybe not much has changed after all. 
“Still resorting to playground bickering, are we?”
Several heads snapped in your direction at your words, and you were met with various reactions. Molly's face immediately split into a smile and she rushed around to table to greet you.
“(Y/n), dear! So nice to see you again,” she pulled you into a surprisingly strong hug and you couldn't help but join in her laughter.
“It's good to be back,” you admitted, “Charlie says hello, by the way.”
“Oh, I'm going to give give that boy a talking to,” Molly huffed, “you aren't his owl, dear. The least he could do is write home and say so himself.”
“Romanian mountain ranges keep a wizard busy,” you grinned, “He says he tries to keep in touch.”
“Sending home a bag of petrified dragon scales with a note that says 'look at this!!' is hardly keeping in touch,” she retorted, fussing about with your jacket's collar that had become wrinkled from her embrace.
Even from across the table you could feel Sirius' eyes on you, grateful that you had Molly's whirlwind greeting as a scapegoat for your flushed face.
“(Y/n). . .” he said softly, getting up from his seat.
“Hey,” you smiled, fighting the lump in your throat as he wrapped his arms around you. He was so warm, still wearing that damn leather jacket he'd somehow been reunited with after his imprisonment.
“What are you doing here? They told me you were out working in America,” Sirius said, eyes twinkling as he held you at arm's length.
“Well, I suppose I'm sort of working everywhere these days,” you said. As his words registered in your brain you turned to Molly with narrowed eyes. “You didn't tell him I was coming?”
“I thought it would be a nice surprise,” she said coyly.
You shook your head, turning back to Sirius.
“I'm so sorry, Molly said I could stay here so I thought she already ran it by you—”
“No, no, of course you can stay!” he said enthusiastically, “I'm glad you're here.”
He seemed gentler than he was before, certainly more mellow than in his youth, but that energy that was so quintessentially him remained buzzing beneath his skin, and Merlin, you'd missed it.
After realizing how long the two of you had spent practically holding each other you coughed awkwardly, slowly drifting apart. As you looked around the table your eyes caught Severus' and you thought your heart stopped for a moment. To the untrained eye he probably seemed just as uninterested as ever, but the look of shock in his eyes was so blatantly apparent to you that it threw you off guard. You managed to cast a small smile in his direction, but his expression remained unchanged while yours dropped. You felt your stomach twist up in knots as you thought about what had happened the last time you saw each other.
Lupin looked between the pair of you before getting up from his own seat and coming to your rescue. He extended his arms with a kind smile, and you happily shifted your attention to him.
“It's about time London had its best auror back in town,” he said.
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Moony,” you said playfully, hugging him tight, “It's good to see you too.”
“Are you hungry?” Molly asked, pulling a chair out for you.
“Oh no, I had something on the way here,” you said, taking a seat, “thank you, though.”
It felt surreal to be back here, where it all started. The faces were different—some new, some missing—but the same determined feeling remained.
“Now, where were we,” Sirius said, his confidence returning to his shoulders as he addressed the table.
“We were just talking about how Harry isn't ready to be tangled up in all this,” Molly said sternly.
“I think he should decide that for himself,” Sirius said adamantly.
“Well of course the boy would say he wants to fight, he's—”
“Listening in right now,” you pointed out, jutting your head in the direction of the open door where Harry stood, half obscured by the shadow of the stairway.
The boy flushed, backing away slightly as he was caught. But his eyes lit up as they landed on you, and you felt a tug at your heart as you saw your best friend in their bright green hues.
“(Y/n), you're back,” he said in disbelief.
“And here to stay for a bit, apparently,” you said with a smile.
Molly looked between the two of you before letting out a sigh.
“You know what, we should stop for the night anyways,” she said with a wave of her hand, “We've kept the children up long enough with our chatter, and (Y/n) ought to get some rest as well. Off to bed, the lot of you.”
Some of the other adults exchanged some knowing smiles as she shooed them out of the room. People slowly trickled out through the doorway, goodbyes exchanged, and before long it was just you and your godson left.
You had been lucky enough to meet Harry at the end of his third year, and he'd broken the news about Sirius' innocence to you. You so badly wanted to be there for Harry sooner, but between your strained relationship with the Ministry and cleaning up the mess with MACUSA in the States, you always seemed to be called away from the boy. You wanted nothing more than to take him away from that horrid house—you knew how nasty Petunia could be firsthand. Nonetheless, he seemed to be doing well, and you were happy that you'd grown closer over the last few years even if you couldn't be there in person all the time.
“I've got another little souvenir for you, by the way,” you said, having migrated to the living room.
Harry seemed to perk up at that. Since your visits had been so sparse, you began to make it a tradition to bring him back something magical from whatever part of the world you'd been working in.
“You mentioned you were struggling in Potions the last time we spoke,” you said, rummaging through your bag, eventually producing a small, gold-rimmed vial full of a deep maroon liquid. Small black clouds seemed to tumble in a miniature cyclone inside the glass.
“Dragon's breath essence,” you grinned, “nicked it off of Charlie before I left Romania. Put a few drops of this in your salamander blood the next time you brew a Wiggenweld potion and you're set to pass with flying colors.”
“Brilliant!” Harry said, eyes wide, “that's on our O.W.L.S. this year.”
“I know,” you said cheekily, “you didn't hear it from me. Personally, I think an Outstanding in Potions as a requirement to become an auror is utter rubbish. Don't get me wrong, it's important to know your way around a cauldron, but to hold someone back who excels at Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms just because they can't cook up a sleeping draught? I don't know, it doesn't sit right with me. And I've heard Severus is hard enough on you guys as it is.”
Harry seemed surprised at your casual address of his professor but shook it off quickly.
“But you're ace at Potions, and it seems like you really like it,” he said.
“Yeah, well I—” you faltered a bit, “I learned from the best. . .”
“Professor Slughorn, you mean?” Harry questioned.
Your eyes widened at that.
“Yeah,” you lied, recovering fast, “Well, Slughorn was a great teacher but terrible at throwing parties. He had this thing called the Slug Club and the dinners were just awful. Your mother was the first of us to join and she ended up roping me into it, and before we knew it we were all standing around in these ridiculous outfits taking swigs of the firewhiskey your dad snuck in just to get through the night.”
You smiled fondly at the memory, and you could see Harry living vicariously through the emotions on your face. You were grateful for this moment; this was the longest you'd actually gotten to sit down and talk together in a long time.
“Were you always friends?” Harry asked, “with my parents, I mean.”
You had to laugh at that question.
“With your mum, yes. Your father, well, not exactly. . .”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   1971    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your body swayed gently with the movement of the Hogwarts Express as you walked up and down the isles, looking for someplace to sit. Most of the carriages were packed tight with large groups made up of upperclassmen not exactly looking to expand their circle.
As you approached the back of the train a mostly empty car caught your eye, occupied only by two children your age, or at least that's what you guessed from their black ties and basic robes that marked them as unsorted first-years like yourself.
One of them was a brooding looking boy with messy, shoulder length black hair and shockingly pale skin, leaning against the wall of the train and halfway through a book that seemed well beyond his years. Sitting across from him was a pretty red-headed girl who was admiring the rapidly passing scenery through the window.
“Excuse me, do you mind if I sit with you?” you asked, sliding the screen door open.
The boy's brow furrowed, clearly about refuse when the young girl beat him to it.
“Of course not!” she beamed, her smile infectious. You didn't miss the sharp look she shot over to the boy who simply rolled his eyes in response. After you muttered a small 'thanks' she scooted over closer to the window so you could sit next to her.
“My name is Lily,” she said, extending a hand, “Lily Evans.”
“Nice to meet you,” you smiled, “I'm (Y/n) (L/n).”
The boy quirked a brow at your last name, his expression shifting to something unreadable as he blatantly studied you over the spine of his book. After letting this go on for some time, you glanced over at Lily.
“Does he speak?”
“Perfectly well, thank you,” the boy said coldly.
Lily sent a disappointed look his way and his heart fell slightly, but he didn't need to be friends with anyone else, and he certainly didn't want other people becoming friends with Lily either. An irrational thought, he knew, but it was how his stubborn little brain worked at the time. They didn't need anyone but each other. Wasn't that enough?
In any case, he expected his behavior would be enough to scare you off (it usually worked on other people), but to his complete and utter surprise, you began to laugh. It started off as a light giggle, soon growing into full on laughter. He stared at you in open confusion as you were nearly brought to tears from your fit.
“You're funny,” you stated honestly, managing to speak through your chortles.
The boy was taken completely aback by your candor, actually at a loss for words. Lily joined in the laughter at your simple remark.
“So you do talk, I guess you must have a name too, then,” you said teasingly.
He blinked once. Twice.
“. . . Severus Snape.”
“That's a cool name.”
The heat that crept onto the boy's face surprised no one more than himself, and he buried himself in his book quickly to hide it. Another surprisingly frank statement from you, and not one he'd ever heard before.
If he thought you were full of surprises then, he had no idea what was coming to him.
_____________________________________________________________
The minute the Sorting Hat was placed on your head, it was immediately intrigued.
“Now here's an odd one,” it chuckled, “loyal, compassionate, empathetic, and yet a razor wit. A calculating, ambitious mind, and yet a relentless sense of adventure. All this, and with your bloodline to take into account as well. Your family has quite the history here, (L/n).”
Hushed whispers fell across the Great Hall among the older students and even some of the faculty at the hat's words, and you shifted uncomfortably in your seat.
“Though, I sense a different sort of mentality in you,” the hat continued, “you desire to challenge the old ways,” it paused for some time before going on, “do you truly have no preference, child?”
You were surprised at the question. You knew your family's reputation— it had been ingrained in you from a young age— but that didn't sway you, nor did it scare you. When you really thought about what house you wanted to be in, you truly couldn't think of an answer. It wouldn't change who you were, after all. Whether you donned red, yellow, blue, or green, you stood firmly in the knowledge that you would always be (Y/n) (L/n). Having made up your mind, you shook your head at the hat's question, and although its face was obscured from your view, you could almost sense its grin as it knew you were telling the truth.
“Well then,” it chuckled, “It is truly rare that I get an opportunity such as this. Let's make it interesting, then, shall we? Better be. . . Slytherin!”
Snape sat, slack-jawed, as you bounded over to the applauding Slytherin table and plopped down next to him. You rested your chin atop your folded hands, looking largely unbothered, a glint in your (e/c) eyes. He chuckled under his breath despite himself.
Full of surprises indeed.
___________________________________________________________
Your first encounter with James Potter was of a different sort.
It was the very beginning of your third year when you'd first met him properly. You had a few classes together, and Lily would rant about him constantly pestering her; occasionally you'd see the Gryffindor, along with another unfamiliar boy in his house, sprinting through the corridors, Professor McGonagall not far behind and demanding them to stop. But other than that, you'd never really interacted with him.
Ever since you'd met on the train you and Lily started to hang out more and more, with Snape “begrudgingly” tagging along. The Slytherin had been slow to warm up to you, but you were relentlessly kind and infuriatingly persistent, and eventually he found himself enjoying your little quips and comparatively sunny disposition. By the end of your first year, the three of you were nearly inseparable, and your bond only strengthened throughout your second. But third year is when things started changing.
Snape sat in the shade among the thick, overgrown roots of the old oak tree by the Black Lake, nose deep in an advanced Potions textbook he'd swiped from a fifth year as he waited for you and Lily to return from Transfiguration, the only class you didn't have together. This became your usual spot, with Lily sitting in the grass beside him and you on the branch above him, legs swinging as you absentmindedly sketched in your notebook. A comfortable silence would settle between you, something you'd all grown to enjoy; there was no need for constant conversation, it was enough sometimes to just enjoy each others' presence.
The silence he was reveling in alone, however, was promptly interrupted as rowdy laughter reached Snape's ears. Sure enough, a few figures emerged from the curve of the hill, revealing none other than James Potter, flanked by the curly haired boy he'd been seen running around with earlier along with two other Gryffindors: a short-statured boy with dirty blonde hair and another, taller and leaner, with long scars that ran along his face.
Snape didn't pay them much mind until he realized that they were heading straight for the tree— straight for him. Snape had noticed right away how the Potter boy had tried to befriend Lily as soon as she was sorted into Gryffindor, and it was safe to say he was less than fond of him despite having never really spoken to him before.
“You've got to be joking,” James snickered as he walked up to the tree, looking Snape up and down, “This is the guy Evans has been ditching us to see?”
Severus' eyes narrowed. So now he had a reason not to like him.
“Get lost,” he said, turning back to his book.
“What, you think you're too good to talk to us, huh?” James scoffed at him, clearly miffed.
As if on cue, the curly haired boy snatched the book out of Snape's hands, holding it out of his reach as he fumbled to get it back.
“Toss it, Sirius!” James called out. The boy, who he now knew as Sirius, threw the textbook like a frisbee, and Potter caught it easily.
As Snape angrily rose from his seat to get it back, the two boys continued to throw it between themselves so he couldn't grab it. Fed up, the Slytherin drew his wand but was quickly outmatched.
“Expelliarmus!”
Snape's wand flew out of his hands and straight into Sirius', who held it above his head. Just as the black haired boy jumped up for it, another spell flew towards him, this time from James.
“Winguardium Leviosa!”
Snape grit his teeth, staring helplessly at his wand as it hovered higher and higher out of his reach.
“James, come on, I think that's enough,” the taller boy near the back said.
“Don't be a bore, Remus, we're just having some fun.”
“I-I think he's right, guys.”
“Shut up, Peter.”
While his gaze was trained on his wand a harsh shove threw Snape to the ground, tears of frustration welling up in his eyes.
“No way, is he really crying?” James taunted.
“He is,” Sirius goaded on, “just look at him snivel.”
“You're right, maybe we should call him Snivelus, it suits him better.”
“Nice one, James.”
Snape winced as he was harshly pulled to his feet by James who sneered at him.
“Come on then, Snivelous. What are you gonna do?”
“Relashio!”
James' eyes widened as he suddenly felt himself repulsed back by some invisible force, his grip on Snape's robes forced to loosen as he was flung backwards. You stared the shocked Gryffindors down, wand at the ready for another spell as you ran to stand between Severus and them.
“Accio!” another voice called out, Snape's book and wand whizzing past their faces and into Lily's hands.
James staggered to his feet, trying to look unbothered by the fact that he'd just been knocked down, and by a spell that he hadn't even heard of yet.
“Look at that, boys,” he said, feigning confidence, “guess Snivelus needs a couple of girls to come to his rescue. You should ditch this loser, Evans.”
Before Lily could lash back, you stepped between them.
“What's that supposed to mean?” you scoffed.
“I'm sorry, who are you?”
You felt your forehead twitch, itching to smack that smug grin off his face.
It was Sirius who spoke next, recognition filling his gaze.
“Wait, you're the (L/n) kid, aren't you? Well that's just perfect, you two freaks can go study the Unforgivable Curses together.”
That struck a nerve in you.
“You don't know anything,” you said, not lowering your wand, “now get out of here before I knock you down too.”
“Aw, I don't know, Sirius, they're kind of cute all flustered like this,” James smirked.
You felt anger flare up in your chest, and it was Lily's turn to step in for you.
“Leave us alone, James,” she ordered.
When none of them moved you exhaled sharply, taking another step forward.
“Or I can just turn you into a flobberworm instead,” you said, “might be more fitting.”
Sirius laughed off your threat, but you could have sworn you saw a twinge of concern in his eyes as he looked over to the rest of his friends for backup.
“Let's just go, James. Come on,” the one named Remus said, trying to be the voice of reason.
The bespectacled boy frowned, shoving his wand back in his robes.
“Fine,” he said, “they aren't worth it anyways.”
He turned promptly on his heels, Sirius right behind him and Peter scampering after. Remus stayed behind for a moment, regarding you three.
“I'm sorry about them,” he said, “really.”
Your brow creased in suspicion, but you nodded, not quite smiling but offering up a neutral expression at least before he turned to catch up with the rest of his group.
“You were kidding about (L/n) being cute, right?” Sirius said as they headed back to the common room. When he was met with silence instead of a clear 'of course I was' he nearly had a stroke.
“Are you kidding, James?” Sirius said incredulously, “They're a Slytherin! They're just another dark arts dabbler who doesn't care about anything but their blood status.”
James only shrugged.
“Normally I'd agree, but they seem different,” he said. When he turned to see Sirius' unwavering expression he sighed, “I was just saying that to get a rise out of 'em. Don't worry, this won't be the last time we mess with them and Snivelus.”
Meanwhile, you were still out sitting by the tree, brushing the grass out of Severus' hair.
“That was amazing, (Y/n),” Lily said, wide-eyed, “How did you manage to learn that spell? And you already learned the worm-morphing jinx too?”
“Sev isn't the only one who's been learning ahead,” you said, “but that worm thing was a total bluff.”
“I didn't need your help,” Snape muttered.
You blinked down at him, shaking your head and unable to fight the smirk that crept onto your face.
“Sure you didn't,” you huffed, helping him up to his feet despite his protests, “don't be so dramatic, we won't tell anyone if that's what you're so worried about. Now come on, we're gonna be late for dinner. If Wilkes hogs all the Yorkshire puddings I'm blaming you entirely.”
Severus said nothing, only taking his book and wand back from Lily before you three walked back to the castle arm in arm, the smallest hint of a smile playing on his lips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“It seems like so long ago,” you said, reminiscing, “Although I suppose it was, but I don't want to think about that too hard— I'll start to feel old, Merlin forbid.”
Harry's eyes were full of disbelief at your story.
“So you, my mum, and. . . Snape were friends?”
“Believe it or not,” you grinned, “unlikely trio as we were, it just sort of worked somehow.”
Until it didn't, you thought grimly, but forced the thought aside. You could tell by how quiet Harry had gotten that something was bothering him.
“My dad really did that?” he asked quietly.
Your gaze softened and you turned to fully face him.
“He was dumb and immature at the time,” you said, “we all were. There's not much else to be when you're thirteen. Each of us made plenty of mistakes, too many to count. And your mum. . . she was good for him. He always told me that she made him want to be a better person. People can change. In my opinion, there are few things someone can do that makes them truly irredeemable, and your father never came close to doing any of those things.”
You thought it better to mention that Snape probably didn't feel the same way.
“In any case, we should be getting to bed,” you said, getting up from the couch, “if you ever want to hear any other stories about your parents, I've got plenty of them.”
“Yeah,” Harry said, smile brightening his whole face, “yeah, definitely. Thank you.”
As Harry walked off to his room you sighed, making your way as quietly as you could up the creaky stairs. Just as you were about to retreat into your own guest room, your eyes snagged on the slightly ajar door at the top of the stairwell.
You stalled in front of it for a moment, wondering if you were out of your mind or not. When you had unapologetically settled on 'yes', you moved to knock on the door when it suddenly swung open. You practically leaped back at the proximity as you were met with Sirius standing in the doorway, stormy eyes wide. He'd shed his leather jacket for the night, leaving him in a dark maroon button up with the top few undone. Your senses were draped with the heady scent of his cologne, and you found yourself grasping at words to say.
When Sirius got over his initial shock he laughed sheepishly, running a hand through his curls out of habit.
“I was about to see if you were awake,” he admitted with a small grin, “Seems we both had the same idea.”
Read chapter 2 here !
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sirthisisa-wendys · 2 years
Text
Epoch (Part 2): Keizo Arashi x Fem!Reader
Tumblr media
synopsis: a starship crash lands on your planet with no explanation. But the people inside are what matter most, for they hold the key to your deepest desires.
wc: 1.4k
tw: none
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Havàmal Verse 1 (Patricia Terry Translation):
"At every doorway what you have to do is look around you and look out; never forget: no matter where you are, you might find a foe."
"Fire!"
Your shouts seem to rouse absolutely no one from the ship to rescue themselves. And as you near the spacecraft, you can see the bright red and orange flames licking at the outer layer.
"Hakkai, help me!" Your ever-present companion is swift to assist you in climbing onto the right engine lip, the blades of the fan big enough to possibly rip you to shreds if they turned on. He seems to have forgotten the danger - just like you - and climbs up on top of the engine before reaching down to grab your arm.
As you get closer to the fire, you can see that there is - in fact - someone stuck in the cockpit, their lifeless figure slouched over the navigation controls.
"Hey!" you scream, beating on the glass with a fist. "Your ship is on fire! Turn on the extinguishers!" Hakkai attempts to beat at the flames with his jacket, but it appears to be of no use. You turn to your friend as he watches his jacket be consumed by the flames, the wheels of your mind turning as quickly as they can.
"There's a--" Suddenly, the ship rumbles and groans, vibrating the very surface your feet are on. You clamor to the far end of the left wing, both you and Hakkai clutching at the edge while laying flat on the metal surface. A hiss, then a loud screech, and then footsteps. Actual footsteps.
"What the fuck was that?" someone grumbles. "Stupid crash-landing knocked my cigarettes loose."
"He couldn't have warped us anywhere else without doing some real damage," another voice answers, bored. "Better to crash land here than on the surface of Genèse."
"Hey!" you shout, ignoring scratching in your throat. "There's a fire up here!" Two sets of footsteps echo around the ship, and when you peer over the edge of the wing, four - no, five - eyes look back at you.
"Who the fuck are you and how'd you get on this ship?" One of the beings below asks, his hand pointing up at you accusatorially.
"You crash-landed on my planet," you answer defiantly, coming to a standing position. "I'm trying to help you; someone is still in the ship at the nav!"
"Keizo," the one with three eyes gasps, then begins to run toward the glass. Hakkai slides down the side of the ship, landing in front of the black and blonde-haired man, and eyeing him carefully.
"Gonna need your help," the three-eyed one says over your shoulder, and you run to assist him. "I'm going to break the glass. But I need you to grab Keizo and get him out." You nod, prepared to grab the man from the navigation controls as the fire steadily grows larger to your right.
"Seems help is slow today," the man mutters before placing his hands on the glass and making it vibrate until cracks begin to spread rapidly. "Okay, you're going to get in there in three, two... one!"
The glass shatters downward in a shower of crystals, and you slide into the cockpit, careful not to step on the sharper, bigger pieces. Your hands seize around the man's shoulders and his chair swivels to face you, his body still unmoving.
And he's huge.
"I might need some help to drag him out," you yell, but the door behind you swings open, and a man with a cybernetic arm, leg, and eye stands there, his short black hair stuck to his bleeding forehead.
"I'll help you get him out of here." The cyborg takes one arm and you take the other, dragging the massive man out of the seemingly destroyed ship. Once you arrive on the ground, you see twin jets speeding to your location from above.
The cyborg gently hefts Keizo to the cold surface beneath your feet, then kneels beside him. Your fingers brush against the various cuts on Keizo's face, and you pat his cheek a few times, trying to rouse him from his unconsciousness.
"Takeomi!" the man beside you shouts, and the black and blonde man jogs over, out of breath. "Where's Waka?"
"He's talking with the Genèsean rescue team," Takeomi replies, pointing in the general direction of the four-man team coming out of their jets. "Where in the hell were you, Shin?"
"Trying to make sure everyone got out," the cyborg answers softly. While the two men begin to talk in a language you can't seem to keep up with, you continue to attempt to wake Keizo, eyes focused on his face and white hair.
"Hey, hey, hey," you chant, shaking his shoulders. "C'mon, wake up!" You jostle the hulk of a man as hard as you can before his fingers twitch, and his eyes snap open abruptly. He inhales deeply, almost as if he'd been underwater, then sits up, knocking you off his lap.
"Did we make it?" Keizo wonders, looking around at his crew with wide eyes.
"Barely," Takeomi mutters, crossing his arms.
"We did," Shin answers, patting his friend's shoulder gently.
"Ah," Keizo hisses, jolting back. "That's gonna bruise."
"And this little lady helped us," Shin mentions, pointing to you. "If she hadn't gotten to you, I might not have sensed any danger." You look up at the place where the fire had begun, now seeing only the final ribbons of smoke from the extinguished blaze.
Keizo slowly comes to a standing position, clutching at his injured shoulder. His eyes watch as his ship is examined while a rescue worker clomps over to him with a clipboard.
"Your ship will definitely be needing repairs. Good thing you landed on Chrono, huh?" Nervous laughter. "But the Enclave has asked to see you. Virtually, of course. So if you'd follow me..."
You watch as Keizo leaves you behind, not even bothering with so much as a 'thank you'.
_____________________________________________________________
"Did you see it?" your mother wonders at dinner, taking a plate of food from the android in the kitchen - affectionately named Marta after their prototype, the Made and Ready Technical Assistant. "The spaceship?"
"How could I see it?" you lie, sliding your glass of thrice-filtered water toward you. "I was heading for shelter just like everyone else."
"Well, your father said that it crashed in the middle of a field and a Commander from the Mazih was there with his crew! Of course, I was shocked to hear that a Mazih Commander crash-landed here but--" The back door in the kitchen slides open as your father stomps into the house, hands flung in the air as he rambles furiously.
"I will not allow them to send a man into my house who is part of that group of thieves!" You and your mother stand as he enters mindlessly as a sign of respect, then sit again as he exits, still rambling.
"What is he talking about?" you wonder, taking a spoon and dipping it into a dish. "Someone's coming over?"
Your mother is about to answer before the sound of a fist banging on the door echoes in the foyer, and Marta goes to answer the door, blue eyes glowing as they take a human-like gait.
"Hello, Mr. Arashi. We've been expecting you." You stand with your mother, clutching your hands in front of your lap as the sounds of footfalls resonate, coming ever closer. When the visitor appears in the archway of the dining room, you try to suppress a gasp, biting the inside of your cheek.
Standing there is the Commander - Keizo - that you rescued earlier, scratches and bruises healed, perhaps with some salve from the Infirmary.
"Welcome to our home, Commander Arashi," your mother smiles, trying her best to look hospitable under the circumstances. "My husband will be here to greet you shortly. Would you like to eat? I'm sure the journey was quite famishing."
"No, thank you," Keizo murmurs, placing his hand up to stop your mother's ramblings. "If I could be shown to my quarters, that would be acceptable." Keizo bows slightly to you and your mother, and if he recognized you from before, he didn't show it.
It's only later, when your father has properly greeted Keizo with a stiff 'hello' and nothing more, that you find a scrap of paper slipped underneath your door.
Marta, you think as you bend over to fetch the scribbled note, but you don't recognize the handwriting.
Ironic, isn't it? it reads. I owe you.
You look up at the window that faces the inner courtyard and see Keizo's profile in the pentagon glass, his eyes focused on something other than you. And as you observe the Mazih man, you wonder...
Can a Mazih Commander really owe a Genesean girl?
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thestupidhelmet · 3 years
Note
Do you have any good fic recs about what went on with Jackie and Hyde during the summer between season 4 and 5? Just anything to do with how they spent that summer together and how it lead into their relationship in season 5.
Hi!
~I'll start with two I wrote:
1. One Difference: Jackie and Hyde Don't Kiss (Over the Summer) [FFnet /AO3]
Summary: With the basement to themselves, Jackie and Hyde can't seem to stay away from each other. Buried feelings rise to the surface. Jackie makes the first move, but Hyde blocks it. Rather than kissing, they end up in a chess match of escalating risks and consequences.
Rated: M
2. One Difference: Donna and Kelso Have a Fling [FFnet /AO3]
Summary: Believing she's lost Eric forever, Donna accepts Kelso's offer to have a fun, commitment-free fling. They plan on keeping it a secret, but Jackie and Hyde's own summer secret complicates matters.
Rated: M
~The following are fics I've read and enjoyed and/or are by authors whose other stories I've read and enjoyed:
1. The Taste of Summer by Kal-El Fornia
Summary: A simple story about life and young love. Jackie, Hyde, and the summer that changed everything.
Rated: K+
2. The Renewal by yabookreader96
Summary: Kelso and Donna are away in California. Eric spends his days sleeping in a stupor of self-loathing and depression. Fez meets a new foe, named Fenton. This leaves Steven Hyde and Jackie Burkhart together all summer in the Forman basement. One of many things Jackie and Hyde fans have never gotten is a story for what led up to that fateful kiss on that seemingly normal day. Well...
Rated: T
3. The Renewal: Through the Eyes of Steven Hyde by yabookreader96
Summary: This is a companion to my story "The Renewal," the story of what happens with Jackie and Hyde the summer that Donna and Kelso are in California. "The Renewal" is the main story, narrated from the perspective of the one and only Jackie Burkhart. This is a slightly condensed version of the story told through Hyde's perspective. I recommend reading "The Renewal" first. Enjoy!
Rated: T
4. Sweet Summertime, Ch. 10: Ferris Wheel by nannygirl
Summary: A collection of fun in the sun stories! These stories are about friendship, family, romance, but mostly about having a good time during one of the best times of the year, summertime! Various pairings, both romantic and nonromantic. UPDATED SUMMER 2015 Next up, Jackie and Hyde ride a Ferris Wheel and one of them isn't too happy about it. Find out who and why!
Rated: K+
5. The Beginning of Summer by HydeLuver
Summary: What really happens between Jackie and Hyde when Donna and Kelso head to California? One-shot
Rated: K
~The following are stories I haven't read, so I can't vouch for their quality:
1. one day by kleiol
Summary: the summer before season 5, day to day, in the eyes of jackie burkhart. drabble-y series. hyde/jackie
Rated: T
2. Summer Lovin' by HopeLessHeart88
Summary: Another take on how Jackie and Hyde could have hooked up that fateful Summer.
Rated: T
3. The Not So Lazy Days of Summer by HolesUncovered
Summary: A story about the events leading up to Jackie and Hyde getting together that summer.
Rated: T
4. What Was I Thinkin? by seanandellieforever12021
Summary: A little scene between Jackie and Hyde during the summer they got together. Oneshot
Rated: T
5. Restless Days and Hidden Nights by Lady Cleo
Summary: A series of interludes ranging over the first summer of Jackie and Hyde's relationship.
Rated: T
6. Six Scenes from Summer by TeaTimeAllOverTown
Summary: A collection of scenes with Jackie and Hyde from season 4.5 - the ones we never got to see.
Rated: T
7. That Long Hot Summer by tanner
Summary: What if Jackie never wrote the letter and broke up with Kelso that summer. Will she be strong enough to resist Hyde?
Rated: T
8. Summer Days by swedish fan
Summary: This takes place the summer Donna and Kelso went to California. Jackie and Hyde are fooling around and Eric and Fez have no life. Come and see how the gangs "boring" summer went.
Rated: K
9. Beyond Words by deathrosekitty
Summary: They said that they were bored and had nothing better to do, but the summer that Jackie and Hyde got together was more than just a hookup. And the attraction didn't just start that summer. It had been going on for awhile. JackieHyde
Rated: T
10. What Was I Thinkin' by BrowningGirl0821
Summary: Set during the summer between season 4 and 5 not long after Jackie and Hyde got together..one night they take a wild ride around town and crazyness happens!
Rated: T
11. Summer The Price Was Right by holograma309
Summary: The story we didn't get to see: how Jackie and Hyde from That 70's Show began dating that summer everyone was in California. Takes place between seasons 4 and 5. Doesn't ignore their earlier storyline. Just trying to fill in the blanks for my favorite couple.
Rated: M
12. Summer Lovin' by scorpiosun
Summary: Donna and Kelso run to California, leaving behind 4 of their friends...two of which form a bond no one saw coming. Not even themselves. But that doesn't stop them from making the most of it. The story of how Hyde and Jackie got together over the summer between seasons 4 and 5.
Rated: M
13. The Past Few Weeks by alethea.1hazel1blue
Summary: This is my 'missing moments' contribution to Jackie and Hyde's relationship at the beginning during the summer Donna and Kelso were in California. The chapters will be drabble-type, not always chronological order or connected. Warning: story rating did go up (ch. 5). I added another chapter that's post-summer but it's still missing moments, idk, I might expand this.
Rated: M
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bunkernine · 4 years
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Aphrodite smiled. “Because you are my daughter, Piper. You see possibilities much more vividly than others. You see what could be. And it still might be—don’t give up.”
(The Lost Hero, ch 39)
So if we use this power of "possibilities", we can end up with a Piper who sees the various outcomes when facing off with Gaea. Hazel is given the choice for how the story ends with Hecate, but why not have Piper as the one who could potentially see possibilities? Perhaps she and Hazel could've paired together to figure it out together. Maybe she sees Jason dead, or Leo dead, and finds a new plan. Maybe the best scenario is both of them dead, and Piper has to make that choice. Hazel is at her side to help manipulate this best outcome with her grasp over the mist and her connection to death.
Piper was entangled with Jason and Leo... but Hazel was entangled with death. To storm or fire would've been Piper's choice, while the foes bear arms to the Doors of Death would've been Hazel.
Piper has always had the power of manipulation- that's what charmspeak is. She could sway minds with her words. Hazel has the power of manipulation too- that's the Mist control. She could sway minds with her visuals. It only seems right that two of them should've been able to manipulate the prophecy together.
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cheswirls · 2 years
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theory time bc 1032 ending is v good
my first thought on seeing komurasaki again was that it wasn't real, and then i was trying to come up with all the possible people who could create illusions were that could theoretically be on wano. while i would love for it to be hiyori i want to consider something a little more out there that ties in w a previous chapter ending: the "illusion" of the oiran is catarina devon.
so, a few possibly reasons why its her specifically. one: she has a mythical dog-dog fruit. canonically we've seen almost the reverse in her powers in onimaru, a fox with the mythical human-human fruit. it was also revealed that yamato's devil fruit is another mythical dog-dog fruit. kaido has stated that he's made wano his base because its wano, implying theres another special reason wano is so important. but if we take what we know so far, kaido's crew centers around devil fruit powers, which he values, and specifically the zoans of the high-ranking officers are all ancient and mythical types. he tells yamato he spent a lot of effort to get that fruit -what if he got it at wano? in the same vein, what if devon's dog-dog fruit came from wano as well? the nine-tailed fox is already a creature culturally bound to what we've seen of wano so far, and the ability mirror's what onimaru's own can do so well, it would just fit. which brings us to point two-
if devon got her fruit in wano, why is she there in the first place? we saw her in the interim chapter with blackbeard, and she already had the fruit, so why risk going back to wano, right under kaido's nose? well, her fruit's powers would certainly pave an easy way to slip in unnoticed. and apoo's recent role in the past few chapters has made me remember what blackbeard has brought up in both wano interims: mainly, that he has an informant, or various informants, feeding him information. its already implied he has someone in wano, or how else would he know what he does with wano being so closed off? theres a chance his informant could be within kaidos crew, but i think it would make more sense for devon, with her powers, to be in wano updating him.
point 2.5: specifically the beginning of ch 1028 makes me recontextualize what the last thing we heard blackbeard say: he was gathering his crew to go out and get something "before the marines could secure it." what if that "thing" was not a devil fruit as previously popularized, and wano itself? what if blackbeard plans to reveal himself as the dust settles, and claim wano before the navy can move in?
back to devon for pt 3: if she or someone has been info-gathering in wano, the oiran's death and orochi's status will have been reported. impersonating a beautiful woman is right up devon's alley from what's been revealed of her so far, and her target would not be orochi himself, but his devil fruit. what if, instead of taking kaido's zoan devil fruit, blackbeard's third fruit is the yamata no orochi mythical fruit?? if blackbeard is here, or near, at least, would it not be strategic to wait until the beast pirates have been defeated or exhausted themselves, and then swoop in and claim all of their incredibly rare devil fruits?? we know from burgess that the crew or at least the titanic captains are hunting powerful fruits, and from what the beast pirates have shown far, theirs all fit the bill perfectly. and with them on their last legs, coming in now and killing them off for their fruits would be childs play.
what if "komurasaki" is a red herring, and the real goal is to lure orochi into a false sense of security and steal his devil fruit? what if this is the beginning of the takeover, or at the very least, one bb pirate getting a devil fruit draws them back to attention in the story, reminds the reader that they're still lurking in the background, and that they're all formidable foes.
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kayssweetdreams · 1 year
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Maestro Hiccups 3: Chaos Incarnate Ch 27
Your eyes land on the door with the Moon and Star stained glass window. Seeing as this was called the NIGHT Dimension, you would think that anything nighttime RELATED would mean a clue. With a small glimmer of confidence, you carefully opened the door, and a bright light bathed over the three of you.
When you open your eyes again, you see that you have entered what looked to be an endless star field, with various constellations scattered about. Upon closer inspection, you see small patches of land made out of empty space. "Whoa...This must be one of the Nightopias!" You hear Emma say in awe "Nightopias?" You ask curiously. "Nightopias are like mini dream world paradises here. Owl and NiGHTS are better at explaining this though." Leo says.
You raise your eyebrows at the names, until you see a peculiar sight, something that looked like a large tidal wave headed straight towards to you. "I have a bad feeling about this." You mutter. The tidal wave gets closer and bigger, so as a last ditch effort, you, Leo and Emma ducked behind the door that had brought you here, just as the wave hit. You feel the familiar rush of Balan's reality warping Hiccups do their thing as you carefully peek out to discover what has become of the world.
To your horror, it looks like a Mishmash of various interests had completely warped the dream like world. You were now standing it what looked to be a large star pillow, while the sky and ground swirled into each other, making it hard to differentiate the two. "Uh oh...I think Balan's hiccups are stating to manipulate other worlds." You mutter, taking in the chaos around you "We need to find Aria...and fast." Leo says, before quickly falling face first into small orange bush.
"You alright Leo?" You ask, but he doesn't reply. "Leo?" Emma asks worriedly. She pokes at Leo's shoulder, and a loud snore was heard from the boy. The two of you quickly pull Leo out of the "Bush" and saw that he was fast asleep. "What in the world?!" You exclaimed, looking down at the snoring boy. "I...don't think thats a bush!" Emma said, her voice filled with panic "It's a nightmaren!!" She shouts. Her words are no help until you see the "bush" begin to move, and give a loud, but lazy "BAAA."
You look at the funny looking creature, until Emma grabs your arm and attempts to pull Leo's sleeping body away from the strange 'Nightmaren'. However, you couldn't help but feel like this strange little sheep like creature wouldn't hurt you. Leo's snoozing body, and Emma's worried face, and her panicking to lift Leo up however says otherwise, like there was something that you were...MISSING.
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afy2018 · 3 years
Text
Take These Ch. 1
“Take these,” Xavier offered his colleague. He wrapped Svane’s personal journals in twine. “Ask Eliza if you wish to know more about Bulshar… just be careful.”
Nicole accepted the old books then continued their search around the camp. Bodies were strewn around the bloody pass, preserved by the frozen morning and the freshly fallen snow. The remaining Purgatorian soldiers took note of their fallen, carrying them to the front of the jagged pass for the caravan to take. It was the lasting effects of adrenaline that kept Haught from collapsing in the wake of their fief’s mass mourning. By mid-afternoon, everyone returned to the castle, recouping from the previous night’s entanglements. In a weird way, everything felt quite normal as the residents fell back into their previous patterns. De Behr’s men travelled back to London with their minor scrapes and bruises. Doll’s peers seemed to take their time, though as they mourned their colleague’s noble death. Eliza spent her time in the Atrium, the silent heart of the Earp manor recently cleared for usage in the middle of winter. Nicole joined her, awkwardly shuffling through a narrow path of snow.
“How may I help you, Dame Haught?” Eliza inquired, barely acknowledging her presence.
“What do you know of Bulshar?”
“Ah, Xavier told me you’d be asking sometime before I left. I’m surprised that in your training you weren’t informed about his existence,” she continued. “Bulshar Clootie-”
“Clootie?”
“Yes, he’s a cult leader from a prominent family in London who has been executing royal and historical lineages for the past three decades.”
“Is he still active?” Nicole asked, still standing at relaxed attention.
“Very much. He is responsible for massacring many old families mostly in Wales and Ireland. While I was still working in the Royal Army’s special forces, we raided his fortress and found a room filled with various trophies from his victims. We were able to identify eight of the twenty crests.” Eliza informed her. She took a deep breath and asked, “Dolls refused to explain why you were so keen on asking me about Bulshar, so you tell me.”
“I just need to know why his name has come up so frequently in my life.”
“You know, I thought I recognized your last name and colours. The Haughts are an Anglo-Irish family which we believe to be mostly safe from Bulshar’s tirade as the families we’ve identified are Gaelic or Welsh.”
“Does he have any heirs or wives?”
“Most likely yes, but nothing official.”
Nicole’s shoulders slightly slumped at her answer. “If you raided his base, why is he still active?”
“He’s slippery. We’ve lost many a spy by his hand, so when he inevitably found out we were raiding his base, he fled and we still have no clue as to his whereabouts.”
“Any feeling about where he might be? Or anyone who could be connected to him?”
Eliza reflected for a short while and said, “If you find Robert Svane he would know the most… maybe even your friend John Henry Holliday?’
“Why would John know anything?”
“Dolls told me that he was close to the Revenants, he might know a few secrets he hasn’t shared with anyone.” Nicole shifted her weight to the other foot, relaxing from her attention stance even more before finally leaning against the gazebo. Eliza then warned in a slightly more hushed tone, “Be vigilant and careful about who you share information with, Dame Haught. Bulshar has agents of chaos everywhere. Once you begin to investigate him, you’ll find that you can no longer trust anyone, not even the ones you love.” With that last piece of advice, Eliza lazily sighed, her demeanor completely shifting from just a few seconds before, “Anything else you felt you needed to know?”
“No, thank you, Dame,” Nicole bowed, then retreated to the castle.
John Henry Holliday, that’s who she needed to find. She hated searching for him as he was the laziest busy-body she knew. Nicole scoured the manor, first in Wynonna’s office, then down the Eastern wing, North, then South, but he was nowhere to be found. She did, however, happen upon her partner approaching their room.
“You look lost, Cesario” Waverly teased, wheeling her around.
“Cesario?” she questioned. Nicole couldn’t help but smile at her suave action and pecked her forehead.“I’m looking for John.”
“Oh, he’s playing dice at Shorty’s, currently getting rich at Shorty’s,” she remarked. “Is he in trouble?”
“No, actually, he might have some information about Bulshar…”
“Who told you that?”
“Eliza,” Nicole nodded towards the atrium. She mulled over her words and admitted, “If he knows about Bulshar, you may have been correct in thinking that he wasn’t as trustworthy as we originally thought.”
“Well, if he isn’t trustworthy, then why ask him?”
“I mean, he’s bound to say something true,” she guessed.
Waverly bit at the inside of her lip, “Why don’t you hold off on asking him. Wynonna’s known him longer and might help you prepare to call out his fibs when you question him.”
“Yeah, that’d be helpful…” Nicole agreed, fixing her partner’s St. Michael necklace and shirt. “So, if I’m Cesario, then who are you, Olivia or Orsino?”
“I would hope Orsino,” Waverly assured with a reaffirming peck on the lips.
“Where are you off to?”
“Gary needs help with the survivors, so I was going to get some bandages and salve.”
“How is Paul?”
“He’s very shaken. We had to amputate his leg and now… I’m not entirely sure what’s next for him,” she honestly sighed.
“Do you think he’s glad to be alive?” Nicole whispered.
Held back, Waverly asked, “Why? I’m… I’m sure he is.”
“I… don’t know. I was just curious. What would you do if you lost your leg?”
“I would continue my daily activities. Why, what would you want?” she carefully inquired, reaching up to her jaw.
Nicole pulled away, for a brief moment. “I don’t know. I think… I’m going to go ask Wynonna about John.”
Waverly watched her retreat into herself as she escaped their conversation to hide in her sister’s office for the time being. Despite their concerning conversation, she went along with her duties, collecting apothecary supplies to do her part in the reconstruction of their fief. Nicole found her way back to the office where Wynonna was still penning a letter to the Carlo brothers. She glanced up at her with a weak smile.
“Please tell me you brought something.”
“Just myself, and Svane’s dirty secrets,” Nicole explained, pulling the diaries from her satchel. “Wanna take a peak?”
“I’m a tad busy with the dead and all, but make sure to tell me the juiciest bits,” Earp remarked, going back to her letter.
Nicole sat down in the corner and began to pour over the old journals. There were seven in total and they spanned from 1601 to what would most likely lead into this past week. Svane’s writing in the first journal instantly began mentioning not only his father, Björn, but a cultist mentor Nicole assumed to be Bulshar. His writing was mostly chicken scratches, which made reading too difficult in certain passages. Sitting out of the way, Haught caught the various conversations between the ruling Lady and her citizens. Two of which, Pastor Williams and the local gravedigger Jones, were worried about last rites and proper burials in the dead of winter. It became all too real for her, though; and judging by the side glances she earned from Wynonna, it was getting to the young leader, as well. Earp kept a level head throughout the meeting and dipped into the treasury so Jones could bury the dead before they began to decay.
Once they left, Nicole asked, “How are you?”
“Considering I haven’t slept for the past three days, I lost Svane who’s probably going to attack us again, and this battle left three families with dead kids and another four considerably injured, I’m faring quite well,” she huffed. Wynonna locked them in the office and turned to her friend. “I- was it worth the bloodshed? Really, don’t bullshit me like everyone else.”
“I never do,” she admitted, thinking about her words. “I think it was. You dealt with an old foe who has been attacking and slaughtering your family for the past, what, four generations?”
“Six.”
“Exactly.”
“But was it worth doing that? I was prepared to execute a man. Could I really live with that blood on my hands? I know he killed my sister and father, but was he actually a bad man? I can’t help but think there was another way to do this and now I don’t think we can ever go back. You know in all of the years, the treaties and agreements, disarmaments and land disputes, the Earps have never attacked the Svanes like this,” Wynonna spiraled.
“I think there were only a few possible outcomes to your situation. In his anger and bloodlust, Svane could have changed his mind, but considering the ultimatums he gave you that really didn’t seem like an option, you offer your line and give your people over to a new unstable rule, you give yourself over and he returns to eliminate your issue, or you fight back and rid of him.”
“But I didn’t do that. I could have just killed him right there and then, but… I wanted to make a spectacle of it. Am I as bad as Robert?”
“If Svane were to return in any capacity, what would you do?”
“I would offer an agreement to co-rule over this land.”
“Do you think he would accept that?”
“I don’t know,” Wynonna pondered.
“I don’t know either. For the first time, I feel rather lost. I have another lead to who I really am, but I feel like I’m floating around in the ocean like a bottle with a deadly message inside.”
“What have you found so far?”
“According to everyone I’ve asked, Bulshar is a dangerous man with an ever-growing cult that has massacred many important families back home. He knows Svane, according to the journals, and somehow, there’s a link to me.” Nicole wrapped the diaries back up and placed them in her satchel. “I’m going to take a break, I just need to clear my head. I suggest you do the same. You need to sleep and clear your mind if you plan on leading your people through this.”
“Maybe it’s just insomnia, but I’m already missing Robert. He made living here exciting,” Wynonna joked. “Hey, can you keep this between us? I don’t need people knowing their leader is weak.”
“You are not weak, Wynonna.”
“I feel weak, then.”
Nicole went to open the door, the lock getting in the way.
“It’s locked,” Earp informed her.
“Yup, I know.”
“It’s also pull not push when you’re ready,” she chuckled.
“You ass,” Nicole joked on her way out.
“I’m gonna take that as a compliment!”
“How is that a compliment?”
“Because I have a great one!”
Nicole shook her head with that vibrant smile as she walked down the now candle-lit hallway to her room. The afternoon sun set by her shoulder, casting bizarre shadows into the old manor. In the tranquil building, every emotion began to rear its ugly head. In all of her years arresting, fighting, and inevitably killing, Nicole had never felt so affected by her actions. It may have had to do with the sheer intimacy she had with the people she was not only fighting for but sleeping alongside. Her fears suddenly came back with the dwindling light and she no longer knew how to cope with the losses. Returning to her room, Waverly stood by her side of the bed, pulling up a bundle of bandages and a jar of salve.
“Hey, sweetie!” she brightly exclaimed. “I know you’re going to say you’re fine, but we should really bandage you back up.”
“Thank you,” Nicole smiled, dropping her satchel on the floor and locking their door.
She approached her partner, taking the objects out of her hands to embrace her. Waverly stumbled back for a moment before fully wrapping her arms around her, too. The youngest Lady of the castle clung to her, their hearts being the only sound besides the crackling fire.
She slipped her hands to the back of her nape and waist. “Are you okay?” Nicole let out a deep sigh and tucked her head further against her neck. “It’s going to be okay, whatever you’re worried about.”
“I know because you’re safe.” Haught pulled back enough to regard her deep Caribbean sea blue eyes. Her eyes darted around her features, wishing she had seen them their first time together. She tucked a stray hair back behind her ear and directed to the medical supplies, “Is it okay if we save this stuff for later?”
Waverly glanced at the items on the table. “Oh, yeah, of course.”
~
Nicole leaned over to blow out the candle, getting tugged down into another chaste kiss by her partner. She smiled against her lips and wrapped her hand around the back of her neck to play with the soft hairs at her nape. Her hands roamed back under Waverly’s jaw before finally pulling away and extinguishing the candle, now the only source of light being from the dim fireplace. She settled back into her place in bed, spooning against her side. Waiting proved more virtuous than she would have thought, even with their first encounter being slow and awkward in the dark.
“What have you learned about your past?” Waverly whispered into the quiet room.
“Eliza told me that his reach is far and effective, so I should be careful of whom I trust,” Nicole nonchalantly answered. “And now realizing that his reach is more permanent in this area than I had previously known, I’m not entirely sure who I can trust here.”
“Well, is Eliza herself trustworthy? What if she’s just making you run around in circles?”
“Well, if she isn’t worthy of trust, then who is? She worked on his case, so if anyone knows the unbiased facts, she would.”
“I’m just saying, his own spies may reach into the army.”
“Hm,” Nicole considered.
“Nicole?” a wary voice called with a brisk knock on the door. “It’s Wynonna, we need to talk. I know you’re awake still so get dressed and come to my office, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she instinctively responded.
“Don’t,” Waverly quietly begged with an enticing kiss.
Between pecks, she chuckled, “I don’t want to anger your sister.” Pulling on her pants, Nicole shuffled around the dim room, taking her satchel with Robert’s diaries. “I swear I’ll be back in a couple of minutes, okay?” she promised with a firm tightening of her belt.
“Hair.”
“Oh, thank you,” Nicole responded with another brief peck as she pulled it in a tight regulation bun.
Haught escaped her room, quietly closing the door behind herself and walking down the candle-lit corridor to her friend’s office. She could hear hushed voices trickle down the hallway, their words completely unintelligible until she stood in the open doorway. Augustine, Seanan, and Gareth the apothecary standing in a semicircle behind the desk with Wynonna twiddling her thumbs in the corner. They all had stern faces, even their local tavern owner’s normally bright demeanor was far more severe than Nicole would have liked. Various situations raced through her head, maybe they were going to send her away? Did they not like her relationship with Waverly? Was Robert already back? Was she getting framed? The last scenario proved much closer to the issue they seemed to have.
“We were told that you got your hands on Robert Svane’s personal journals,” Augustine began.
“Yes, madam,” she confirmed.
“Would you please hand them over, young knight?”
Nicole began to reach into her satchel, then stopped, “Why?”
“Those are revolutionary contraband and must be destroyed,” Gareth nodded. Nicole furrowed her brows at his response as he was chastised by McCready.
“May I please hold onto these? I have some personal matters that these may appease. I swear only my eyes will see these words.”
“Knight Officer Haught, I am commanding you to hand them over,” Augustine repeated with an even more demanding tone. Her dark eyes were like a void, their severity thickening the tense air that already clouded the room. Nicole glanced at Wynonna for help, receiving no reaction to the scene unfolding before her. “There should be no hesitation to my order, soldier.”
“No.”
“Wynonna,” she shifted to her niece with an expectant nod.
She approached her friend, reaching for the satchel until Nicole tugged it out of reach. “Don’t do this, Nicole.”
“What is going on? Why can’t I study these? I just need a day with them, then they can be destroyed,” the young knight pleaded.
“We cannot trust that you may not copy them, Haught,” Gareth ruthlessly explained.
“This may be the only chance for me to find out who I am, please, just twenty-four hours, and I’ll destroy them in front of you.” Seanan glanced at Nicole with somber eyes before looking at his friends. “Shorty, please!”
“Wynonna,” Augustine commanded.
Doing as her aunt commanded, the older sister tugged at her satchel once more, trying to unbutton it to retrieve the books. Nicole shoved her away with a firm hand against her sternum before racing to the safety of her chambers. She heard loud footsteps echo down the corridor, gaining speed and encroaching upon her as Nicole fumbled with figuring out which door was hers.
“Nicole!” she hissed in the darkness. “Wait!” She firmly took her wrist and yanked her from the door. “Stop.”
“I need these, you know I do. It’s the only way I can find out who I am, what Bulshar has to do with me.”
“Stop,” she commanded in a louder tone. Wynonna glanced around their position and whispered, “Find some random journals to burn instead of Svane’s. I don’t understand their significance either, but obviously, there’s dirt in there about the Earps that they don’t want to see the light of day.”
“Fine, but I am not going to hand them over,” Nicole finished, rushing to the other side of her door and locking it. She rested her head against the old wood, waiting for Wynonna’s footsteps to fade away.
~~~~~~~~~~
Nicole walked down the main street, feeling as if everyone was looking at her. She clutched her satchel tightly, glancing at her surroundings to search for John. With the previous night’s concerning meeting, she wondered even more about Wynonna’s reflection if Robert was a purely bad person. He may have ruled his people as a dictator, but were his people or his action in the wrong? Haught pinched the bridge of her nose and continued to Shorty’s inn, catching Holliday playing dice. He and his opponent were playing for peanuts as the mere achievement of beating John Henry was enough to build a good rapport with the middleman. Nicole patiently waited for the game to end to question him.
Beating out yet another young farmer, John turned to his colleague, “Would you like to try your hand, dear knight?”
“I have some other things in mind. What do you know about the Revenants, who are their allies? Who were they as a people?”
“Are,” Holliday corrected, flipping his dice to show the same number of pips. “But this isn’t the safest place to talk about them. I swindled some extra coin, why don’t we share a pint. I think we all deserve a drink for the horrors we endured. What do you say?”
“I would say I need a beer,” she huffed, calling over the barmaid for a round of ale.
“Why the sudden interest?”
“Maybe I feel remorseful for the deaths we totalled.”
“I hope this doesn’t offend you, Dame Haught, but you would be terrible at poker.”
“It does, but it stands true,” she smirked as they were served. “I do, however, think that we may have made a mistake and now I am being scapegoated.”
“How?”
Nicole pondered how much she should divulge before answering, “I spoke with a few of the town's elders and now I may be a target of future harassment.”
“What do you suppose you’ll do about it?”
“I’m not sure.” Haught briefly paused and looked up at John. “I have many questions for you, Holliday.”
“Ask again in a more private venue,” he warned. “That is if it pertains to your initial question.”
“It does.”
“Day drinking, I see,” Wynonna interrupted. “Can I speak with you, Haught?”
“Can it wait until I’m done with this?”
“Yes,” she nodded, plucking the stein out of her hands and finishing it off for her. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” Nicole huffed in annoyance. “I’ll be seeing you around, John.”
“I would hope so,” he briefly nodded as a new opponent came to try their hand.
“Did you really have to chug my beer, it was free.”
“Wait, I’ll explain later.”
“I miss when everything was public knowledge.”
Wynonna nodded in agreement as they silently walked to her office where she produced several old novels she had taken from various rooms in the manor.
“Hide Svane’s journals… somewhere and have these ones on hand for when we burn them,” she explained.
Nicole took the stack and asked, “Do you have any further explanation for why your aunt is so protective about these?”
“No, but I really do not want to be on her bad side, and neither should you.”
“Yeah, Lady McCready, is, uhh… fucking scary,” she agreed on her way out. “Thank you.”
Nicole went through her room and began tearing through the various bookcases to hide the real journals. She wrapped them up and placed them under the bed, now going back through their spots to blend them in with the other books. It was an obvious place but hidden well enough that even Nicole knew that she would have to search through the novels to find Svane’s. She popped up from her spot by the bed when Waverly entered, going straight to the wardrobe.
“My dear Orsino,” she called out, making Waverly jump.
“Oh! What are you doing? Wait, you’re sober right? Not playing drunk hide-n-seek again?”
“Sober, yes. Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, I was going out for a ride, would you like to join me?” she invited, approaching her partner.
“I wish I could,” Nicole smiled, standing back up and pecking her. “But I still need to talk with John, you know, figure out some truths… but maybe another day.”
“Okay, I’m going to hold you to that, then.”
“I hope you will,” she smiled, anxiety finally leaving her system when Waverly wrapped her arms around her waist. Nicole took a deep breath even as her heart fluttered when she glanced down to peck her forehead. “But I must speak with John, so I would love to help you get ready and ride out of town.”
“Is he expecting you at a specific time?”
Nicole sucked her teeth then remarked, “No, he is not, Gary isn’t needing your assistance any time soon?” Waverly backed away to lock their door with a cheeky grin on her lips. “Alright then.”
~
“Are you sure you need to go?” Waverly bargained
“While I would love to spend all day with you, I really do want to get some answers out of Holliday,” her partner blushed even as she was trapped between the desk, hands still gently meandering over her ribs and chest. Coaxed into another amorous kiss, Nicole chuckled against her lips as she was pressed into the desk again. “Okay, okay, I need to leave before it gets dark.”
They dressed back into their outer clothes, Waverly now dawned in her riding attire. “Just a quick question, because I hate to ruin a moment, but are you okay? You seemed a bit shaken by last night’s… whatever that was.”
“Yes, I’m fine,” Nicole affirmed, slinging the satchel over her shoulder and standing before the door. “I love you, just so you know.”
“I love you, too.”
“I mean it,” she smiled on her way out.
“Wait, I thought you were going to ride out with me?”
“Another time.”
She found her way back through the manor and to the main street, spotting John talking with a young bath maid. Nicole felt a sudden tug on her shoulder, making her wheel around, face to face with the reigning lady of their land. Wynonna had a firm grasp on the satchel, looking up with a weirdly calm demeanor. Haught pulled the satchel back with surprising difficulty.
“What are you doing?” she questioned with another tug.
“Staging a fight,”
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shinymoonbird · 4 years
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Kavyakantha Ganapati Muni
Kavyakantha Ganapati Sastri:
Well, the Jnani knows himself as such, i.e., as the fully attained. But can others know him to be such, and if so, by what indication? 
Ramana Maharshi:
Yes, it can be known. The mark by which perfect realization is indicated is Sarvabhuta Samattva, which means equality or sameness toward all.
When one finds the same Atma or Self in all the various moveable and immoveable objects and his behaviour indicates the sense of equality, that constitutes the hallmark of the Jnani, Gunatita, Brahman, etc., as he is variously called.
Equality means here, in practice, the accordance of treatment appropriate to each, without undue preference or undue avoidance as described in the Bhagavad Gita:
32. He who, through the likeness of the Self, O Arjuna, sees equality everywhere, be it pleasure or pain, he is regarded as the highest yogi. (Chap. VI)
24 & 25. Who is the same in pleasure and pain, who dwells in the Self, to whom a clod of earth, stone and gold are alike, who is the same to the dear and the unfriendly, who is firm, and to whom censure and praise are as one, who is the same in honour and dishonour, the same to friend and foe, abandoning all undertakings — he is said to have transcended the qualities. (Chap. XIV)
The Sri Ramana Gita, of B. V. Narasimha Swami - Ch. I
https://archive.arunachala.org/newsletters/2009/jul-aug#article.1
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tuxedobowser25 · 3 years
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@chibi-masshuu: So the first one just became a grind fest for job xp, and the tedium of the B/D game play made every random battle a head ache. Did they do anything to fix these?
In response to your question:
It wasnt a headache for me in BD2 at least. however BD2's gameplay can be unbalanced at some points in the game. chapter 1 for whatever reason can be harder than the rest of the chapters, especially since you're still figuring out your party composition
the game regularly gives you easy access to stat xp and jp boosters throughout in various ways and chests, but there are new monster food items that are there for those who want to grind. they basically force encounters to be waves of enemies and the waves increase the multiplier over xp jp and gold. I didnt use it much myself but i had a friend who grinded a lot in chapter 3 using those. tho he likes grinding a lot lolol
With basic leveling of mostly just the enemies i encountered from one area to the other along with sidequests i stayed pretty much on level with the game. my final levels in the game were levels 67-69 (lol)
by the end of the game i had two physical fighters with an ability from Berserker that let them attack all foes at once, and was often going full throttle with them in regular battles. x4 Brave with Attack (which after doing last turn with them can press Y on their next turn to repeat the action and it carries to other battles too)
~~~~~~
enemies have weaknesses and resistances every battle similarly to Octopath, tho the resistances dont reduce your damage output as much especially compared to Octo. tho some can be more resistant than others
A good tip is that the thief ability godspeed strike is ridiculously overpowered and it can take down many ch 2-4 bosses and even some others later on very quickly (i beat 1 boss without even seeing his mid battle cutscene with it lmao) and i used it all the way up to the final boss fight. Even if you strike a ineffective hit with it, it will still take out a decent amount of damage.
I really do think the game needed more development time, but I cant say i wasnt having fun, however I know not everyone will get excitement from it.
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dalleyan · 3 years
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Heart of the Beholder (LoTR story, ch 2 posted, 2-24-21)
Eomer saw past Lothiriel’s plainness to find the beauty within, but making her his wife doesn’t prove to be a simple matter.  A sequel to “The Eye of the Beholder” - it’s best to read that first.  [complete in 8 chapters]
 2.  Chapter 1
Eomer shifted restlessly in the saddle.  The whole eored was on edge as they made their way toward the small village where the Dunlendings had last been seen.  They had attacked the village and done considerable damage to homes and crops, though fortunately the people had all escaped with their lives.
Eomer realized he had grown tired of warfare.  The defeat of Mordor had seemed to signal peace for all of Middle-earth, but there were still disgruntled factions who battled on in their various spheres. Rohan was still plagued by the marauding Dunlendings, and roving bands of Orcs that remained at large.  While it was good to be out from behind a desk and back in a saddle, Eomer was weary of the fighting and killing.
Elfhelm had just ridden up alongside him when, without warning, the dissident Dunlendings they sought burst from cover and attacked their party.  Many in the eored were new to this, boys who were just recently of age and taking the place of those who had fallen in the War of the Ring. Nevertheless, they had been well trained and fought with conviction, and the eored greatly outnumbered their foe.
The tide was soon turning in Rohan’s favor, when two Dunlendings went after the king.  They sought to grab Firefoot’s bridle, but the stallion reared in protest and they fell back in haste.  Then Firefoot took a misstep and his hind leg gave way under him, causing him to come crashing to the ground, solidly landing on Eomer’s lower body and knocking the wind from him.  Quickly Eothain and Elfhelm felled the attackers, and rushed to the aid of their king.  The two soldiers fought side by side defending the downed man until what was left of the Dunlendings broke off the attack and fled.
The king’s horse had risen almost immediately, but Eomer lay dazed and obviously in pain.  Once the pain eased somewhat, they sought to help him to stand, but Eomer gazed at his friends in horror.  “I cannot move my legs!” he gasped hoarsely.
 continue reading on AO3:
              https://archiveofourown.org/works/29665776/chapters/72997443
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fyleejoongi · 4 years
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2020.09.23 Flower of Evil Episode 16 Stills | Do Hae Soo's Trial
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