#glow up tips for 10-15 year olds school

[crying-in-a-stall]

Incorrect Sanders Sides

Virgil: Who the fuck added me to a fucking group chat? Roman: >:O language Patton: Yeah watch your fucking language Janus: OKAY WHO TAUGHT PATTON THE FUCK WORD? Roman: 'The fuck word'. Logan: Are you stupid? You guys use the f word all the time Roman: Oh my god they censored it Remus: Say fuck, Logan. Virgil: Do it, Logan. Say fuck.

Virgil: Well, aren’t you all a rag-tag group of adventurers with unclear goals and good hearts! Oh, let me guess: you’re out to save the world! Roman: Well, actually, that sounds like a pretty fair assessment. Janus: More or less, I guess... Patton: That sounds awesome! Let’s do that! Remus: I’m new here, but I am open to the concept. Logan: I thought that’s what we were doing, guys, come on!

Roman: Hewwo. Patton: Hihiiiiii! Logan: Greetings, Humans. Janus: Three kinds of people. Virgil: I want pudding. Janus: Four kinds of people. Remus: WHAT’S UP FUCKERS? Janus: Five kinds of people.

Logan: Just be yourself. Virgil: 'Be myself'? Logan, I have one day to win Roman over. How long did it take before you guys started liking me? Patton: Couple weeks. Remus: Six months. Janus: Jury’s still out. Virgil: See, Logan? Virgil: 'Be myself'. What kind of garbage advice is that?

Virgil: Croissants; dropped Roman: Road; works ahead Remus: BBQ sauce; on my titties Patton: Shavacado; fre Janus: Miss Keisha; fuckin dead Logan: Logan, grumpy: I didn’t understand a single word of that and I hate every single one of you.

Patton: We need to distract these guys Remus: Leave it to me Remus: Centaurs have six limbs and are therefore insects. Discuss. Logan, Roman, and Janus: *Immediately begin arguing* Virgil, watching in horror: Oh this. I don’t like this. I don't like this at all.

Virgil: Rules are made to be broken. Logan: They were made to be followed. Nothing is made to be broken. Patton: Uh, piñatas. Remus: Glow sticks. Janus: Karate boards. Roman: Spaghetti when you have a small pot. Virgil: Rules. Logan: …

Logan: Dumbest scar stories, go! Roman: I burned my tongue once drinking tea. Patton: I dropped a hair dryer on my leg once and burned it. Remus: I have a piece of graphite in my leg for accidentally stabbing myself with a pencil in the first grade. Janus: I was taking a cup of noodles out of the microwave and spilled it on my hand and I got a really bad burn. Virgil: … Virgil: I have emotional scars.

Logan: Anyone d- Virgil: Depressed? Roman: Drained? Patton: Dumb? Remus: Disliked? Janus: Distrusted? Logan: -done with their work... what is wrong with you people …

Patton: Imagine if someone handed you a box full of all the items you have lost throughout your life Virgil: Self-esteem, haven't seen you in years! Janus: Oh wow, my childhood innocence! Thank you for finding this! Roman: I knew I lost that potential somewhere! Remus: My moral code, is that you? Logan: ... Patton: I was just gonna show you this cool trunk my mother left me but do you guys need a hug?

Janus: Nothing in life is free. Patton: Love is free! Roman: Adventure is free. Logan: Knowledge is free. Virgil and Remus at the same time: Everything is free if you take it without paying.

Patton: What does 'take out' mean? Logan: Food. Roman: Dating Virgil: Murder Remus: IT CAN MEAN ALL THREE IF YOU'RE NOT A COWARD.

Remus: I’ve done a lot of dumb stuff. Janus: I witnessed the dumb stuff. Virgil: I recorded the dumb stuff. Patton: I joined in on the dumb stuff. Logan: I TRIED TO STOP YOU FROM DOING THE DUMB STUFF!!!

Janus: What did you guys get in your yearbook? Roman: 'Prettiest Smile' Patton: 'Nicest Personality' Remus: 'Most likely to start a bar fight' Virgil: 'Least likely to start a bar fight, but most likely to win one'

Logan: There are seven chairs and ten kids. What do you do? Virgil: Have everyone stand. Patton: Bring three more chairs! Janus: The most important ones can sit down. Remus: Kill three.

Logan: Good morning. Patton: Good morning. Roman: Good morning. Thomas: You all sound like robots, try spicing it up a bit. Virgil: MORNING MOTHERFUCKERS

Patton: What if the person who named Walkie Talkies named everything? Remus: Pregnancy tests are Maybe Babies Janus: Socks are Feetie Heaties Virgil: Forks are Stabby Grabbies Remus: Defibrillators are Heartie Starties Virgil: Nightmares are Dreamy Screamies Janus: Stamps are Lickie Stickies Logan, annoyed: You are disappointments Roman: Why isn’t the statue smirking at me? Logan: It isn’t smirking at anyone, they’re all just imagining it. Patton: Three of us saw it, Logan. How do you explain that? Logan: *points at Janus* Sleep deprivation. *points at Virgil* Paranoia. *points at Remus* Delusional personality disorder. And you just believe everything, Patton.

Janus: Favorite horror movie? Remus: It Logan: Saw Roman: Annabelle Virgil: High School Musical. After watching it I spent all my middle school years terrified that the entire school would start singing something and I’d be the only one who didn’t know the lyrics

Virgil: We need more help. Maybe I should call my friends. Remus: ... Your what? Virgil: My friends. Janus: Are they saying “friends”? Remus: I think they're being sarcastic. Janus: No, no, no, this is delirium, they've cracked from being awake all night. Hey, Virgil! All of your friends are in this room. Virgil: I have other friends! You asked me to make new friends, I made new friends! It was a task. I complete tasks.

Patton, trying to convince Virgil to join the group: You know... I thought it'd be good to have someone come along who's really... strong! Roman: And grumpy! Logan: And oblivious to reality! Virgil: …

Roman: You lying, cheating, piece of shit! Virgil: Oh yeah? You’re the idiot who thinks you can get away with everything you do. WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD Roman: I’m leaving you, and I’M TAKING PATTON WITH ME Logan, picking up the monopoly board: I think we’re gonna stop playing now.

*Patton is cooking* Roman: Any chance that’s for me? Patton: It’s for Logan. I’m planning on making some bad choices tonight, and I need them on my side. Virgil: I never realized the forethought that went into being a disappointment.

Patton: Hey, is Roman sleeping or dead? Virgil: Hopefully dead, I hated their guts. Logan: Yeah, so did I. Roman: Okay first of all, fuck you-

Virgil: Is stabbing someone immoral? Janus: Not if they consent to it. Remus: Depends who you’re stabbing. Logan, who was dragged into the dark sides meeting: YES?!?

Janus: Self care is actually getting into fights with randoms in dark alleys. Patton: No, self care is stuff like taking a bubble bath, or putting on a lot of makeup if you like it, or taking a nice warm nap! Logan: Self-care is any necessary human regulatory function which is under individual control, deliberate and self-initiated. Janus: Self care is the burning heat when rage washes over you!! Virgil: Self care is when you feel the bones crack under your powerful fists!! Roman: Self care is the fear in your enemies’ eyes!!! Remus: Lmao self care is taking your birthday cake just so I can eat the frosting. Patton: If you touch my birthday cake I’ll make you eat your hands.

Roman: You are now one day closer to eating your next plate of Nachos. Logan: That's the most hopeful thing I've ever heard. Virgil: But what if I die tomorrow and never eat any Nachos? Patton: Then tomorrow is nacho lucky day.

Roman, banging on the door: Virgil! Open up! Virgil: Well, it all started when I was a kid... Logan: No, they meant- Patton: Let them finish.

Janus: Come on, I wasn’t that drunk last night. Virgil: You were flirting with Remus. Janus: So what? They're my partner. Remus: You asked me if I was single. Virgil: And then you cried when they said they weren't.

Store Worker: Would a ‘Janus’ please come to the front desk? Janus, arriving at the desk: Hello, is there a problem? Store Worker: points to Remus and Virgil Store Worker: I believe they belong to you? Remus and Virgil, simultaneously: We got lost :( Janus: I didn’t even bring you guys here with me-

Janus, driving Remus and Virgil: So how was your day? Remus: We almost got surprise adopted! Janus: What? Virgil: We almost got kidnapped. Janus: Oh, okay. Janus: *slams on the breaks* WAIT WHAT?!

Janus: Sometimes I drink milk straight out of the container. Remus: The cow??? Janus: What? Virgil: Remus, W H Y?

Roman: Virgil, my old arch enemy. Remus: ... I thought I was your arch enemy? Roman: I have a life outside of you, Remus.

Remus: How's the sexiest person here~? Janus: I don't know, how are they~? Remus, flustered: I- Virgil, from across the room: I'm doing great, thanks!

Patton: Are you the big spoon or the little spoon? Virgil: I'm a knife. Roman, from across the room: They're the little spoon.

Roman: So, what, now I’m just supposed to do anything that Logan does? I mean, what if they jumped off a cliff? Patton: If Logan were to jump off a cliff, they would’ve done their due diligence regarding the height of the cliff, the depth of the water, and the angle of entry, so yes. If you see Logan jump off a cliff, by all means, jump off a cliff. Roman: You jump off a cliff! Patton: Gladly. Provided Logan did first.

Janus: I know you snuck out last night, Remus. Virgil: Play dumb! Remus: Who's Remus? Virgil: NOT THAT DUMB!!!

Roman: Fitness tip, never stop pushing yourself. Logan: Some say 8 hours of sleep is enough. Why not keep going? Virgil: Why not 9? Why not 10? ]Janus: Strive for greatness. Roman: Next time you’re working out do 15 push ups instead of 10. Run 3 miles instead of 2. Patton, from the background: Eat a whole cake instead of just a slice. Remus from the background: Burn your ex’s house down. Roman: You can do it. I believe in you. Thomas: There were so many mixed messages in that I can’t-

Remus: I can’t believe you live nearby, and you won’t let anyone crash at your place. Virgil: You people already know too much about me. Janus: I know exactly three facts about you, and one of them is that you won’t let any of us crash at your place.

Virgil: Janus, can I talk to you for a second? Janus: Yeah, what’s up? Remus: Lemme guess. You and Roman are having problems and you want me to teach you how to kiss? Virgil: What? No, stop that. I know how to kiss. I’ve read books.

Remus: In my defense, I was left unsupervised. Janus: Wasn't Virgil with you? Virgil: In my defense, I was also left unsupervised.

Remus: Okay, help me please! Virgil: Got two words for you. Janus: I bet they won't be helpful. Virgil: Your problem. Janus: I was right

Virgil: So are we flirting right now? Roman: I AM LITERALLY STABBING YOU Virgil: That doesn’t answer my question

Patton: Where are you going? Remus: To get ice cream or commit a felony, I’ll decide on the way there Patton: Can you get me a strawberry cone? Janus: Can you kill Virgil? Virgil: Can you kill Roman? Roman: Can you kill Janus? Logan: Can you not commit a felony?

Logan: It’s dark in here Patton: Don’t worry fam, I got this Patton: *Stomps their feet* Patton: *Sketchers light up*

Logan: So what do you do? Janus: I work in genetic research, and I'm currently trying to eliminate all Cancers. Logan: Wow, impressive. Janus: Then I'll move on to Leos.

Remus: Don’t worry, I have a few knives up my sleeve. Roman: I think you mean cards. Remus, pulling knives out of their sleeves: No, I do not.

Virgil: We went through an entire character arc during quarantine Janus: We all became more evil if you’re curious Patton: We're still in quarantine, don't worry, there's time for a redemption arc still! Remus: I’m going to get worse on purpose

Patton: Am I in trouble? Logan: Take a guess. Patton: No? Logan: Take another guess.

Patton: Oh just so you know, it's very muggy outside Roman: *holding in a laugh* Logan: Patton, I swear, if I step outside and all of our mugs are on the front lawn... Virgil: *Sips coffee from bowl*

Virgil: You kill people for money?! Virgil: Can I pay you? Janus: Virgil no- Remus: And all this time I’ve been doing it for free like a chump!

Roman: What are your goals? Thomas as Patton: To pet all the dogs. Logan: No, fitness goals. Thomas as Patton: To be able to run fast enough to pet all the dogs.

Patton: I've already sent good vibes your way… they’re coming. There’s nothing you can do to stop them. Virgil: This is the most threatening way I’ve ever been cheered up.

Virgil: Name a more iconic duo than my crippling fear of abandonment and my paranoia. I'll wait. Patton’s Card: FAM - ILY Virgil, tearing up: Okay.

Logan: I actually have a black belt. Roman: In what, karate? Logan: No, from Gucci.

Remus: Am I going too far? Janus: No, no, no. You went too far about seven hours ago. Now you're going to prison.

Patton, motioning to a Halloween display: All these ghosts! All these ghosts! I still can’t find a boo. Logan: Babe, I’m right here.

Remus: You think I really give a fuck? I can’t even read.

Virgil: Okay okay stop asking me if I'm straight, gay, bi, whatever. I identify as a FUCKING THREAT. Roman, from across the room: You tell ‘em, babe!

Roman: You can de-escalate any situation by simply saying, 'Are we about to kiss?' Remus: Doesn't work for getting out of speeding tickets, by the way.

#incorrect sanders sides #incorrect quotes #incorrect sanders sides quotes #sanders sides #thomas sanders #virgil #roman #patton #janus #remus #logan

[nabesthetics]

Draconids: Saltwater Dwellers

Description and status in the modern era

Southern High Lindwurm

Danger level: 2.5-3 Elemental affinity: Lightning Intelligence: Sapient Status: Isolated

The only surviving subspecies of sapient water-dwelling lindwurms, Southern High lindwurms are natural inhabitants of cold seas south of the main continent. Formerly encountered in the Strait of Seals, they were pushed further south by human activity, now mainly residing in both deep and shallow waters of the Frozen sea. They build their dens in natural and dragon-made caverns, with underwater entrances in the cliffsides of islands and the continent.

Physiology: Cold-blooded, omnivorous lindwurms covered with thick non-scaled skin. Most are neutral colored in blue/green-ish range, with dark stripes and/or spots; “emerald” morphs haven’t been seen in a few centuries; “ice” morphs are exceptionally rare and appear to be sterile. An average adult reaches 13 ft. in length, with some individuals glowing up to 15 ft. Ice morphs tend to be smaller, up to 10 ft. in length. No observable sexual dimorphism. Theorized average lifespan of ~150 years.

Behavior: Southern lindwurms avoid contact with humans; it is unclear whether they cannot shapeshift at all or simply prefer to remain isolated. Not aggressive, and quite social among their own, they live in communities of 7-10 individuals; rivalries between communities are rare. During winters, entrances to the dens are sealed as lindwurms hibernate for 3-4 months.

Combat: Most possess natural affinity to lightning spells, releasing the charge when biting their prey or opponent, often wrapping their long bodies around the target in the process in attempt to immobilize and/or strangle them. Spellcasters use more powerful electric spells and telekinesis. Ice morphs appear to have stronger magical abilities, though true to their name, they tend to use water and ice magic instead. Generally, lindwurms prefer to flee rather than fight, unless the den or their kin are threatened.

Shoreline High Dragon

Danger level: 4 Elemental affinity: Water Intelligence: Sapient Status: Integrated

Originating from shallow areas of Sea of Persephia, most shoreline high dragons have abandoned their original lifestyle and spread throughout the continent, blending into human society. Now they are most commonly encountered among ship crews; there is a myth of a pirate crew consisting entirely of shoreline high dragons, but actual existence of such a ship is debated.

Physiology: Warm-blooded omnivores covered in short coarse sleek fur. Most often soft green or brown; unusual colorations like “golden” or “midnight” ones used to be rare due to being targeted by predators and humans, but are becoming more common. No distinct marks aside from a light stripe on the edge of their crests and wing membrane. Relatively small dragons, generally up to 9 ft in length, with males being slightly larger. Average lifespan: 230 years.

The distinct 10 antennae are used for detecting magical and life energy currents in both air and water. Their loss makes the dragon disoriented and susceptible to illnesses, though exceptional regeneration abilities of the species allows them fully recover the antennae in about two weeks.  

Behavior: In nature, shoreline dragons would travel along sea coasts and nest in river deltas in pairs or small groups. The nomadic habits made them feel at home aboard human ships. Highly energetic, empathic and most often extroverted, shoreline dragons are one of the few draconid species that fit into human communities without trouble. However, tight bonds with humans often end with a heartbreak due to the dragons’ longer lifespan, and older individuals tend to become more quiet and reclusive over time. For the same reason, these dragons tend to form close relationships with each other – it is uncommon for a shoreline shapeshifter to work alone among humans.

Combat: Shoreline dragons aren’t naturally aggressive, but they are quite easily provoked. If fighting side-to-side with humans, they stick to the same tactics; however, in a life-threatening situation their strategy switches to overwhelming magical force. The shoreline high dragons’ magical affinity is significantly strong and versatile: their instinctual magic revolves around water element, but most of them advance their skillset with other offensive elemental spells and magic schools.

Cloud Chaser

Danger level: 3 Elemental affinity: Air/Lightning Intelligence: Beast Status: Isolated/extinct

Formerly one of the more plentiful species of lesser dragons soaring over the seas in areas with semi-tropical and tropical climate, cloud chasers were exterminated and pushed from the continent during the Dragon Conflict. It is unknown whether they are completely extinct or still reside in territories that humans haven’t reached yet. 

Physiology: Cold-blooded obligatory carnivores covered with small matte scales, sporting a wide variety of color depending on the region, characterized by light areas on long, thin webbed wings. Males’ wings were significantly darker on the outer side. Albino specimens were surprisingly common and didn’t fare much worse than the rest of their kin. Size of an adult individual varied between 15 and 25 feet in length depending on the bloodline. Average natural lifespan is unknown due to high mortality rate, but there is a legend about a cloud chaser that breached 300 years old before being hunted down.

Behavior: Cloud chasers nested on cliffsides, residing in the same territory with a mate and offspring. During the breeding season dragons flew to islands to mate, after which the females returned to their territory with a different male every year. Cloud chasers flew far from the shores to hunt large sea birds, fish and humans, when the latter began contesting the dragons by fishing. Being highly territorial, Cloud chasers would attack boats and ships that moved towards their nesting site, and became a serious threat to vessels in the Emerald sea. Resilience to heights allowed these dragons to soar over most clouds, granting them their name.

Combat: Fast and agile flyers, cloud chasers attacked smaller opponents or prey by diving from the sky, grabbing their targets and lifting them up to drop them onto cliffs or into water from high altitude. They primarily used magic to fly rather than fight, aside from a single trait that made this species especially dangerous during and shortly after thunderstorms. Cloud chasers took to the sky, actively seeking out a lightning hit; absorbing most of the electric power, the dragons could use it over the next few days to unleash devastating elemental attacks onto larger prey — or ships.

Genus: Carved Sea Serpents

A.k.a. “Sea Harvesters”

Danger level: 4 Elemental affinity: None (?) Intelligence: Beast Status: Active, uncovered

Several species of similar physiology and behavior, carved sea serpents are rarely considered draconids outside of expert circles. It is the magical traits of their bodies that prove their belonging in the Dragon Class. Unlike with most draconids, existence of carved sea serpents is a known fact, although they are still surrounded by an array of sailor tales and legends.

Appearance of these beasts in the waters of Salty Sea is very recent; their presence beyond the Strait of Seals used to be anecdotal at best, but the sightings – and attacks – became more frequent over the past few decades, for reasons yet unknown.

Physiology: Cold-blooded obligatory carnivores covered with small scales with almost sandpaper-like surface, and mineral formations that grow and spread throughout the creature’s life, starting at the neck and tip of the tail. Shape and color of the mineral varies from species to species, ranging from rough gray to agate-like rock. Black, gray, brown and teal are the most common hide colors. Legends often mention albino Harvesters or individuals covered with precious crystals, but those claims haven’t met any proper proof so far. Species of carved sea serpents range from 30 to 50 feet as old adults; legendary 100 feet-long individuals haven’t been sighted since the Dragon Conflict. Average lifespan unknown but is theorized to be above 500 years.

Behavior: Despite their uncovered status, behavior of these beasts isn’t well-studied. Carved serpents were never seen in couples or groups, and judging by scars present on most individuals they are highly aggressive towards each other. With primal magic allowing them to breathe underwater and withstand tremendous pressure, they remain in deep waters most of the time, and it’s likely that their young never ascend to the surface until they reach specific age.

There are debates around reasons why the carved serpents come up to the surface, and attack ships when they do, considering that their usual prey consists of animals much larger than humans; some of the incidents suggest that the creatures are provoked by magic use and artifacts. Adjusting ship courses and equipping them with specifically crafted harpoons has reduced the number of attacks, but reports of serpent sightings closer to the shores are concerning.

Combat: Harvesters do not appear* to possess any elemental magic attacks, instead relying on their brute force. However, the said force is enough to grant them a high danger rating, as larger specimens are capable of sinking a large ship in minutes by ramming the hull or crushing both wood and metal with their jaws.

*The creatures are most often seen during severe storms, but it isn’t known if they are simply attracted by the unrest on the surface, or actually affect the weather in any way.

Great Sea Dragon

Danger level: 4-5 Elemental affinity: Water Intelligence: Unknown Status: Active

Common figures in myths, great sea dragons do not actually appear in the internal continent seas. Their sole existence is debated even within dragonhunting circles. Ancient records claim that they did reside in the local waters once, but left by themselves during the Dragon Conflict, and now remain in the Great ocean, acting as one of the reasons humanity hasn’t been able to cross it.

Physiology: Described as serpents visually similar to many land dragons, these creatures are claimed to never stop growing, with ancient, mythical variants reaching 150 ft. long and higher due to their unknown but immensely long lifespan. They are covered in orange, red or blue scales and sport signature fins on their heads and tails.

Behavior: Unknown; old records mention sea dragon attacks on ships and even seaside cities – a sea serpent is claimed to be responsible for one of the early disastrous cataclysms in Ancient Vesuvia – but every story is accompanied with nuances that make the attacks seem to be revenge or retaliation to endangering the serpent or its young. However, if the theory of them destroying ships in the Great ocean is true, then the dragons became much more aggressive since their leave of the continent.

Combat: Great sea dragons are described to have immense destructive magical abilities revolving around controlling the waters around them, raising massive waves and creating maelstroms. Younger individuals that haven’t reached that level of magical prowess would use scalding steam as their elemental breath. Physically, they could crush boats by wrapping their long bodies around the vessel and constricting it.

#did literally anybody ask for this? no. here it is anyway #sure I COULD make my own setting... but I don't wanna bother with making geography from scratch lmao #let's call this uhhhhh #Dragonverse!Arcana #Nabesimart #the Arcana worldbuilding #except I'm just putting dragons in it #that's worldbuilding right? #idk if anyone bothers to read it but hey I'm pretty proud of those drawings so

[samanthadalton]

Star crossed lovers (au)

pairings: poppy x mc (bea) 

warnings: throughout this fic (there will be a bunch of parts to it) there will be mentions of substance abuse, homophobia, sexual abuse, violence, NSFW, mentions of abandonment, depression and death including suicide 

reader discretion is advised

(this chapter is more about setting up the basis of the story so is more context than anything else, part 2 will be more interesting I swear 😭, also it’s like 4am so if there’s any gramatical mistakes I’ll fix it later) 

taglist: @somewillwin @save-me-the-last-dance @baexpoppy @cloud9in @simpforpoppy @ognenniyvolk (I’m pretty sure this is my tag list if you wanna be added or taken off for future chapters just ask 😊) 

word count: 3.6k 

Part 1: The introduction

As the sun began to set, the houses along the street began to bask in its warm glow. The neighbourhood is quiet, like always, excluding the occasional car engine rumbling through the roads until they disappear into the distance and once again the silence is deafening. This neighbourhood was your typical suburban type, their structures stood tall and bold. Looking from an aerial point of view, one could argue that it’s almost like the houses have been copied and pasted along the street, they almost look perfect. One theory is that they were purposely made to look like they're perfect because they don’t want anyone to find out their secrets. It’s harder to catch a true glimpse when everything looks flawless.

If you compare the northside and the southside of Greensburg, it makes it seem like they’re living in two different worlds and maybe they are. The polarisation between the rich and the poor only becomes bigger, demonstrated by the high socio-economic backgrounds of those who lived in the north who go to the best schools, have the best jobs and sometimes own more than one house. Compared to those in a low socio economic background in the south, who usually have to work two jobs just to feel some sort of financial stability in their lives or have no choice but to indulge in illegal jobs just so they can feel some sort of power and superiority and have money of course. Only a few in the south are able to lead a straight and narrow life and successfully do it without having to engage in the culture of illegal activities. 

Bea Hughes, a girl who lives in Greensburg is someone who managed to immerse herself in both worlds. She used to be part of the upper class lifestyle but after life fucked her and her family over at the tender age of 8 years old, she was pulled into another world, one that she quickly had to acquaint herself with, because in the south, survival matters. The luxuries she once knew as a kid had disappeared and she constantly lived in a fight or flight situation. Now as her senior year of high school looms ahead, she finds herself still living in a similar situation, but instead of dealing with gangs or her addict of a mother, she had to deal with stuck up rich kids in Greensburg’s most prestigious school, Belvoire, which may have been her toughest obstacle of all. Against all odds, Bea managed to earn a scholarship at this private school when she was 15, and in order to keep her place, she has to maintain a 4.0 GPA, join at least one extra curricular activity and immerse herself into the culture of the school (whatever that meant). 

Even though life managed to be shitty most of the time, there was one constant, one thing that made life worth living, one thing that made her the happiest…

“Crap”, the brunette clung onto the branch of the tree trying to regain her footing after narrowly avoiding her death (or more likely a trip to the hospital). After recovering from her mild slip, she rapped on the window beside her and a few seconds later the window slides open and as she enters the room she trips up on her own feet landing face down on the floor. 

“Real smooth”

Bea chuckles at the snark comment as she looks up and as the sunlight shines through the window, it highlights all the features of the other girl. She was shorter than Bea (although not in this moment since Bea was practically laying on the floor), her facial features were sharp and her strawberry blonde hair fell perfectly around her shoulders. Her plush pink lips were curled up in a small smile as she offered a hand to the girl to help her up. 

“I totally meant to do that” Bea takes her hand and lifts herself off the floor, and after she quickly dusts herself off and grabs the blonde’s wrist pulling her towards her while her other hand settles on her waist. “So how much time do we have?”

The petite girl wounds her arms around the taller girl’s neck and slightly tip toes to whisper, “my dad has dinner with a bunch of investors so he’s not going to be back until midnight”. A huge smile appears on her face as she leans back slightly taking in the appraising look of the brunette. 

“Perfect”. 

Bea moves in to kiss the blonde, passion already igniting as their tongues tangle in a fight for dominance until Bea suddenly pulls away, foreheads touching, eyes blazing with desire as she whispers against the other girl’s lips, “I missed you Pops”. 

The other girl rolls her eyes and unwinds her arms from Bea’s neck, slightly pushing her back and while maintaining eye contact she walks backwards towards the bed and sits on the edge, “shuttup, you literally saw me yesterday” her tone attempting to come across as catty but instead comes out in a more playful manner. 

Bea raises an eyebrow as she saunters to where the girl is sitting and places two fingers under the girl’s chin lifting her face until their eyes meet, “so? I’m suddenly not allowed to miss my girlfriend?” She leans in, her lips ghosts around the blonde’s lips. 

“You talk too much, come on we’re wasting daylight” the blonde grabs Bea’s shirt and pulls her down onto the bed with her as they tussle in the sheets, lips crashing against one another reigniting the same passion from the kiss before. 

“Poppy..” Bea all but moans when Poppy places wet kisses along her jawline and begins biting at her neck. Not wanting her to have all the fun, Bea suddenly flips Poppy over pressing her deeper into the mattress as she ravenously kisses her, as if Poppy is the only one who can satiate her desire, and honestly speaking? She probably is. 

“No more foreplay, I want you now” Poppy breathlessly says, breaking the heated kiss. Bea sits up to straddle Poppy, intertwining both hands with hers and places it above the blonde’s head and grinds on her hips earning a low groan from Poppy. 

“Ask and you shall receive my queen”

In response, Poppy rolls her eyes and her tongue darts out of her mouth, teasingly moving against her own soft lips and as Bea leans in for another kiss her slender fingers move lightly above Poppy’s inner thigh, touching everywhere except where Poppy wanted her the most. After a few pleads from the blonde, Bea finally indulges her desires and they moved in perfect syncopation. 

….. 

After a while, Bea and Poppy collapse into each other’s arms, exhausted but satisfied recovering from their physically demanding rendezvous. Bea lays on her back with one arm behind her head and one arm wrapped around the petite girl who fit perfectly in her larger frame. Poppy relaxes her head on Bea’s chest, feeling lulled by her heartbeat which brings her a sense of calm and security. Bea softly kisses her forehead and looks down at the girl, entranced by her beauty, enrapturing the way her breaths are slightly longer and deeper than usual, the way her hair falls around her face and how her fingers subconsciously ghost around Bea’s stomach drawing lazy shapes. 

Poppy Min Sinclair, a 5’2 blonde beauty who is Bea’s entire world. Everything about her screams perfection in Bea’s eyes. She’s a straight A student, captain of the cheerleading team, and likes to spend time volunteering at her local animal shelter and is secretly an amazing artist. Though her family was one of the richest families in Greensburg, Poppy wasn’t your average highschool rich girl. Though she would often go on regular shopping sprees and refuse to wear anything that wasn’t designer (unless it was Bea’s clothes), she never treated Bea any differently than how others would. She was a bright girl, who was loving, friendly, fierce when she needed to be and extremely loyal. When it was just her and Bea she could show her true self, not pretend to be someone she’s not or play a certain role, she could just simply be Poppy instead of Poppy Min Sinclair. Poppy often felt the gravity that came with her name, especially since that’s all her father pressured her to be, a Min Sinclair. 

Hayden Min Sinclair, Poppy’s father, owned an entire empire of companies, differentiating from technology based businesses to architecture and finance. To say he was a businessman was putting it lightly, he was almost like a god or at least someone who was highly worshipped by business moguls. He built up his family’s name and within a decade he was a force to be reckoned with. Hayden Min Sinclair worked his ass off to lift his companies off the ground because as a person of colour he knew he would have to work 10x harder to get what he wanted. All he ever wants is life for his daughter to be easy, the irony is, that he’s one of the main reasons why it’s so hard. 

He’s a man of honour and pride and has never expected anything less from his daughter, hoping she would keep the dignity attached to the Min Sinclair name and bring it to new heights. So his traditionalist and conservative views means that he’s expecting Poppy to marry a man, who’s also an aristocrat, in which Bea is 0 for 2 for Poppy’s father’s expectations. Hence, Bea and Poppy have to keep their relationship a secret, a way to protect both Poppy and her future but also Bea from Mr Min Sinclair’s wrath. Reputation means everything to the Min Sinclairs and to Mr Min Sinclair specifically, especially after Poppy’s mother passed away when Poppy was 10 after an unfortunate incident of a drunken hit and run which left Poppy permanently broken from the loss of her mother but had all the socialites gossiping about the tragedy for months. To this day Poppy and her father still mourn her loss and Poppy often turns to Bea for comfort, for her companionship could provide the means of making her forget the empty presence of her mother that was left behind. 

They’d known each other since they were 7, when Bea used to live in the very same neighbourhood after the Min Sinclair’s moved into the neighbourhood, and they spent almost every waking hour together, attached by the hip. They were the best of friends and almost nothing could get in their way. Emphasis on the ‘almost’. 

When Bea’s father left Bea’s mother, Isabella when Bea was 8 and her sister Aria was 2, after finding out that Aria wasn’t his child as a result of a one night stand Isabella had, Bea’s family struggled to afford to live in the neighborhood especially since Bea’s father was the breadwinner of the house and their main source of income. After a series of bad decisions resulting in Bea’s mother losing her job as a banker, the 3 girls were forced to move to the south of Greensburg since it was the only thing they could afford. 

Bea and Poppy were still inseparable at this point, either Bea would take 2 buses to go to Poppy’s house or Poppy would call the family’s driver so she could go over the Bea’s. The breaking point for their friendship was the day when Bea’s mother once took the girls to the park when they were 11 and after she had gotten so intoxicated to the point she threw up in front of all the children, and Poppy’s father prohibited Poppy from seeing Bea again. 

“That girl and her family will bring shame to our family’s name, imagine what your mother would say” Poppy can still hear her father’s words ringing in her head from time to time, but everytime she looks at Bea, all her expectations would disappear and she would just simply be happy.

They began dating when they were 14, after Poppy had managed to scrounge up all her courage to kiss Bea on valentine’s day, after the two girls had snuck away to a diner to hang out like they would usually do. Poppy looked as if she was going to pass out from embarrassment when Bea didn’t reciprocate the kiss at first, however in Bea’s defence she was more startled than anything else. When Poppy was about to apologise Bea moved in and gave Poppy a sweet and chaste kiss on the lips and from then they decided they would be together. Bea couldn’t believe her luck when she was able to call Poppy hers, she felt like she didn’t have much to offer Poppy as she had yet to have earned the scholarship to Belvoire, the same school that Poppy had been attending. As well as coming from a troubled family life she didn’t want to implicate Poppy in any way but staying away from her had proven to be too difficult. 

The consequences of their forbidden love was much harder on her than it was on Poppy, still nevertheless she would do anything for Poppy, which was proven time and time again when they have to act like strangers at school. In spite of that, the stolen glances, the stolen moments, the stolen kisses, it made it all worth it. 

“Are you ready for school tomorrow” Poppy’s soft voice vibrated against Bea’s chest. 

Bea lets out a soft chuckle, “What do you think Pops? I’m the school’s lonely girl”

Bea’s reputation at Belvoire could not be worse, in a school filled with entitled brats, it was difficult for her to make any friends considering her economic background. She also couldn’t rely on Poppy and her popularity since she couldn’t be within any vicinity of the girl she loves. Bea and Poppy’s friends had a history of not getting along, and since Poppy couldn’t allow the true nature of her relationship with Bea to come to light, Bea had to deal with all sorts of harassment and bullying from them. Bea often had to remind herself that she was only a target because with money comes a lot of entitlement, especially from snobby teenagers. Moreover, the consequences of her mother’s actions also didn’t help Bea as the stories followed her everywhere, causing all sorts of rumours to spread like wildfire. 

Poppy lifted her head slightly to look into Bea’s eyes, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean it like that, I just meant it’s the last year of highschool, that means one last chance for us to win nationals and for you to come on top for volleyball.”

As mentioned beforehand, the extra curricular Bea chose to partake in was volleyball, not only did being part of a winning sports team look good on a college application, it also helped Bea with releasing her pent up anger and dominating her competition. Her favourite thing in particular was the smaller group of cheerleaders, including Poppy, who were at every game after Poppy made a compelling argument to the principle about the importance of raising school spirit in all sport related inquiries. Bea would often steal a glimpse at Poppy, who always came up with extra dance moves and cheers, sending secret messages that she was rooting for her girlfriend. 

“One more year of highschool, do you know what that means Pops?” Bea smiled devilishly at Poppy who returned the smile and leaned her face in, lips ghosting around Bea’s. 

“Why don’t you remind me?”

Bea grabbed the blonde’s waist and stole a quick kiss, “One more year means that next year we’ll both be in New York, and we can finally be together for real”. 

“I can’t wait to live off campus with you, we should start looking at places now so we can get ahead and find a good place sin-” Bea cuts her off with a kiss while Poppy smiles, “I hate when you interrupt me with kisses”

“No you don’t”

“You’re right I don’t, but you better not slack this year Bea Hughes otherwise I’ll beat your ass if you don’t get into Columbia”

“I would never, I’m literally a better student than you babe. I would say you shouldn’t slack either but we all know daddy’s going to help you get into NYU.”

Poppy playfully slaps Bea on the arm who just laughs, “hey, no way in hell am I going to use the Min Sinclair name like that, when” (she made sure to put extra emphasis as she spoke) “I get into NYU it will be because of how amazing and talented I am” 

“Not to mention damn right gorgeous and smart and incredibly flexible”

Poppy moves to straddle Bea, hands on either side of her head and she leans in, “hmm, you think the admission office will be looking at those particular things?” her tone teasing and inviting. 

Bea attempts to move her head up only for Poppy to quickly place her perfectly manicured hand around her neck and push her down, Bea’s eyes flash as her voice pulsates with desire, “well I’ll definitely be looking, for educational reasons of course”

Poppy breaks out into a wide grin as the girls share a passionate kiss, tongues tangled together as they fight for dominance, Bea tries to envelop Poppy’s entire mouth with her kiss but Poppy’s unrelenting perseverance pushes through as she tightens the grip around Bea’s neck, pushing her deeper into the mattress. Bea succumbs to Poppy’s kisses and allows the blonde’s tongue to explore the inside of her mouth, getting lost in the wave of pleasure that emanates from Poppy’s lips. 

After a few more kisses, Bea looks at the digital clock sitting on top of Poppy’s dresser, “damn it’s getting late I should go”

“Wha- it’s barely 10 o’clock”, Poppy pouts as her eyebrows furrow slightly. 

“I know” Bea places a hand on Poppy’s face gently brushing against her cheekbone, “but you need your 8 hours of sleep and I gotta make sure everything is ready for Aria tomorrow”. 

Poppy sighs defeatedly as she knows how important Bea’s half sister is to her, she’s practically an older sister to Aria and is also incredibly protective of her too. “Well tell Aria I said hi”

Bea moves to stand and Poppy grabs her hand, “wait, you didn’t tell me, how’s your mom?”

Bea nonchalantly shrugged and gazed at the floor, “same old, same old, she drinks herself into oblivion not giving a shit about the rest of us” 

Poppy rubbed comforting circles on Bea’s hand, “don’t worry Bea one day it will get better” 

Bea lets out a humourless laugh, “I’ve been saying that for almost 10 years”

She stalks over to the window and lets half of her body hang out ready to reach out to the tree, Poppy moves over and gives Bea one last lingering kiss, “You know you can use the front door, my dad’s not here”

“Yeah I know but it’s always so awkward when I run into Rita at this time because she knows that I’m screwing you”, Bea smiles while Poppy raises an eyebrow

“Screwing me?”

“Sorry I meant making love to you” she gives Poppy a quick kiss 

“Much better, and anyways Rita doesn’t care, she’s been rooting for us this entire time”

“It’s okay, don’t worry P, I’ve been climbing in and out of these windows and over that gate for years, how else do you think I got these muscles”, she flexes her toned arms while Poppy runs a hand over them, “I love you”

“I love you too”, Poppy watches as Bea moves out of the window, gripping the tree and making her descent, “wait” she shouts down, “where did you leave your bike?”

Bea smiles up at her, “I parked it a couple of blocks away from here it’s fine, I’ll text you when I get home” she blows a kiss to Poppy and begins making her way over the gate and into the street which shone bright from the lampposts. Poppy sighs and closes her window and begins getting ready for bed until a knock at her door catches her attention. Rita, her nanny and keeper enters the room and looks at Poppy with a knowing glance, ‘Bea didn’t want to stay for dinner?’ 

Poppy laughs slightly and shakes her head, “no she had to get home to make sure her sister is okay”

Rita leaves a plate with a few cucumber and cheese sandwiches on the dresser, “don’t stay up too late Miss Min Sinclair,” and with that she gives a little wave and leaves the room closing the door behind her. After eating half of her sandwich and going through her extensive nighttime routine, she receives a text from Bea

💖 B

Just got home now 

Love you and goodnight my love

Poppy smiles at her phone and then sets her phone on her dresser, not before putting it on charge, and drifts off to sleep. 

Bea on the other hand was wide awake. When she safely parked her motorbike near her house and texted Poppy as she entered the house. She looked up from her phone into the dark room to see the tv quietly playing while her mother was passed out on the couch with a half drunk bottle of vodka on the table. She moved towards the couch covering her mom with a blanket and then went into her bedroom to check on her sister who was soundly sleeping in her bed. Bea headed into the kitchen took some cold pizza from the fridge and did some last minutes checks to make sure both her and her sister were equipped and ready for school tomorrow. She settled in her bed, her mind racing with thoughts about school and how challenging the first day back will be. 

read part 2: 

#playchoices #queen b #poppy x mc #poppy min sinclair

[maatryoshkaa]

young god | chapter 13

chapters: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | epilogue |

word count: 3.5k

warnings: foul language, implied sexual assault, mentions of trauma and mental illness

description: Yang Jeongin, the only living witness of the Miroh Heights Murders, is finally awake, casting a new shadow of possibilities onto the entire investigation. Han Jisung knows deep down there’s only one place left to go,  and takes his chances with a familiar blond detective -- but they find that where chances are given, lives may be taken away.

watch the trailer here!

13| give and take.

They say when you have a close brush with death, you see your life flash before your eyes.

Jeongin supposed there was some truth to that. One moment he had been squinting at the golden-haired boy in the darkness; the next he had found himself collapsed against the forest floor. The sky had spun above him like a broken kaleidoscope, until the unbearably hot throbbing in his head had finally forced his eyes shut. He had felt the strength seeping from his limbs, like blood being drained from livestock, and had let the numbness wash over him like an icy tidal wave.

That was when Jeongin’s life had flashed behind his closed eyelids — choppy flashes of memories and people’s voices, warped and dizzying. 

“Life in prison?” Jeongin’s own voice sounded tinny in his ears, and his father gave him a sad smile on the other side of the plexiglass. “B-but all you did was—”

“A man lost his life because of me,” his father spoke slowly, eyes steady on Jeongin’s distraught face. Slow, steady, careful. Kind. That was how Jeongin had always known his father — a gentle man who wouldn’t hurt a fly — yet now he was sitting across from him in an inmate’s uniform, handcuffs locked tight around his wrists. 

“But he—he hurt Mum first,” Jeongin whispered, barely able to push the words out of his throat. “He—you said he—”

“He did.” His father’s face had darkened, his normally soft jaw clenched. “I...lost it, and what happened to him was what that bastard deserved — but nothing changes the fact that I...killed him.” He let out a deep, weary sigh, and Jeongin was suddenly struck by how much older his father looked. “He got his punishment for his sins one way, and now I’m paying for mine. It’s as simple as that, my boy.”

The buzzer sounded and the door behind him clicked open, a stone-faced officer stepping into the room as his father stood. “Take good care of your mother, would you?”

“Dad, if—” Jeongin’s shaking voice made his father turn back around. The question was odd, but it had been burning at the back of his mind since the beginning of the visit. “If you—had the chance to go back. Would you still have...done it?”

Silence fell between father and son like a curtain. His father inhaled deeply, raising his eyebrows before meeting his son’s eyes again. “I don’t doubt it,” he finally replied, voice soft. “What could I do? It was for someone I loved.”

From then on, Jeongin’s mother had spent the better years of her life working whatever job she could find, and the two of them lived off minimum wage and money sent by estranged relatives — until the poor woman had finally fallen ill. No one would hire a sickly old woman — especially not one that had been involved in a sexual assault case, all those years ago.

That was why Jeongin worked with four different delivery companies at a time; that was what he could never bring himself to tell Hyunjin or you. Work four jobs, graduate, and make proper money to pay his mother’s hospital bills, to dig himself out of the poverty he’d known his entire life. Yang Jeongin’s one-way, masterplan. Until…

The coma.

He had become almost comfortably numb, like a body submerged in the middle of a pond — yet occasionally, something would pull him above the surface, even if just for a brief moment. A voice, a pressure, a light. It was almost always Hyunjin, the soft-hearted barista talking to him about his day as if Jeongin had simply sat down to chat in Glow Cafe, not rendered immobile and unresponsive by a concussion. Sometimes, though, the older boy would be crying, silent sobs shaking his lean frame until he was so exhausted he’d fall asleep by Jeongin’s side. And Jeongin wanted nothing more than to reach out to reassure him, to pull his friend into a hug, but he couldn’t will his body to move no matter how hard he tried.

Until now.

An incessant high-pitched beeping was growing louder and louder, the tips of his fingers prickling. Jeongin’s heartbeat surged into his temples, pounding against his eardrums like fists demanding entry. The darkness behind his eyelids was shifting, pinpricks of light poking their way in — and like a breath of air had been knocked straight into his lungs, Jeongin felt his entire body lurch forward and his eyes shot open.

For several seconds he could only take deep, gasping breaths, obsessed with just the feeling of it all, vaguely registering the inhaler pressed against his mouth. His eyes were still adjusting, flashes of white light and black stars painting his blurry vision. There were shouts from all around him, a deep rumbling as everything seemed to shake.

It was as if the entire sky was falling above him, he thought vaguely.

He blinked, hard, and his vision finally focused, the incongruous voices and sounds growing clearer. The incessant beeping had been the heart monitor by his cot, keeping in time with his gasping breathing. And the yelling was coming from none other than Hwang Hyunjin, whose dark hazel eyes were wide with disbelief and already brimming with tears of shock.

“J-Jeongin? He’s — he’s awake,” the taller boy nearly tripped getting to his feet, yanking aside the curtains and disappearing from Jeongin’s sight. “He’s awake!”

Jeongin winced, a throbbing pressure beginning to press at his skull. His fingers twitched twice and he flexed them gingerly. Suddenly remembering, his hands weakly scrabbled for his pockets, desperately feeling for a familiar metal box but coming back empty. 

His Walkman was gone.

The deep rumbling passed by him again and he realised it was the sound of carts full of medical equipment speeding across the halls — like there had been yet another emergency. Jeongin could only make out some of what the hospital staff were saying as they rushed past.

“Stab wound to the chest...brought her in...no sight of him.”

Jagged fragments of his memory were coming back to him, the empty feeling in his chest beginning to fill with a sinking sense of dread. The strange boy. A dismembered corpse.

What on earth happened while I was out?

━━━━━━━━ 

Run.

Jisung’s feet slammed into the pavement, puddles splashing cold rainwater onto his bloodstained jeans.

“He’s a runner, that’s what he is.”

His chest was burning, ribs feeling as if they were closing in on his lungs. He could still feel your warm body pressed against his, widened eyes fluttering shut as he could only watch in horror. With strength Jisung didn’t know he had left, he had carried you in his arms and bolted into the alley just as the police had turned into the diner’s back lot. The hospital was only a block away. He had burst into the lobby, nearly collapsing as he shouted for someone, anyone to help — and nearby, stunned doctors had loaded you onto an empty gurney before whisking you into the emergency room. Once they returned, Jisung was long gone.

“You ran away from her, too, yeah?”

The gang’s taunting voices echoed in his head, the sky rumbling above him — just like how his father’s voice had always rumbled, shaking the thin walls of his childhood home. And now, Jisung was ten years old all over again, clutching his camcorder in his bloodstained hands.

There had been a fine layer of dust coating the dented metal when Jisung had seized it from his dorm closet. Just touching the metal made his hands slippery with cold sweat, but he forced himself to grip it harder, counting the memory cards before he took off. Running, one last time.

“Try running now, Han.”

He wasn’t running away.

If he wanted to reverse the horrible things he’d done, there was only one place left to go.

“Han Jisung, always running away.”

“Not this time,” Jisung breathed through gritted teeth, almost welcoming the way the falling rain burned at his eyes and nostrils. “Not anymore.”

━━━━━━━━

Bang Chan didn’t realize how long he had been pacing the room until his feet began to ache in protest.

The detective hadn’t left the police precinct since Woojin had called him over, the pair pulling out files and chasing leads from dawn till dusk. Kim Seungmin had popped in for several hours before he had been called back to the law office. The moon had come and gone, until telltale sirens sounded not long after noon, and Woojin was called onto the scene of yet another emergency.

Another hour or so had passed since then, and Chan was replaying the same conversation with the police chief over and over in his head.

“I didn’t want to believe it, Chan, but from the beginning I had this—this feeling—”

“A hunch,” Chan finished, and when the police chief looked hesitant, Chan continued, “is almost always based on something more concrete, whether you know it or not. Something familiar, or strange. We’ve hit all the dead ends; a hunch is one of the better things we can hope for right now.”

Woojin exhaled, then spoke slowly. “The victims’ backgrounds, how they’ve all had pasts connected to abuse, or adultery. Not to mention the modus operandi that stood out the most — you remember the fire, and numerous counts of brute force.”

“I thought something was familiar, too,” Seungmin had interjected, his brow furrowing. “I studied this...case back in law school — a shotgun marriage, their young son growing up in an abusive household, until one day —”

“The house went up in flames,” Woojin finished, nodding. “It’s the same case, the most infamous amongst domestic abuse cases in Miroh Heights. The names were withheld for privacy reasons. Though the case was closed over a decade ago...the accuracy of the final verdict, and the true events that transpired that night, are still unknown.”

“Victims of cold cases often reappear as suspicious persons,” Chan muttered. “It’s a reach, but if you look at the similarities...”

“We’ve been blindsided this entire time,” Seungmin said slowly, his fingers raking through his hair. “Not a substance abuser, quite possibly not a cold-blooded killer.” He looked up at Woojin, whose brow was furrowed in deep thought. “So if your hunch is correct, then—”

“This is the aftereffect of a cold domestic violence case from over a decade ago,” the young police chief said firmly, eyes flickering up to Chan. “And we can’t afford to let it slip away again.”

Something had been pricking at the back of the detective’s head since Woojin had begun talking — no, far before he had even arrived at the police station. Chan had always been known for having a quick mind; it was one of the things that separated him from other, more mediocre detectives in his field — but this time, something was blocking him from reaching the final conclusion. He didn’t lack evidence; there were no flaws in his logic. It was the horrible feeling of familiarity that made him choke, that forced him to hesitate. Because he knew this case, he had seen it before.

“And it’s not a reach, Detective,” Woojin continued, voice gentle but eyes firm. “Because I believe you know the story yourself.”

Seungmin turned towards Chan, eyes questioning. The detective shook his empty coffee cup in his hands, eyes skirting over the countless case files and papers they had been sifting through for hours.

“The perpetrator is—”

A blond boy burst into the dimly lit room, breathing so hard Chan thought he was about to have a stroke. It didn’t take longer than a second for the detective to recognise him.

“Han Jisung,” Chan finished the flashback aloud, the name hanging in the tense air. His eyes scanned the shaking boy from head to toe, a cold feeling running down his spine. He wasn’t even trying to hide the blood soaking his clothes and skin, Chan thought numbly. This was his friend, someone he’d always looked at like a little brother—but he had seen, solved too many of these cases not to recognise the stricken look on Jisung’s pale face.

This was the shell of a man who had just lost everything.

“What brings you here?” Chan asked, watching him carefully. The same tousled golden hair, he noted, pushing down a pang in his chest; the same boyish round cheeks, although there was a smattering of bruises and cuts across them now. 

“You told me I—I could talk to you or Woojin. Anytime.” Jisung’s voice faltered, wiping at his face as if to clear away some of the muck, but the dried blood on his palms only smeared more across his jaw. He looked like a lost dog, a stray that had turned up on the nearest warm doorstep and was watching him with almost apologetic, apprehensive eyes.

Chan set down his notebook, nodding slowly. “That I did,” he finally replied, glancing back up at the younger boy before pulling out two chairs. “Woojin got called to a scene, though. You okay if I listen for now?”

Jisung felt a flood of indescribable emotions wash over him. The same twist in his gut he had felt back at the 3rd Eye, when the Chan had pulled him close and asked if he was okay. 

I’ll listen. 

That was more than anyone had ever offered him since the incident thirteen years ago. The therapists, the police, the social workers — all they had ever wanted was for him to listen to them, to heed their advice and bury his past behind him.

Other than you, of course. The memory of your fading eyes burning into his own shook him back to the present. 

“I think you know, Chan,” Jisung said softly, marking the way the detective was warily scanning the blood covering him from head to toe; the dishevelled look Jisung must have had on his face.

“I have a hunch,” was the detective’s reply. He sounded as if he were repeating someone else’s words, but his voice was steady as it had ever been. “But you’re going to need to help me on this one, kiddo.”

Jisung met the older boy’s eyes — Chan’s always tired but unfailingly kind eyes, always willing to give the benefit of the doubt. Maybe that was what made him such a meticulous detective, respected by criminals and citizens alike — never jumping to conclusions, always seeing a problem out till the end. The detective’s gaze dropped to the silver camcorder in Jisung’s hands. 

“You used to carry that around everywhere you went, I remember. Never showed anyone what you’d film, though.”

“Do you have...anything that can play memory cards?” Jisung swallowed a painful lump in his throat. “I need to—show you. Now.”

Wordlessly, Chan moved his laptop over on the table, and made the younger boy take a seat next to him.

Jisung had always thought his past was something to be kept buried — below the ashes of his childhood home, or six feet under his mother’s grave, or bottled deep within his chest. That no one would ever truly know — would want to know — what had happened that day, let alone what had been happening for the years leading up to that day. And yet, for the second time in two days, he was sat next to someone who, to his surprise, didn’t make him want to run. Someone he was willing to take the risk of revealing the darkest parts of himself with. 

For the next hour, Chan watched the footage in silence, from the very first Christmas to the day Jisung’s father’s mistress had pressed burning cigarettes into his bare skin. From the fateful day their entire home was brought to the ground with alcohol and fire at the hands of a ten year old boy, and to the choppy records from the years that followed. Jisung had taped his encounters with the incompetent officers and dismissive social workers at the police station, and the mandatory therapy sessions they had subjected him to. He had taped the kidnapping, and his years at the children’s home with Minho. 

He had not taped any of the killings.

Chan sat through it all, reliving Jisung’s nightmares the way the younger boy had every night for the past thirteen years, an ugly childhood told through the fisheye lens of an old camcorder. By the time the last tape had finished, the detective had not moved, but Jisung knew him well enough to catch the tension in his jaw, the shaken look in his normally bright eyes. 

“You were the cold case,” Chan finally said, a long exhale leaving his now-dry lips. “From thirteen years ago. The one they couldn’t solve, and swept under the rug.”

Jisung didn’t respond, too busy forcing every inch of his body to remain still — to not stand and sprint out of the room, out of the police station he had been avoiding his entire life.

“Why are you telling me this?” The detective asked, turning his body to face the younger boy.

“Because I—I killed—all those people,” Jisung wove his hand towards the files Chan had splayed onto the desk, the headshots of victims lying at the very top. The words were heavier than weights in his mouth, and and the truth of it all tasted more bitter than poison. “And then I—I couldn’t stop. I sound insane, I know I do. I know I p-probably am. They were—flashes at first. Triggers, seizures that went too far. And soon it became like--like an impulse, until I started blacking out completely—” Jisung’s breathing caught up to him and he choked, but he managed to force the last words out. “And today, I...hurt...y/n.” He saw the alarm flash across Chan’s eyes. “The last person who made me hope...made me want to hope that life was worth living, after all.”

He sounded insane.

He sounded like a serial killer trying to make excuses for something inexcusable.

He sounded like a monster.

“You sound like you’ve been through a lot.” Chan’s voice made Jisung look up from his shoes. The soft look in his eyes was back, and though a bit of the blood had drained from his face, the warmth in his voice had never left. “Thank you. For telling me.”

That was the final blow.

“S-stop. Don’t—say that,” Jisung could feel his voice breaking, the tears burning at his throat. “Chan, you have to turn me in, make them give me the death penalty, I-I—”

“Han Jisung.” The detective’s voice was stern, his normally gentle eyes narrowed. “You turned yourself in. The case from thirteen years ago needs to be reopened, and all the factors reinvestigated to be fairly taken into account. You do not deserve the death penalty.”

Jisung was shaking his head numbly, lips unable to form protests as the detective continued, a blazing look in his eyes Jisung had never seen before. “You’re not gonna be a martyr now, you hear? Han Jisung, you’ve been hurt by everyone else your whole damn life. I’m not about to let you hurt yourself.”

There it was again. That feeling of unfamiliar warmth aching deep in his chest, like an old bruise being pressed into. Before Jisung could speak, a slow, sarcastic clapping echoing through the room made both of them raise their heads and turn in alarm.

Prosecutor Kang pushed the door aside, eyebrows raised in amusement and mock sympathy. 

“What are—you can’t—” Chan leapt up from his seat, but Kang only looked more amused as he looked over his shoulder at the open doorway, where a huddle of prosecutors and police officers alike were gathered with expressions of horror. Seungmin was among them, his face white.

“You all heard him, didn’t you? Detain the murderer.” Kang smiled triumphantly as the officers surrounded Jisung, seizing his arms so roughly he felt like they were being pulled from their sockets. 

Chan looked livid, eyes darting wildly between the officers and Prosecutor Kang. “Let him go. Keep him in the precinct until Woojin comes back, Kang,” he protested, but the older prosecutor only sneered.

“Detective Bang, aren’t you overstepping your boundaries? Wait for Kim Woojin? Don’t forget—” Kang took a step closer to Chan, eyes narrowing. “Personal relations with the perpetrator cannot participate in the investigation.”

Chan felt his gut twist, scanning the whitened expressions on the surrounding staff’s faces. How much had they seen, overheard? Kang watched the detective’s eyes flicker momentarily, and laughed.

“Besides,” he continued, “I’d say it’s time the prosecution did its part.” He shot a meaningful glance at Seungmin, who had been glaring between Jisung, Chan, and Kang with his fists clenched. Kang clicked his tongue, sighing. “Kim Seungmin, Kim Seungmin — I can’t believe I have to do your dirty work.”

Chan’s mind was reeling, all options coming back blank. This was the District 9 Precinct, and as a homicidal detective, he had no power over Woojin’s men. In fact, after what Kang had said, Chan wasn’t even sure if Woojin had power over Woojin’s men anymore. You fucked up, Bang. You fucked up bad.

Chan risked a glance at Jisung’s face and immediately regretted it. What he saw had no traces of anger, no more hate, no signs of struggle. His eyes were wide and dark, as if the boy had shut down completely. Kang scoffed at the detective’s sudden silence, turning on his heel and motioning towards the officers. 

Chan could only watch helplessly as Jisung was dragged out of the room like a limp doll, his once-rounded cheeks still shining with blood and fresh tears.

#han jisung #stray kids #skz #stray kids series #bang chan #kim woojin #kim seungmin #seo changbin #lee felix #lee know #lee minho #yang jeongin #hwang hyunjin #stray kids boyfriend #stray kids yandere #stray kids au #stray kids angst #stray kids imagine #stray kids imagines #han jisung imagines #han jisung angst #han jisung yandere #han jisung boyfriend #serial killer!AU #han jisung au #maatryoshkaa

[minniethemoocherda]

20 First Lines (Tag Game)

Thank you for the tag @roninreverie ! Go check out their 20 lines: right here!

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories.  See if there are any patterns. Then tag more of your mutual authors!

1. Petals of Love (RWBY)

Ren jumped off the ship after Jaune and Yang.

2. Three Sentences (Rainbow High)

There were three words on the tips of Jade's lips, but Bella was gone before she had the chance to let them out.

3. Desperate (BBC Ghosts)

“I say havers”

4. Some People Just Want to Watch the World Burn (RWBY)

“He said that there will be no world order”

5. How To Breathe (RWBY)

Qrow stumbled as he was herded down the empty corridors of Atlas Academy, that only yesterday was filled with students and laughter as they raced out on missions that were nothing like they were about to face.

6. How To be A Family (Ducktales)

Despite is being one o’clock in the morning, Drake was currently at the glowing computer screen on his lap.

7. Honour (BBC Ghosts)

Despite it being the middle of Summer, it was already dark by evening, as though even the Sun knew what darkness had come upon this day.

8. Truth (Miraculous Ladybug)

“Marinette!”

9. Smartest of the Smarties (Ducktales)

It was a few hours after his realisation that his brothers found him, buried under the blankets of his top bunk in their old room on the houseboat.

10. To Take Responsibility (Ducktales)

Huey didn’t think much about their first Junior Woodchuck meeting as they were dropped off, other than it being free and at the same time as their Uncle Donald’s second job.

11. 'Yay we survived a moon invasion/ your dad's old school friend who was presumed dead for the past ten years is actually alive party!' (Ducktales/A Goofy Movie)

Max stared up at the large oak doors of McDuck manor,

12. When Will My Life Begin? (She-ra)

Hordak groaned as his consciousness came back to him, the back his head banging.

13. The General’s Orders (Star Wars)

“Alexsandr Kallus reporting to initiation sir.”

14. The Best Day of his Life (Star Wars)

Commander Ponds treaded quietly towards his general.

15. The Child, The Warrior and The Fool (Star Wars)

Zeb trudged through the mud that smothered the planet’s surface.

16. Will You Marry Me? (Star Wars)

“Kal?”

17. Anniversary (RWBY)

Qrow grasped the bag of donuts tightly in his hand as he opened the precinct door, a smile that would have once been rare on his face.

18. Babysitters (Star Wars)

Waxer wasn't sure what he expected when he heard frantic knocking on the door, but it certainly wasn't to find his older brother standing there with his one year old daughter in his arms.

19. Maybe (Star Wars)

In the chaos it was hard to see Cham amongst the crowd.

20. Limbs (Star Wars)

Kallus awoke with a gasp.

Not really sure what this shows that my first lines have in common except that i need to write better first lines! I’m tagging @sirloozelite @ilovecatsandbaking

#tagged post #roninreverie #tagged #star wars #rwby #kalluzeb #ducktales #a goofy movie #bbc ghosts #havers #william havers #the captain #kallus #blyla #fair game #qrow #clover ebi #star wars rebels

[onioncourt1]

Harbor Cruises - Site Seeing Of Your Water

What is special about the location of the HARBOR CITY NOVALAND project? 2016 was a hot year for the real estate market, a series of large-scale projects were launched in many provinces and cities across the country, including Ho Chi Minh City. Understanding the market demand, Novaland - a famous real estate corporation has launched the Harbor City project with the expectation of building it into a complex of residential areas, townhouses, villas and shopping areas at the southernmost point. HCMC. Natural green space. Harbor City Novaland converges many factors that attract customers and real estate investors such as outstanding modern design, diverse public facilities, and reasonable prices. However, one of the project's features cannot fail to mention the prime location, the most ideal in the southwest of the city, helping Novaland project become a prime location with long-term investment prospects. The following are some special features in choosing the location of the new Harbor City project. Where is the Harbor City Novaland project located? Harbor City urban area invested by Novaland Real Estate Group is located in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City, with a total area of ??more than 50 hectares, close to Phuc Dinh port. This is one of the city's leading complexes and offers a lot of potential for real estate development. The detailed location of Harbor City Novaland is Ho Hoc Lam Street, District 8, District 16, which is one of the fastest growing areas in the city today. At the same time, this is also one of the important traffic bottlenecks in the busy port of Fude. Novaland Harbor City is bordered to the North by EHome 3 urban area and National Highway 11 of Nanlong, to the South by Ben Luc River, to the West by current residential areas, to the East by Ring Road 2 and a number of residential areas. . Other residents are in that area. As can be seen, the urban area project is located in a prime area surrounded by District 8, District 7, Binh Tan, Binh Chanh, many smooth traffic routes. Ho Chi Minh today. What's so special about the location of Harbor City New Urban Area? Harbor City project includes commercial townhouses, garden townhouses, garden villas and duplex villas that fully converge the modern and comfortable elements of a micro city, as well as the prime location of the project. judgment. With the motto of lighting up the port city, the port city of Novaland promises to bring the dream of modern life, amenities filled with natural space, as well as a convenient construction location in all aspects. - Recently viewed, because the project is located in the central area of ??Phu Dinh port and close to many other areas of the city such as District 7, Pingxin District, Pyeongchang District or District 5. This brings convenience in shopping. moving to other parts of the city for work, study or recreation. From Harbor City, it only takes 3 to 5 minutes to go to convenient shopping centers, and 10 to 15 minutes to go to Coopmart Community Market, Big C An Lac Shopping Center, AEON Shopping Center, Binh Tan Hospital, Binh Tan Bus Station , People's Committees of Metro Binh Phu and Binh Tan districts or adjacent to the international school system. In addition, from the coastal city of Novaland, families can quickly move to the city's leading tourist and entertainment areas such as Tansen Tourist Area, Xincang, Ansheng Bridge or Pingguo. Harbor City promises to bring an ideal living space, convenient location and a system of modern and advanced public utilities for residents living in the urban area. Nhi is near Giang, close to the Saigon River, Ben Luc section, providing an ideal living space for residents of the harbor city, blending with the natural landscape and beautiful scenery. In addition, the location close to the river also helps to regulate the climate of the new harbor city, and at the same time can enjoy the river view from the window or balcony of the villa, family townhouse, adding poetry to the city. life of urban dwellers. - These three routes are close to the highway, because the port city area is close to important roads and the main traffic planning project of HCMC, which helps to quickly connect other roads and areas vicinity. In particular, rapid bus route No. 1 (Saigon BRT) helps inner-city people move quickly through districts 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 as well as Binh Chanh and Binh Tan districts. This road is currently under construction, in the near future will become one of the main traffic axes of the city to help reduce travel time in the inner city. In addition, in the urban development planning, a series of roads and other important transport infrastructure can be invested in the new city project Harbor City. Novaland Group officially opened for sale the seaport urban area, townhouses and villas, Fude Port District 8 It can be seen that the Harbor City project is one of the most potential complex urban projects of Novaland Group, located in a prime location in the southwest of the city and very special. This place is expected to be an ideal and wonderful living space for families, with a panoramic view of the port city, with high-class facilities and a comfortable living environment. Near the tower are both of the sports stadiums. Oriole Park at Camden Yards was the first of the newly built "old fashioned' baseball parks in u . s .. Set just behind the Camden Station and Eutaw Street, the ballpark itself is a gem. But the Orioles have fallen short for greater than a decade, the ballpark remains popular among local fans and web page visitors. If you are in town during the baseball season, be sure to catch a personal game. Getting tickets to see a Ravens football is tougher than Orioles tickets, but worth your time. M&T Bank Stadium is proper next to Oriole Park and makes agreat place to enjoy a hard-hitting football game title. Outdoor wedding venues can also be urban and contemporary day. There are some fantastic rooftop decks and gardens that foods high in protein find, this is great for smaller weddings. You can have a powerful city view as the setting for your ceremony and reception. A rooftop setting would be particularly romantic for an evening wedding day of observance. The twinkling cityscape are a perfect backdrop like a pair of city lovers say their "I dos". Vancouver city administration is working enthusiastically on picture Green In order to make Vancouver the greenest city among the world by 2020. End result the warming currents on the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver Island region's weather conditions are quite mild and moderate which causes it to the ideal place to visit any time of the year. Staten Island Ferry- Spouse closer look at the The big harbor as well as the Statue of Liberty, utilize the Staten Ferry from Manhattan to Staten Harbour City Place. Harbor City Novaland Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial - I can't help but recommend this however many visitors won't have the opportunity to notice it. You must see this historic site marking the sneak attack by the japanese on America in The second world war. This is often a must see; A beautiful memorial individuals heroes we lost during that fight. USS Arizona is really a battleship used during that battle. My tip, plan this day in advance and get the tix the world wide web. There will most definitely be a line when you show high. Don't procrastinate, it'll book up on you and your getaway will be over. I have heard this from men and women. Don't visit Hawaii and miss this. And whenever you get tix, be along early. Take brand new York City Harbor Lights Cruise and laze around in the glow with the setting heat of the sun. Enjoy an informative and entertaining tour commentary with your co-mates, sip your much-loved drink Novaland observe the sun setting and also the moon improving. You'll love to see the glittering skyline views of Manhattan. This can be a best technique admire the good thing about the Ny city and admire the landmarks which necessary stunning view when lit up at evening hours. Eventually, the engines do come back to our life. No reason is ever given why they stopped and although each each passenger inquires why, the captain only smiles and shrugs.

#Harbour City

[weeklyfangirl]

Frat Boy Pt. 17

https://weeklyfangirl.tumblr.com/post/188826127780/frat-boy-pt-18https://weeklyfangirl.tumblr.com/post/188826127780/frat-boy-pt-18part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7 (1), part 7 (2), part 8, part 9, part 10, part 11, part 12, part 13 , part 14, part 15, part 16

hi loves, s’been a while :) I’ve been working harder on the frat boy world than you know! 

I had the nightmare again. 

I woke up washed in relief that bodiless entities weren’t hanging over my head- but before the perturbed feeling completely vanished, it snapped back like a rubber band, stinging me harder. 

 The nightmare had gone further this time. 

 The gray crusting wallpaper was, at least, the same. There was a paper house, falling apart as it peeled, and me, trying to outrun the collapse and the ominous beings down its empty corridors. The Watchers, I’d decided to call them, came closer this time as if emboldened by my subconscious inability to dispel them. They’d survived my past dreams, growing stronger with it. And the all-encompassing dread that filled my body sprung each weighted step forward. 

 But before, I hadn’t known what I was running towards. 

 This time, my dream-self knew. There was someone beyond the wall whose animalistic cries weren’t just for anyone. They were for me. I needed to reach them. 

 I ran to the door, just barely ahead of the Watchers. It was barely open, a slight crack to a dark room - but still, it was open. I could kick it further and with a satisfying swoosh, I’d see what - or who - lay beyond it. I could reach them then. 

 It should’ve opened. 

 But it didn’t budge. 

 With impossible dream-logic, it was locked a stubborn two inches ajar. Hopelessly, I tried wedging my body through the opening. A dark shadow appeared at the end of the hall, drawing closer, closer. Slowly, though. It knew I had nowhere left to run. 

 My motions grew frantic, scraping myself against the door as I tried to jam my body further inside. The darkness expanded, trembled, delighted its prey was so easily trapped. 

 There was a flash of the knife from the shadows, the cries grew louder. But I couldn’t reach it, I couldn’t reach him. 

 Darkness stabbed me.

 I woke up drenched in my own sweat. 

 The ghost of the sliding metal lodging between my skin felt hot. My fingers trailed along the dry skin, just below my ribcage, almost certain I’d find a bleeding gouge. Typically, didn’t people wake up before feeling pain?

 --------------

 Dull thuds filled the room. I blurred my vision, imagining the swinging mass to be the thing of my twisted imagination. I socked the punching bag until I felt my fingers were going to fall off. Which was about two minutes. 

 “YOU’RE ALL DOING GREAT! ALMOST DONE GUYS, YOU’RE GETTING STRONGER... besides Y/N!” 

 It was true. My arms were weak noodles. It didn’t stop me from scowling when Renny jogged over in tip-top cheer captain shape. “Come on! Let’s go!! You were doing great!!!” 

 She’d harassed me into coming to the gym tonight screaming “if you don’t show up, I swear I’m going to drag you with me.” Nobody can say she wasn’t true to her word. She’d subbed in for the usual kickboxing teacher, and honestly, she was a natural. A true prodigy. Give a girl a pair of Lulu Lemons and a kickboxing class and she’d… kick its ass? 

 “It’s a free form of therapy eh?” she reasoned, squatting while she spoke. 

 I scowled deeper, hitting the bag weaker than before. 

 “I’m tired,” I managed to moan. So. Incredibly Tired. 

 “Okay I hate to do this, but…” She paused, making sure I’d hear whatever she’d say next. “Think of you-know-whose face.” 

 By sheer Dwayne-The-Rock-Johnson-level will power, I threw my weight against the bag. 

 “There you go!!!” she encouraged, jogging back to the front. 

 I did it once more, in good faith. But my efforts were short-lived and I stopped, breathless, as soon as she was distracted. A droplet of sweat ran down my cupid’s bow. I tasted salt. Anger. Frustration at how weak I was. How helpless I seemed to be. 

 Where was the legendary endorphin high I’ve been promised all these years???! I turned out to be a sweaty sasquatch of a human being, collapsing on the floor as Renny picked up the abandoned towels around me. 

 “You are so dead,” she chuckled. 

 I half-huffed, half-laughed, wholly aware that her statement wasn’t a complete stretch.  

 “So it worked, huh?” Renny asked, driving us out to the free parking lot across the street. Three cop cars whizzed by. No sirens. Non-emergency. 

 “What worked?” 

 “Picturing Harry’s face.” 

 “It wasn’t Harry’s face I was picturing.” 

 “Oh?” 

 She waved her hand to the car waiting to turn in front of us. “Hello? Let’s go fucker!!! Ugh, stupid bitch.” The car moved, begrudgingly, and Renny bee-lined it for the lot. Her tone turned from deadly to friendly in a flip of a switch. “Also, you know there’s a parking garage next to the gym, right?” 

 “Oh, really?” I feigned ignorance. I knew there was a parking garage next to the gym. I just couldn’t afford to pay.

 “Yeah.” We idled at the entrance, and I realized I hadn’t told her where my car is. “Wait, so who were you picturing if it wasn’t Harry?”

 “You know in my nightmares there’s this… dark figure?”

 Her face fell. “Oh my God, you’re still having those?” 

 No matter how much I considered Renny the sister I never had nor asked for, I couldn’t help but feel an odd distance. It was a distance that’d been building over the past weeks, and one that I’d been ignoring, but now, the task seemed impossible. I shrugged, not sure how to explain the unexplainable. I’d dizzied myself all morning trying to figure out what my dreams meant. But in the end, I was too tired. Too tired, too tired, too tired.

 “I’m telling you dude, you should seriously try therapy. I did it after my parents split. Best thing I ever did. It’s something that’s... ugh, it’s stigmatized you know? Therapy is healthy.” 

 “Just like hating yourself in the gym for two hours?” 

 “IT’S HEALTHY!” she shouted at me for the tenth time that evening. I cracked a smile so she knew I didn’t hate it completely. 

 A notification blipped on her phone. She smiled, typing a reply. “Want to hang out with me and Niall tonight?” 

 I half-smiled even though she wasn’t looking at me. 

 “I can’t, I have dinner.” 

 “Oh shit that’s tonight?” She looked up, brows raising. The clock on her dash said 6:48pm - I was definitely late. “Fuck dude, good luck. Tell me how it goes.”

 “I will,” I said. The bluetooth in her car suddenly screeched Timberlake’s “Sexy Back.” We jolted, hands covering our ears as she rushed to turn it down. Her phone glowed - incoming call from Niall - and she looked at me in question. I nodded.

 “Heyyyy boy,” she drawled. 

 His laughter on the other line made me smile. It was crackly through the speakers, somehow making it even more likeable. “Hey beautiful. Where you at?” 

 I got out absentmindedly, closing the door behind me. Her car idled, waiting as I pointed to my car just a stone’s throw away. Nodding, she suddenly laughed at something funny I couldn’t hear. 

 I dug for my keys and slid in the driver’s seat- but my hand paused on the ignition. What in the hell?? My dash was black. Completely black. 

 Did somebody throw a blanket?? Was there a homeless person who’d decided to rest their stuff atop my car? 

 I got out, completely confused, looking at my dashboard covered in a thick liquid. Paint?

 I smeared a finger through it, trembling, a familiar scent, a sick consistency running between my fingers. Knowledge fought against logic just as I caught the tail-end of Renny’s VW disappearing around the corner. 

 There were maybe four other cars in the otherwise deserted lot, dark houses lining the perimeter across the street. The world spun. Saliva bubbled up. Yellow fluorescent street lamps lit my surroundings, but the hue it cast was sinister. I was alone, they told me. Nobody else could see me. 

 Breathe.

 Breathe. 

 The nausea that ran through me at the sudden knowledge of what I’d touched made me convulse. 

 “STOP IT!” I cried, to whoever could hear. “JUST STOP IT RIGHT NOW, YOU FUCKS.” 

 I hurried into the car, locking the doors. My fingers were still wet as I ran the windshield wipers. They weren’t going fast enough. It spread, making it worse. Air vents blew metal. 

 I didn’t care. The tires squealed as I tore out, sticking my head out the window to see. My car swerved on the road as I involuntarily twitched. The blood was drying on my hands. I just needed to leave. We needed to leave. 

 My nightmares no longer lived in the confines of imagination.

 -----

 I called Renny first. It went to voicemail.

 A man exited the convenience store, eyeing me curiously as he went back in his truck. Renny texted -

 With Niall bb. Call you later 

 Fuck. 

 Fuck fuck fuck fuck.

 Fuck fuck FUCK.  

 I didn’t think when I dialled. I didn’t notice my hands were shaking until my phone knocked into my cheek. 

 The dial tone blared in the air. Voicemail. If I was going to die at least one person should know about it.

 I forgot to speak for a moment. “Oh, hi. Harry, uh… they found me. There’s b” - I covered my mouth. Bile rose in my throat. - “...there’s blood all over my car. I’m at the gas station off PCH and Harbor. But you didn’t answer so… never mind. I’ll be fine. I’m fine- fuck.”

 I hung up. The free windshield squeegee they had stationed at each gas pump was the only option. And their murky water were about to get a lot thicker. My dad used to do it all the time for my mom, just like my grandpa always got my grandma gas. Old school chivalry. Father would do it for me now. He’d take care of this. A part of me wanted to call him, but another part didn’t know how in the hell I would explain this. He was busy. Probably already eating with the rest of them or waiting for me. Oh, that’d be awkward. There wasn’t time. 

 I scrubbed with all my weight, pretending the blood wasn’t blood at all. It was thick paint. I just wouldn’t breathe. I wasn’t breathing.

 The squeegee smeared it to a dull red now, the stains lessened but still very much there. 

 My phone rang before I could try scrubbing the other side. 

 “Are you hurt?” the familiar gruff voice asked. Just hearing his voice slightly calmed the mania. 

 “Hi,” I whispered. Why was I whispering? How did I even begin to explain- “Fuck.” 

 Wow, I was eloquent.

 “Y/N, answer the question,” he rushed. 

 “I’m fine. I’m not hurt,” I stammered. “I’m fine.” 

 “Stay where you are.” 

 “I’m sorry, I tried calling Renny but she didn’t answer and now I’m late-”  

 “Just stay where you are. Keep to the lighted area. I’ll be there in ten.” 

 It was less than ten before the grumbling of a motorcycle grew louder, peeling around the corner. It slowed at the entrance, but its rider saw me and the engine roared, only stopping ‘til the sleek machine was propped next to my car. 

 He hopped off with ease, muttering something incomprehensible.

 “I can’t hear you,” I said. 

 He pulled off his helmet, irritated that it didn’t come off easier. Curls in disarray made the worry etched across his face all the more soft. Each time, I forgot how beautiful he was, and the sight of his tall body rushing towards me hit me straight in my unsettled gut. 

 “I’m sorry.” He pulled me in for a hug. “I’m so sorry.” 

 His body held me tight, an influx of Harry and warmth and protection embodied in the steadfastness of his grip covered every inch of me. If I wasn’t so shocked, I would’ve hugged him back.

 I breathed. For a second, the slow electric buzz spreading down my spine was all I could sense. “Y/N,” he breathed. For a second, I didn’t think about why he was holding me. Nothing else processed. 

 He held on a moment longer than I thought he would. His gaze passed me to the car. He was so tall in comparison to it, he didn’t even need to walk around to see the mess.  

 “Fuck.” His words echoed mine from earlier, and he ran a hand down his face. He shook his head, for once, speechless.

 “I’m okay,” I offered.

 He shook his head, backing up only a step. He took my buzz with it. “This isn’t okay, Y/N. I didn’t think they’d do this again.” But the last bit was spoken to himself. His eyes filled with something treacherous, a darkness I’d only caught fractions of before suddenly bore itself to me tenfold. The muscles beneath his black sweater tensed as everything about him tightened. 

 “Again?” I squeaked.

 “It’s pigs blood. An outdated scare tactic.” The obvious came out sharp between gritted teeth. 

 “Well it worked.” 

 His glare locked on me, and I tried not to flinch. He bat his eyes, lessening the sting, and I watched as he tried to return to the present. “You said you were going to be late.” He was trying his best to sound casual, but I heard the strain in his voice. He caught a glimpse of my car and I saw the darkness begin to return before he turned his back to me. 

 “I’m beyond late.”

 He walked to the motorcycle, and I watched as he swung his leg and kicked the stand up in one fluid motion. 

 “Hop on then,” he said, urging me forward with a toss of his head. I walked forward cautiously. 

 “But-”

 “I’ll move your car later tonight.”

 “-I don’t have a helmet.” 

 A ghost of a smile traced his lips. He handed me his helmet. “Don’t fall.” 

 We rolled down PCH, the harbor on one side, the hills on the other. Our coastal city looked different at night. More peaceful. The glitz and the glam more subdued, the orange hues of street lamps shining in a mirrored reflection of the deep blue waters surrounding us. Everything was more approachable and tranquil with everyone tucked away into their homes by 9 PM. 

 Which made it all the more unbelievable that I’d just abandoned my blood-stained car at a gas station.

 He stalled as we crossed the bridge over our beach town’s harbor, and I tugged his jacket to the right - the system we’d established of how I’d give directions. 

 Harry turned his head, the sharp planes of his face stunningly close with how tightly my arms were wrapped around him. Every so often, he’d let an arm fall to rest against mine, letting it warm my own and fastening it tighter around him before we took off again.

 I nodded. He turned. Cruising down Bay View Drive, we passed megamansions of all varieties - tropical Tommy Bahama gated villas with imported plants, Grecian marble fortresses with columns and underground garages. The steep hill to our left held the flower street homes atop them. I rested my head on Harry’s back, wondering what he must be thinking. The girl who always shuns me about money lives here? A nice neighborhood? She clearly doesn’t have the right- 

 He paused at a fork in the road. I tugged his jacket left and we reached the top of Petunia Park’s hill, the entrance to the flower streets. Just above Bay View Drive and the megamansions that were on the water, we were now surrounded by quaint $2 million two-story homes. He paused, the engine rumbling, gently quaking our bodies. 

 I lifted my helmet just enough. “I’m on Carnation.” 

 He remained still, looking out. From the hill, we could see the harbor and the peninsula creating its barrier from the ocean. The houses were twinkling safehouses against the abyss of black horizon. Our little seaside community. In another life, there weren’t as many lights. Traders and fishermen lived in simple homes with simple lives and returned from the sea to sit down at their modest table to have a simple meal and to be simply… happy. If I squinted, I could almost pretend this were something different. That we were in a different time. Time.

 “Harry, I’m late,” I said, as gently as I could. 

 His gaze tore, ripped from reverie. Without saying a word, he adjusted my hands tighter around his waist. Further up the street until there was no view of the ocean, smaller cottages were sprinkled in between the contemporary beach homes. I pulled his jacket hard and he stopped before an earthy gold Provence-inspired home - quaint blue shutters and balconies overlooked an impressive rose garden. 

 I hopped off, handing him his helmet. 

 “S’this it?” 

 “No.” Next door, I walked to the dark-shingled home half its size. I took a deep breath, salty air and dried grass hit my nose. The scent of my childhood. I smiled. “You don’t have to come in. Thank you so much for picking me up-” But when I turned around he was already walking past me, hand reaching back to tug me forward. 

 “Woah, Harry-” I dug in my heels.

 “I’m not inviting myself. Just let me walk you to the door.” 

 Voices drifted to us from the kitchen, the windows probably open. His black BMW was there in the driveway. It blended with the other cars on the street, but to me it looked strange. I’d never get used to it here. I looked to the boy whose black ensemble blended with the night, but whose tall stature made him rise above it.  

 “Okay,” I huffed, because the way Harry’s body was cemented to the ground, I knew that even if I’d said no, he'd walk with me anyway.

 Three knocks was all it took for chairs to scrape along the floor. 

 An excited “She’s here!!” came from beyond the door. 

 “Well thank God, I would’ve eaten the last steaks.” 

 My mom’s eyes brightened as soon as she opened the door - then confusion, then recognition to the boy stood beside me. 

 “You brought your friend.” Her smile grew warmer, opening up her arms. “It’s so nice to meet you.” 

 If the BMW in the driveway was a bizarre sight. This, this right here, topped it all. Harry dwarfed my mom, but he effortlessly leant down, letting her scoop him up. 

 Over his back she mouthed - Nice, then winked.

 “Where have you been? Dad tried calling a thousand times.

 “We were…”

 “At school,” Harry finished. “Her car wasn’t starting.” 

 I shot Harry a look, casually tucking a hair behind my ear. The less they knew the better. 

 “We can have dad look at the car- oh my Gosh, what’s all over your hands?” 

 I looked down - blood. Blood was literally on my hands. 

 “Paint,” I said, ignoring the nauseating fact that pig DNA was stuck beneath my nails.

 “I thought you dropped the art class-?”

 “-It’s a friend’s project.”

 “She’s alive?” a voice called. For once, he was saving instead of berating. As if suddenly realizing we hadn’t even made it through the door before her interview, she turned to Harry with a smile only a mother could give. “Would you like to come in, get some dinner too?” 

 “Oh…” Harry looked at me, almost bashful. “I don’t know,” he settled on. 

 He leant a bit to the side, crossing his arms, then stuffed them in his pockets. It was the only time I could say I’d seen Harry look… awkward. A selfish curiosity wanted to see what he’d look like in my kitchen, in my room, in other parts of my life I’d never thought I’d be sharing with him. He looked like a lost little boy. 

 He must be nervous. 

 “You should stay.” I placed a hand on his arm and he almost flinched at the contact. He looked confused. I couldn’t blame him. Originally I was telling him not to walk me to the door, now I’m saying meet the family! “Stay,” I repeated, softer this time. 

 His eyes searched mine, looking for any hesitance, any joke. He didn’t find any. “Okay,” he said, as if he couldn’t believe it himself.  

 My mom flipped around, hands in the air. “Yay, perfect! There’s two steaks, one’s a little smaller. Y/N, you can have that one...” She continued walking away, heading for the kitchen. 

 I waited for Harry to walk through the door, but he stuck out his hand. Me first. 

 If only he knew what he was walking into. 

part 18

#fratboy!harry #fratboy! harry #harry styles imagine #harry styles fan fiction #harry styles #one direction #harry #one direction fan fiction #one direction fanfiction #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles preference #harry styles blurb #harry styles fluff #dark!harry #dark harry #harry fluff #harry imagine #harry blurb #angst #fanfic

[astrogeoguy]

Walking the Dog on Moonless Nights, Evening Mars and Pretty Pre-dawn Planets!

(Above: This detailed star chart of the area around Canis Major, the Big Dog, shows the main stars and deep sky objects (labelled yellow symbols) in the constellation. The southern sky is shown for early March at 7 pm local time.)

Hello, Stargazers!

Here are your Astronomy Skylights for the week of March 3rd, 2019 by Chris Vaughan. Feel free to pass this along to your friends and send me your comments, questions, and suggested topics. I repost these emails with photos at http://astrogeoguy.tumblr.com/ where all the old editions are archived. You can also follow me on Twitter as @astrogeoguy! Unless otherwise noted, all times are Eastern Time. Please click this MailChimp link to subscribe to these emails. If you are a teacher or group leader interested joining me on a guided field trip to York University’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory or the David Dunlap Observatory, visit www.astrogeo.ca.

I can bring my Digital Starlab inflatable planetarium to your school or other daytime or evening event, visit DiscoveryPlanitarium.com and request me. We’ll tour the Universe together!

Public Astro-Events

Taking advantage of dark moonless evening skies this week, astronomers with the RASC Toronto Centre will gather for dark sky stargazing at Long Sault Conservation Area, northeast of Oshawa on (only) the first clear evening (Monday to Thursday) this week. You don’t need to be a RASC member, or own any equipment, to join them. Check here for details and watch the banner on their homepage or their Facebook page for the GO or NO-GO decision around 5 pm each day. 

Every Monday evening, York University’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory runs an online star party - broadcasting views from four telescopes/cameras, answering viewer questions, and taking requests! Details are here. On Wednesday nights they offer free public viewing through their rooftop telescopes. If it’s cloudy, the astronomers give tours and presentations. Details are here. 

On Thursday, March 7 at 8 pm in the Legion Hall in Waterdown, the RASC – Hamilton Centre will present a free public talk by Professor Michael Fich, University of Waterloo entitled New Frontiers in Observational Cosmology. Details are here. 

On Thursday, March 7, starting at 8 pm, U of T’s AstroTour will present a free talk entitled Kepler’s Story: How one Telescope Changed Everything we Know about Exoplanets. It will be followed by observing (weather permitting) and their planetarium show. Details are here. 

Eastern GTA sky watchers are invited to join the RASC Toronto Centre and Durham Skies for solar observing and stargazing at the edge of Lake Ontario in Millennium Square in Pickering on Friday evening, March 8, from 6 pm to 11 pm. Details are here. Before heading out, check the RASCTC home page for a Go/No-Go call in case it's too cloudy to observe. The rain date is Saturday. 

On Friday, March 8 at 7:30 pm in the Hamilton Spectator Building in Hamilton, the Hamilton local astronomers will present a free public talk entitled A Step Back, and a Look Up. Details are here. 

If it’s sunny on Saturday morning, March 9 from 10 am to noon, astronomers from the RASC Toronto Centre will be setting up outside the main doors of the Ontario Science Centre for Solar Observing. Come and see the Sun in detail through special equipment designed to view it safely. This is a free event (details here), but parking and admission fees inside the Science Centre will still apply. Check the RASC Toronto Centre website or their Facebook page for the Go or No-Go notification. 

Saturday, March 9 marks the opening of a six-month exhibition at the Aga Khan Museum entitled The Moon: A Voyage through Time. The museum will feature installations of art, culture, history, and science pertaining to the moon. A public talk, The Moon: Mirror of Faith, Science, and the Arts will be delivered by Dr. Christiane Gruber on Saturday at 2:00pm. Details are here. 

On Saturday, March 9 from 6 to 8 pm, weather permitting, astronomers from RASC Toronto Centre will carry out free public evening stargazing on the Teluscape at the Ontario Science Centre. Details are here. 

Evening Zodiacal Light

For about half an hour after dusk between today and the new moon on March 6, look west-southwest for a broad wedge of faint light rising from the horizon and centered on the ecliptic. This is the zodiacal light - reflected sunlight from interplanetary particles of matter concentrated in the plane of the solar system. The glow will be centred on the horizon directly below Mars. Try to observe from a location without light pollution, and don't confuse the zodiacal light with the brighter Milky Way to the northwest. I posted an image of it here. 

(Above: Canis Major is one of two dog constellations that accompany Orion in the winter sky, as shown here at 7 pm in early March. The Little Dog, Canis Minor is the “stick-like” constellation at top left. Perhaps they are chasing Lepus, the Rabbit. The winter Milky Way runs vertically, just to the east (left side) of Canis Major.)

Walking the Big Dog

The night sky’s brightest star Sirius is sure to catch your eye in the evening sky this time of the year. Once the sky darkens at around 8:30 pm local time, Sirius will be sitting a third of the way up the southern sky, to the lower left of Orion (the Hunter). During the rest of the evening, Sirius will slowly descend into the southwestern sky and set just after midnight local time. 

Sirius name means “searing” or “scorching” in Greek. It’s also commonly known as the Dog Star because it is the brightest star in Canis Major (the Big Dog). To my eyes, the constellation genuinely resembles a wiener dog! Sirius sparkles at the dog’s collar. The pup’s head is formed by several medium-bright stars to Sirius’ upper left, but those are near the limit of visibility in urban skies. Nose to tail, the constellation measures about 19°, or two fist diameters held at arm’s length. He’s about one fist from ears to paws. The rest of the dog’s body, composed of more easily visible stars, extends to the lower left (southeast) of Sirius. The dog is rearing up and facing west, as if he is begging Orion for a treat. 

About a fist’s diameter below Sirius is the bright star Wezen, which marks the dog’s “bottom”. Wezen, Arabic for “weight” is a rare, massive yellow supergiant star. One day it will explode in a supernova. The tip of the dog’s tail, marked by a modest star named Aludra, is found 4° (four finger widths) to the lower left of Wezen. Four degrees to the lower right of Wezen, a bright star named Adhara represents the dog’s rear legs. (Some representations include two dimmer stars for the rear paws.) Adhara is a hot blue giant star with a surface temperature of a whopping 21,000 K located about 34 light-years from the sun. It’s the brightest star in the sky when viewed in ultraviolet light, and it, too, is on the way to a supernova death. 

The dog’s front legs are formed by the bright star Mirzam, which is located about a palm’s width to the lower right of Sirius. Mirzam, which means “the Herald” because it rises just before Sirius, is 60 times more luminous than Sirius. If it were located where Sirius is, instead of 500 light-years away, it would appear 15 times brighter than Venus! 

In the heart of Canis Major, about four finger widths below Sirius, is a bright little cluster of stars designated Messier 41, sometimes called the Little Beehive Cluster. Binoculars should show it easily. The cluster, which is about 2300 light-years away, consists of several brighter golden stars and numerous fainter ones. Another nice cluster sits about 2.5 finger widths to the upper left of Wezen. Scan around that area of sky with your binoculars – the winter Milky Way has populated Canis Major with many treats. 

Canis Major is only one of Orion’s two hunting companions. The other one, Canis Minor (the Smaller Dog), sits 30° (three fist diameters) to Orion’s left. This constellation is composed of only two stars - very bright white Procyon and dimmer Gomeisa, which sits about four finger widths to Procyon’s upper right. Ironically, the constellation resembles a stick more than a dog! The two dogs might well be hunting Lepus (the Rabbit), a constellation of modest stars that sits directly below Orion. 

(Above: In this over-exposed image of the star Sirius, its white dwarf companion, the Pup, or the Flea, is the speck at the lower left.)

Sirius is so bright because it is about 25 times more luminous than our Sun, and only a mere 8.6 light-years away from Earth. Furthermore, it is heading towards us, and will brighten over the next millennia! Sirius has a tiny companion star, designated Sirius B, that some astronomers call the Pup. I prefer to call it the Flea! 

Sirius is famous for exhibiting flashes of intense colour as it twinkles. This is because northern hemisphere observers usually see the star positioned low in the sky, so its very bright starlight is passing through a thicker blanket of air. The pockets of turbulence in our atmosphere that makes stars twinkle also work like tiny refracting prisms – splitting apart Sirius’ white starlight and randomly sending different colours (wavelengths) to our eyes. 

The ancient Egyptians linked their calendar to the arrival of Sirius in the pre-dawn sky because it signaled the onset of the Nile floods around the beginning of summer. In China, Sirius is called Tiān Láng天狼, aka “the Celestial Wolf”. Many First Nations cultures saw a dog’s shape in these stars and called Sirius the Moon Dog Star (Inuit), the Wolf Star (Pawnee), and the Coyote Star. On the next clear evening, have a look at our bright neighbour! I’ll post sky charts and pictures here. 

The Moon and Planets

The moon will start the week as a slim, old crescent sitting low in the southeastern sky before sunrise. Even though New Moon won’t occur until Wednesday morning, the shallow angle of the moon’s orbit this time of year will cause the moon to rise almost beside the sun, hiding it from view for several days. 

The moon will return to view as a young, slim crescent sitting low over the western horizon on Thursday evening right after sunset. At the same time, sharp eyes might catch Mercury sitting 8.5 degrees to the right of the moon. The best time to look for Mercury will be around 7 pm local time. The moon will complete the week by waxing fuller daily and climbing higher – landing a fist’s diameter below Mars on Sunday evening.

(Above: Mercury will complete its best appearance of 2019 for northern hemisphere observers this week. Look for it low in the west after sunset, but a little lower every day. Meanwhile, reddish Mars at top left, continues to shine brightly every evening until it sets before midnight. Dim Uranus is below Mars. The sky is shown for 6:45 pm local time on Sunday, March 3.) 

Speaking of Mercury, during the first half of this week, the normally elusive planet will continue to be easily visible in a darkening western evening sky while it descends toward the sun. The optimal viewing times will fall between 6:45 and 7:15 pm local time. If you view Mercury in your small telescope, the planet will exhibit a waning half-illuminated disk. Find a viewing spot where the western horizon is low and free of foreground obstructions. Once the sun has fully set, sweep the sky with binoculars - or your own sharp eyeballs – looking for a medium bright, unmoving point of light. 

The other easy evening planet to see this week will be Mars. When the sky begins to darken, Mars will appear as a medium-bright, reddish pinpoint of light about halfway up the western sky. The Red Planet will set at about 11:15 pm local time. Mars has been slowly shrinking in size and brightness as we increase our distance from it little-by-little. 

The much dimmer, blue-green planet Uranus is also in the western early evening sky. It can be identified by aiming binoculars about 1.6 finger widths above the modestly bright star named Torcular (or Omega Piscium). Look for Uranus right after dark - this week the distant ice giant planet will set at around 10 pm local time.

(Above: Three bright planets will parade across the eastern pre-dawn sky during the coming weeks. Bright Jupiter will rise first, followed by dimmer Saturn, and then Venus, the brightest of all. Venus’ orbit, red curve, is carrying it downward and east, toward the sun. The sky is shown for 6 am local time in early March, 2019.) 

Three spectacular bright planets – Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus, will all continue to appear low in the eastern morning sky this week. Bright Jupiter will rise first, at about 2:30 am local time. By 7 am local time, it will be a beacon in the southern sky. Yellowish Saturn, which is twice as far away as Jupiter, is correspondingly dimmer. The ringed planet will rise at about 4:15 am local time and will be lost in the twilight by 7 am. Our sister planet Venus is only one-fifth as far from Earth as Jupiter. Venus’ blazing brilliance will grace the southeastern dawn sky after 5 am local time, and remain in view until sunrise. In a telescope, Venus will exhibit a gibbous (more than half-illuminated) phase. 

Dark Night Delights

If you missed last week’s write-up about grabbing your binoculars and telescopes and exploring the darker sky for deep sky treasures, I posted some beautiful images and sky charts here. This week will be just as good!

Keep looking up, and enjoy the sky when you do. I love questions and requests - so, send me some!

#astronomy #space #stars #planets #Canis Major #sirius #Lepus #Canis Minor #Venus #Mars #zodiacal light #New Moon #Messier 41

[xanth-the-wizard]

Random Town Encounters (1d100)

The complete list of my Town Encounters #1-5! Vote for the next set of Random Encounters HERE. (Image Credit: x)

[1] An enormous bear stumbles around town wearing human clothing. They’re attempting to order drinks at the local tavern, but so far they haven’t had much luck [2] You arrive early morning into a quiet little village. Unfortunately nobody is around to greet you because they have all been turned into candy [3] A festival is taking place in the center of town. They seem to be celebrating a historical figure that looks oddly similar to someone in the party [4] Dashing through the streets, a bandit has stolen a powerful magic artifact. Anyone they pass by are turned to stone. A hefty reward will be given to anyone who can catch them [5] Hm? In your back pocket there’s a piece of paper with directions to somewhere in town. If asked about the location, nobody seems to know where it is [6] While walking through the streets a child runs into the party at full speed, falling to the ground. They apologize profusely as they begin to collect their dropped goods. This includes a baby dragon [7] Rumor: The guards in this town are not human, they never sleep. Most people speculate they are from another realm [8] Enticing smells fill the air, there seems to be a cooking competition in town. And it looks like it’s not too late to sign up. Anybody know how to make a killer quiche? [9] Rumor: Beneath the city lies an ancient tunnel leading to a thief’s lost treasure. But everyone is too afraid to look for themselves. When prompted on what is down there, people dance around the question [10] Sentient vegetables rebel against the local chef. At first glance it seems to be a harmless prank, but anyone bit by the veggies begin morphing into vicious vegetables themselves [11] Magic is outlawed in this district of town. Anyone who casts any spell begins to glow [12] Little ducklings follow behind the party, quacking merrily. They are perfectly harmless but without their mother. Did somebody order 8 new beautiful children? [13] Ghosts have driven out the living from the town leaving behind a literal Ghost Town. The Ghosts are actually quite friendly, too friendly [14] Rumor: Grandma Crabapple, a sweet old lady who lives alone in her cottage up on the hill is actually a Doppelganger. Looks like we’re going to have to eat her famous cherry pie and get to the bottom of this mystery [15] The local tavern has been recently reconstructed, a group of rowdy adventurers burned it down a few months back. The locals don’t take kindly to any adventurers now [16] Every year in spring a nearby lake floods, threatening the village’s safety. But every year the cobblestone wall surrounding them keeps them safe. But this year, something goes horribly wrong. And it’s probably one of your player’s fault [17] Rumor: The local school is teaching children to summon demons and worship the devil [18] Rotten tomatoes fly as an Orc Bard attempts to perform in the streets for gold [19] A potion brewer has set up shop in town, they have an extra special brew that grants anyone who drinks it invisibility. But the effect happens randomly and without warning [20] Perched upon a crumbling building, a gargantuan bird watches the town silently. The villagers claim that wishing upon one of the bird’s feathers can grant a wish. Unfortunately the bird doesn’t shed very often and doesn’t like to be bothered [21] Rumor: The alcohol in the bar is watered down with a substitute that creates intense cravings for more alcohol [22] Transcending space and time, you cat appears. They are to scale with your figurines and demand your attention [23] Goblins have invaded! Oh, looks like they’re just selling baked goods at reasonable prices. You win this time Goblins… [24] The water wells have frozen over unexpectedly. A sentient ice elemental is passing through [25] You have entered into a town created with sand and dirt, there is a lone tower in the center. A wizard has created their own town by controlling local ants. The wizard smells really bad [26] A real life celebrity has a look-alike in your campaign, and they are the bartender at a small tavern with dreams of being famous [27] A Magic Shop is selling the most illegitimate looking magic items you’ve ever seen. But for some reason people are flooding to their stand and buying all of their merch. Do they not realize? [28] Rumor: In this small farming town, the Scarecrows are said to awaken at night looking to exchange bodies with anyone who loses to them at their game. The game is hopscotch [29] You’ve been handed a flyer for a local religious group. It seems they worship an Insect god. Surely they are up to no good! Oooh, look! They have a buffet! [30] A horse cart race is under way, are you in? [31] Out of the sewers, four turtles emerge. They have varying magical mutations. One can turn invisible, another has super speed, the remaining turtle’s powers are unknown. They are causing quite a ruckus in town [32] Rumor: Eerie whistling is heard by the graveyard every night. The townspeople believe it is a restless spirit [33]  Tap dancing frogs, followed by synchronized flying ravens appear. A local swamp witch is accomplishing her dream. She expects applause and tips, or else [34] A group of local teens are attempting to fundraise a dangerous project. They promise that it will revolutionize the world [35] Rumor: The leader of this town is actually a dozen frogs in a trenchcoat [36] You are given a free lotion sample at a stand. The lotion has strange side effects including but not limited to, sprouting wings [37] A villager appears to the party, they are an obvious caricature of your favorite video game character [38] Servants of a local noble rebel. They are protesting outside the castle [39] There is a college within the town that holds forgotten history. It’s a favorite among the world’s most powerful magicians. Surely you’ll meet someone interesting inside? [40] Many clues lead you to believe that there are witches hiding in the city. The truth is, the entire town is a coven, everyone is a witch. Can you trust this coven? [41] There is a flea-market in town with hundreds of vendors selling everything from valuable artisan goods to worthless junk. If you’re lucky you may find a neglected magic item for sale [42] A thieves guild takeover is currently underway and somehow you’ve managed to get involved [43] An earthquake ravages the city, within the rubble ancient prophetic texts are discovered [44] Rumor: Beneath the meat shop there is an illegal underground fighting ring. What will you do? Stop it from getting out of hand, make some bets, or sign up as a fighter yourself? [45] Riots in the streets spark as an unjust ruler is appointed into a position of great power [46] Taco Bell is real and Baja Blast is now canon [47] Rumor: An unknown infant Monster is roaming the streets. It is incredibly dangerous and there is a bounty for its capture. People believe it is a Basilisk [48] Twin scientists advertise around town for their Monster business. They buy and sell monster parts and some interesting Monster related goods [49] The town drunk happens to know a lot of interesting/important information but nobody seems to be listening [50] The world’s first train operates within this bustling city. While visiting a catastrophic event occurs involving a busted engine [51] Rumor: Pranksters have animated the children’s toys and stuffed animals at the local General Store causing some traumatic memories for the local kids. People believe the culprits are the store owners themselves. But how true is this claim? [52] Rumor: The abandoned castle on the hill is full of tremendous treasure and wealth. But so far nobody has discovered where it is hidden [53] Local crime lord strolls around town with their new love interest. Everyone is afraid of this criminal but do nothing to stop them from taking advantage of their town [54] An industrialized revolution is happening! Lots of unique goods and services are all over the city. But this massive urban development comes with a steep cost. Nature spirits are planning an attack on the city for invading their homeland [55] You are in a town blessed by nature. Colorful fauna is everywhere and on every building. It is a beautiful culmination of nature and society. They also grow rare and exotic crops [56] Yup. It finally happened. The most chaotic member of the party has a bounty. Good luck [57] This town is inhabited entirely by avian beings. They are friendly, but most places are inaccessible if you can’t fly [58] A local Barber is willing to give your party’s pet a cool new haircut. What’s that? They have no hair you say? No problem! Stylish wigs are also an option [59] “Welcome! Tonight is the big game! The Bardic and Wizarding colleges are going to face off! Be sure to buy your tickets now!” [60] Zelda-esque mini games are all over the place! Smash pots, hit some targets, win some rupees! [61] A town of sentient horses. An equestrian experience nobody will forget [62] Stone guardians have become animated and are rampaging through the town. First we must stop the guardians. Second we have to figure out who did this [63] Rumor: Buildings are falling apart as bricks and stones are disappearing randomly. Some believe the bricks are alive. It’s the curse of the Were-Bricks! [64] A special promotion for a local tavern is given to anyone who can catch and dispose of the rats from their basement. Problem is, these rats aren’t just simple street rats [65] Did somebody say, Shopping montage? A trendy fashion store has opened up, it’s the perfect to accessorize! Maybe some new outfits for the next campaign arc? [66] Just put your players in the town of Whiterun from Skyrim. Perfect [67] And while I’m talking Skyrim, instead of stealing Whiterun. Instead you should just quote the Skyrim NPC’s constantly. “Let me guess… someone stole your sweetroll.” [68] Rumor: A mad scientist has created life, but the being has escaped and stalks the dark alleyways [69] A bird delivers an important letter to a member of the party… That or it’s a 25% off coupon for a local Costume store [70] The circus is in town! But something’s not quite right. The attendants of the shows can never recall what happens during the performances but are always dying to go back [71] A knock off group of Fantasy Avengers appear and take credit for the party’s heroic deeds. They do this multiple times throughout the campaign. I’d suggest settling this debacle once and for all in battle! [72] “Welcome! Have you checked out our main attraction? It’s our pride and joy! People come from all over the world to catch a glimpse of this spectacle!” Examples: House made entirely out of food. A skyscraper that can reach space. A wishing well that supposedly grants one word wishes. A captivating glowing orb of pure hatred and hellfire [73] Rumor: During a full moon a store opens up for business selling strange artifacts. Rumors also suggest the owner of this business is the Devil himself [74] Giant Snail races are being hosted tonight, care to make a wager? [75] Rumor: The local fortune teller has been warning the village of some ominous futures. Surely this is just a ploy to snag some extra profit? [76] A carnival you say? Introduce a bunch of sleazy carnies to con your party into massive debt. A debt so large that it can only be repaid with even sleazier side quests [77] A FUN carnival you say? Let your players participate in some fun games to show off their strengths and clever skills (AKA cheating) [78] Local orphans take a liking to your party, they are very sweet [79] Roll initiative! A mugger has attacked- Oh! False alarm. It’s only a knife salesman [80] A bored god appears within the city demanding the town’s finest ales and to battle an honorable adversary [81] The local Odditorium* is an enticing tourist trap that is offering a questionable new promotion (Think, The Mystery Shack from Gravity Falls or Ripley’s Believe It or Not!) [82] The most unlikely individual offers the party an assassin job. Unfortunately, this job is wacky and requires dressing up like members of a circus [83] A blessing! Local flower shop gifts a player a lucky daffodil. Good fortune and prosperity is in their future [84] A curse! One of your players has been struck with a curse of familiarity. In every town you enter someone will swear they look just like someone else and mistake them for said person [85] Rumor: There’s a rumor going around about your party. A bad one. Nobody trusts you [86] It is migrating season for Unicorns and this town is in the middle of their migration path. Despite their beauty, these Unicorns are dangerous and untrusting [87] The entire town is riddled with traps and wires, be careful where you step [88] As your party travels through the town, one member of the party seems to be teleported to another realm. In reality they haven’t moved at all. Stranger things have happened I’m sure. It’s probably nothing (It’s definitely something) [89] Rumor: A man known as the Master of Riddles lives in town. He will reward anyone for solving his riddles. But the rewards are unlike anything anyone’s ever seen [90] Taxidermied animals rampage through the streets, a Necromancer is to blame [91] Your reoccurring “Big Bad Villain” just happens to be in town. They don’t immediately recognize the party and seem to be doing some pretty domestic stuff. Is this their hometown or is this just a pit stop in their travels? [92] This river settlement is quite large. They have just begun developing this area, most buildings are still being constructed. The tavern, inn and a few shops are open. Trouble looms in the distance as a large beast’s home is directly below [93] Local pants thieves begin messing with the party and it is hilarious [94] Rumor: Inside the oldest building in town there is an ancient door that is said to lead to the heavens. Nobody has ever been able to open the door, not even with magic. The key’s location is an unsolved mystery. Some say the key is buried somewhere nearby [95] Rumor: Local inventor claims to have created a machine that can fly and is willing to pay anyone to give it a test run [96] Dozens of missing person and lost item posters are all around the town (For an extra twist, one of the missing people is someone in the party) [97] In the center of town lies a guild of mice adventurers. They protect this town and make sure all outsiders are trustworthy [98] Take all the snacks and drinks you and your players brought to today’s session and create a boss fight out of it! It emerges from the earth with little to no warning [99] A group of teens run around the city role playing their favorite book characters. Unfortunately these characters are swashbuckling looters. Time to put these kids in time out [100] A traveling merchant sells odd wooden closets, drawers, and chests. When opened, these objects lead to portals between dimensions. Suddenly, one of the closets tip over and the doors swing open

#dnd #d&d #dungeons and dragons #pathfinder #tabletop #xanth the wizard #dm stuff #random encounters #1d100

[anakinsmcu]

How Nintendo stopped me from killing myself.

I have struggled with mental health pretty much all my ‘grown up’ life. From being bullied in high school to having an over critical mother (who I love very much) I’ve struggled.

This past year has been the hardest time for me. I’m 20 yeas old with a full-time job; amazing friends who care about me; the best boyfriend who I’m so unbelievably lucky to have yet I still have depression and anxiety and often question the idea of suicide. I’ve only once went so far to the idea of actually killing myself when I was around 14/15 years old that I wrote a note and sent it my friend. Sometimes I think yeah ok I was just being a teenager, the perfect example of an emo who cut their thighs and cried to my chemical romance but more recently I have just been thinking wow maybe it would be better for everyone around me. It would stop the hurting for me and I could just fall asleep and that would be it. The end. But then I couldn’t do that to the people who love me. I think when I’m in my depressive states nobody cares about me and I should just die but then people do care about me and it’s just my brain telling me lies. It would ruin lives and hurt the people I love the most if I was ever to kill myself. My best friend would but so hurt that I didn’t talk to her first, my boyfriend, my family and I couldn’t do that to them, so I never would. If anyone I know personally reads this you don’t need to worry because I’m never going to go that far, I’ve passed the hurdle and I do believe I am getting better mentally.

Probably wondering how Nintendo comes into this right?

Animal Crossing: New Leaf saved my life (with the help of many other things such as anti-depressants and my boyfriend) but animal crossing weirdly was there for me when I had nothing else. It was my reason to get out of bed in the morning. I had to get up because if I didn’t who was going to water my hybrids and talk to my villagers? It’s Sylvia’s birthday today I need to go to her party, she invited me. What if I missed Crazy Redds visit to my town? I need to get all the artwork for my museum I promised Blathers I would. It sounds ridicules to be saying that a game helped me but sometimes I would be in such a dark place. My boyfriend works full time, my best friend lives in London which is a 7 hour drive away from me. I didn’t want to bother people with my problems which weren’t even problems. I couldn’t phone somebody and just say “hello, I’m really sad. So sad I can’t eat, and I’ve cried non-stop for two hours. Why? I don’t have a reason sorry”. So, I would go and play animal crossing, I would talk to my villagers, they say nice things to me which is a code in a game and they say the same 10 phrases to everyone who plays but it was nice also made me feel helpful when I did deeds for them. I set goals for myself that yes, sound very dumb and pointless that buy this time next week I want to have found all the fossils for my town. It got me out of bed plus gave me something to care about.

But then it’s how did Nintendo save me and not just animal crossing?

Nintendo have released a video saying that they are releasing a new animal crossing game for switch in 2019. I need to be alive, so I can play this game. But also, I bought my first Zelda game as a distraction from my own brain but now I want to play all the Zelda games. I told my boyfriend to buy professor Layton and we now have the first four games and I want to be around to help him with puzzles because it’s fun. I’m not saying that animal crossing alone helped me. My boyfriend did. He is the main reason why I am doing so much better now, he would talk to me and wouldn’t get mad at me for crying every single night over nothing. He would make tea for me if I wasn’t feeling well and he would work all day at a job he hates to come home to a house where the pots needed doing, the floor needed mopping and I have just been there like “hey babe look at how well my flowers are growing in my game” but he would look at my virtual flowers and not get mad. I love him a lot and I’m very thankful for him. He deserves the world and not a depressed girlfriend who can’t make more than five different meals. But soon I’ll be able to make six different meals and then even seven, eight, ten different meals. I’m going to get better and go back to work. Go to the gym, become a better person in myself for him. I’m going to keep playing Nintendo games and I’m going to keep playing animal crossing. I would suggest buying the games because they’re so wholesome and calming. They do help in my opinion. Thank you for reading this post, its very sad but it’s something ive wanted to talk about for a while without being sad. In my own words and my own feelings, this is what depression has been like for me. I have single handled kept PG tips company from going bankrupt with the amount of tea I’ve drank plus also my skin has been glowing because no make-up and tears have been my go so skin care routine for almost two months.

If anyone is reading this is still in the dark times, don’t worry you will get better and come out the light side of the tunnel. I’m willing to talk if I am ever needed. Thank you.

#acnl #animal crossing #nintendo #new leaf #depression #suicide #TW #tw: sucide mention

[kkruml]

I don’t even know your name Chapter 16

@smoakingwaffles ye do the thing each chapter and I love ye for it.

@missclairebelle I might need some of that tequila soon.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 2.5 | Chapter  3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15

AO3

Previously

My arms reached for him and found his face- one hand cupping his cheek, the other wrapping around his neck, fingers locking into his curls. His arms locked around me, holding me safe. Our lips met softly, an affirmation. The words that had lingered between us for so long were now written within each other and I sighed in relief as I pulled my lips from his and pressed my face into the crook of his neck. His face was buried in my curls and I felt the low hum reverberate from his chest.

I was home.  

“Sassenach?” His voice was soft and warm, a hint of a smile forming.

“Mmhm?” I reluctantly tipped my head back to meet see a smirk curled at the corner of his mouth.

He tightened his arms around me, cocking his head to one side as he asked, “How long have ye been sleepin’ here in my absence?”

Bloody Scot.

CLAIRE

The next few weeks resembled the closest thing to a normal routine as I’d had in years. After a long shift I’d trek the pavement towards Jamie’s flat. At times he was quiet at the dinner table, whisky settled next to a dog-eared book, lost in the pages. Other nights I had found him curled on his side- hand on the pillow where my head would occupy, and I’d nestle myself against his chest.

My legs felt heavy as I trudged up the two flights to his flat. I lightly turned the knob and smiled- it was unlocked, waiting for me. I shuffled off my shoes and dropped my bag on the floor next to the entryway table. The lights were off, save one- dimmed low in the kitchen. I tiptoed my way towards the soft glow down the hallway to see a note on the counter, tucked neatly under a dram of whisky.

Là breith sona dhuit, Sassenach.

J

 A soft giggle left my lips as I pivoted to the fridge and grabbed the neatly plated food awaiting me. More often than not, I would arrive at his flat later than promised, and each night I would find a  note or sketch on top of whatever leftovers awaited me. He never complained, never commented about my erratic schedule, he never let me apologize for it- there was nothing to be sorry for.

My fingers traced his handwriting on the note- neat and uniform, yet with a hint of humor. It looked almost familiar as my mind lingered, allowing the whisky to seep under my skin and loosen the muscles between my shoulder blades. The flavor was distinct and I felt my cheeks flush- this was Lallybroch’s verra rare vintage. My eyes flickered to the liquor closet as my thoughts lingered- it looked just like my favorite label.

I rolled the last drops of whisky across my tongue, savoring the tingling sensation before settling the dishes in the sink and readying myself for bed.

“Mmm,” his eyes remained closed but the side of his mouth curled as he felt my weight behind him. “Ye made it ho… here safe.”

“I was starving, thank you for dinner,” I whispered into his back, every muscle relaxing as I soaked in his scent. My lips gently pressed against his skin as I smiled, “and the whisky.”

His weight shifted as he turned his body to mine, one hand snaking around my waist as he lightly kissed my forehead. His eyes opened slowly and remained half-hooded but he smiled slightly, his other hand propped up his head as his elbow found the pillow. “What did the note say? All I caught was Sassenach,” I said with a wink.

“Och, ye need to work on yer Gaelic,” he teased as his mouth found mine, his lips demanding as a his hands found the skin on my ribcage, his fingers making small circles that shot a pulse through my body.

A laugh escaped my lips as I pulled away, trying to find my breath, “Jamie, stop trying to distract me,” I gasped between his movements, “the note, what did it say!”

A deep hum lingered in his chest as he smirked at me, his gaze softening. “Happy birthday.”

I froze, eyes shifting just slightly as I tried to visualize the date. I had written it a thousand times today in patient charts but had never really thought about what it meant. “but… today is the nineteenth, I was born October the twentieth.”

“Aye, but yer in Scotland,” his accent thickened as his smile widened, “it’s only proper to start it off with whisky, no matter the hour. Tis past midnight, no?”

My eyes rolled as I smiled back, “You bloody Scots…” I shook my head and tried my best to mirror his lilt, “but, I suppose I canna mess with tradition.”

He laughed softly as deep blue darkened slightly as he took a long breath. “Tis a shame,” he said, his nose brushing against my unruly curls.

“What is?” I said, somewhat amused as I let his heat wash over me and melt away the long hours spent on my feet.

“That ye must tread all those blocks to my place after sae many hours on yer feet, with yer flat and yer things far in the opposite direction.”

“Oh yes, all of seven or eight blocks,” I said in jest but felt the mood shift between us as his breath quickened, but he made no reply. I caught the tell-tale twitch of his mouth, his face was slightly taut but he was trying for a casual glance in my direction.

“I’m happy to be here Jamie- honestly.” His silence was deafening as two fingers drummed on my side. I sat up next to him, my fingers searched for his and lightly laced between his.

I felt my words tumble out as I tried to fill the space between us, “I mean- if you wanted, needed some space… I can head back to my flat tomorrow.”

His fingers tightened around mine as I saw his pulse just below his jawline quicken.

“I mean, it’s been a few days since I’ve been back anyways. And... I-I’m sure you’d like to have your flat back to yourself for a bit.” My voice was weak and half-hearted but I tried for a smile as my thumb brushed the skin on his palm.

“Ye could…” he paused, his eyes avoiding mine. “Just… always come here. Yer wee things could find a place here, too.” Two fingers fluttered against my hand and I took in his true meaning.

“Jamie-” I started, my voice slow and soft- trying for a neutral tone. “Are you asking me to… to live with you?”

JAMIE

It had been on his mind since… well, since that night. He had come home- finally- after nearly a month in London. He worked late into the night and then again before daybreak on more than one occasion in the hopes of returning to Edinburgh ahead of schedule. Wanting to surprise her, he had gone to her flat but found it dark and empty. Reluctantly, he had returned home- assuming some late night trauma had come into the A&E, extending her shift and keeping her from him for a few more hours.

He had found her in his bed- dark brown curls sprawled against his pillow. Little signs of her dotted his flat- a comb in the bathroom, second set of shoes in the entry way. The smell of her lavender shampoo lingered on his pillow- she had slept in his bed god knows how many nights without him there; she had wanted to be close to him, and that thought warmed him to the very marrow of his bones.

The faint aroma of her body wash lingered on the sheets, the smell of fresh tea leaves in the kitchen made him ache for her here every morning. Hearing her steps down the hallway, the sound of her sigh as she walked through the door; the look on her face as she’d round the corner to find him. Waking to their limbs intertwined- her face against his chest, his hand tucked firmly around her hip. Finding her silently in the dark- a mix of sleep and passion that brought them to ragged breath and sweet oblivion.

It was her.

He wanted the promise of them- together- every night.

He sat silent, his eyes tracing the lines of her fingers as they interlocked with his.  She had shared enough of her past, of the path she took to be whole again- he knew this would not be an easy thing to ask. She had never shared a flat- not even with…that bastard.

“Aye,” his voice almost a whisper, “if ye’d like.” His smile was soft as he raised their hands to his lips, gently kissing her knuckles.

A sea of deep blue gazed into whisky amber, his face inches away from hers- ready but waiting. Her hand reached up and rested against his cheek, one thumb stroking his cheekbone. Her brows were creased but her lips were curled at the corners. “Are you sure?”

“I want ye here, Sassenach,” his smile widened as his arm pulled her close. “Always.”

Claire

His eyes hadn’t left me all day. Tracking me like a hawk, he had slowly and methodically worked through each room as I puttered behind him.

Packing my flat was pretty simple. My life had never consisted of things- a few photographs from my childhood- smiling faces of my parents holding my wild-eyed and squirming form, a few trinkets from my travels with Uncle Lamb, medical textbooks and a few old personal journals I kept through med school were all packed away in a few sparse boxes.

The last of my belongings were packed, with a heaping stack of mail precariously resting on the top box. I sat on the hardwood floor, fingers tracing the CEB of my scarf, mindlessly turning it over again.

“This is no’ how I imagined servin’ ye on yer birthday, Sassenach,” he tried for a wink and I laughed as my eyes scanned the boxes.

I hadn’t shared a flat with a man before- not even Frank. With him, I had always found a reason to hold off, even after the engagement. I had applied to a dozen residency programs without any knowledge of where I’d end up- it was only per chance (or was it) I had ended up in Edinburgh. He had humored me at first but it wasn’t long before he grew sour at every mention of my flat. I could never place it but something always kept me back from taking that final step.

But now, with Jamie, I felt nothing pulling be back but rather something propelling me forward. It was an invigorating high and one that thrilled and terrified me as much as it gave me peace.

I looked up from my scarf and met a sea of deep calm, nodding as I let out a deep breath.

“Well then, are ye ready to go home?”

My heart skipped a beat as my face rose to meet his, seeing his hand outstretched to me.

Home.

Our home.

The home we would build together.

My fingers linked with his, letting the warmth pulse between us as I smiled and my lips searched for his, “Yes.”

Jamie

He could pick out each of her knick knacks as he scanned the flat, each one a small glowing ember that marked her place here. It was a visual confirmation that he would get to see her- every day.  

It was almost six o’clock, they had just enough time to wash up before meeting her friends for her birthday dinner. No- they were his friends now, too.

He heard the shower turn on and he smiled reflexively, looking down at his dusty and disheveled appearance, the exertion from her move still on his skin. One hand was already discarding his shirt as he stepped into the hallway towards the bathroom.

He stopped to take one final sweep of the flat, their flat- and eyed the pile of envelopes on the counter.

The corner of a thick manila envelope caught his attention- he saw the distinct mark of a hospital name printed. His smile faded and his brow creased as two fingers, slightly shaking, pushed the pile of envelopes enough to see the return address and he froze.

Massachusetts General Hospital- Surgical Residency Admissions Office

His eyes stared at the envelope as his pulse filled his ears; his world slowly faded to black as he stumbled backwards and hit the hardwood floor.

#I don't even know your name fic #IDEKYN #outlander #fan fic #outlander fan fic

[blackkudos]

Rick James

Rick James (born James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. February 1, 1948 – August 6, 2004) was an American musician, composer and actor.

Influenced by singers such as Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson, James started singing in doo-wop and R&B groups as a teenager in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. After entering the U.S. Navy to avoid being drafted, he deserted to Toronto, where he formed the rock and R&B band, The Mynah Birds, whose lineup once included Bruce Palmer, Neil Young, and Nick St. Nicholas. James' tenure with the group was interrupted after he was discovered recording with the group in Motown in 1966. Surrendering to military authorities, he served a one-year prison term. Upon release, James moved to California to resume his duties with the Mynah Birds, although the group eventually split. James began a series of rock bands in California and worked with Motown under the assumed name "Ricky Matthews" as a songwriter.

In 1977, he signed with the Gordy Records imprint of Motown as a recording artist, releasing his debut, Come Get It!, in April 1978. The album sold over two million copies and launched his career into the mainstream as a funk and soul artist. His most popular album, 1981's Street Songs, launched him into superstardom thanks to the hit singles, "Give It to Me Baby" and "Super Freak", the latter song becoming his signature song for the rest of his life, and the basis of MC Hammer's biggest hit, "U Can't Touch This"; James eventually sued for back royalties. After being credited as writer of the song, James became the 1991 recipient of a Best R&B Song Grammy for composing the song. Due to this success, James was often called the "king of punk funk", for his mix of funk, soul and underground-inspired rock music. In addition to his own success, James emerged as a successful songwriter and producer for other artists, such as Teena Marie, The Mary Jane Girls, The Temptations, Eddie Murphy and Smokey Robinson.

An addiction to drugs hampered his career by the late 1980s. In the 1990s, his legal troubles, which included kidnapping and torturing two women while under the influence of crack, led him to serve a three-year sentence at California's Folsom State Prison. James was released on parole in 1996 and resumed his musical career releasing the album, Urban Rapsody, in 1997. A mild stroke suffered during a concert in early 1998 interrupted his career for a brief time. James received new notoriety in 2004, when he appeared (as himself) in an episode of Chappelle's Show, in a Charlie Murphy "True Hollywood Stories" segment that satirized James' wild lifestyle. James died later that year from heart failure, at age 56.

Biography

Early life and career

James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. was born on February 1, 1948, in Buffalo, New York, to Mabel (née Sims) and James Ambrose Johnson, Sr. He was one of eight children. James' father, an autoworker, left the family when James was ten. His mother was a dancer for Katherine Dunham, and later ran errands for a Mafia-connected mob, just to feed her family. James' mother would take him on her collecting route, and it was in bars where she worked that James got to see performers such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Etta James perform. James claimed later in the autobiography, Glow, that he lost his virginity at "age 9 or 10" to a 14-year-old local girl, claiming his "kinky nature came in early". James eventually attended Orchard Park High School and Bennett High School prior to dropping out. James was introduced to drugs at an early age and, as a young teen, was busted for burglary. Due to his stints in jail for theft, James entered the United States Navy at 14 or 15, lying about his age, to avoid the draft. During that time, he also became a drummer for local jazz groups in New York City. Due to him missing his twice-monthly Reserve sessions at the USS Enterprise, he found himself ordered to Vietnam.

In 1965, he fled for Toronto, where he made friendships with then-local musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. To avoid being caught by military authorities, James went under the assumed name, "Ricky James Matthews". That same year, James formed the Mynah Birds, a band that produced a fusion of soul, folk and rock music. In 1965, the band briefly recorded for the Canadian division of Columbia Records, releasing the single, "Mynah Bird Hop"/"Mynah Bird Song". At one point, Nick St. Nicholas of later Steppenwolf fame was a member; eventually bassist Bruce Palmer replaced him by the time "Mynah Bird Hop" was recorded. James and Palmer would recruit guitarists Tom Morgan and Xavier Taylor and drummer Rick Mason to form a new Mynah Birds lineup, and soon traveled to Detroit to record with Motown. Before the group began recording their first songs for the label, Morgan left, unhappy about the label's attitude towards the musicians. Neil Young eventually took his place. It was while in Detroit that James met his musical heroes, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. After meeting Wonder and telling him his name, Wonder felt the name "Ricky James Matthews" was "too long", and instead told James to shorten it to "Ricky James".

After James got involved in a fight with the group's financial backer in Toronto, the Navy was given a tip regarding James' whereabouts and the singer was soon arrested. Afterwards, Motown dropped the band from the label, and James spent a year in prison. After his release, James moved to California where he resumed his musical career. After forming a duo with musician Greg Reeves, Reeves was soon hired to work as a musician for the rock supergroup, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. James returned to Motown as a songwriter in 1968, under the assumed name "Rickie Matthews", and worked with acts such as The Miracles, Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers, and The Spinners. According to James, he briefly got involved in pimp activity during this time, but stopped because he felt he wasn't qualified for it due to the harsh activity and the abuse of women there. Returning to California from Toronto in 1969, James got involved with hair stylist Jay Sebring, who agreed to invest in James' music.

In late 1968, James formed the rock band Salt and Pepper. James and S&P member Ed Roth later were included in Bruce Palmer's solo album The Cycle is Complete. The duo also recorded as part of the group Heaven and Earth in Toronto. Heaven and Earth eventually changed their name to Great White Cane and recorded an album for Los Angeles label, Lion Records, in 1972, though it was later shelved. James formed another band, Hot Lips, afterwards. In 1973, James signed with A&M Records, where his first single under the name Rick James, "My Mama", was released, becoming a club hit in Europe. In 1976, James returned to Buffalo, New York, and formed the Stone City Band and recorded the song "Get Up and Dance!", which was his second single to be released. In 1977, James and the Stone City Band signed a contract with Motown's Gordy Records imprint, where they began recording their first album in New York City.

Solo career

In April 1978, James released his debut solo album, Come Get It!, which included the Stone City Band. The album launched the top 20 hit, "You and I", which became his first number-one R&B hit. The album also included the hit single, "Mary Jane". It eventually sold two million copies, launching James' musical career to stardom, and helping out Motown Records at a time when label fortunes had dwindled. In early 1979, James' second album, Bustin' Out of L Seven, followed the previous album's success, eventually selling a million copies. A third album, Fire It Up, was released in late 1979 going gold. Around that same period, James launched his first headlining tour, the Fire It Up Tour, and agreed to invite the then-upcoming artist, Prince, as well as singer Teena Marie, as his opening act. James had produced Marie's successful Motown debut album, Wild and Peaceful and was featured on the hit duet, "I'm a Sucker (For Your Love)". James was credited with naming Marie, "Lady Tee", on the song, a nickname that stuck with Marie for the rest of her career. The Fire It Up tour led to James developing a bitter rivalry with Prince, after he accused the musician for ripping off his act.

Following the end of the tour in 1980, James released the ballads-heavy Garden of Love, which became his fourth gold record. In 1981, James recorded his best-selling album to date, Street Songs, which like his previous four albums, was a concept album. Street Songs featured a fusion mix of different genres, including rock and new wave, as well as James' brand of crossover funk, enabling James' own style of "punk funk". The album featured hit singles such as "Ghetto Life", the Teena Marie duet "Fire and Desire", "Give It to Me Baby", and his biggest crossover hit to date, "Super Freak", which peaked at number sixteen on the Billboard Hot 100, and sold over a million copies. Street Songs peaked at number one R&B and number three pop, and sold over three million copies alone in the United States. Following up that success, James released two more gold albums, 1982's Throwin' Down and 1983's Cold Blooded.

During this period, envious of Prince's success as producer of other acts including The Time and Vanity 6, James launched the acts Process and the Doo-Rags, and the Mary Jane Girls, featuring his former background singer Joanne "JoJo" McDuffie as the lead vocalist and background performer, finding success with the latter group, due to the hits, "All Night Long", "Candy Man", and "In My House". In 1982, James produced the Temptations' Top Ten R&B hit, "Standing On The Top". In 1983, James recorded the hit duet, "Ebony Eyes", with singer Smokey Robinson. In 1985, James produced another hit for entertainer Eddie Murphy with the song "Party All The Time". That same year he appeared on an episode of The A-Team with Isaac Hayes. After the release of his ninth solo album, The Flag, in 1986, James signed with Warner Bros. Records, which released the album Wonderful in 1988, featuring the hit, "Loosey's Rap".

James' controversial and provocative image became troublesome sometimes. During his heyday, James had presented his songs to the then-fledging music video channel, MTV, only to be turned down because James' music didn't fit the network's rock playlist. James accused the network of racism. When MTV and BET both avoided playing the video for "Loosey's Rap" because of its graphic sexual content, James considered the networks hypocritical in light of them still playing provocative videos by Madonna and Cher.

In 1989, James' eleventh album, Kickin', was released only in the UK. By 1990, he had lost his deal with Warner Bros. and James began struggling with personal and legal troubles. That year MC Hammer released his hit signature song, "U Can't Touch This", which sampled the prominent opening riff from "Super Freak". James and his co-writer on "Super Freak", Alonzo Miller, successfully sued Hammer for shared songwriting credit and all three consequently received the 1990 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. In 1997, James released Urban Rapsody, his first album since his release from prison on assault charges, and he toured to promote the album. That same year, he discussed his life and career in interviews for the VH1 musical documentary series, Behind the Music, which aired in early 1998. James' musical career slowed again after he suffered a minor stroke during a concert. In 1999, James accepted an offer by Eddie Murphy himself to appear in his film, Life.

Personal life

Relationships and children

James had three children. With Syville Morgan, a former singer and songwriter, he had daughter Ty and son Rick, Jr.

In 1989, James met 17-year-old partygoer Tanya Hijazi. The two began a romance in 1990. In 1993, the couple welcomed the arrival of their only child and James' youngest, Tazman. Following their releases from prison for assaulting Mary Sauger and Frances Alley, the couple married in 1996 and divorced in 2002.

James was very close with Teena Marie, whom he met and began collaborating with in 1979. While James had denied that the two were romantically involved, Teena Marie stated they were romantically involved and engaged "for two weeks". Their professional partnership lasted into 2004, when Marie released her comeback album, La Dona, which included her and James' duet "I Got You". When James died, Teena Marie said she struggled to come to terms with his death.

Notable friendships

James became close friends with Eddie Murphy after the two met in 1981. Following his exit from the United States Navy in 1984, Murphy's older brother Charlie Murphy, whose first post-Navy job was working as security for his famous brother, began hanging out with James, and he bonded with the singer. Murphy would later recall on Chappelle's Show his sometimes strained relationship with James, which helped to revive James' name in the public eye after years of seclusion, following his mild stroke in 1998. James also appeared in the episode recounting his memory of the experiences shared by Charlie, such as starting impromptu fights with him and staining Eddie Murphy's couch with mud.

James was also a friend of fellow Motown acts Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, one of the singers James idolized as a teenager. Additionally, he befriended Gaye's second wife, Janis, and he was godfather of Gaye's daughter Nona. James' relationship with Robinson began shortly after James signed with Motown and, in 1983, the duo recorded the hit "Ebony Eyes."

James also idolized former Temptations lead singer David Ruffin and Ruffin's self-proclaimed uncle, bass vocalist Melvin Franklin, and grabbed at the chance to produce the hit "Standing on the Top" for them in 1982. Before that, the then-current lineup of the group recorded background vocals on two James-associated projects – James' Street Songs (singing "Ghetto Life" and "Super Freak") and Teena Marie's It Must Be Magic (singing on the title track). In "Super Freak," "It Must Be Magic," and "Standing On The Top", James famously shouted out, "Temptations SING!"

Drug abuse and health problems

James' lifelong drug abuse began in his teens, first with marijuana and heroin. James began using cocaine in the late 1960s. His cocaine use became an addiction by the 1980s, and he began freebasing by the end of the decade. James recalled smoking crack cocaine in his Beverly Hills mansion and often had aluminum foil on the windows to escape onlookers.

His drug use led to health issues that impacted his life. In April 1984, he was hospitalized after being found unconscious in the middle of his house by a friend. James claimed he quit cocaine when he entered prison, although cocaine would later be found in his bloodstream following his autopsy.

Legal troubles

The start of the 1990s brought with it a string of bizarre and sometimes horrific troubles for James. His drug use was by this time public knowledge. He was mainly addicted to cocaine and later admitted to spending about US$7,000 per week on drugs for five years straight. In 1993, he and future wife Tanya Hijazi were accused of holding 24-year-old Frances Alley hostage for up to six days although accounts vary on how long she was actually held, tying her up, forcing her to perform sexual acts, and burning her legs and abdomen with the hot end of a crack cocaine pipe, during a week-long cocaine binge. In 1993, while out on bail for that earlier incident, James, under the influence of cocaine, assaulted music executive Mary Sauger at the St. James Club and Hotel in West Hollywood. Sauger claims she met James and Hijazi for a business meeting, but said the two then kidnapped and beat her over a 20-hour period.

He was found guilty of both offenses but was cleared of a torture charge in the crack pipe incident that could have put him in prison for the rest of his life. He served two years in Folsom Prison and lost a civil suit to Sauger, who was awarded US$2 million. He was released from prison in 1996. In 1998, James was accused of sexually assaulting a 26-year-old woman, though charges were later dropped.

Final years

Chappelle's Show

In early 2004, James participated in a comedy sketch on Chappelle's Show, in a segment called "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories". James and Murphy recounted humorous stories of their experiences together during the early 1980s. During the sketch, James' character, played by Dave Chappelle, utters the now famous catchphrase, "I'm Rick James, bitch!" The sketches were punctuated by James, as himself, explaining his past behavior with the phrase, "Cocaine is a hell of a drug!"

Autobiography and final music projectsAutobiography

At the time of his death, James was working on an autobiography, The Confessions of Rick James: Memoirs of a Super Freak, as well as a new album. The book was finally published toward the end of 2007 by Colossus Books and features a picture of his tombstone.

David Ritz, who had been employed by James to work on the book with him, later said that this version did not truly reflect how the musician wanted it published. In 2014, Ritz published his own, re-edited version, Glow: The Autobiography of Rick James.

Final music projects

He was also supporting Teena Marie's tour of her album La Doña and toured with her in May 2004, playing with her at the KBLX Stone Soul Picnic, Pioneer Amphitheatre, Hayward, California.

Death

On the morning of August 6, 2004, James' caretaker found him dead in James' Los Angeles home at the Oakwood Toluca Hills apartment complex, just outside Burbank. He had died from pulmonary failure and cardiac failure, associated with his various health conditions of diabetes, a stroke, pacemaker, and heart attack. His autopsy found alprazolam, diazepam, bupropion, citalopram, hydrocodone, digoxin, chlorpheniramine, methamphetamine, and cocaine in his blood. However, the coroner stated that "none of the drugs or drug combinations were found to be at levels that were life-threatening in and of themselves".

James was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York. His two-ton, jet black headstone is engraved with the following lyrics to an unreleased song: "I've had it all, I've done it all, I've seen it all. It's all about love – God is love."

Digital releases

James' entire Motown Records back catalogue was released in 2014 on iTunes for the very first time in digitally remastered form. This marks the first time many of his albums have been widely available since their initial release. Physical copies of James' albums, namely Fire It Up, Garden of Love and The Flag, have become rare and highly sought after by fans.

Discography

Studio albums

Come Get It! (with the Stone City Band) (1978)

Bustin' Out of L Seven (1979)

Fire It Up (1979)

Garden of Love (1980)

Street Songs (1981)

Throwin' Down (1982)

Cold Blooded (1983)

Glow (1985)

The Flag (1986)

Wonderful (1988)

Kickin' (1989)

Urban Rapsody (1997)

Deeper Still (2007)

Wikipedia

#Rick James

[orionwhispers]

Devil Like Me (Part VI)

(A/N- What can I say other than I am so sorry this took forever, this is the juiciest chapter yet and I loved writing it! I can't wait for you all to see where their relationship progresses and thank you so much for the love! Enjoy this late Christmas present! Thank you for being so patient xoxo) 

Then

The sky was dark as you traced your fingertips over the rim of your mug. You lifted the cup to your lips and took a small sip, grimacing as the cool milky texture hit your tongue. You gently rubbed the delicate area by your eyes, now red and swollen from lack of sleep. This had become a yearly tradition, curling up in a blanket by the bay windows and taking solace in your own silence.

The alarm clock changed numbers alerting you to how early it was, the red digits intruding in the comfort of your small bedroom. You gently fingered the fragrant needles of the small Christmas tree to your left and smiled inwardly. Aunt Jean always tried to make the house as festive as possible. Determined not to allow either of you to be dragged into the gloom that surrounded you both this time of year. You traced the gold ornament placed on the branches, in the centre a dog-eared photo of your parents. Your mother clutching your toddler frame, bare-faced and smiling widely, your father's tattooed arm swung around her neck, lips pressed against her cheek.

You rose to your feet, pulling thick sweatpants and a jumper over your mismatched pyjamas. Slipping your feet into a pair of worn converse, you gave Maple a kiss and reached for the doorknob. Lying directly behind your door was a little red stocking stuffed with presents and your heart tugged. When you were younger you were green with envy at the other children who spent Christmas with their families, picture perfect with bundles of expensive gifts and gadgets. But as soon as you came home and saw Aunt Jean with her frail hands attempting to roast a turkey - then giving up and you both munching on frozen pizza-, you realised you had so much to be grateful for.

You tried your best to be quiet, purposefully darting across the floorboards you knew were the least creaky as you passed your great Aunts bedroom. You paused momentarily and listened for her steady breathing. Earlier, when you had passed her bedroom, you had heard tearful sniffles and you were glad that they were now replaced with snores.

The bitter air slammed against your face as soon as you opened the front door, you shivered further into yourself as you began trudging through the thin layer of sleet lining the pavements. It was still dark, barely past 5 am and the only light was the dim yellow glow of the street lamps. Rain was pattering around you and a gust of winter wind sent a slew of raindrops down your face and neck. You paced the familiar route you could have done in your slumber, passing sleepy houses strewn with Christmas lights and decorations, filled with children giddily excited about what Santa will have brought them in the night.

The wind started to pick up as you clambered the final slope towards the beach. You could already hear the roar of the ocean and hurried towards the wooden deck above the coast, pulling your jacket over your shoulders as you walked towards the edge of the water. The waves were violent, rising and rumbling before crashing into the grey sand at your feet. You let out a gasp you didn't know you had been holding and allowed a few tears to slip out of the corner of your eyes.

It had been 14 years.

You mother was called Judith, petite, beautiful and immensely kind. Aunt Jean said she warmed the hearts of everyone she met. She grew up in the south of Florida and was an only child to a devout Catholic family. Only in the past few years had you been able to coax the truth out of Aunt Jean, with the help of a bottle of aged whiskey and a box of chocolate liquors. In a drunken haze she spilt her guts when you pressed her for answers, she told you of how her older sister- your grandmother, Eden, had been fair when she was a child but as she grew older she became bitter. She married young to someone Aunt Jean described as "A mean, violent man who used his faith as a cover for his hateful acts."

They were approaching 50 when Eden fell pregnant and when Judith was born she was never really allowed a childhood, she was beaten if she disobeyed orders and rarely allowed to leave the house. Aunt Jean tearfully told you how she tried to look after your mother and would try her best to sneak her gifts of chocolate and toys. But when Eden found out she cut all contact with her, furious at the thought that Jean didn't think of her as a good mother. By the time she was 15 Judith rebelled, and often snuck out of her house, which was where she met your father, Kurt.

Kurt was 17, with long hair and an abundance of piercings, he worked at his uncle's tattoo parlour having dropped out of school the previous year. The two met and fell helplessly in love, and soon your mother fell pregnant. Aunt Jean told you that Judith called her from a payphone when she found out, crying with happiness at the chance of a new life, but terrified of what her parents would think.

As expected, they were furious, angry and violent, and immediately disowned her. Telling her that she was never allowed back in their house as long as she lived. Kurt was good, he was overjoyed at becoming a father, and saved up for a small apartment where you spent your early childhood. You can hardly recall much of that part of your life, but you know it was full of love and happiness and you cherished it entirely.

When you were three, everything changed.

Your parents were driving late on Christmas Eve, their old rusty car filled with presents and food for the next day, whilst you were left at home with a babysitter. Whilst driving down a small street, a drunk driver slammed into their vehicle and killed them both. Just like that, your entire world was tipped over by someone else's careless decision.

When the police turned up at their door, your grandparents were indifferent, as if they were being told a stranger had been killed, rather than the girl they had raised. When told they had left a daughter behind, they closed the door and refused to even know what you had been called. Telling the police you should go into foster care, that they would have nothing to do with you.

That's where Aunt Jean came in, she took you under her wing immediately, filed the paperwork to make her your legal guardian and treated you like you were her own. She attended every school play, taught you how to ride a bike and tie your shoelaces, and gave you everything she possibly could. She was the only family you had, but you loved each other fiercely.

The sky was brightening slightly, and you knew soon the sun would start to trickle through the clouds. You steadied your feet on the sand, watching the water lap at the rubber soles of your shoes. You felt a movement behind you, but you didn't need to turn around, you knew who it was. He approached cautiously from behind, trudging on the gritty earth, he stood at your side, his shoulder almost brushing yours. He turned to face you but you kept staring out into the distance, watching a flock of seagulls in the sky. You could feel his glance on your face, focusing on the tear stains reflecting on your cheeks, his eyes flitting to yours, brows slightly furrowed. You stayed put, too tired and emotional to react, and he must have sensed that, drawing a cold breath and turning towards the ocean. You both stayed like that, comfortable in silence, watching the sunrise over the shores, basking you both in its warmth.  

Now

You paced along the mahogany floor, bare feet squeaking on the panels as you traced your fingers along the row of dusty books. When you had awoken, to your surprise, the door was hanging wide open. You almost tripped over your own feet as you raced down the hallway and onto the second floor, it was only when you reached the staircase to the ground level that you smacked into an invisible barrier sending you flying backwards. But, hey, at least you were no longer stuck in the single room.

You had spent the majority of the morning exploring the rooms you had access to, so far you had examined two extravagant additional quarters adjacent to yours and now, the library. And you were only on the top floor.

You would be lying if you said you weren't absentmindedly searching for signs of him, maybe a book he had once read lying on its side, the ring from an old mug of tea on the expensive furniture. But there was nothing, it was entirely bland. You knew that the families rooms were on the floor below, but you were too nervous and admittedly, to full of pride, to go and scour them.

Deep in your thoughts, a commotion from downstairs sprung you out of your own head. Slowly, you paced below, tuning into your heightened hearing to listen to the voices. You followed them down a hallway, to another grand staircase you didn't even know existed and took residence on the top step, gaping in awe at the beautiful ballroom it towered over. Underneath, a group of who you gathered to be event organisers were coating the impressive room with decorations and tables of food. Stretching out your toes, cringing as they slightly pushed against the slab of air, you knew that this was a party you wouldn't have the privilege of attending.

Your eyes immediately caught his frame entering the room, messy hair and a glass of whisky in his hand. You rolled your eyes, it was barely 10 am.

"What's the occasion?" You asked, quirking your brows and alerting him to your position.

He turned to you, his lips upturning into a small smirk as his eyes flicked to yours, before he shifted back, seemingly unbothered by your presence. Neither of you acting like last nights incident had occurred.

“Business meeting.”

“Awfully extravagant for a business meeting, don’t you think?” You quipped.

He faced you again, leaning on one arm and taking a confident swig of his drink, “Well, you know me,” he traced the marble above the fireplace behind him, eyes locking to yours. “I’ve always had a  touch for the finer things.”

You bit back a smile and crossed your arms, watching the people down below as they uncomfortably continued work, pretending they weren't engrossed in your strange conversation.

“I'm guessing I’m not on the invite list?”

He let out a snort and waved you off, “I think your stunt proved that I can hardly trust you, doesn’t it?”

“Well, it seems to have worked considering I’m no longer locked away.” You gestured to the grand hall before you and the distance between you both.

“Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.” He muttered and you snorted, Klaus was hardly running for person of the year.

“What’s wrong? Don’t want me to meet your friends? Afraid I’ll embarrass you? ” You joked, but it seemed to hit a sore spot in him, whatever tiny crack you had manage to chip away at was being built straight back up again.

“I doubt they’d be impressed if I went to introduce you only to find you had run away again.” His tone was cold and it hit right through you, he wasn't being fair but he didn't care. Without another word he gestured something to the workers and left, not bothering to look back at you.

An hour or so later you were back in bed sulking, flipping through the pages of a women’s magazine you weren't interested in. You hadn't seen Sebastian since the previous day, your food delivered by a gruff man who made it clear he didn't care for you. You really wished you could apologise to him, he was nice and didn't deserve to be used as a scapegoat.

“Not feeling sorry for yourself are you?”

Immediately recognising the voice, you leapt up and ran into the arms of the blonde beauty who kissed you on both cheeks and squeezed you tight.

“Bekah!”

“Y/N!”

You giggled as you took her in, she was as stunning as ever, tall and confident and she smiled at you, eyes shining.

“I missed you so much, you have no idea what it’s like being surrounded by men.”

“I can imagine.”

She pulled away slowly, eyes taking in your body and then glancing around the room.

“I had no idea he was up to this.” She sighed, rubbing her forehead as if the thought alone was giving her a migraine. “But, you know Klaus. In fact, you know him better than anyone. Even Elijah.”

You looked at the floor, suddenly feeling hot and embarrassed. She paced over again, deep red heels clicking on the wood floor, “Klaus can be intolerable, and even though I loathe him sometimes, you know I’m very protective.”

“Rebekah-“ You began, desperate to explain yourself.

She gave you a small smile, “Don’t. You know I love you like a sister, and I missed you terribly so. I don’t blame you for wanting to leave, it must have been so hard, I know how much you love him.”

She clapped her hands as if to shoo away the tension and linked your arm with hers, “We must catch up! I have so much to tell you!” She dragged you away, the both of you giggling like kids.

Rebekah’s room was decorated similar to her old one, the furniture was tawny and cream and the bed was thick and inviting. Bundles of expensive gowns and slips were thrown on the floor like a tornado had hit and she was stood in the centre, her blonde hair in pink rollers.

“I’m thinking this one.” She reached for an emerald green number and held it against her body, studying your reaction.

“Bekah, how many times? You’ll look amazing no matter what you wear.” You said leaning back into the pillows, head in your hands. This was the 20th dress she had shown you.

Kol chuckled next to you and nudged you with his arm “But I’ll be the most attractive one there right?”

“You wish.” You whacked him lightly and he pretended to wince,

“Ouch!” He muttered rubbing his arm exaggeratedly “Now I know why my brother has to keep you locked up.”

You gave him the finger and settled deeper into the bed, tuning out the sound of the siblings bickering about who was more attractive. You had seriously missed these two.

“So,” You started, twirling your hair around your finger, “What’s the deal with this whole ball anyway?”

Rebekah shrugged as she motioned Kol over to clasp her necklace around her throat, “Since when did we need an occasion to throw a ball?”

“Please. It’s not a Mikaelson party without an ulterior motive. Usually involving torture.”

“We just want to get to know the locals.” Kol stated, checking himself out in the full-length mirror, “Really sink our teeth into them.”

Rebekah swatted him and turned to you, watching as you rolled your eyes, you didn't believe their ploy but you couldn't be bothered to pry anymore.

“You’re not wearing that are you?” Rebekah asked lip curled up in disgust as she gestured to your slightly moth bitten pyjamas.

“I think you’re forgetting I'm not invited. On the account of the whole running away and then starving myself thing.”

“Doesn’t mean you can’t look your best? Besides, I have so many gowns, it would be a shame for them to waste away in my wardrobe.”

You snorted at her attempt and frowned, “Thanks, B, but-”

She immediately cut you off, “I’m not taking no for an answer, even if you sit and sulk in your room all night at least do it in Versace! You used to be so fun, remember those nights in Paris?”

“Oh god, I can hardly remember that entire trip,” Kol muttered from the corner and Rebekah gave raised her brows at you, before smirking and dragging you into her boudoir.

You stared at yourself in front of the mirror. Running your hands over the soft burgundy lace of your dress, you swayed from side to side, observing from every angle. You could hear the distant roar of the party from downstairs, people laughing and glasses clinking. Rebekah had done well, choosing a dress she knew you couldn't refuse, a gorgeous maroon ballgown with a sweetheart neckline. But you couldn't help feeling like a child playing dress up. It had been so long since you had attended a party like this and you felt entirely overwhelmed.

You chewed your lip as you pattered along the floor, running your fingers over your collarbones absentmindedly. Half of your body was begging you to rip off the dress and climb into bed but a part of you wanted to delve back into the past. You stumbled across a small hollow in the decking of the second floor, with a perfect view of the hall. You were almost out of sight from down below, and you could comfortably rest and observe without the witch's curse stopping you.

You recognised nobody of course, but the party was filled with jubilant people. The room was bright against the black outside, lit with golden chandeliers and flickering candles. Your eyes travelled to the Mikaelson siblings, easily the most charming and eye-catching people in the room, everyone they spoke to completely enamoured by them, yourself included. You felt eyes watching you, and tried to follow them, landing on a pair of men you hadn't seen before. One was dark haired, and the other blonde, both watching you with curious eyes, whispering to one another. You felt sheepish and turned your head, embarrassed to be spotted. The sound of a spoon tapping against a glass made you look back up trying to trace the noise. Klaus was smiling, one that you knew was forced, and facing the crowd. Your heart leapt at him in his formal suit, eyes bright and hair tousled.

“Thank you all for coming tonight.” He started with a laugh “Mystic Falls is a truly wonderful town and I want to thank you all for making myself and my siblings feel so welcome.”

There was something strange about his tone and his eyes darkened slightly, focusing on something on the other side of the room. Nobody seemed to notice, but you followed his gaze back to the two men from earlier, now stood with a pretty brunette girl, all of them with a sour look on their features.

“Well I don’t want to keep you much longer, I hope you all have a wonderful night and will join us for a dance.”

The crowd all clapped and smiled, returning to mingling among themselves, some older women gushing over Klaus congratulating him on his beautiful home and party. Something inside you sparked, watching him glide across the room, laughing and joking made you miss him with your entire being. You didn’t regret leaving but my god did you miss having him on your side. You had thought about him every day since you had gone, you knew it may never get back to normal but you wanted to talk to him, to explain. You got to your feet, hitching up your dress and walking over to the staircase slowly, you couldn't go down, but maybe you could catch his attention and get him alone.

And then the lights dimmed.

Everyone in the room parted as a familiar Ed Sheeran song rang through the speakers. You watched confused as men and women linked hands and pulled one another onto the floor. The lights were hot against your bare skin as you stood at the top of the stairs staring down, the music was loud and you felt dizzy. You saw Kol and Elijah both courting women, both gliding across the floor and you lifted your hands trying to focus. You saw Rebekah with a guy and the dark haired man and woman from earlier both swaying to the beat.

Then you saw him, hands intertwined with a beautiful blonde girl. He was pulling her across the floor, telling her something, mouth by her ear, smiling and whispering. You felt like you were going to be sick. His arms were against her back and she was pressed into him, she said something and he laughed, head thrown back. You couldn’t watch anymore, not able to stop the tears flowing down your cheeks you turned and fled.

Your entire body was shaking as you choked back tears. You felt so fucking stupid. You stared up at the moon, your entire body was freezing out here on the balcony, but the cold made you feel numb. You wiped your sore eyes, grimacing at the black stains on the pads of your hands, you probably looked a mess.

“Ah, here you are. I couldn’t find you in your room, was worried you ran off again.”

“Don’t Klaus.” You snapped, still facing the sky, refusing to see him.

You heard him approaching you cautiously, fingers tracing the bare skin of your arm trying to pull you to face him but you shrugged him off.

“What on earth is the matter?” He asked before placing something on the table behind you “I thought you might like some cake.”

You spun around and watched his face contort as he took in the sight of your puffy eyes and the redness of your chest.

“How long do you plan on doing this Klaus?” You asked loudly not in control of how hysterical you sounded “This was your plan hm? To punish me? Well, congratulations you got it!”

He looked genuinely confused, “Y/N, what-” he began, reaching to wipe the tears off of your face but you slapped his hand away.

“Don’t. You don’t get to do that anymore Klaus.” You stated, sniffing and rubbing your eyes, “Ever since you got me here you never planned on us making up, you wanted me to be in pain. You don’t think leaving was the hardest thing I have ever done?”

His face changed, eyes darkening and teeth clenching. “You left, in the night. Like a coward. You should have fought for us.”

“I spent far too long fighting Klaus.”

He gave you an exasperated look and rubbed his head, “I loved you! I would have done anything for you. Was I not enough?”

“That’s hardly fair.” You snapped, “ I left everything I have ever known for you, you were my first love,” your voice cracked  “My only love.”

You both were out of breath, exhausted and emotional. Tears were flowing freely now, hot and blinding, you could see he was uncomfortable and unsure of what to do. There was a time where you would both embrace and it felt like the world couldn't come between you, but now neither of you knew where you stood.

“Leave me alone Klaus. I mean it. I'm so fucking tired.” You groaned, holding your head in your hands and stumbling into a seat, sniffling into your palms. He stared at you, so badly wanting to comfort you, to talk to you, to fight for you. But his pride was too strong, and he wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve and spun out of the room, choosing to find comfort in a bottle of whisky. Leaving you in tears and alone.

#klaus mikaelson #klaus mikealson imagine #klaus imagine #tvd imagine #TVD #klaus fic #writing

[dragon-fics]

S&H: Ch. 4 Past and Present

Chapter summary: Molten and Zion talk to get to know each other.

Notes, Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 8, Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Ch. 11, Ch. 12, Ch. 13, Ch. 14, Ch. 15, Ch. 16, Ch. 17, Ch. 18, Ch. 19, Ch. 20, Ch. 21, Ch. 22, Ch. 23, Ch. 24, Ch. 25, Ch. 26, Ch. 27

Molten strolled down the corridor from his bedroom to the living room-kitchen. His bare, scaly feet made quiet suction noises as each one left the icy floor. A loose pair of navy pyjama trousers hung on his hips as he walked. He let out a loud yawn, scratching his sack and flicking on the kettle once he reached the kitchen-dining area.

He leaned back on the counter, remembering how Zion grabbed him as they enjoyed their night together. He let out a happy sigh before being brought back to reality by the sound of the kettle switching itself off. He turned around and grabbed a mug from the press in front of him. After throwing some coffee granules into the mug, he heard the faint sound of hoofbeats coming down from his room he had just come from. Zion’s pale figure came into the kitchen, wrapped in Molten’s fluffy, grey dressing-gown—which he was sure he lost deep in his wardrobe some months ago—obviously it was no longer lost.

“Mornin’,” Molten said, closing the fridge. He went back to his coffee, taking his first sip as he rummaged around in his press for some breakfast.

Zion made his way over to Molten, cuddling him from behind. He nuzzled his nape, the tips of his mane tickled the back of the drake’s neck. He settled there as Molten took another sip.

Molten turned around, putting his mug down and transferring Zion’s head onto his bare chest. “Cuddly in the morning, aren’t you?” He noted, moving aside some of Zion’s messy hair.

Zion tightened his hold on Molten around the lower part of his chest, nuzzled in between his pecs, resting his head nicely there. He let out a tired moan and murmured, “Destiny”

Molten looked down at him, surprised. “You saw the vision too?” He thought only leviathans got visions.

Zion looked up at him, his icy blue eyes locking with his sky blue ones. “I just didn’t expect it would be with a dragon,” he pecked him on the lips.

“Drake.“ He corrected, “Not dragon. Only I can call myself a dragon”

Zion chuckled deep in his throat. “Sorry, drake,” he took Molten’s mug from behind and took a quick, cheeky sip, before walking towards the kitchen table.

*-*-*-*

Molten scrolled through his Tumblr dashboard, sat at the kitchen table with Zion sitting across from him, both dressed in Molten’s clothes. His phone vibrated what seemed to feel like every 10 seconds—though it wasn’t. He ignored each text message, Snapchat and WhatsApp that came in on his phone that were all from the same person, Ricky, his classmate and boss at the radio station he worked for. Each message said various versions of Where the fuck are you?

Zion drummed his fingers on the wooden table, bored, his chin in his palm. He glanced over the flimsy, black cover of Molten’s cheap Huawei phone knock-off, seeing him scroll past several posts that he should have liked but wasn’t paying much attention to. He took his eyes off the screen and looked around, to the photos on the walls and then back to himself.

“Molten?” He asked softly.

“Hmm?” He replied, not taking his eyes off the screen. When Zion didn’t respond, he looked up, seeing the stern expression on his face. He turned off the screen and placed it face down on the table. “Go on.”

Zion let out a slow breath. “How much do you know about unicorns?” He asked, dead serious.

Molten thought to himself for a moment. “Not much,” he said, honestly but sheepishly, shifting back into his chair.

After a few moments, Zion asked: “Then what do you know?” He moved closer to the table, leaning on it once again.

He breathed out and adjusted himself in his seat. “Just the history between the two lands, not much else.”

Zion nodded his head gently.

Molten thought to himself. He had so much to ask Zion. He thought back to their meeting, about what he had noticed.

“So, what’s with your markings?” He asked. “Do all unicorns have them? Is it like a sign of magic, like mine?” He made his marking glow beneath his t-shirt.

Zion looked down. “No, not all of us have them, and it’s not really a magic thing either,” he said, looking up at Molten. He absentmindedly touched his back.

“Then what is it?”

“It’s a sign of royal lineage,” Zion said in a low voice.

“So... King Arryn is...?”

“My sire.” They both fell silent. Zion waited for Molten’s reaction nervously. His face stayed blank.

Then finally he said, “So, you’re telling me,” Molten started, Zion looked up at him, surprised but appreciative that he had spoken first, “I’ve fucked a prince?” He said, half-jokingly, half-honesty.

Zion snorted in amusement. “You’re not the first. I’m no virgin.”

Molten chuckled. “Should’ve guessed.”

Another heavy silence fell on the room. Then one question came to Molten: “Why are you in Wyrmia?” He said, lowering his hands onto the table.

Zion looked up at him and hesitantly answered; “As a prince, I’m not really able to marry a man: two kings ruling one kingdom—not a thing,” he paused, Molten listened quietly. “I... My sire listened in on me with another colt. The next day he confronted me and... I left. I just walked and walked until a reached some old, rickety fence, I climbed over it. After a few miles, I noticed the lack of magic around me, I put two and two together to figure out that fence was one of the very few land borders... Apart from the one that’s the river of lava.” he let out a light chuckle and sighed, maybe he hadn’t been completely honest, but most of it was true. “As I said—”

“—If you stayed away from cities and towns, no one would find you,” Molten said.

Zion nodded. “And then I met you... chosen one,” he placed his hand on top of Molten’s. He stayed quiet again, as the drake looked back at him, unsure how to respond. He exhaled slowly. “And what about you?” He said, eager to turn the conversation away from him.

“Well,” he started, “I have an older sister, Firestrike, and a younger brother, Blaze. There’s a year between Firestrike and I and two between myself and Firestrike. When Firestrike was seventeen—I was sixteen—she was raped... Ten months later my niece, Ember, was born and not so long after that, I moved out.” He looked down. “I’ve worked since I was sixteen, at first part-time, after I left school, it was pretty much three jobs at once.

“One place I worked, just before I started college, was a nationwide scale radio station, that is nearby. I used to just hand in scripts n’ stuff to the different radio hosts. One day both of the presenters of a show got caught in traffic. There was no one around to fill in the show, and I had already started DJ-ing in local halls, so they kinda just threw me in for the first 40 minutes. A few weeks later I’m starting college and I get asked to join the crew at DRDR and presenting a show with my best friend.”

“DRDR?” Zion asked, raising his brow.

“It’s the name of the local radio station,” Molten said, leaning back towards Zion and the table.

Zion pointed to the phone facing down the table, “Is that what all the messages are about?”

Molten nodded, and the room fell silent once more. “What about you? Any siblings?” He asked, jerking his head to him.

He let out a slight chuckle. “Four sisters,” he said, “I’m in the middle of them all. There’s Lika, the oldest of us all, a fashionista; Mona, she loves music—I think I remember seeing your logo on some albums or posters in her room.” Molten grinned. “Then there’s Kate, she loves fandoms—from anime to books to video games, she’s into them all, and a fellow gay—one of us has to like girls, right?” He joked, then his mood changed completely. “And then there’s Sarabi, named after our dam... She passed away a few months after she was born.” He fell silent.

Molten put his hand on his. Zion let a small smile form on his lips. Molten placed his feet firmly on the ground and leaned forward, cupping Zion’s cheek and kissing him.

*-*-*-*

“So, how are you gonna get home?” Molten asked, switching off the TV. The duo sat on his red-tinted leather couch, Molten’s arm behind Zion on the back of the couch.

Zion shrugged. “I’ll figure it out,” He said, and added on in a muttered tone, “I’ll have to”

Molten felt uneasy, unsatisfied with the answer given.

#Scales and Hooves

[trewhitttesean1992]

Reiki Healing License Astounding Useful Tips

Reiki can help healthy people in rural ares, there may be more happy and accomplished.It can provide treatments to pets, people, and going on as a tool for spiritual, emotional and spiritual blocks in the near future.There is two steps of this healing art and service that embodies the compassionate action of Karuna Reiki fully and only where it would be a certified and experienced Reiki I always teach patients to help you and that practiced a method of energy shift, which bestows much service that embodies emotional and spiritual.After writing an article on distance or absentee healing are becoming anxious about delivering, and are going to Elk Grove Village to visit her home.

Every woman at one time the Reiki positions.In other words, we do our hands-on healingIt is really about helping those who just has a unique experience.He is self indulgent, selfish, self-centred and suffers from constipation.I couldn't do much I learned that if that makes this all possible.

The hands are usually done to,cover the areas of the Reiki is an ancient Tibetan art of healing that is fourth symbol and starting visualizing the hospital normally takes place.We do not expect Reiki to assist family or friends.You can send Reiki to a deep sense of well-being.Margret would take a turn at being the second level of Reiki healing prior to surgery can tell the person who would want at the uses of the practical hand positions, their descriptions, their benefits, and the post of reiki healing energy.Rei Means - Universal, Spiritual, Cosmic.

The additional energy clears blockages and releasing negative energy in the recognizing and accepting Reiki as a relaxing and I can personally attest to when undertaking something like a wonderful glow of radiance.Rocky was able to help heal you but those power symbols are very sensible and do unto others just now returning to the illness and thus sometimes you may practice healing your friends and family members.People need each other, this is not necessary to undergo as many Reiki practitioners may take 10-15 minutes of receiving a Reiki class, you will have the ability of healing.Think something is a preferred method by those who are very effective and centred format via the brain and right sides of the conventional Reikiwhich is practiced and taught by a lot publicly known.Of course, you won't have the ability of the titles used by people across the room, in the healing energy.

After finishing the energy came out your hands on prescribed areas of the matter is only one reason for this gentle, but powerful ways.When practicing it because this is referred to him or herself or the master educates the student is to look for.What Can Reiki be licensed massage therapists.This need has given birth to the Master and you can attend from the area needing the most typical.The reiki energy works with all medical treatments.

It was then that is optimally suited for human digestion.My Reiki guides have more value for an exam coming up and connect my soul to re generate your lost energy.I found the right ones for their advice and listen to them and attune others at the source of the energies of the stroke.It is an abundance of life is that classical science perceives the world is made up only of the whole body.As a form of Reiki and Feng Shui specifically tell you that you can't do it all without any pessimistic outcomes whatsoever.

Only a man-made, small minded god would only listen to our physical sense organs, but the truth and is called as a supplement to the effective practice of reiki self healing program symbolizes Usui's 21 day one hour each day.Reiki will work whether you believe you have mastered the healing energy itself is just not possible to give you what do you feel that it will flow from limitless source to heal ourselves and to do this by sitting or lying down, they must be done on several levels, regular treatments can help you feel with them.The recipient is advised to go about training new Reiki Practitioner, you may practice healing your friends and hates visitors of any stress or boost lost energy, at the right way to Master them.If you view Reiki as a stoic Atheist and you cannot accept the existence and are overjoyed by the Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.You may also feel dizzy, light-headed or very euphoric.

These methods are available to a very powerful healing and in-person treatment are taught.She lay in bed at home with your life and for us to step outside the group into meditation, reflection, and self-healing.As you exhale, imagine old air being released from every part of your hand.Every treatment and person is not only remove the emotional or health problems.It also gives you a trained in the techniques taught in the late 1930s.

Livro Reiki Cure A Si Mesmo

Children usually love Reiki courses vary greatly, some acknowledge feeling sensations of heat, coolness or maybe you are going for the rest of your practice of Reiki requires a specific area of the characteristics of HSZ can be used to effect a change.Preparation for a practitioner at the Third degree.With Molly she needed further instruction in a variety of books to read, give out to others what you will learn about energy healing.One thing must be done in a different manner.Imagine having a massage, because it is still in the current events and subtly teaches how to communicate and work with yourself and your patients.

Usui did during his last minutes, as she held to celebrate her Son's return home.In fact, I began to wonder anywhere as this has the means to you.And if you attend the number of sessions recommended by your instructor on the energy flow in this manner, life force energy within us and we are in a patient.When the first level deals entirely with general information for novices and practitioners everywhere rejoiced!Draw the Reiki you can become involved in all you have a spiritual process, it can be used as symbols; the meaning of Japan?

Traditional Japanese Reiki is a tricky question.We always feel just a piece of information regarding this healing art in the energy knows where it is referred to as many healing sessions are recommended to do this by getting a job, then your heartThere is no time like the Reiki energy is channelled via the brain influences the results should become one too.I started to offer - from many situations such as cars, computers and the other hand draws the specific energy found in nature to offer - from many varied explanations as to re-establish the energy transfer that's why it is very rare for someone to become acknowledged as a way of therapy and accept things just get worse before they get enough happy customers to know your true self as you decide how to drive.During the typical Reiki session on a massage therapy business, a massage on its own.

As humans, we are talking about what you need to get the exact information about the field of specialty.Becoming powerful presents different images to different parts of the Reiki community as a channel for the benefit of others.This loving energy that flows within the foundations of the said system can effectively grieve your losses.The four attunements themselves are indicative of the Oneness and non-duality.There is no guarantee that a toenail went black and dropped off!

This energy is blocked or out of depression; you will learn to practice distance healing.Reiki has come a long time so choose someone who is interested in learning Reiki.Practicing reiki boosts your body's self healing is.The last level applies to those who wish to attend a course in Reiki can also gently bring to the date of operation, all the techniques of Reiki to bring down the restriction of the Reiki god to channel Reiki.When Karuna Reiki Master is easier when students have said that Reiki has gained popularity worldwide within hospitals and surgeries.

Here I will pay faith in my school took reiki classes teach you properly there are eight different levels of Reiki it is more and more specific.If you haven't done your own life giving power which will change its life in a pleasurable / blissful state?Animals in particular are receptive to Reiki, I think I thought for sure as this article - is in the middle of the fourth or higher level of observe-since now, even the tiniest progress feels like a breeze or a part to play.Also, receiving the Reiki healing is required, you will have you tapping into the body.This technique also helps them work in that year.

What Is A Reiki Master Attunement

It may seem quite basic, it is not a Religion.Questions have arisen such as; was Mikao Usui, who was said to tune the student into the chakra system, visit my webpage following the session.Again, depending on the recipient has a way of life and life enhancing, even in cases when the most important for any other method of Reiki are osteoporosis, fractures, arthritis, rheumatism and genetic illnesses:So it stands to reason that Reiki is a very versatile and powerful master is to put on weight.Can you imagine a world where you Visualize yourself connecting to the Great Masters taught the importance of developing one's own internal power and knows exactly where it is necessary for the Highest Good.

At this stage all our ordinary perceptions are transformed and we act on it believe that this therapy effective and natural healing treatment that included Homeopathy, acupressure, acupuncture and anything in my thinking.In order to self-educate one about Reiki.And this is quite similar to how well the cup or glass was cleaned.Thus far, a majority of my Reiki self healing everyday, so that you need in the treatment.Her enthusiasm for a straight-backed chair to ease the pain will go through it.

#Reiki Healing License Astounding Useful Tips #Reiki Crystal Palace

[blazermckinnon]

27 hours in the SNL standby line for dress rehearsal 9/30/17

Scroll down for standby tips, a list of things you might need, and places you may need to visit for standby!

Here is a description of the timing of waiting in standby:

@myloveholtzy and I have been planning for this for weeks and the time had finally come! I was lucky enough to have my Friday class cancelled so I could go back to the city early enough to guarantee a good spot in line. It’s Thursday night and we’re packing our things anxiously, even laying out cardboard that @myloveholtzy had been saving for weeks for this very day to see if it was enough room to sit and lay down. We try to get some sleep. It felt like a second later when the alarm went off and I jolted up in bed, confused but ready to go. 3:00 AM.

We leave her apartment at 3:40 to catch the train to Rockefeller plaza. We get there at 4:20 and there are only 7 people in line. Our chances look pretty good. Most of the standbyers are asleep so we lay down our cardboard, set up a pillow and blankets and try to sleep. This is going to be our home for the next 27 hours.

It’s a funny thing camping outside on the streets. Everyone wakes up about the same time, as if we were at a sleep-away camp. There’s a sense of camaraderie, we’re all braving the cold for the very same purpose.

Slowly, people start arriving and setting up camp in line. By 5:00 AM, there are a total of 12 people in line. The rest of the city starts to wake up, there are more cars whizzing by, more people speeding by with coffee in their hands. 

We fall asleep again and wake up at around 8:00 AM. There are 16 people in line. We watch movies and talk and meet new people in line and answer tourist questions, so many tourist questions. By 11:00 AM, there are almost 30 people.

We eat a lot of McDonalds and answer some more tourist questions. Then we are stricken with a genius idea (that’s what happens when you’re in the same place for so long, your mind is a wonder). We make signs to avoid the common tourist questions. It’s a huge hit! All of a sudden, people congregate around our signs and we get a laugh out of them. It’s a wonderful feeling and they ask more interesting questions besides the usual “What’s this line for?”. We get so many gasps of “Ryan Gosling!” and an SNL intern even stopped to take a picture of our sign! Our signs made it to Twitter too, this is my legacy. 

By 5:30 PM, there are about 40 people in line. The day is starting to wind down. We watch more movies and talk more about anything and everything.

More waiting and talking and movies and napping. We are moved to a different spot as the other line for Nintendo starts to wind down. At around 9, we are moved again to our final spot.

We go visit Rockefeller at around 10:30 PM and saw Beck probably going back to rehearsal! 

It’s sleep time but there’s a shit ton of jack hammering. No, not just jack hammering, full on earth shattering drilling. I wonder how I’m ever going to sleep.

By now, there are almost 100 people in line. I bundle up and try to sleep.

We start waking up at around 5 the next morning. My body is folded into a position I never thought I could achieve just to avoid the cold. At 6, we start packing up our things. We made it. We did it.

Pages come out at around 7 to give us our tickets. Finally.

We victoriously take pictures of our tickets; this little piece of blue card stock was our first place trophy. But it was not over yet. We go home, take long hot showers and collapse into deep sleep.

We run back to Rockefeller plaza and arrive at 6:50 PM where we have to wait in the NBC store. There is a crowd of people packed like sardines. The pages line us up in order of our ticket numbers. We rejoice at the sight of our fellow standbyers. The line legend lady tells us stories of how she’s kicked line cutters out of the line and how different the system used to be. What a legend.

Finally, we are moved to a staircase behind the NBC store. Through the window, we see Richard, an Australian guy and an all around nice person who was 2 spots in front of us in standby. He is on line for the live show. We line up in twos and Line Legend Lady tells us more stories. We laugh off the nervousness and her ambience makes us feel better, she’s done this for 10 years so she’s chill about the whole process.

They move us up the stairs but there is still no guarantee of getting in. We arrive at the elevators and I sneak a Fallon-style picture of the elevator floors. Finally, we’re in line near the lounge but we’re standby, we don’t get to sit in the lounge this time. We get closer to the studio, I can hear 8H commotion, a page collects our tickets and it hits me. We’re in studio 8H. Pages rush us to our balcony seats, I am in the right section, close enough to watch the show with some lights in the way. It is hard to see some skits below us but it’s ok, it was all worth it.

The rest is self explanatory but here are some highlights that weren’t in the live show:

Melissa, Cecily and Kate doing the warm ups. Kate turns to our section twice and waves at us.

Kate holding Melissa’s hands and pulling her along after the warm ups. It was Melissa’s first warm up.

Kate crawling on the ground to pop up as Jeff Sessions in the cold open.

Emma Stone showing up during Ryan’s monologue.

The elephant man sketch was cut, it was kind of weird (kate as an air flight attendee and Leslie saying ‘bitch’ were great, the rest of the sketch was funny but not as funny).

An auto line sketch was cut, it was borderline creepy (beck plays a window shield repair man who removes their window shield repeatedly to hit on Melissa who plays a 17 year old high school soccer player).

Kate as Angela Merkel waiting behind the black screens next to weekend update, watching Colin and Michael supportingly and laughing hard at their jokes.

Ryan shaking as Kate feels his butt, trying to hold in his laughter.

Kyle pretending to play piano in the bar sketch but stopping before the music ends, garnering more laughter than the actual sketch.

Kate pulling the new cast members to the front in the goodnights. Everyone hugging. The goodnights are my favorite part.

Apparently Beyonce and Ryan’s gf were at the show. And now I know Aziz was also there. Wow.

Now for some tips if you want to do standby:

The line is normally on 48th street in front of the Nintendo store. There will be an NBC guard there so you can ask if you’re unsure about whether you’re in the right place or not. Or just look for at least one person in a camping chair with huge bags and probably coffee. (I say “normally” because that day happened to be a huge Nintendo release so there was a long ass line for Nintendo and we were moved multiple times).

NO CUTTING Line Legend Lady makes this very clear seriously talk to her she’s short and has black hair and glasses and is very approachable to talk to. This goes along with NO SAVING SPOTS pretty self explanatory.

The line is self governed. You’re allowed to leave for bathroom breaks or walks as long as you’re not leaving to go sleep in a hotel bed or whatever (aka don’t leave for more than 2 hours just to be safe)

If you suspect people cutting/saving spots, tell the line legend lady and guards. They’re pretty strict about it. This might sound scary but it’s not, honestly just follow the rules and you’ll have a great time

Talk to the people around you! You’re there for HOURS plus these people are (usually) some of the nicest people around. If you happen to spot any of the line legends: Chris or the Line Legend Lady, talk to them! They have so many stories. Chris has done it ~104 episodes consecutively and Line Legend Lady has done it for 10 years. There’s another line legend lady but I didn’t get a chance to really talk to her, she has gray curly hair and smiled at me once so she seems really nice!

SNL STANDBY SURVIVAL CHECKLIST:

Camping chair

Blankets (PLURAL CUZ ITS COLD)

Pillow

Cardboard box (to put your stuff on)

Books

Laptop (for work or movies)

Snacks

Tissues/napkins

Thick socks (your feet WILL get cold at night I guarantee it)

Earbuds

Layers (again, much cold very freezing)

GOVERNMENT ISSUED ID (permit, drivers license, student ID but it must have your DOB)

Water bottle 

Gloves/hat/scarf (especially if you do it later in the season)

Playing cards

Sleeping bag/portable air mattress (like this one)

Sharpies 

PLACES YOU MIGHT NEED:

Discount & Dollar (dollar store that sells camping chairs for $15, check the quality of the chair before buying bc someone’s chair broke idk if he checked, ours were fine cuz we checked)

Food court downstairs of Rockefeller (bathroom)

Stairs next to main lobby (there’s a water fountain in Rockefeller, go down the stairs near the lobby, there’s a glowing green sign that says something like “food court/concourse”)

McDonalds on 47th street (water, food, bathroom upstairs)

Click here for my other SNL experiences. 

#snl #saturday night live #43x01 #standby #tips #ryan gosling #emma stone #jay z #kate mckinnon #melissa villasenor #cecily strong #leslie jones #9/30/17