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#have to promo items sorry
writersblg · 6 months
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how the cod characters would react to their partner having a hyper-feminine bedroom
It was late at night when you brought your boyfriend/girlfriend back to your place for the first time. Still having a few lights on in your apartment you went around to turn them all off and check if you have closed all the curtains while you told your new partner to make themselves comfortable. So they looked around the rooms - all painted in white with some greenery with timeless emerald green furniture - until they got to your bedroom. Pink. Everything was covered in pink or white. White walls, pink bed sheets, white wardrobe, pink lamps and carpet. Tons of fluffy and big pillows laying across your bed in pink and you expected them to be normal about this?
Simon
Closest he’ll ever be to experience a stroke
Never slept worse in his life
Starts acting like he’s in a haunted house at first
Literally hyper aware suddenly
Genuinely has a hard time adjusting since he feels so out of place
Has to smoke before coming to your place to calm himself down just because of your bedroom
He’s going to end up as your phone background when he snored on your pink bed
Will slowly start to enjoy how soft and sweet the room actually is and how he maybe doesn’t need a gun on the bedside table
TeenLoose Ends!Simon (shameless self promo)
Best place on earth for him 💕
One of the pink pillows is his designated one
Thought it was just because you never cared to rearrange your room since early childhood
Would see if something is positioned differently right away
Would definitely make sure all photos will be deleted with him wrapped up in pink bed sheets
Soap
Giggles
Throws himself on the bed in an instant and is off - you can’t get him to wake up again
Definitely takes up the entire bed
Falls asleep with a plushie in his arms
Will buy a few pink items to drop at his home for you to feel more comfortable at his place
Gaz
Weirded out a little? But never slept better
Will address you with “Hi Barbie” from now on (Hi Ken 💕)
Mentally gets ready for weekly skincare routines together the second he sets foot in the bedroom
He almost once choked on a blanket in your bed in his sleep
He’s so unproblematic I’m gonna die 🫠
Price
Feels like he’s in Disney Land
The age gap just hit him in the face and is now convinced all of gen z has a room like that
Once had to answer a zoom call while being surrounded by pink plushies and he got bullied BADLY by his superiors
Will actually start to find your pink sleeping mask for him really useful and bring it with him when he’s travelling
Alex
“Awh that’s cute”
Doesn’t want to touch anything because it looks so nice to him
Also gets very giddy
Will show up with one of these pink cowboy hats with feathers on your door step
Farah
Stroke; call the ambulance
But will get used to it after some time and will kinda have the chance to rediscover girlhood in a way
Will trigger a Pavlovian reflex after some time and gets super sleepy at the sight of pink
Starts to get cuteness aggressions with you
Valeria
Will tell you that you’re too soft but secretly loves the bedroom; definitely her favourite room in your place
Steals little pink items she thinks you won’t be missing and places them in her place
Will choke someone if something she stole went missing or someone looks at it for too long
Alajandro
Will take a picture and send it to a group chat. Sorry
Will ask so many questions as to why this room looks like that. Not in a judgy way - more genuine curiosity
Will sleep on the edge of the bed because he feels so uncomfortable at first
I hc him regularly drooling on the bed sheets 😭
Rudy
Will actually act normal about it?
You’re waiting for a comment but there’s none
Will casually slip into his PJs and get under the pink covers and fall asleep
I think he has a thing for hyperfeminine partners in general so maybe that’s why 🎀
Keegan
“What the fuck?”
BUT he’ll literally fit in so well 🥹 and get used to it
Absolutely will start calling you “Princess”
Will start buying pink stuff because it reminds him of you; but don’t force him to wear anything pink - he won’t 🥲
I’m going insane over the picture in my head about his Siberian husky eyes and black hair in pink bed sheets
Really don’t want to bother you guys but if you have a few minutes maybe consider signing the petition for inquisitor ❤️ the link should be at the top of my blog
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tatoda · 8 months
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Truth or Dare || Chris Briney x fem!reader
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masterlist
request
summary: you join chis on one of his interviews with the cast and one little detail calls you out
pairing: chris briney x fem!reader
warnings: none! fluff
wc: 300 (not sure)
just a small little thing hope you enjoy. not really edited so sorry
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You have always been off the grid as chris’ girlfriend. All your social medias was private other than the fact that chris now had millions of followers digging into your daily lives. You both met back in college in your english class and started off as friends for the 4 years and he finally had the courage to ask you out at graduation. Ever since, y’all have been inseparable. He would bring you up in any conversation, post you on his instagram, being you to set. He was the best person you have ever met.
With chris getting a huge role in the show The Summer I Turned Pretty, you knew people would try and get in between y’all’s relationship. Since the fans couldn’t reach you, they would comment things on chris’ instagram just for you. But it never crossed chris’ mind that he would ever lose you, he would always talk about you no matter what no matter where.
And now season 2 has been filmed and now the first few episodes have been released, it was time for the cast to film some promo videos and production boosts for the fans. Chris brought you along for the day so you sat backstage in almost every video just smiling at the cast but mostly your boyfriend. You watched as they went through the truths and dared having a dance battle to eating horseradish. It was now chris turn to go and he picked out a truth.
“kiss sean kaufman again.” you rolled your eyes playfully
“again.” sean said jokingly “guys who put that one again.” and the whole cast started talking over each other
“nah, it’s what it said.” chris shows the paper around but too fast for anyone to see “look at it. it’s what it said.”
“one day it’s actually going to say kiss sean.” lola said before chris cleared his throat and read the paper
“besides your phone, what is the one item in your house you couldn’t live without.” you knew the answer instantly it was Aquaphor it’s what he cared almost as much as he cared about you, you introduced it to him about a few years ago and he hasn’t stopped using it since
“aquaphor,” gavin said before anyone
“aquaphor.” chris reached into his coat jacket and pulled out the tiny bottle you bought him last week “i’m on it because of my girlfriend.” he glanced at you before looking at the bottle and opened it “it’s the best things that’s ever happened to me�� um.. besides.. my girlfriend.” he guested towards you and your cheeks instantly filled with heat as the cast looked at you “her introducing me to aquaphor.” he rubbed some on his lips
“she’s blushing!” lola pointed towards you and you laughed messing with your rings on your finger out of nervousness and chris gave you an apologetic look knowing you don’t like a lot of attention
After the interview was over you went into the back room where the cast was and sat down before their next interview. You sat on the couch drinking a lemonade while the cast talked around you. Sometime you didn’t like being here, you felt out of place sometimes.
“hey girly.” lola sat down next to you. you and lola have became very close friends despite all the rumors saying you hated her for kissing your boyfriend when it was all acting for a tv show
“hey, you ready for the next interview?” you turned towards her slightly
“yeah but my bed is really calling my name right now.” she sighed taking a sip of her water
“chris has mixed feelings about the interviews, he never wants to say anything wrong he really gets into his head about it. plus these are your last interviews before the strike happens so.”
“yeah it honestly sucks that we have to do this but it’s worth it, it’s also stopping us from telling the fans about season 3 too. we can’t promote anything.”
“it will be worth it in the end.” you smiled at her and a body fell next to you, glancing to your side you saw chris sipping on water too “hey you.” he smiled tipping his head to kiss the side of your forehead
“tired.” he whispered
“we’ll go home soon enough.” you leaned into his side and he wrapped an arm around you
“sorry i mentioned you with the aquaphor, it’s just really important to me and you kinda slipped out.”
“shush, it’s okay i want people to know you love the product more than me.” you nudged him with your shoulder
“hey that’s not true!”
“sure sure, anyone on the cast can tell you otherwise baby.” he shook his head playfully at you and brought you in closer to him
He was lucky to have you by his side in this major point in his life. He would never choose anyone other than you to be with him right here right now.
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miraitrunks · 23 days
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okay, so… here it is: a larger post of most of the treasure planet merch i’ve received but haven’t shared here. this stuff gets more and more niche/rare the further you scroll, so check it all out! let’s start from the top:
first up— we’ve got my complete collection of all the loungefly products. each one has jim on it so it was a must <3 personally the first release (middle) is my favorite but i think the pink backpack is prettier
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second up— my 20th anniversary pin as well as my cursed concepts pin. such lovely grabs <3 then we have the pin i bought off the artist Dean Grayson from his “Heroic Rides” series on etsy. it’s fricken huge!
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third— probably one of my favorites, my hallmark treasure planet cups. i got these off ebay and i have absolutely no idea what year they’re from. aren’t they so cool?! i got so many and they’re brand new. the print of jim on the cup is just top tier. “honey, we’ve got guests. bring out the fine china!” 10/10.
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number four— my jim & silver keychain toys. these are olddd! if you know me though, you know i don’t keep stuff in the packages. silver could stay, but jim definitely had to come out. he zooms forward like a toy car when you pull him back and then let him go!
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item number five— treasure planet for the playstation 2. i’m especially fond of this one considering the ps2 was my first ever gaming console that i owned myself. so many fun memories!
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number six— my japanese art promo book featuring some of the japanese voice casting! as an anime fan, collecting japanese promotional material for american media is something that i’ve always wanted to do. i haven’t gotten my hands on a japanese movie poster yet, but it’s on my list for sure. this is a pretty close runner up though! i love all the pngs used for this booklet! (sorry for my weird hand placement in some of these, as the pages folded out and it was hard to photograph with one hand)
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number seven— last one for now! i think i saved the best for last personally, but this is my disney adventures collector’s edition magazine for treasure planet back from 2002, the movie’s release year. let me tell you, this thing is such a throwback from the events of the year to the ads that come in the thing.
…AND THERE’S A WHOLE CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE COMIC IN HERE?! i had no idea! it was like striking gold! this is also one of my favorites of all the things i own. can we get a load of how cute he looks on the cover? he almost looks like he’s aware he’s posing for a magazine cover. so adorable!
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…wow, that’s all from me for now! while it’s definitely not all i own, this is just some of the newer stuff i’ve gotten since i’ve been away and/or some of the stuff i think is cooler. did you recognize any of this stuff? find anything new? lemme know!
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heilos · 2 years
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Finally got around to snapping some new photos of my entire Daft Punk Interstella 5555 collection. :)
Took a few years to get to this point, but i’m very proud and happy with what I have so far.  Interstella 5555 had an immensely profound effect on my life and appreciation for art, animation and story telling back when I watched it for the very first time as a kid. This music video movie and the main cast of characters mean so much to me. As for the collection itself, the only thing missing at the moment in these pictures is a very large authentic movie poster since I haven’t been able to frame it yet. But I hope you enjoy this small look into one of my many personal interests and sorry for the bit of glare in both photos. Tried to tone it down as much as possible. Below is a full list breakdown of all the items from left to right:
- VHS of the whole movie - VHS of the trailer for the movie - VHS of the One More Time section of the movie - Action figures of the main characters - NTSC version of the full movie - Japanese edition box with bearbrick figures - French promotional marketing pamphlet - Character sticker sheet - Canadian promotional marketing pamphlet - Daft Punk Discovery Album Press Kit - Taiwanese Discovery album CD with Interstella mouse pad  - Japanese Digital Love CD - Promo sticker sheet - 2 Chirashi flyer/Japanese flyer advertisement - Japanese Harder Better Faster Stronger CD - Promotional postcard - Background art sticker - Movie trailer CD with sleeve - Something About Us single CD with sleeve - Full movie CD in an alternate sleeve cover - Harder Better Faster Stronger single CD with sleeve - 2 Japanese Discovery album versions with slipcases - Promotional character cards (missing Arpegius for now) - Something About Us vinyl - Rare Japanese version of the Discovery vinyl - Harder Better Faster Stronger vinyl - Large character poster
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hyunjinvoid · 8 months
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spa day : l.felix
Genre : fluff, comfort after a long week
Warnings : non-sexual!nudity
After a long and particularly grueling workweek, your body was ready to collapse. Luckily, when you got home on Friday, finally finished with your job for the week, Felix was already in the kitchen waiting for you.
Hanging up your coat on the rack by the door and setting your bag beside it, you venture further into your apartment. Soon, the sound of padded feet rushes towards you, and Felix engulfs you in a hug.
“Hello, my muffin,” he says sweetly as he squeezes you a little harder. “I hope you had a good day.” Pulling away from you, Felix smiles brightly at your tired expression, and places a sweet kiss on your lips.
“I had an okay day today. I finally finished that assignment that my boss gave me, and I only had to change a few things.” You follow Felix into the kitchen, sitting down at one of the bar chairs as Felix warms up food in the microwave. “I’m super tired though, and so happy that I don’t have to work tomorrow.”
Felix dishes the now warm leftovers onto plates for the two of you, and comes and sits next to you at the bar. “I’m sorry you're tired. I actually was thinking that we should do a spa night tonight! Hyunjin got a promo box from some company and sent over extras for us to try. And then we can cuddle and go to bed. How does that sound, muffin?” Felix says excitedly.
“I think that sounds great, but can I take a bath or a shower or something first? I feel gross,” you turn to look at your boyfriend as he nods at you. Wiggling his eyebrows, he says, “If I run a bath, will you join me?”
Giggling at his weird facial expressions, you nod your head, and finish up your dinner.
---<>---
“That feels nice,” you say as you sink into the warm bathwater, Felix sitting behind you. It turns out that Hyunjin had gotten some high-quality items; including a set of comforting bath bombs that you and Felix of course decided to use. There were also a variety of face masks, facial oils and serums, and a jade roller that Felix insisted on saving for the cat. “It’ll be like he’s getting his own massage!”
Snuggling up against Felix’s warm chest, you sigh in contentment. This is just what I needed to relax, you think as you take a deep breath, enjoying the scent of the bath bombs and Felix.
You’re brought out of your scent-induced stupor by Felix running his hands through your hair, and you try to turn your head, aiming to see what he’s doing.
“Ssh, stop moving, I’m braiding your hair,” he says, and you relax again, turning back and closing your eyes again, sinking into the feeling of his fingers in your hair.
A little while later, once you and Felix are out of the bath, and he has you sitting on the counter while he stands in between your legs, applying a face mask with a face of total concentration.
“And…okay, there we go. I finally got it everywhere!” Felix triumphantly looks at you, and you laugh. Truly, he did a good job applying it to your face, but his. . .was very messy. The face mask that Felix chose was a bit more goopy than you had expected, and, consequently, you had somehow gotten the face mask everywhere.
As you’re turned around looking in the mirror at Felix’s fantastic application of the clay face mask, Felix wraps his arms around your waist as he stares at you in the mirror.
“I really want to kiss you right now since you look so cute,” Felix says, and you laugh.
“How about you can kiss me all you want when we get these face masks off, hm?”
“Okay. But be prepared! I intend to make up for today’s loss of kisses by like. . .ten!”
Felix untangles his arms from you as you laugh, the sound joyous in his ears. Lightly massaging your shoulders, he works wonders on the tense muscles. Standing in silence for a few minutes, the two of you just simply enjoy each other's company, thankful that you can have times like these. Your phone dings, signaling the timer going off.
“Okay, we can take these off now,” you tell Felix, who is quickly grabbing a wet washcloth and scrubbing at his face. “No, no, no, you need to be more careful with it, baby-” You’re cut off as Felix surprises you with a kiss, putting his hand on the back of your neck to keep you close. Smiling into it, you kiss him back slowly.
Felix pulls away, smiling gently as he looks at your face, which, at the moment, is covered in a very unattractive gray face mask. Holding up the washcloth in his hands, he wipes the face mask off of your face as if you were made of glass.
“Thank you,” you tell him, smiling, after a few minutes of caring for each other’s skincare routines. You quickly change into your comfy pajamas, being done with Hyunjin’s promo products for the time being.
Now, with the both of you snuggled together beneath the warm covers of your bed, Felix brushes the tip of his nose against yours, meeting your lips in another kiss. You sink into it, enjoying the feeling of his lips against yours and falling into the scent of Felix, the scent of home.
You snuggle closer up to your boyfriend, grateful for the care that he has given you tonight. “Goodnight, Felix. I love you.”
“I love you too, muffin. Good night.”
--<>--
hyunjinvoid. aug 2023. do not repost. ©
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highdio · 1 month
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hey i have a question. do you kmow what’s up with the ichiban kuji jojo’s assemble (2021) josuke figure? the one from this:
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it looks really nice in the promo pictures, but the one i own, and every single one ive seen anyone else own, looks absolutely terrible. the face is sculpted completely differently to the promo pics and looks super ugly. i don’t think it could be a bootleg because i’ve literally never seen someone own one that looks like the promo photos. do u know what happened with this thing? it’s super disappointing since theyre on the pricier side but the worst quality of any jojo fig, and i don’t want to buy anything else from this collection if if could turn out the same
The quality issue's probably because it's a kuji figure. They tend to be made with simpler molds and lower quality control since they're meant to be sold as lottery prizes and crane machine items. The upside of this is it keeps the prices down vs. the retail prices on scale figures, but stuff can go awry with some releases looking terrible.
I adore this guy's site for comprehensive video reviews of Jojo figures where you can see how they actually look out of the box:
Here's his review of (most of) the Jojo's Assemble line:
youtube
(His Josuke's face looks like it's painted well but I can see how the sculpt could make it really weird since the nose is just oddly shaped).
I guess the best way to be safe is to wait until the kuji figure's been released and then look up a bunch of photos before you buy it, although sometimes that's less of an option with pre-orders. Sorry about your Josuke :(
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there-goes-thefighter · 2 months
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Dad Mode - the miz x OC
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This is my fic. Please do not repost this (reblogs are good). Do not copy my writing. Do not steal my writing. All rights are reserved for my writing and my original character(s).
WWE Masterlist
Series Masterlist
(warnings: blood, injury)
(pairing: platonic!mike "the miz" mizanin x oc!wwe!skylar "the grim reaper" calaway)
(word count: 1k)
Skylar was alarmed the moment she saw her blood on the canvas. When the match finished, she ran straight backstage, passing through gorilla and toward the locker rooms. Finding Mike’s room, she hurriedly knocked on the door. By now, tears were brimming her eyes and blood was running down her chin and neck.
Moments later, Mike opened the door to see Skylar standing there. His face immediately showed concern as he spotted the blood.
“Dad, I need help,” she whimpered, not realizing she’d called Mike the title.
“Come on in, kiddo.” He ushered her into the room and sat her down, instructing her to tilt her head back and pinch her nose to stop the bleeding. Skylar did as told while Mike found a spare towel. He gently placed it over Skylar’s nose to soak up the blood.
“I will be right back. I’m going to get you an ice pack.”
With a muffled voice, Skylar replied, “Okay.”
Mike left the room and headed straight for medical.
“Hey, can I get an ice pack? Skylar’s got a nosebleed in my locker room.”
“Why didn’t she come here?”
“I don’t know. She came straight to me and said she needed help.”
“Alright. Here’s an ice pack and a few Ibuprofen. Tell her if it gets worse to come to us.”
“Will do. Thanks.”
Mike took the ice pack and small container of Ibuprofen back to Skylar. He found her where he left her, head back and holding the towel to her face.
“One ice pack and three Ibuprofen for the kid I didn’t know I had,” he said as he provided her with the items.
Skylar slowly moved her head back to normal and removed the towel. Mike tossed the towel with his small pile of dirty laundry. Skylar took the Ibuprofen and held the ice pack to her nose.
“Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind you calling me Dad. We’re practically your second family anyway,” he replied as he sat beside her. 
Skylar chuckled, “True.”
“What happened in the ring that left you bleeding like this?”
“I ended up face-first into the canvas. I couldn’t brace myself because Bayley had my arms behind my back. When I saw blood, I thought I had broken my nose. As soon as the match was over I rushed back here to you.”
“Why didn’t you go to medical?”
“I don’t like going in there. It feels so stuffy and too much like a hospital room.”
“So you came to me.”
“Yeah. I knew you’d help first and ask questions later.”
Mike smiled, “When it comes to you, yeah.”
“Nuh-uh, you’re like that with your girls, too.”
“I didn’t say only you. But I told you I’d look out for you, didn’t I?” he asked, lightly shoving her knee.
“Yeah. Thanks, Dad.”
“I could get used to that.”
“You have kids.”
“I know, but again, it’s you. When it comes from you, I know I did something right. Whatever it is that makes you trust me this much...it’s just...it makes me feel good. I’m honored you consider me a second Dad.”
“Do you remember the promo where Punk said all that shit about me?”
Mike sighed, “Yeah.”
“Do you remember what you did?”
“Of course.”
“That was it.”
“That was what?”
“When you went out there, completely unplanned and unprepared, just to stick up for me...that was huge to me. To stick up for someone you kind of knew at the time and say the things you did, really touched me. You just went out there and did it. That’s why I thanked you for like a week after that.”
“And none of it was on the script.”
“I know. You talk differently when you’re serious.”
“I do?”
“Yeah. When you’re serious you sound more like you and not your character. And on top of that, nobody could fake the amount of anger radiating from you that night.”
“I was pissed.”
“I know you were. But when you hugged me when you got to gorilla, that was gone.”
“I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“And that’s why I...no, I can’t ask this now,” Skylar shook her head as she lowered the ice pack from her face. 
“Ask what?”
“Dad gave me permission a while ago to ask you if you’d do something.”
“Okay…”
“Listen, Uncle H and Aunt Stephanie are great, but I’m not entirely close with them. You and Maryse have been so gracious and so good to me, that I wanted to ask if you would be my godparents.”
Mike looked at Skylar, tears forming in his eyes, “Are you serious?”
Skylar nodded, “Yeah.”
“C’mere, kid,” he said as he embraced her. “We would be honored, Sky. Thank you.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head, a silent thank you for the honor. 
As if on cue, Maryse was calling Mike over FaceTime. He answered the phone, wiping tears from his eyes.
“Honey, what’s wrong?”
He shook his head, “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. Sky just asked me if we’d be her godparents.” A few stray tears fell as he spoke. 
“Oh my God. Please tell me you said yes.”
He nodded, “I did.”
“Is she with you?”
“Yeah,” he replied, passing the phone to Skylar.
As soon as Maryse saw Skylar’s condition, she grew concerned. “Sky, what happened?”
“I got a nosebleed in the ring,” she explained. 
“Is it broken?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Hang on, let me check,” Mike gingerly reached over and felt Skylar’s nose, checking for a break, but discovered that it was just swollen. “She’s good. Nothing broken. Her nose is swollen, but that’s it.”
“Oh, that’s good. Keep me updated, okay, hon?”
“Yeah, I will.”
Skylar and Mike bid their farewells to Maryse before ending the call. 
“Alright. So now that you’re okay, can I walk you back to your bus?”
“Sure.” Mike walked Skylar back to her bus, making sure she could get in. Before he could turn to leave, Skylar stopped him. 
“Thanks for the help, Dad,” she expressed as she hugged him.
“Anytime. I’ll always be here for you,” he responded, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
“I know.”
“I love you, kiddo.”
“I love you too, Miz.”
After accompanying Skylar to her bus, Mike returned to his locker room, unaware that she was watching him leave with a wide grin on her face. She messaged her father, telling him that she made the right choice in confiding in Mike.
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faeriekit · 5 months
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I need your librarian opinion - if I leave a piece of paper sticking out of my library books like a bookmark when I return them and leave a little note on the paper like a book review saying what I liked about the book, will the librarians notice and like it or will it be annoying because they have to keep removing them?
Excellent ask!
Our policy at our library is to get rid of any visible paper items that are not part of the book on return; that means that any sticky notes we can see, or visible bookmarks, get dunked in the trash when you return your item. That being said, we can't see inside the book when you return it, so if you put a sticky note, say, in the inner cover of the book, we might not actually notice. Most libraries have a detritus policy, though, and probably won't be too keen to keep your notes, no matter how valuable they are. :'(
I don't want you to waste your efforts for nothing, though; your library website may have an option to leave a review of the book! It won't be as tangible or precious, but more people might see your thoughts if you leave them available to anyone who would use your catalog.
Sorry the answer isn't more romantic! 📚 Thanks for asking!
Real things we have found in books as impromptu bookmarks and had to throw out (or call patrons about):
Photos of children (occasionally labeled)
Old promo bookmarks
A? Check?
Bills??
Pokemon Card (it was one of those new ones, iceberg themed)
Sticker pack, unused
Napkins
Tissues
...Sand
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thesupreme316 · 1 year
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Could I request Eddie Kington and the reader as mixed matched a team?
Eddie Kingston as a tag team partner (Eddie Kingston x Fem!Reader):
Genre: Crack
Summary: How I would imagine Eddie as your tag team partner
Word Count: 700
Supreme Speaks: OKAY IK IM LATE BUT BETTER THAN NEVER. thank you to @hookerforhook for being so patient and lovely (please lemme write more for you). I hope you and everyone else enjoys. ALSO, i hope everyone is doing well and remember you are loved and appreciated.
Warnings: slightly proofread, an obscene amount of yall (sorry I'm just country and hood)
Taglist (if you wanna be a part of it, lemme know): @hookerforhook @triscillal @wwenhlimagines @sheinthatfandom @hooks-martin
You know that older brother who loves you but will bully you at every given chance?
Yep, that’s Eddie
He’ll protect you from your opponents, will drop a ref for you, will chew everyone and their mommas out 
But is quick to spear you and give you a noogie
I feel like the way ya’lls team came to be wasn’t because he was soughing after a tag team partner (cause he’s Eddie Kingston and he’ll kick anyone's ass)
But it came to be when you helped even the odds with JAS and you actually didn’t mind fighting the dudes
At that moment, Eddie knew you were his partner
“Why Me?”
“Because you literally just kicked everyone’s ass…besides you’re the only other person in the back I like…besides Mox and Lulu of course.”
That’s right; out of all the enemies and allies he had in the back, he considered you an ally
HOWEVER, I still think he wouldn’t open up to you immediately but would gradually become more comfortable with you
At first, he would only talk to you for match purposes
And then he started hanging out with you a little bit before the show
And then he would text you “you good?” If he hasn’t heard from you (if you respond, he’ll say “great, btw fuck you”
Everything would change when he needed a place to crash cause all the hotel rooms were taken and you allowed him to crash with you
Although he left before you could wake up, he left you a note stating how he’s blessed that he has you as a friend
Now ya’ll at the point where ya’ll are inseparable
Where ever you go, he goes, and vice versa
Ya’ll in each other favorite contacts
Eddie would act like he genuinely doesn’t like you (in the eyes of others) but everyone knows he adores you
You two know each other like the back of your hands
Will tag you on Twitter posts that remind him of you, ya’lls friendship, or just things you need to see
Would say “EW” or “Gross” at you (if you're just walking by) or if you mess up in the ring he’ll laugh and say “you suck”
But heaven forbid someone else said that about you
Everyone can see how much you mean to him
Anyways you would do the same to and for him
You made it your goal to annoy the living shit out of him (and to make him scream and shake his fist at the sky)
But you were quick to shake someone if they irritate him
You played little pranks on him, stole his shirts (and threatened to burn them), made him cut promos on random items
“Now pretend he just lit your family on fire”
“Y/N, this is a toilet brush”
Now in the ring, your and Eddie’s styles complement each other
And you often came together to do tag team moves (especially the ones that Eddie learned from watching old Japanese tapes)
But if you were ready to get out the weapons, he was right behind you (either getting more weapons or just watching)
Essentially, you had crazy ideas and he just supported you in any way he could
Would not wear matching ring gear colors, but will match t-shirts with you (if you have tag team merchandise)
If not, ya’ll would wear each other’s designs
You two could pick up on the other’s next move without talking (you could expect/predict what he was gonna do and how you follow up or help)
Not gonna lie…Eddie would tag you in the match on the head/in the face
I can just see him lightly slap your head to signify a tag
If ya’ll won, then ya’ll were celebrating by doing chest bumps and getting food after the show
If ya’ll lost, Eddie would just berate everyone in sight (except for you)
Despite what he says, he would never talk down to you or degrade you (you’re his soft spot)
Would introduce you to Mox and form a trio if the situation called for it
Overall…Being Eddie Kingston’s tag team partner would be a rollercoaster, but one that would become your favorite rollercoaster
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grayseyebrowscar · 6 months
Note
Do you or any of your friends that I see you interact with have any thunder legion ideas? cause I think they're neat little people
uhhhhhhhhhh fuck i forgot kori's fairy tail blog but uh @creaticare is my main thunder legion buddy to answer for wanting thunder legion shit and i think @pencilofawesomeness has some ik she makes some good art good soup so go to them to ask for some as well if yheyre fine with that lol - and if anyone else who sees this and wanna add themselves as free promo for such why not
but heres some of my hcs!! (mostly bix related ones lol)
the team live together and have since team founding - laxus has a room as well bc why not
also out of the ones who went to ft like the order they joined it goes freed, ever, bix - i have lore for that later however i havent finished plotting that fic yet but iirc freed joined bc he befriended laxus while lacus was on a job and just followed him to fairy tail bc of the family lore i have for my boi, evergreen joined bc she wanted to and immediately befriended freed and the team began there, and bix joined bc he is a golden retriever
the green motif for the team each having a green item (ever her clothes, bix's eyes iirc and ofc freeds hair) was on purpose and in which ever felt left out (it started with a green scrunchie and went down hill from there
sorry to be on brand for a second but all three are actually really good friends with team shadowgear!! they're besties your honour
bix has terrorized the other two with the monstrocities he calls meals
if the destiel meme exists in their universe it is the only way bix will share news with people sometimes
bixlow carries random dice in his pocket and will throw them on the ground anytime hes around freed just to annoy him - freed always knows when its about to happen bc bix will say "hold on real quick i gotta roll for insert random dnd phrase"
bix does too many things just for the bit (they are used to this and expect most things just to be a bit at this point)
freed has been chased by bix before bc bix is about to lick him. bix has also tried to chase ever to lick her and bix was unsucessful
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bougiebutchbitch · 2 years
Photo
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IT’S COMMISSIONS TIME, BABY!
(click on the pics to see them in better detail!)
As I’ve just left my job and am heading back to school as a physically & mentally disabled student who will really struggle to hold down employment while studying... I have five slots open for commissions!
Payment through PayPal or Ko-Fi.
To book a slot, just DM me to talk through your idea!
If you can’t afford art/aren’t interested in a commission right now, pretty please consider boosting? 
More details under the cut!
#
YES:
Softcore NSFW, OCs, furries (though please be aware that I’m not an experienced furry artist).
I am relatively comfortable with dark content – gore, horror, trauma, etc.
Ditto for kink and fetish.
Just chat to me on DM and I’ll let you know if I’m comfy drawing your concept with 0 judgement.
NO:
Diapers or scat.
Mecha (I’m sorry, I just suck at drawing it).
Underage explicit content, or adult/child romantic/sexual commissions.
#
My rates work out to under $10 an hour. As a result, they are not negotiable. This is as low as I can make them.
#
Face
Lines - $15+
Basic shading - $25+
Full colour - $35+
Torso
Lines - $25+
Basic shading - $35+
Full colour - $45+
 Full body
Lines - $35+
Basic shading - $45+
Full colour – $55+
Adding another person – i.e., a couples picture – will be up to double the price, depending on the complexity of the posing.
Character design sheet
(For D&D etc., feat two full-body and full-colour pics showing different outfits, three expressions, and up to three magic items or close-up body details)
$100
#
What I would need from you:
money, half before and half after
an email address that you are comfortable with sharing
a couple of references if you want me to draw an OC or a character from a fandom I’m unfamiliar with
#
Please be aware...
Unless you request otherwise, I might post any sfw art on my blog to self-promo!
I reserve the right to refuse any commission.
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awesomefringey · 7 months
Note
this is going to be a highly unpopular theory but i’m just putting it out there: i think james is actually the one working with lime and harry is kind of along for the ride but not directly working with them himself.
here’s my evidence: if you search james on google one million and one articles about his every move pop up, very much like O last year, and especially ones of him riding the lime bikes with the logo on full view or mentioned in the headline. if you google H there are no mentions of the bikes, it is just within the fandom, so that raised my suspicions about how if H is supposedly their main promo now, how come james is getting all the press and talk about H is just within our fandom? also there’s been DM submissions of H out with Brad last week (said H was on a run with equally hot friend PT) but no photos; or when they are spotted it’a people in a park or a 2 second shot of them walking from behind, no brands involved so it made me even more suspicious how it was only ever with james
it makes sense that james, who’s career is in a lull and is seen as harry’s cling on, would work with any brand that’d work with him, especially if he’s trying to relaunch now he’s left the US and get his name back out in the UK press. and having harry as a friend who he can drag along on these little bike rides for even more clout will certainly help. now here’s where i get a little stuck because obviously H has been pictured with the stunt and lime now and been seen riding them alone, but a NS on twitter put forward the suggestion that H seems to have quite an obsessive personality; if he enjoys something or loves it whether it be an item of clothing or activity or friend even, it’s quite obvious. just look how he wears those vans down to the laces or stayed in japan for 6 more weeks because he loved it so much. so it wouldn’t surprise me if active little H started enjoying those bikes legitimately. so yeah, although the promo is there, personally i feel he’s linked to lime through james. sorry it’s so long😭
Hi nonnie, that makes sense when you put it like that.
I had considered that James and Harry (together with Fulwell) currently work on a new concept for a TV show and that’s why they hang out so much to begin with.
Maybe Lime Bikes has got a sponsorship deal with said show.
Maybe it’s going to be Bikepool Karaoke on Lime bikes. 😆
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blobbyfics · 2 months
Text
(Not) Allergic to Cats
Kunigami thought he was just allergic to Chigiri's cat when he went over to study. Turns out he was wrong. College AU
Notes: I wrote this VERY quickly so editing has been very brief, characterization has not been looked over, I just let it come to life. Apologies for anything that seems off because of this. Enjoy!
(Read on AO3 here)
Kunigami fidgeted with his jacket and stared at the door in front of him.  
He had studied with Chigiri plenty of times, but this time was different.  
Last semester when they were in the same calculus class, they rapidly realized they needed to team up if they wanted to survive.  They usually found a nook in the library, claimed a table at the campus coffee shop, or even covered the blackboards of an empty classroom.  They were focused and productive, but it was casual, routine.  
This semester they were both in physiology, but as Chigiri seemed to pick up the material fast, Kunigami hesitated to ask to study together again.  He wanted to, but why would Chigiri? Now coming up on their first big exam, Kunigami finally admitted he may not just want, but need his study buddy again.  
And when he asked Chigiri after practice, he said “sure.  Reo’s coming to my dorm to make Nagi study for it, so you should come too.” 
“Then I don't have to listen to him whine the whole time,” he added quieter.
It made sense.  Chigiri’s roommate preferred his bed to most places and they might as well just all study together.  But it was his dorm.  It was private, personal, intimate.  As far as Kunigami knew, only Reo had ever been allowed in their space, and Reo was a special case.  
But now here Kunigami was, books in hand, at dorm 267.  
He took a breath and knocked.  
“Hey I'm here.” 
The door cracked open and Chigiri's head poked out.  
“Come in.” He smiled and let Kunigami in.  
Chigiri and Nagi had gotten lucky in their dorm room.  There was enough space their beds didn't have to be stacked and the window was large, but it was comfortably warm.  There was a cushy rug across the middle of the floor.  
One side was very obviously Nagi’s.  There wasn't much for decorating, just a free promo poster taped to the wall and a cactus.  His single notebook for all his classes and miscellaneous papers were strewn across his desk. a laptop charging cord snaked across his unmade lofted bed.  The only part that didn't look disheveled was the top of his dresser, where items were spaced around an empty spot.  
Chigiri's side, on the other hand, was personable.  There were a couple small plants on the windowsill, a large selection of teas on his desk, multiple blankets with tasteful patterns made up his bed, and a black cat lay nestled on his pillow.  
“Sorry I forgot to mention I have a cat,” Chigiri said.  “This is Yami.  He may take a while to warm up to you, but is friendly.”
Yami opened his eyes upon hearing his name, glancing over at them.  
His response was very suiting for his owner.  
“No worries,” Kunigami said, cracking a little smile.  “I don't mind cats at all.” 
He held out his hand for the cat to sniff.  Yami obliged, then proceeded to get up and hop on the window sill to continue his nap.  
There was a moment of quiet.  
“You can put your stuff wherever and get comfortable.  Nagi texted me he and Reo just left the dining hall so they should be here any minute.” 
Kunigami nodded and took off his jacket.  He set his books down and took a place on the floor by the head of Chigiri's bed.  
Chigiri looked at him with an unfamiliar expression.  “Would you like some tea? I was going to make some.” 
“Actually, yeah, That would be really nice.” 
Kunigami didn't drink much hot tea compared to those around him, but it just seemed right for studying in Chigiri's cozy dorm.  
Chigiri turned on his electric kettle.  
“Preference?” he motioned to his selection.  
“Uh,” Kunigami got up and looked through.  
He had never had most of the flavors there.  There were even a couple he hadn't heard of.  How did you even pronounce rooibos? 
He was saved by the door unlocking.  Nagi and Reo were here.  
“Hi, sorry we're a bit late,” Reo said, setting his compact bag in the clear spot on Nagi's dresser.  
“There's no late for this,” Chigiri remarked.  “Tea?” 
“Can you make the one you made last time?” Nagi asked.  He plopped onto his bed.  
“I was going to let Kunigami choose.” Chigiri said.  
“It's okay.  I'm open.” Kunigami stepped back from the teas.  
“You okay with buckwheat then?” 
“Yea-” Kunigami cut himself short with a sneeze.  
“Sorry.  Yeah that's fine.” Kunigami quickly finished his statement.
Chigiri nodded and selected one of the little jars.  
“Okay while that's heating up, where do we want to start?” Reo asked. “I didn't like the order we covered everything in class, so I was thinking maybe we could start here...”
Kunigami had missed their little study sessions.  Chigiri was right, Nagi spent an impressive amount of time whining about how pointless some things were only for Reo to coax him back to the subject at hand, but it was manageable.  Every time it happened Chigiri would roll his eyes and make up bizarre examples of what they were studying.  
At some point Yami had gotten bored with the window sill and got playful, running across their papers and playing with a little toy.  
It was nice.  Kunigami had missed studying with Chigiri.  And truly the banter between Nagi and Reo just made it feel lighter than the cram studying it was.  
The one thing he didn't appreciate, however, was how he could slowly feel his nose stuffing up, a headache start to form, his throat begin to feel dry.  
What the fuck? 
Nagi and Reo had started arguing about how stupid the term “medial” was when Kunigami sneezed again and knew he could not just sit there any longer.  
“I'll be right back, sorry.” Kunigami quickly excused himself and went to the bathroom.  
He closed himself in a stall and blew his nose.  It really didn't help much, but at least now he wasn't at risk of having his nose run all over.  
Still, though, what was going on with him? It was like the second he came over to study his sinuses just decided to fill.  
…was it Chigiri's cat? Kunigami hadn't spent that much time around cats, so maybe it was Chigiri's cat? Was he just allergic to cats? 
Whatever.  He was taking too long.  Kunigami blew his nose again for good measure and headed back.  
But twenty minutes later he had to do the same thing again.  
“Sorry,” Kunigami apologized when he returned.  All three of them were quiet, waiting for his return.  
“...I think I might just be allergic to your cat.” Kunigami decided to briefly explain. “I don’t know, I've never spent much time around cats before.” 
Chigiri made a funny face and looked him over.  
“You could have just asked for tissues.  Do you need anything? I have allergy meds.” Chigiri opened a drawer and tossed him a travel pack of tissues.  
“thanks.” Kunigami caught the pack.  “I'll be fine.” 
It was very late when they finally finished up, but Kunigami felt much better about the material going into the exam tomorrow.  Chigiri may have been doing better than him in the class so far, but it seemed he wasn't as far ahead of him as he had thought.  
Kunigami's dorm felt cold and eerie after the warmth of Chigiri and Nagi’s.  His original roommate, Kira, had transferred less than a month into last semester after disagreeing with their football coach.  Kunigami had at least put sheets on his empty bed, but it was a little funny having that much empty space.  
At least there wasn't a cat to be allergic to.  
Not that it would stop him from going back to Chigiri's should he be invited again.  
He hoped he was invited over again.  
Annoyingly, the headache and runny nose hadn't subsided yet, but it was late enough - and Kunigami was tired enough - that he fell asleep without much hassle.  
Kunigami woke up not to his alarm, but his throat so sore every breath grated against it.  His nose was totally clogged, headache only worse.  
He groaned internally and picked his head up to check the time.  
4:38 am
Immediately his nose started to run.  And now there was a tickle in the back of his throat too.  
Fuck.  
Kunigami wasn't allergic to Chigiri's cat, he was sick.  
And in just under 5 hours he had an exam to take.  
Kunigami started coughing.  
Fuck.  
When the short lived coughing fit ended, he let his heavy head flop back down on his pillow.  
He could make this happen.  It was Friday and all he had today was that exam in the morning and practice at 5:30.  It was just a head cold.  Inconvenient and uncomfortable, yes, but if he took cold meds he would be fine.  He could take the exam, lie low for a few hours, practice, and have the whole weekend to recover.  If he needed to, he could move his Saturday strength session so he could sleep in.  
It would be fine, he could do this no problem.  
But first, he needed to get back to sleep.  
Kunigami sat up and downed half his water bottle.  The cool liquid was soothing on his throat, but the second he was done, it was just as scratchy as before.  
That wasn't going to do it, and now his stomach felt all sloshy.  
He wasn’t one to revert to medicine quickly, but time was of the essence.  Cold meds it was.   
He used up the last of the tissues Chigiri gave him and made his way to his first aid stash.  
His heart sank.  
He knew he had brought some when he moved in.  He remembered unpacking them and putting them in there with the rest of his and Kira’s supplies.  
Unless Kira took them with him when he moved out.  
It would have been an honest mistake, and it wasn't like Kunigami frequented the first aid stash, save some adventures with turf burn, so it wasn't unreasonable for him to have never noticed.  
Kunigami groaned and ran his hands harshly through his hair.  
It wasn't even 5 am and his day just kept getting worse.  
It was going to be harder now, but he could still make it.  If he was smart.  
He felt bad taking a roll of the shitty college toilet paper from the bathroom, but out of tissues, that was his only option at this hour.  
He stuck the roll next to his bed and shoved a hoodie under his pillow.  It was lumpy, but the little extra elevation might help increase his chances of falling back asleep.  
After his body attempted to cough out a lung.  
Kunigami didn’t remember falling back asleep, but he woke up again to his phone buzzing, feeling even more tired.  
Chigiri: You coming? Class starts in 5 minutes 
Kunigami checked the time.  
Fuck.  
He must have slept through his alarm.  
He practically leaped out of bed, frantically got himself together, grabbed a mask, and bolted to his exam.  
Kunigami spent too much of the exam stifling coughs and willing his runny nose to stop, but he made it.  The exam itself was fine
“Feel better,” his professor said with a sympathetic smile when he handed in the exam.  
He must really look like shit.  
As soon as he got out of the classroom, he couldn't hold it in any longer.  
He started coughing uncontrollably.  He leaned against the wall for support, trying to get his air.  
“Well you look like shit,” a familiar voice said behind him.  
Kunigami turned around.  
There was Chigiri.  
At least it was Chigiri.  He trusted him to be accurately honest.  
“I don't think I was allergic to your cat,” he said sheepishly.  
An expression of what almost looked like relief came over Chigiri.  
“Do you have any more classes today?” He asked.  
“No, just this.” 
“Good, because if you did you wouldn't be going.” Chigiri lowered his voice a little.  “I have classic lit now, but do you need anything?”
He seemed intent, maybe even a little concerned.  
“... do you have any extra cold meds?” Kunigami finally admitted.  
“Oh my god, do you really not have cold meds?” 
“I think Kira took them by mistake when he moved out.” 
“Well that fucking sucks.  Geeze.” Chigiri checked the time.  
“Go rest.  I'll bring you cold meds when I get out.  Let me know if you need anything else.” 
Chigiri headed off to his next class, leaving Kunigami watching in a daze.  
He felt a mix of emotions in him.  He was so grateful to have a hand.  He honestly was still feeling worse and worse as time went on.  It being Chigiri was somehow even more comforting.  Something about his presence, his casual confidence, sincerity, style of expressing his emotions (or trying not to), he just felt good, felt right, to be around.  Kunigami wouldn't admit it, but to a degree he craved time around him.  
But then he felt so small, so weak having to ask for help for a silly head cold, making Chigiri go out of his way for him.  
Whatever.  
Kunigami shook it off, took his emotions with him and trudged back to his dorm.  
There was enough natural light he didn't bother turning on the overhead light, he just sat down on his bed and set up camp.  Back against the headboard, toilet paper within reach, water bottle next to him, laptop at the ready.  As tired as he was, he doubted he could fall asleep anytime soon.  
He shivered.  
No.  
Please no fever.  He didn't feel feverish yet, but he just really didn't need something else to floor him right now.  
Kunigami pulled his blanket tight around him and pulled up The Avengers.  
At some point he must have gone from watching the movie with glazed over eyes to asleep because he woke up to his phone ringing.  Not a text notification, ringing.  
“Hello?” 
“”Hey, did I wake you? I tried texting.”” 
Chigiri.  
“No, you're fine.” Kunigami tried to clear his throat.  “What's up?” 
““What's your dorm? You're in WC right?””
“Yeah, 266.” 
“”Thanks”” 
Chigiri hung up.  
It had to have been less than a minute later there was a knock on his door.  
“Be right there.” Kunigami pulled himself up and made his way to the door.  
“Hey.” Kunigami felt himself relax upon seeing Chigiri. 
“Hey.  Got your cold meds.  Looks like you need it.” 
“Thank you.  Uh, you can come in if you want.” 
Chigiri nodded and entered.  
He opened his bag and pulled out the item of interest, popping open one of the blister packs and handing it to Kunigami.  
“You can sit down, you know,” Chirgiri said once Kunigami took it, judging his makeshift setup.  “It's your dorm.”
Kunigami set himself back in his bed just in time to start coughing again.  
“Sorry.” Kunigami picked up his water bottle.  
“Do not apologize for being sick.  It happens.” Chigiri paused.  
“Now, what's going on? Actually a cold?” 
“Think so.” Kunigami pulled his blanket back around him.  
“Sore throat? Any fever?” 
“I don't think I have a fever, just cold.” It was starting to be a lot of work to sit up on his own.  “My throat hurts a little.” 
“Okay.  I’ll bring some tea then.  Looks like you need a few more things here.” Chigiri glanced at the toilet paper.  “Including tissues.  You're going to rub your nose raw with that.” 
“Probably too late.” Kunigami’s body was slowly giving up on sitting up on his own and found himself starting to rest against the wall.  
“Figures.  Have you eaten?” 
Oh.  
No, he hadn't.  He had been in such a rush it never occurred.  
That was not like him.  
“I'm going to take that silence as a no.  What do you want?” 
“I can get food.  You don't need to go for me.” 
“You can barely hold yourself upright and I need to get lunch for myself anyway.” 
Kunigami pulled himself back off the wall.  
Within seconds he started feeling faint.  
Maybe Chigiri was right.  
“Okay.  If you don't mind,” Kunigami admitted, putting his weight back on the wall.  “I don't need anything special.” 
Chigiri nodded.  
“Thank you.  I'll be back in 20ish.  If you start feeling worse than this, call me.” 
Kunigami hummed an affirmative and Chigiri was off again.  
Kunigami hated to admit it, but Chigiri was right: at this point this cold was flooring him.  
~
Chigiri looked around his room for a big bag.  Kunigami looked utterly miserable.  He claimed he wasn’t running a fever, but Chigiri really wouldn’t be surprised if he was.  
Something in him twisted seeing him like that.  He wanted to make him feel better.  He wanted to let him get comfortable against him, fall asleep watching a movie, have a lazy day and let him be vulnerable, unconditionally trust him somewhere other than the pitch, let him heal by his side.  
It was weird.  It was a feeling he wasn’t used to.  He didn’t know what to do with it.  
Chigiri shoved his thoughts away.  His wants weren’t the priority.  The priority was to get Kunigami comfortable and recovering.  
Chigiri settled on his laundry bag, grateful he had just done all his.  He added his spare pillow, a blanket, a box of tissues, tea.  Did Kunigami have supplies to make tea? He might as well just bring his electric kettle too.  
“What’s going on?” Nagi looked up from his bed, where he was playing some game with Yami curled up with him.  
“Kunigami’s sick.” 
“So is he not allergic to Yami?” 
“Nope.” 
“Well that’s good at least.  I’d hate to be allergic to him.”  He sat up.  
“...how’s his appetite?” Nagi asked.  
“Well it’s almost one and he hasn’t eaten, so probably not great.” 
Nagi opened his snack drawer and pulled out a jelly drink.  
“Give him this, then. Easy to eat.” He tossed it to Chigiri.  
That was actually a really good idea.  
“Thank you.” Chigiri said it with as much sincerity as he could.  
Okay onto the dining hall.  
Which was good because Chigiri was starting to get hungry himself.  
~
Kunigami had barely moved by the time Chigiri was knocking on his door again.  If anything, he had just slumped down further, mind like mush, waiting for the cold meds to kick in.  
“I hear you.” He hauled himself up and let Chigiri back in.  
He was surprised by the amount of stuff Chigiri had with him.  He set to-go containers on his desk and started pulling things out of a big bag.  He replaced Kunigami’s balled up hoodie with an actual pillow and placed another blanket at the foot of his bed.  He replaced Kunigami’s toilet paper roll with an actual box of tissues.  He set up his electric kettle on Kira’s old desk and filled it.  And he pulled out a jelly drink and set it next to the real food.  
“The jelly is from Nagi,” he explained.  “Do you want that or some solid food first?” 
“Normal food is fine.  Thank you.” Kunigami sat back down, tucking his legs under his blanket, temporarily propping his head up on his hands.  
“Thank me by getting better.” Chigiri opened one of the containers.  “This one’s yours.” 
Kunigami accepted the warm food.  Rice, umeboshi, chicken, some veggies separated from the rest in case he didn’t want them.  It was a thoughtful gesture.
“Thanks.  Um, if you want you can sit down too.  No pressure, I don’t want to get you sick.” 
“I trust my immune system.” Chigiri took his place next to him and opened his food.  
It was pretty quiet as they began to eat, save when Chigiri got up to prepare tea.  
“Do you have a preference this time?” He asked.  
“You can pick.  I doubt I’ll taste it much.” 
It was true, Kunigami could barely taste what he was eating.  
“Fair enough.” 
“What were you watching?” Chigiri asked a little later.  
“Just a comfort movie. Then I don’t have to worry if I fall asleep.” 
“Yeah? Which one?” 
“The Avengers, first one.” 
“I’ve only seen the first one.” 
Kunigami perked up.  Really?! Of all the things they had talked about, film had never come up.
“I wasn’t really expecting you to have seen it.” 
“I mean superhero movies aren’t my primary genre, but they can be good.” 
“What is your primary genre?” Kunigami put down his empty container.  
Between the food and cold meds he was starting to feel vaguely more alive.  
“Probably sci-fi.  I’m not a movie buff or anything,” Chigiri replied, putting down his own container.  “I like movies that get you thinking but still have good action.” 
That made more sense with everything Kunigami knew about Chigiri.  
Kunigami thought a little bit.  They had eaten, he had cold meds, they had tea available, now what? Chigiri didn’t need to stay, but Kunigami wasn’t really ready for him to go.  
“Have you seen Doctor Strange?” 
Chigiri gave a little smile.  “You’re not the first person to mention it to me, but no.” 
“If you like weird time stuff, you might find it interesting.” 
“I might.” 
They were quiet for a moment.  
“Would you like to watch it? I don’t have anything to do until practice later,” Chigiri finally said.  
“Yes, if that’s okay.” 
“It is.”
They adjusted positions so they could balance Kunigami’s laptop across both of them.  
“You’re warm,” Chigiri commented as they became flush to each other.  “You sure you don’t have a fever?” 
“I think I’m just struggling to regulate body temperature.” 
“Look at me,” Chigiri said.  
Kunigami looked, locking eye contact, taking in details of Chigiri’s face he hadn’t seen before.  His breath hitched.  
And he had to turn away coughing. 
When he finally got his breath back he returned to Chigiri, patiently waiting.  
Chigiri brought a cool hand to Kunigami’s forehead.  
He frowned and brought his other hand to his own forehead.
“My hands are too cold to tell.  Give me a second.” Chigiri got up and pulled a thermometer out of his bag.  
“Not that I don’t trust you, but it could go either way.” Chigiri handed it to Kunigami,  
“It’s not going to change what I do really,” Kunigami remarked before putting it under his tongue.  
“No but it would be something to keep an eye on.” 
A few seconds later the instrument beeped and Kunigami handed it back to Chigiri.  
“37.6.  Told you.” 
“Well thank you for humoring me then.” Chigiri cleaned it off and returned to Kunigami’s side.  
“Ready?” Kunigami asked, pulling up the movie.  
“Yeah.” 
He hit play.  
They were only twenty minutes in when Kunigami could feel his eyes growing heavy, start to feel a little colder.  
Unconsciously, he curled into Chigiri, head tilting onto his shoulder.  
“Oh, sorry,” Kunigami quickly righted himself as soon as he noticed.  
“Relax.  You can rest there.” Chigiri’s words were soft.  
“Okay.” It was barely a whisper.  Kunigami laid his head back against Chigiri and was out within minutes.  
When Kunigami stirred, he noticed the room was quiet.  He cracked an eye open.  
Chigiri was reading a book, seeming perfectly content.  The laptop had been moved off their laps.  
It was incredibly cozy.  
Kunigami let his eyes drift back closed, just letting it be.  
Until a telltale tickle in his throat told him otherwise.  
He turned over and started coughing.  Hard, like when he had just left his exam.  His head pounded with each failed attempt at a breath.  
A hand came to his back.  Gentle, not doing much more than just being there.  
“Come on, you’re okay” 
The words were so quiet they barely reached Kunigami.  
Slowly, he started to regain his air, one breath at a time.  
“You alright there?” Chigiri asked.  “Your breathing was getting labored before you woke up.” 
“I’m fine.” Kunigami took a few sips from his water bottle.  
“Think the cold meds are wearing off,” he added.  
Now that he was vaguely awake, he noticed the exhaustion, headache, congestion, all of it had returned to its previous level.  
“Well,” Chigiri looked at the time.  “You’ve got another half hour before you can take more.” 
“...And I’ve got fifteen minutes before I need to head to practice.” 
Oh right, they both had practice.  If he could take meds again around the start of practice…
“I see what you’re thinking,” Chigiri cut him off.  “Don’t you dare try to come to practice.  The first thing you did upon waking up was hack up a lung.  You wouldn’t make it through the warmup.” 
“Unfortunately, I was coming to that same conclusion.”
He felt defeated.  Defeated by a stupid cold.  
“Good. Want me to tell coach?” 
“I’ll text him.” 
Kunigami pulled out his phone and sent the short message to Ego.  
“This sucks.” He blew his nose and laid his head back against Chigiri.  “I hate missing practice.” 
“I’m sure, but you’ll survive.” 
Kunigami hummed an affirmative and let his eyes return closed.  
“Hey KUnigami.” 
He woke up from his light doze.    
“I have to go now,” Chigiri said.  “Let me know if you need anything.  Dinner, company, anything.” 
He extracted himself from the bed.  
“Okay.” Kunigami sunk into the pillow, fully laying down.  “Thank you.  You really didn’t need to do all this.  I’d have managed.” 
“Well turns out I care about you.  Don’t forget you can take more cold meds in fifteen minutes.  I’ll see you later.” 
“See you.” 
And Chigiri headed out.  
Kunigami felt warm as he watched Chigiri make his way out.  
Maybe he was getting a fever.  
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foibles-fables · 2 years
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talanah: the case of the omitted hfw companion
soooo @meg-noel-art and I have finally connected the dots we haven't connected shit re: Talanah's conspicuously short and choppy quest line, along with her overall unsatisfying departure from the game (in lieu of joining the base team). We now hold with 99.9999% confidence that Talanah was fully intended to be included a member of the base, either with a different ending to her quest line, or a different quest line altogether.
As we all know, the early (earliest!!!) promo--the GG Instagram splash posted in tandem with the 2020 HFW Announcement trailer--featured her in exclusivity as a returning character. While this official promo art has since been retconned, it still appears on the inside of the steelbook case with the special preorder additions, as well as on a bunch of GG's official ad material (the Twitch stream header, for example). Her comic was also being released at the same time as all of these dealings, culminating in one final confirmatory line: Talanah's story will continue in Horizon Forbidden West.
Now. I won't get into how I do or do not view any of the returning characters' stories as...real or satisfying continuations in HFW. But it's pretty objective to say that Talanah's was decidedly Not. Without even diving once again into the characterization issues (of which there are plentymorethanseveral), both of her quests give us nothing more than a recap of the comic. Seriously, every dialogue wheel we get with her and with Amadis provides a summary of what happened in The Sunhawk. Nothing new learned, no growth made. Story Not Continued, Same Story Rehashed. It's conspicuously not what we were promised, and not what (IMO) GG knew the fans wanted. I think that's pretty clear, regardless of your view on anything related to her character.
So, what the hell happened? Why was this the product were were given?
Easy: it wasn't at all the product that was intended in early baseline development.
There's a pretty glaring complication re: Talanah's integration into HFW--Freya Parker (her hilarious and lovely VA, seriously go check her out) began shooting Jurassic World: Dominion in February/March 2020. And uhhh we all know what was going on right around then, lmao. So not only does this become a scheduling issue, but a quarantine issue as well. Actor travel during projects was likely a huge ordeal, and Freya's actual studio time was probably vastly limited. Combine these challenges with an already-bloated cast load, and...it becomes pretty obvious which character needed to have their role diminished by degrees. Freya can't get to the studio and dedicate much time--we don't get a Carja base member.
One can pick up hints of this around the base. How almost every character (even new bloods Zo and Kotallo) bring her up at length in the "Companions" speech option, even if they're never mocapped in the same room. The item left at the base, when no other non-members get that treatment. How every single thing about her quest's epilogue and beyond reads like a huge "sorry sorry sorry we're sorry" from the devs ("until next time," "I wish she could have stayed," etc.). It's a consolation for what they had intended--fuller tribal representation, balance among the new and old cast members, a true continuation of Talanah's story.
So what does this mean? Well, yeah, it means that I'm still disappointed and that it's still okay to be disappointed. But having a more rational explanation beyond "this was probably the plan the whole time :))))) she's really not THAT important after all just accept your dinner :)))) oh look the writers forgot about her :))))) i ordered you a new clown nose :)))))" makes me feel a whole lot more optimistic for her potentially having a bigger comeback role in HZ3. We must stay focused, brothers. Shoutout Freya Parker.
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putschki1969 · 10 months
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2023/05/29 Blog post by Wakana  いよいよリリースまであと2日‼️〜ゴーサインは目の前です〜
❗This is Fan Club EXCLUSIVE content❗ ❗PERSONAL USE ONLY❗ Do ❗NOT SHARE❗ on other sites ❗Join her FAN CLUB! Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗
Two More Days Until Release Day‼️〜May 31 is Just Around the Corner〜
My hair dryer recently broke so I had to use my spare one which isn’t particularly high quality. It's quite heavy, the air flow is weak, and overall, it dries out my hair 😂 I couldn't stand it anymore so I bought a new dryer! ️ And oh my... this new dryer is amazing!! ️😳At first I was surprised by how powerful it was, like "wow!" 😳😳(and it's really light-weight!!) 
In the past it took about 15 to 20 minutes to dry my hair but now I am done in about 5 minutes...!! ️😳🎉🎉Oh my god! This is literally revolutionary for me! I am not even exaggerating, this is a life-changer!
Hello, this is Wakana (0 ̄▽ ̄0)/ 
I love the new hair dryer so much that I want to kiss it and fall asleep next to it🥰 Also, I was incredibly moved by the wonderful message included in the box... I couldn't help but take a picture😹I have used many items by this brand before, it’s impressive how much progress they have made throughout the years!! (Thank you very much for this…😭✨) 
Well, it's been a while since my last blog post...I'm sorry! Time went by so fast, before I knew it, the Rapid Fire Listening Event, the second Online Sign Event and my promo tour in Osaka were already finished😂 This month was really 100% dedicated to the album! I did a ton of interviews and made recordings for various radio stations. I’ve been doing my best to talk to you and share my thoughts so that you can know more about the album☺️I hope everything can reach you as soon as possible ☺️💕 It’s only 2 more days until the official release! ️😳 And tomorrow, the album copies will already be avaulable in stores🤭I'm a little nervous~! It’s finally going to be May 31, the day of "Sono Saki e" 🥳🎉Everyone, please look forward to May 31\\\\٩( 'ω' )و //// 
Here are some shots of me when I visited ABC Radio in Kansai! You can see their mascot A-B-C on the wall. It’s a U.M.A. (= unidentified mysterious animal) from Lake Biwa! She's not an axolotl! ← I honestly thought she was!
***Wakana***
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snowbellewells · 12 days
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Self Promo Sunday: "Carolina Moon"
First off, let me say that I know it has been ages, and I am really sorry for that. I sort of lost my muse and my energy - as well as my time to write - there for a bit. I am grateful if you have stuck with me and are ready to see where else this story goes. Finally, FINALLY, I have a new chapter almost edited and proofed and ready to go in the next couple of days, so I thought this week's self-promo might serve as a recap for the story so far to refresh everyone's memory (mine included!) The new chapter should be up in just a day or two, and if all goes well, another by Friday, to then return to my weekly (or closer to it) posting schedule.
In the meantime, I do hope you enjoy this little look back, and I'd love to hear what you think.
Thank you SO MUCH to @eastwesthomeisbest for the gorgeous cover art, and to @xarandomdreamx for being my beta. I am very grateful to you both.
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Can be read from the beginning HERE on Tumblr or HERE on AO3
Summary: Emma Swan has returned to the town she grew up in, and the past that has haunted her no matter where she has run. She seeks answers and peace at last. Despite the years that have passed, some things haven't changed very much in Storybrooke, South Carolina, and one of those things is Killian Jones. He never forgot the gangly girl with the world on her shoulders and pain in her eyes, but will he finally be able to slip past her defenses and help her find the answers she seeks?
Chapter Three: Fresh Starts and Stumbling Blocks
The following morning, Emma rose early to the sun on her face, streaming in warm and bright through the windows where she hadn’t yet hung curtains. A noisy mockingbird called brashly to his mate in the trees outside as she sat up, rubbing her eyes and pushing back the rumpled covers, resolving to go ahead and get an early start on the day. Though her body might still be weary, her mind already seemed fully aware and was running through all that needed doing before Saturday’s anticipated grand opening.
Standing and stretching out the cricks and aches, Emma sighed, shaking her head while she straightened the bed clothes as best she could over her mattress on the floor. It had arrived on time, with the other household items she’d sent with the movers from her apartment in Boston. But the antique brass bedframe she had ordered had yet to arrive. Still, she’d slept in the end, and she had spent so many nights in much worse discomfort, she could make do for the time being with an accepting shrug.
Trailing into the kitchen while yawning, Emma pulled an old terrycloth bathrobe over her oversize tee and shorts, threadbare and comfortably soft with years of washings, as she went. She reached up into the cabinet for her coffee, opened it and took a grateful whiff, before she grabbed a measuring spoon from the drainer to fill the coffeemaker. It was only as the life-giving brew began to percolate that she was startled by the sound of three crisp knocks on her front door, making her jump and jerk her robe more tightly closed as she spun to face it.
Not sure who would be calling on her so early in the morning - and when she had barely been back in town three days - Emma almost didn’t answer the summons at all. Still, she couldn’t help both her curiosity and the concern that someone could genuinely need her. She crossed the worn wooden floor of the simple kitchen and unlocked the door, pulling it open only to catch her breath in surprise at who stood on her porch. Emma couldn’t help stumbling back a step and unconsciously running a hand through her still sleep-rumpled hair, for what little good it did.
What was Cora Jones doing there?!? She cursed herself fruitlessly for wearing her most comfortable, but rattiest, pajamas and robe, and she floundered for something to say. Cora, meanwhile, seemed to only stand taller, an eyebrow arched as she looked down her nose at Emma much like she would something rotten which had been smashed on the bottom of her designer shoes. “Might I come in, Ms. Swan?” the older woman finally deigned to speak in frosty tones. “Unlike some people, I have numerous things to do this morning, and cannot afford to lounge around until noon.”
Emma caught a defensive retort on her tongue, biting it back with painful effort. If it were anyone else, she would have given them a piece of her mind, but this was Rose’s mother. Some small part of her, a skinny, lonely pre-teen who had never known a mother other than the proper Jones matriarch, still ached to prove herself to this woman. Oh, she knew it was impossible. It always had been, even before the awful day that forever altered her world. But deep within, that needy child wanted to please her best friend’s parent, to feel some semblance of a parent’s love for herself, and it would not be completely buried. So she held back speaking at all and simply opened the screen door still separating them, motioning Cora through.
Moving toward the kitchen table, Emma offered coffee and a seat, grateful that though the small piece of furniture was chipped and rickety, it was at least cleared and clean. Looking as if she would rather do almost anything else instead, Cora declined abruptly. “I’ll stand, thank you.”
Emma shrugged wordlessly, trying not to let the clear derision make her shrink. She was right where she was meant to be, intending to lay old demons to rest once and for all. She’d like to make peace with Mrs. Jones as well, but she also knew it wasn’t meant to be, and was not about to be run off. Not now, not after she had waited so long. Instead, she reached up into her cabinet again for a mug for herself, poured coffee into it with as steady a hand as she could manage, and forced herself to wait. Let Cora broach the topic Emma knew she’d come to discuss; she didn’t need to make the woman’s job any easier.
Much as though she had read Emma’s thoughts, the Jones matriarch’s eyes narrowed, and she raised her chin haughtily when she spoke, her voice a whip crack in the taut air of the quiet kitchen. “Let’s not pretend this is a social call. I’m sure you know quite well what I have in mind. It is merely a matter of how difficult you wish to make things.”
Emma merely hummed low in her throat, the slightest nod allowing that she had heard and understood Cora’s words, but still not answering aloud. Inside, she ranted, ‘Me?!? You’re the one making things harder than they have to be!’  But she didn’t give Mrs. Jones the satisfaction of needlessly protesting or taking the bait. She simply met the older woman’s stare head-on and held her tongue, biding her time.
“I do not want you here. Not on our family’s property, not in this town, nowhere near us. I trust you understand that much? Neither my children, nor I, want you around, unearthing painful memories again after all these years. I realize you have already leased space in town for your little shop, ordered merchandise and so forth…. So, Ms. Swan, what will it take?” As calmly as if she were discussing the weather or ordering a latte, Cora Jones withdrew a fine leather checkbook from her designer purse, poised with pen in hand. “Tell me what you need to pack up again and clear out of here, to start over elsewhere, and I’ll make out a check here and now.”
Unbidden temper flared in Emma’s gut suddenly, no matter how she tried to remain unaffected. No matter how far she had come or what she had made of herself, to people like this woman she would never be anything but poor white trash - a mess to be cleared away out of sight. Her presence made them uncomfortable or guilty or angry - she’d never quite decided which. And she was tired of it. She might not have come from anything, and she might not possess some fancy pedigree stretching back generations, but Emma was not nothing; she never had been. Pure, unbreakable steel seemed to fuse her backbone, bringing her voice and fighting spirit to the fore. She wasn’t for sale - not at any price - and it was time that “Her Highness” learned that fact. 
“You must be mistaken, Mrs. Jones,” Emma replied, slow and plain, each syllable as intentional and measured as any of her adversary’s had been. “You seem to think I would consider relocating. Let me be clear: I’m not on the market. You can’t buy me out. You can’t run me off. Not this time. I’m staying.”
If she’d been at all in the mood to laugh, Cora’s perfectly painted mouth gaping open, then snapping shut in stunned disbelief would have been comical. As it was, Emma just kept staring her down, holding firm until the oldest money in Storybrooke had nothing left to do but withdraw. “This isn’t finished, Ms. Swan,” she hissed, her stare sparking dangerously like a match against flint. “You would be better off to take my money and make your way more easily elsewhere.”
Emma followed her to the door, arms crossed tightly over her chest as she watched those classy heels cross the warped board threshold. Anger had restored her nerve and then some as she clipped out, “Well, nothing’s ever been easy in my life. Why should it start now?” Facing off stonily with the woman she had finally, once and for all, given up trying to impress, Emma was determined that this time she would not be the one to crack.
Then, just as Cora stepped off the porch, Emma couldn’t help adding, “And, in case you haven’t noticed, both of your children are grown now. Maybe you should find out what they actually think before trying to speak for them.”
The older woman whirled, but Emma had slammed her door closed, ensuring the final word on the matter. She deflated quickly, falling back against the solid barrier bonelessly and trying to catch her breath, but it felt good to stand up to the woman at long last rather than taking any more judgment she didn’t deserve. She was sure Cora Jones wasn’t finished yet, but she had made up her mind. She was through running.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Despite the upsetting and inauspicious start to her day, by the time early afternoon rolled around, Emma found herself pleasantly puttering about it her shop, humming to herself as she hung pictures in just the right place for best appreciation and then stepping back to take in the overall effect. Things were coming together nicely, and somewhere beneath the anxious concern she wouldn’t be ready in time and the only half-buried dread that no one would come to the opening because it was hers, Emma was beginning to feel proud excitement. She had found a real outlet upon discovering photography in college and had kept it up ever since, developing and honing her knowledge and skill in the art. In the quiet of the dark room and the simple, calm repetition of the developing process, Emma often found the whirling thoughts and visions that screamed inside her head went silent, a rare moment of peace as she worked alone to bring to light the images she had captured. Just as she had told Killian the previous evening, it was the one time she actually found a benefit in her ability to see more beyond the obvious existence on the surface. That she could bring out some aspect or nuance of her subject because of the burden she’d borne all her life was not really any sort of relief, but it felt like some tiny bit of restitution to make up for her trials as she looked around the gallery she was slowly forming, full of moments worth remembering, caught for as long as the pictures might last. She was gradually daring to hope that others as well would wish to glimpse the images she’d brought to life, ones which otherwise might have remained unseen.
She was turning to the back where she kept a small refrigerator to get a pop and take a breather when the bell over her door announced the arrival of a newcomer at her store front. Emma paused at the end of the long counter, turning to look over her shoulder curiously and prepared to greet the guest, but explain that she wasn’t open to customers quite yet. However, something about the young woman she saw standing just inside the door anxiously shuffling her feet and offering Emma a nervous but hopeful smile told her this one wasn’t there to buy framed photographs or picture-taking equipment, but had something else entirely on her mind. 
Rephrasing the speech she’d had ready to deliver, Emma instead offered an encouraging smile of her own and inquired curiously, “Hello, I’m Emma Swan, the owner. How can I help you?”
Upon closer inspection, Emma could see the visitor was quite young, and clearly rather shy as well. She couldn’t be long out of high school, or college at the latest, and she blushed with another quick smile before looking down at her hands, then back up at her to answer. “Hi, I’m Violet Clemens. Fresh out of college actually,” she added with a self-conscious little giggle, “and new in town. I’ll start teaching art at the middle school here in a week or so, but I was wondering if you might need any part-time help here in the meantime. What with moving and student loans and all, I could do with a little extra income.”
Understanding dawned on Emma as the girl continued, and she seemed so genuinely sweet that it was impossible not to grin right back at Violet in welcome as she came forward to shake hands. It would really come in handy to have someone who could focus on manning the register and wrapping up purchases for customers while she focused on book work, restocking, and troubleshooting. Unfortunately, Emma had sunk nearly all she possessed in the move, leasing the space, and procuring the merchandise she hadn’t created herself; it might not be possible to hire on any help until she saw if she could start making back some of her investment.
She told Violet as much gently, making clear that she truly did regret having to be so cautious, but the younger woman easily understood. Nodding sagely, Violet took the disappointment in stride. Glancing out the large front window to the sidewalk, she shrugged good naturedly and gestured toward the large, rather scruffy, dog Emma just then noticed, tied by the leash to the bike rack and lounging on the cement with its tongue lolling contentedly. “It’s alright. Honestly,” she piped up, cheer still evident in her voice. “I knew it was a longshot, dropping in unannounced and all. But Norman and I,” here she beamed at the dog who seemed to sense her affection through the glass as his tail began slapping the sidewalk and his ears perked up, “were taking an afternoon walk, and I couldn’t help but notice your lovely store front - it’s really coming together, you know that, right? And I had to try. I’d love to work somewhere like this.”
As an afterthought, Emma quickly asked before Violet could leave, “I wish I could say for sure I could hire you. You seem like a wonderful fit, and I could use the help. I just need to see how things progress on the business side. Might you have a resume or a card you could leave? Then, if I’m able to hire later, I can call and find out if you’re still interested.”
Violet’s head was already nodding enthusiastically, even before Emma could finish speaking. “Yes, I do! Right here,” she chirped triumphantly, pulling it out of the shoulder bag she carried and then flushing slightly as she smoothed the proffered resume against her leg before handing it over. “I’m glad you’re willing to take a look at it. This will be such an intriguing gallery, and I need something that can fit around my hours at the school once classes are in session. Between you and me, it took nearly every cent I had to get me and Norman here, and it was worth a try to make a little money until my paychecks start coming regularly. But I apologize if it’s a bit rumpled - my partner out there can be a bit of a handful.”
Emma waved off the concern, not in the least bothered about slightly bent paper, and wishing even more that she had a definite opening. She remembered all too well just the spot this young woman was in - and she wasn’t that far removed from her situation even now. Instead, she grinned as they both looked out toward the irresistibly floppy-eared dog who absolutely knew he was being watched and leapt to his feet, tail wagging in excitement.
“He looks like a sweetie though, all the same,” Emma smiled indulgently, feeling a pang in her heart at the memory of all the times she had wished as a kid that she could have a pet of her own, particularly a dog that would have been by her side when she was alone and in need of someone to understand her and lend her comfort.
Violet nodded readily in confirmation, grinning at her dog as if he was hearing and comprehending every word. “Yeah, he really is,” she agreed, turning back to Emma once more. “Sad as it might sound, he’s probably my best friend.”
“It doesn’t sound sad at all to me,” Emma assured, thinking to herself that choosing to depend on such an inherently loyal and devoted creature made perfect sense - especially if one were alone in the world otherwise. Giving Violet Clemens one more hopeful promise that she would call if she was able, Emma began walking with her back to the door, before adding as the girl turned the doorknob and moved to step out. “Thanks again for your interest. If things go well, maybe we’ll see each other again soon.”
She stepped outside into the mild sunshine, turning her face upwards for a moment to drink in its gentle warmth. Then, with a curious nod toward Norman, who was wriggling and writhing with enthusiasm at both his mistress’ return and the proximity of a new friend, Emma hesitated only until the expected indication that it would be just fine before squatting to the dog’s eye level to scratch him behind the soft, velvety ears and accept a sloppy lick across her cheek.
“Norman!” Violet chided, even while giggling at the same time. “Really! You’ve no manners at all, bud. Sorry about that, Ms. Swan.”
Emma chuckled too, not at all put off, and the simple affection that flooded her at the dog’s sweet, uncomplicated reception made her want to wrap her arms around his neck and bury her fingers in his thick ruff of gray fur. “Don’t worry about it,” she assured, stroking the dog’s back and chest several more times before standing again at the protest of her knees and calves. “I pretty much asked for it,” she added good naturedly. “He’s a handsome dog, but unusual looking. What breed is he?”
Violet shrugged unconcernedly, stroking along the top of his head as Norman came to lean against her side, his head nearly even with her hip, and gazed at her with the sort of obvious and complete devotion that only a good dog could muster. “The people I adopted him from had an Irish Wolfhound that guarded their sheep, but they didn’t really know about the father - it wasn’t an intentional litter of puppies.” She gave a playful little “oops” sort of grimace to Emma before gently rubbing under Norman’s furrily bearded chin for a moment, crooning, “You were a bit of a surprise there, weren’t you, Normie?” to the dog. “Anyway, best the vet back home could figure, he’s some sort of wolfhound-shepherd mix. And he may be huge, but I’m pretty glad of it. He’s all bark, but it’s an intimidating one if someone is around who shouldn’t be. I feel a lot safer having him with me, that’s for sure.”
“I’d imagine so,” Emma agreed, nodding her head in easy agreement.
“Well, we’ll let you go for now,” Violet said, unlooping Norman’s leash from the bench and readying to lead the two of them off down the street. “Thank you for your time, and I’ll hope to hear from you, but I’m sure I’ll stop in again once you’re open, either way.” She gave an easy wave, which Emma returned, and then started away along the sidewalk.
Emma turned to reopen the shop’s door and get back to work inside when a strange movement caught her eye, seemingly in the alley between the law offices and the jeweler’s on the opposite side of the street. Squinting in concentration, she tried to focus on the dark blur she was certain had slipped through her peripheral vision mere moments ago, but without any luck. Whoever or whatever she had seen was gone, vanished into the shadow of the narrow space between the buildings, or - more likely - never there at all. Shaking her head, Emma re-entered her own building and returned to her unpacking, pricing, and display efforts, doing her best to put the strange sense of having been watched out of her mind, and to ignore the nervous energy crawling along her skin. There was nothing there, and she was being ridiculous.
Soon, she was swept up in her work again, and the pleasure at seeing the pictures all side by side and ready for viewing at last, the way the whole thing was taking shape, had shoved the anxiety from her gut, letting the warmth of pride and accomplishment take its place. She’d slipped into her own little world to such a degree that when David Nolan charged in a couple hours later, followed by Killian Jones, both of them projecting a sort of restless upset and overflow of adrenaline, she was startled enough to whip around with a surprised exclamation from where she was perched atop a ladder, hanging a large landscape she’d captured. She wobbled slightly at the sudden movement, and Killian was across the room in a blink, steadying the ladder with one hand, the other at the back of her calf - warm, strong fingers clamped around her leg impossible to ignore, and sending all breath whooshing from her lungs even as it restored her balance. The heat and pressure ran tingling all the way up her legs to the juncture of her thighs, feeling like a bubbling of molten lava at her core. Even when she had been deeply committed in a years-long relationship with Neal back in Boston, she’d never felt anything like the burning intensity that gripped her with the mere touch of Killian’s hand.
If the breath of shock that escaped him, his widened blue eyes meeting hers before they darted away, and how he withdrew several steps promptly when she moved to shakily descend the ladder, were any indication, he had felt it too. Emma could feel his gaze still flickering over her back as she turned to David with hands crossed over her chest, trying to gather enough air to speak normally, and asked, “What is going on? You two charged in here like the place was on fire and scared me half to death!”
That was a bit of an exaggeration, but she was trying to lighten the moment and deflect attention from her churning insides and the fact that her body’s reaction to Killian Jones was what truly frightened her most.
David bobbed his head in a sheepish nod of acknowledgement, his tense shoulders dropping only a bit, though he did have the decency to look apologetic. “Sorry about that, Emma. It wasn’t our intention at all. Just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
Emma immediately caught his tone and the concerned, nervous energy radiating from both of them, even as they saw she was just fine and seemed to try to reel themselves back in. Tilting her head to study David’s face more carefully, she pressed warily, “Alright? Why wouldn’t I be?”
Killian stepped up closer to her side again, clearing his throat as he did, immediately upping Emma’s awareness further with his nearness, though he didn’t speak. David, meanwhile, shifted from one foot to the other restlessly, glancing away from her to meet his friend’s eyes before drawing in a deep breath and answering her question as calmly and succinctly as possible.
“I was notified an hour ago by one of my contacts in the city that Vic Franken - your former foster parent - has broken parole. He was facing five years for possession and reckless endangerment, but plea bargaining and so-called ‘good behavior’ have him up for parole sooner.” David’s tone and the practically audible air quotes in his voice made the huffs of disbelief and derision from both Emma and Killian seem all the more justified. “At any rate,” David continued, leveling his gaze on Emma seriously after a long-suffering sigh, “he’s in the wind, and it’s more than likely he would head this way. He might have been arrested elsewhere, but his last known address was here in Storybrooke, and he tends to return to what he knows. We’ve all borne witness to that pattern over the years.”
The sheriff paused there to both catch his breath and gather his thoughts. His well-muscled arms were crossed over his broad chest, almost looking as if he planned to plant himself right in front of her like some sort of stubborn protective barrier for the foreseeable future. The frown of consternation that marred his naturally open and amiable face completed the look all too well. Emma felt a surge of affection for Nolan at his obvious show of concern, and found herself wanting to ease his worry - even if the idea of her former abuser being on the loose and nearby had made a quivering fear run through her. She wasn’t trapped in a house with Franken anymore, didn’t have to deal with his presence any longer, and she was not about to let the idea of him reappearing rule her mind or emotions.
She gave a cool, measured nod, standing to her full height and making certain to look David right in the eye as well, not flinching for a second, no matter how much she wanted to. Waiting until she was sure there would be no tremor in her voice, Emma offered, “Thank you for letting me know so quickly, David. Truly. Being prepared is about the best defense I can have, as far as I’m concerned. Turning around to find him standing right there would be a hell of an awful shock to the system, but at least now I know to be on my guard.”
She wasn’t oblivious to Killian’s coming to stand just behind her, as if slightly flanking her against an attack, but she resolutely ignored it for the moment, determined to show she could face down the threat before her, regardless of the scars and horrific memories just the mention of Franken’s name brought flooding back. Facing David with fire in her eyes, she added reluctantly, “If he’s smart, he’ll run somewhere other than directly back here where he’s expected and bound to get caught. Still, we all know sensible, intelligent behavior is not the man’s leading characteristic, so I’ll be keeping a wary eye out. It won’t be the first time I’ve had to face him since I ran anyway.”
“What?!” David burst out incredulously.
Just as Killian swung around to face her with a hotly uttered, “Emma, what are you talking about?”
“He found me in Boston,” she shrugged, fighting to hang onto her calm air of nonchalance, even in the face of their volatile emotions. “Several years ago now. Startled me right in the street outside my apartment building - wanting money to stay out of my way and keep leaving me alone, essentially. It wasn’t a hard choice to pay it and have him gone. I was rattled that he was able to track me down, but he left, thankfully… and that was the end of it.”
Killian’s dark brows furrowed intently over his eyes that had grown stormy like a squall amidst the pretty ocean blue. Gently taking her arm to turn her to face him fully, his voice was quietly intense when he argued, “The end of it?! Are you serious, Emma? What are you thinking? He’s a dangerous man, particularly toward you, and you’re acting as though we’ve just told you something as minor as the weather for this evening.”
Emma gave him a cool look, not about to back down or fall apart in front of either of these men who were clearly concerned for her and expecting just that. She might feel as if her stomach was suddenly sloshing around like a sickening bowl of jelly, but she wouldn’t let Vic Franken take any more time from her or waste any of her concern. He’d made her early life a living hell - much more than Killian or David could imagine, whatever they thought they knew. It had taken years for her to stop biting back anything she might have noticed or seen for fear of being punished for her “unholy visions”. She’d looked over her shoulder, jumped at the slightest touch, been unwilling to accept the simplest compliment, continually unable to fathom that others might find her interesting, worthwhile, or important. It was still a work in progress, but she wasn’t moving backwards or scuttling to hide like some crawfish beneath its rock at the first hint of the man’s existence or mention of his name. She’d face it without flinching; he had no power over her now.
“I understand,” she finally gritted out as steadily as possible, eyeing Killian and David in turn, seeing that they took in her resolve. “I’ll keep my guard up, and I’ll call you the moment I see him - if I see him - but I’m not cowering or letting him ruin what I’ve worked toward. I have a store to open the day after tomorrow, and I’m not stopping for him or anyone else.”
David was already shaking his head, not liking her stubborn response, but being wise enough to recognize a battle he couldn’t win. “Well, see that you do. Keep your phone on you at all times. Try not to be alone any more than you have to. Call me anytime - day or night, whether I’m officially on duty or not, I mean that. We can’t ignore the facts. We may not have been able to do much to help when we were kids, but I’m not giving him a chance to lay a hand on you again, not on my watch.”
“Nor mine,” Killian echoed gravely, his voice a low rumble that shuddered through her pleasantly, no matter how she tried to ignore the effect. He was right there at her elbow, radiating anger, protectiveness, and something else delicious and unspoken which she didn’t dare put a name to. Even in the nightmare situation being threatened, a small, neglected corner of her thrilled at the sensation, savoring it for all it was worth.
“What? Nolan’s deputized you, and I haven’t heard about it?” she queried sarcastically, arching a sardonic brow at him in effort to hide just how touched she was by the care they both showed and the amount of comfort it lent her. Shaking her head, Emma regarded both men with knowing resignation, shrugging her shoulders helplessly. “Look, I appreciate the thought, but do you really think I don’t understand the danger here? Or that I plan to leave myself vulnerable again? I don’t. But I won’t stop living my life either. It’s finally mine, to live as I choose.”
“But Emma…” David began again, seeming to forget his earlier decision to abandon a futile struggle - at least until she sent a quelling look his way to freeze the words on his tongue.
Killian was undaunted though, and picked up where the Sheriff had left off. “At least don’t allow him to catch you all alone, Swan. You shouldn’t go anywhere by yourself until Franken is back in custody.”
She’d  placed her hands on her hips then, facing off against him squarely, even as he stepped closer too, moving to cradle her elbow in his large, calloused hand, much as he would aim to soothe a skittish animal. That still didn’t keep her from countering frustratedly, “And just how long might that take? Who’s planning on uprooting his life to follow me around like a babysitter, you?” She shook her head wildly, seeing that he looked every bit as stubborn as she did. “You don’t have time for that - no one does. It’s not practical.”
“I’ll make time,” he shot right back, without so much as a blink or a moment’s pause. “Practical or not, it’s necessary, and you’re stuck with me.”
She huffed in dissatisfaction, but turned from him to plant her hands on the counter and force several deep breaths rather than continuing to fight - in front of David, no less - when they were both so riled up.
“Well, glad that’s settled,” David breathed out with a brisk energy, pointedly ignoring the obvious tension in the room and smacking his hands together loudly, as if to accentuate the issue being resolved. He tapped a hand twice on the sturdy counter in farewell. “Everyone’s looking for him; he won’t be loose for very long,” he predicted, giving Emma a bolstering smile. “Until then, you’ve got a little extra insurance, right? Just to be safe.”
Emma only offered a half-hearted grumble and roll of her eyes, but David unaffectedly allowed that to roll right off his back with typical good humor, slapping Killian’s shoulder on his way to the door. 
Once they were alone, Killian turned to her with an exaggerated sort of leer and waggling brow, as if knowing she needed to lessen the anxiety surrounding them. “So, Swan, it would seem I am at your service. What would you have me do?” He leaned closer to her with the words, lending them a hint of temptation, especially when she could see his tongue swipe along his bottom lip seductively.
She had to tease him back; there was simply no other way her pounding heart and heated blood would allow her to respond. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” she purred with a salacious wink, batting her lashes for added effect.
If possible, the heated expression on Killian’s face grew more scorching, little flames of awareness licking up and down her arms and all across her skin. Emma flushed involuntarily, knowing her response showed, and that realization only making her embarrassment and arousal climb all the higher. Her gaze fell to the counter in an attempt to escape his intense regard; eyes following her fingers as they fumbled over odds and ends lying about, scrambling to look busy.
Still, her head jerked back up at his response, unable to avoid eye contact when the warmth of his words washed over her, still lightly flirtatious, but no less sincere, as he answered, “Perhaps I would.”
There was no way she could question that he meant it honestly. Along with the ability to see things average eyes could not, Emma could also sense when someone spoke the truth, and knew most usually when the truth was withheld. She might have lost her faith in that skill for awhile; her emotions too involved where Neal was concerned to see he had not meant all he had promised, and her ability to interpret her visions compromised by heartbreak in the case that sent her city life and purpose crumbling down. But, for all of that, she could still read Killian with absolute certainty, like the printed font on the page of a book. In fact, he was the most unmistakably clear, open person she could remember facing since Rose herself. It was impossible to misread him, and more than that - though it set her heart to fluttering at triple speed - not only does she trust him, but she finds that she wants to.
Humming softly under her breath, she accepted his admission without further comment, and with a cryptic, quiet smile she turned to find something she could have him do to help if he was determined to stay.
Once started, Emma was pleasantly surprised to find that they settle into an easy rhythm working side by side. She carried on unpacking, but could direct Killian up on the ladder with hammer and nails to hang various canvasses and frames for display, rather than having to do it all herself. As the afternoon sun crossed the sky and began to lower toward the evening, they shared various stories from the years between since they had seen each other last. Emma spoke warmly of the professor who took her under her wing, a Professor Ingersoll, who showed her all she could about camera, angles, light and shadow, and taking a shot which could truly speak to the viewer once captured. The older woman had also given Emma a place to visit for a homecooked meal some evenings, shared her secret of topping cocoa with whipped cream and cinnamon to make it even more decadent, and had become almost a surrogate older sister in Emma’s eyes, beyond being a brilliant mentor.
Meanwhile, Killian spoke less often, but with a wistful fondness that drew Emma nearer, allowing her to see that though he had possessed the money, fine home, seemingly perfect family, and advantages she had not known, he still had pains and regrets, wishes and hopes he had not yet been able to make come true. As strange as it might once have seemed to her barely teenaged self, they had much more in common than what held them apart. 
He spoke in easy, rolling vowels and smooth, deep rumblings of learning all that he knew at his father’s side, and of how much he had looked up to Brennan - practically idolized the man - until tragedy had brought him low and he had seen his hero crumble in his grief and vices. He even spoke falteringly of how he had blamed himself for not telling on Rose the evening before she had snuck out to her death. He had seen her bike - the one he then hated himself for teaching her to ride - hidden in the bushes at the end of the long drive, and had known she planned to slip away to some childish mischief after dinner. He hadn’t told, and it had eaten at him a long time, until he finally accepted that his inaction may or may not have changed anything, and that what happened to his sister was not his fault. 
Emma had to press her hands between her knees to keep from reaching out to cradle his tormented face between her palms at that confession. Her heart ached for him; she knew all too well what it was to dwell on might have beens and take on portions of the blame not meant to be her own. She might have never planned to meet Rose in their spot that night. She might have made it there to face down the killer with her friend or fall beside her. But she was not the one who had taken Rose’s life, and whatever others thought, she had finally come to see that her actions had not made the horror come to pass.
At some point they had ceased working, settling together at tall stools behind the counter and talking as evening shadows stretched and darkened the burnished shades of a Carolina sunset. Still, neither was ready to bring an end to the gentle comfort between them; the chance to speak of things long bottled up inside and receive understanding rather than judgement in return. It was only when Emma’s stomach growled so loudly that they both stopped speaking, wide-eyed before dissolving into laughter, that they finally gathered up their things and left, locking up the shop and driving off in search of some dinner.
She still didn’t think it was truly necessary for Killian to shadow her everywhere she went like some unofficial bodyguard. Yet, she also couldn’t deny feeling safer in the knowledge that he was there beside her and watching her back. Once they had decided to take his truck and leave her VW there on Main Street for the night, they headed for one of the local drive-thrus. She would be right back at work tomorrow, after all, and the car would probably be safer there in the middle of town under streetlights and regular patrols of the local police than it would be at her rented cabin.
Clambering up into the passenger seat of his tall pickup truck, Emma still felt she ought to protest once more, just at the upset to Killian’s schedule, the inconvenience of leaving behind his routine and all the chores of his own he no doubt had to do, not to mention the awkwardness of spending so much time - and overnight, at that - alone together, no more than they really knew each other. As expected though, Killian would hear no further argument, resolved that making sure she was safe was the most important thing to him. Then he deftly shifted the conversation with a wink and easy grin, asking where she wanted to eat.
It wasn’t until they were traveling along the rutted back road well outside the Storybrooke limits, along the edge of the wooded marsh near the place she was renting, that the peaceful companionship of the past few hours was harshly shattered. They had been rolling along under the deep midnight-purple sky sprinkled with stars, Emma savoring the last few salty French fries in her packet from the local diner and Killian slurping the last dregs of his milkshake from his cup, when her world suddenly swirled away from her; disjointed scenes from somewhere else flashing and pulsing wildly behind her eyes and the sight she both dreaded and couldn’t ignore swept her up more violently than it had done in years.
Gasping in shock, Emma bent forward over her knees, screwing her eyes shut even as the images playing behind her eyes invaded her head, growing ever more loud and vivid. “Wait, stop!” she rasped desperately, one hand clenched in her lap as the other fumbled blindly for the door handle as if to escape. Her voice scratched out ragged and plaintive as she begged Killian, “Please, stop! Right here, please!”
Alarmed, Killian pulled the truck over to the shoulder and threw it in park. He moved to reached across and take the hand she had reflexively balled into a fist, but even as they had barely come to a stop, Emma was out the door, stumbling sightlessly into the overgrown ditch. Hurrying after her, Killian called Emma’s name futilely while rounding the back bumper and plunging after her, but it was as though he were somewhere else from her entirely, unseen or heard as her arms flailed wildly while she climbed out on the other side of the ditch and into the field beyond, weaving unsteadily toward the treeline.
“Emma, hold up!” he called, trying to make it sound like a command, though his concern for her and confusion at what was happening overrode his intentions, making his voice echo shakily in the still night air. He jogged to catch up with her, abandoning any further entreaties that she was clearly past hearing. 
Just as he reached her, Emma fell to her knees, hands on the hard-packed earth barely stopping her from falling flat on her face. Heaving, she seemed to be either struggling to catch her breath, or trying to purge nausea at whatever she saw that was invisible to Killian. She shook her head violently, almost clawing at the earth as she rocked back and forth on her knees. Not knowing what else to do, Killian reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder, then when no protest came, to rub it up and down her back soothingly.
Some minutes passed, minutes that felt like excruciating hours to Killian as he waited, not certain but hoping she would come back to him. At long last, Emma seemed to still, her rocking motion calming until she nearly slumped against his side, drained. For several interminable seconds neither spoke, until Emma suck in a harsh, rattling breath and jerked upright, her eyes popping open as she finally came back to herself fully.
“Shh, shhh, Love… take it easy,” Killian crooned, trying to pull her back to his side and smooth her hair back from her face as she scrambled backwards and began anxiously trying to regain her bearings. “I know you’ve seen something awful… but you’re back now, aye? You’re going to be alright.”
But Emma’s eyes were wide as they focused on him, finally seeing him there before her. “No,” she mumbled, her voice struggling back to life. “No, it won’t be alright at all.” Grabbing his hand and holding on tightly, she stared at him as if pleading for him to believe her and beggin his forgiveness at the same time. “I saw her, Killian. Some poor young girl… hitchhiking on this same stretch of road.  He pulled over, gave her a smile… She didn’t know anything was wrong…” Emma’s breath hitched, but she pressed on. “She fought, but…but she couldn’t get away.  I was seeing it t-through his eyes…” She shuddered before her voice dropped even lower, “No feelings, no remorse, just drinking in her terror… like it was before.  That monster killed her. I saw it.”
The green of her gaze pierced his chest, causing Killian to struggle to breathe as well when she finally managed to tell him, “He killed her just the way he killed Rose.” Emma trembled all over as she finally let Killian gather her in his arms, though he was shaking now as well. “Rose wasn’t the only one. She was just the beginning.”
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