#saintclaire speaks

[saint--claire]

Didn’t realise Singapore was putting on an Easter egg hunt with F1 cars but here we are 😄

Stumbled over both of the above by accident! Alpha Tauri next?

#saintclaire speaks #singapore gp 2023

[ungoliantschilde]

Hey, so... I'm a "classically trained" artist (illustrator, properly speaking) who's been personally invested in graphic novels... my preferred media is india ink+dip pens. I'm trying to vary up my work, so i'm looking for comic artists to draw inspiration from. I'm a big fan of M.C. Escher and Gustave Dore... right now, the only comic artist I have to go on is Barry Windsor-Smith. I respect your taste in art/ists, got any suggestions for me? -thx

Oof. Ok, thanks and this is the kinda thing I set my blog up for, so I’ll give it a shot.

When you’re looking at illustration artwork, you need to understand that it’s a lot like music. Each generation builds upon the previous, using and tweaking what they like, and discarding what they don’t.

I have said repeatedly that BWS is the best comic book artist of all time, and I mean it. It’s my opinion. His only real peer in terms of quality and output is Moebius. It’s not about black lines. It’s about body language and facial expressions.

Back to what I was saying about generations building on one another. BWS became the artist that he did out of frustration. He could not find an inker or a colorist that could reliably help him achieve his visions. So he did it himself. But, Barry was influenced - heavily - by previous generations. Barry likes to draw landscapes. Look at how he draws grass. Go to my homepage and open up my header image at the top of my page. Landscapes. Wind. Rain. Look at how he draws Storm in the Life-Death books.

Landscapes. Body language. Facial Expressions. LANDSCAPES. Learn to draw trees. Grass. Wind.

Barry is a huge fan of a British Victorian Art style that focused on landscapes and pastoral settings. Ladies eating lunch outside with parasols. Lace. Grass. Wind. Landscapes.

As far as names go?

Try Franklin Booth and Virgil Finlay. Winsor McCay did a lot more color work, but his inks are incredible.

Howard Pyle did a number of ink drawings and they’re worth googling.

NC Wyeth is the platinum era illustrator most directly responsible for modern comic book artwork. Study his body language and light sources.

Al Williamson is the best inker of all time. Flat out.

Frank Frazetta’s pen and ink drawings.

Paul Pope is a modern master of brush inks.

John Buscema. Find reprints of his work on Savage Sword of Conan. He worked with some of the best artists in modern comic book history as his inkers. My first TPB as a kid was the Essential Wolverine, Vol. 1. It was the first 25 issues of Wolverine, reprinted from the original inked pages on newsprint in black and white.

You may have noticed that I have not mentioned Kirby. Jack Kirby will teach you how to tell a story better than anyone. Read his comics and notice how the pages move as you read them. But. He is NOT a classically trained artist. Copying his style is a lot like spending your whole life learning to play guitar, and then joining a Beatles cover band as your career choice. Be you.

I will say this again. The best advice I can give on the track that you’re on is to study landscapes. Learn to render light in black and white. Landscapes are good practice.

NC Wyeth’s best work was when he was restricted to one color. His endpapers for scribners were grayscale paintings with one color. And they POP. Make your work pop.

Lastly, don’t be a prude: Draw porn. I’m serious. Milo Manara is an incredible artist. Serpieri’s Druuna is beautiful. His writing is awful, but the artwork is amazing. On tumblr, check out Apollonia Saintclair - She pretty much exclusively draws pen and ink erotica. Drawing erotica teaches you nuance and flesh tones. It teaches you tact and tittilation. Restraint. Fabric. There is a fine line between sexy and slutty. Find it. I’m not kidding. You’ll be a better artist because of it.

Good luck. Work hard, and you’ll get there!

#art #illustration #comics #black and white #ask ungoliantschilde a question #Barry Windsor-Smith #Landscape #Virgil Finlay #Franklin Booth #Al Williamson #John Buscema #NC Wyeth #Howard Pyle #Apollonia Saintclair #Milo Manara #Serpieri

[itslmdee]

15 character questions

Thanks to @raevenlywrites and @westwood-tries-to-write for the tag!

 Rules: pick a character from your wip and have them answer these 15 questions, then tag 15 people!

I'll do this for Romaine, from WiP: WRE.

What is your full name?

Romaine Armand SaintClair

What does your name mean?

From Rome. It's a Wolf thing. Not a lettuce. And yes, I know the 'e' ending is more usual for girls but I'm male.

What are your nicknames / other names?

My new partner El calls me Rommie.

What’s your gender?

Male

What’s your sexuality?

Human labels…sex isn't important to me. Asexual I guess. Demiromantic probably. Mostly attracted when I am, to women.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Quebec but I've been in England all of my adult life after my parents split up and my English mother moved back here, leaving my father in Canada.

How old are you?

Depends if you want the version I give humans or the real one. We age slower than humans so we're usually at least ten years older than we appear. You'd probably guess I'm in my early thirties.

Any special talents?

I'm a shapeshifter, a Wolf. I speak a few languages, French and English fluently, with some German and Italian. I'm a pretty good shot thanks to Agency training.

Do you have kids?

No and it's not the cards.

What’s your aesthetic?

I wear a lot of smart casual black clothing with sturdy boots.

Who’s your best friend?

El. She wormed her way into my personal life and now I can't imagine not having her around.

Would you ever get a piercing / tattoo

Piercing maybe, but you should always take those out before Shifting or it can get messy. Tattoos…again the shapeshifter thing makes that complicated though some risk simpler designs done with silver-infused ink.

When are you happiest?

When I feel I've done a good day's work and relax with a beer and some TV watching or guitar playing.

What’s your biggest secret?

Being a Wolf, for humans. And there's a big spoiler for later in my story when I have to lie to catch a criminal.

What’s the first thing you notice about people? 

If they're human. That's almost subconscious. After that I tend to quickly assess appearance; field agent training has made me alert.

If you say so. Anyway, that’s it. Any last words?

I think that's all, thank you. I'm more comfortable asking the questions except for when I'm with friends.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tagging @zwergis-spilledink, @els-writes, @jess---writes (no pressure, sorry if you've done this and I missed it)

And from the writer peeps sheet @aamccarthy, @dreamwishing, @insertpenname-here

And anyone else who hasn't been tagged but wants to be!

#meme #meme answers #wip: wre #character:romaine

[def-march]

ANCIENTS

Characters: Joshua and 777 Length: 11 google docs pages (approximately 4200 words) Desc: a small fic I made for @the-composer <3 Love ya, H!!

Summary: Just as the iconic era of the 80s was ending, 777 had died alongside his two best friends, Tenho and BJ. Struggling to make ends meet in their new life as a trio of Support Reapers, they’re visited one evening by a mysterious stranger with orders to retrieve the singer, and bring him face to face with non other then the Composer himself for a little “talk.”

“Seven, do you remember when we first met?”

The punk glanced at Joshua, trying to formulate thoughts in how he was going to answer as he cracked open one of the beers he brought along. 777’s eyebrows furrowed as he took a sip of his bitter drink.

“Ya finally invite me t’yer special place on 104 just to talk?” He grunted, “lame.”

“But, do you?”

777 sighed with a smile as he put his drink down on the ledge beside him. The city suddenly seemed to have quieted down from in top of the tall building, even though he knew it wasn't the case. Time felt slowed and muddled until he opened his eyes once more.

“Really, Joshie, ya think I can forget that easily? Give me some credit here, dude.”

------

When the doorbell rang in the middle of the day, everyone in the trio was tense that it could have been another eviction. (There's really not much room in a city like Shibuya, and besides, three youthful Support Reapers weren't immune to the rules of the living. They were a handful of trouble for everyone they knew.)

It was Tenho who answered the door after the 3rd ring, revealing the tall man in the snakeskin suit and flowing black hair. However, the most unnerving were the eyes, completely shielded away with glasses that were tinted so dark, a starless sky would look bright.

“W-who are you?” Tenho felt his voice shake, even though a part of him knew that this person was not alive by any means of the word.

Without any other words, the stranger moved past Tenho and BJ, despite cries of protest of not inviting the stranger in for starters. The way which he walked was silent, and filled with Grace as he made his way to the younger 777 sitting in the couch, arms crossed with a fierce scowl.

“Your presence is requested.”

“I ain't goin’ anywhere.” The young adult replied, narrowing his eyes as he glared daggers and tightened the grip he had on his red sweater. “I refuse.”

“That isn't very advisable.”

“I don't care!” The scowl grew into a snarl, hackles rising like a dog. “I don't know you, so why should I trust ya? Ya just can't walk right into my damn house, for fucks sake!”

“I was requested to retrieve the Support Reaper who has been causing problems. You seem to not know the meaning of 'respect,” Sven Saintclaire.”

“What did you call me?” 777 bared his teeth as he snapped right up onto his feet, hands clenched. He could feel the heartbeat in his ears. He could see his two friends from the corners of his eyes, faces concerned about the situation, unknowing what to do of the stranger, and of the fury that 777 harvested.

“YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT T’CALL ME THAT!” The young singer shrieked, throwing a punch at the man. Without hesitation,  the man caught the blow and twisted the hand harshly to the side, earning a cry of pain from 777 as he dropped to his knees, glaring up at the other.

It really hasn't been that long since he became a Reaper. After his Game, he knew that he desperately had to work on his temper and.nit jump straight to violence, but really this dude just waltzed into his house like he owned the damn place! How was he supposed to react?!

“I did warn you, it was inadvisable.” The black haired man glowered at the boy, who shrunk down out of fear. “For someone who interests the Composer, you are a brat.”

---

777 followed the intruder, not really paying attention to the direction they were heading, as he was fixated on the person himself, observing the calm and collected movements he made with every stride.

Rain was beginning to fall in the form of a light mist. The way the water interacted with the Underground was peculiar. He could feel the cold wetness as the droplets fell, but they never landed on him. It passed right through, leaving 777 dry. Despite being part of the UG for just over half a year now, whenever it rained he was either inside or on the plane of the RG. He shivered.

This new life he accepted was...strange for lack of better words.

777 looked up again, and to his surprise Megumi had turned his head to look at the rock star wannabe, piercing golden eyes peering out of the side of his glasses, causing 777’s heart to halt and jostle around in surprise. “Your staring is impolite; I suggest now that refrain from it when you meet Him.”

“Where else am I supposed to look? I've been livin’ in this dump of a city before I died long enough, I know where shit is.” 777 spat with a grunt, digging his hands further into the sweaters pockets.

Megumi was silent, and then he turned his head away and continued walking without acknowledgement of the young Reapers words.

777 frowned and resumed his pace, trailing after the other. “Ya know, ya never told me yer name.”

“Apologies, it must have slipped my mind. My name is Megumi Kitaniji… and yourself?”

“Cut that politeness shit, Meggy, you already know my name…”

Megumi couldn't hide the displeasure in his face at his new nickname, his nose wrinkling up with disdain, but ultimately decided to ignore it, getting this Support Reaper to Him  was already proving difficult enough. “Yes, it is Sve-”

“Like, the hell it is! I refuse to be called by that anymore! That's the old me!”

“It is what is written on your papers, it is what I will refer you as. Out of curiosity, what is your calling name then, hm?”

777 was quiet, eyes casting down on the sidewalk. Megumi stopped, causing the singer to walk right into him.

“HEY?! What gives!?”

“As I expected, you haven't thought ahead on the matter of your new name. Unfortunate.”

“No, you're fuckin’ wrong! I do have a name, asshat!”

“Then do tell.”

“Triple Seven! My name is Triple fuckin’ Seven!”

Megumi blinked in surprise, despite his facial expression remaining neutral. “Pardon?”

“You heard me! Triple Seven, like, three sevens?” 777 took his hands out of the pockets, tightening the fists until he could feel his nails digging into his skin as he looked up at Megumi, violet eyes unwavering. “MY NAME IS TRIPLE SEVEN!”

Megumi was quiet, bringing a hand to his chin in thought. This young man had such a strong vibe coming off of him, even though he has been here for a relatively short time. His personality was headstrong, as he was warned about, but it seemed to be worse than what he was even informed of. His whole character was...odd, to say the least.

“It sounds to me like you're trying to convince yourself, rather than me.”

777’s face melted into shock. Megumi was right; he was still coming to terms with his new identity after death, but before he could retort, Megumi spoke, “We have arrived.”

777 looked around, sewers, how nice. These people certainly did have shitty taste. Maybe they had tea parties with the rats. “Whatever,” he grumbled, following Megumi through the concrete passages, the smell of sewage reeked from every possible crevice.It was just one room after another, wasn't it?

He admittedly wasn't paying attention, so when they came into a bright room, that looked furnished and well, nice (even if it wasn't exactly his style,) he was a bit shocked.

“Aye, ya got booze. Nice.” 777 grinned, eyeing the bar and the many bottles on display behind it.

“Touch it, and I won't dare to hesitate on lopping your hand off.” Megumi hissed, golden eyes glaring from the sides of his shades. “I am aware you are an alcoholic. You may have a drink after, if you'd like, but you will pay for it. Come with me.”

The singer rolled his eyes, and followed, coming into a room that was suddenly spacious. A throne in the center with a glowing figure. 777 had to squint, but he did not falter beyond that.

“Interesting,” the figure spoke, his voice sounding like smooth chimes laced in silk. “You have no fear.”

“Should I? You're just like a mega sized neon light, really,” the singers voice was laced with sarcasm, clearly unimpressed. “Does only shades over there get a pair of glasses, or are ya try’na ruin my corneas?”

The Composer chuckled a bit. How entertaining this Reaper was. Not only that, but he was resilient and resisted against falling down against his powerful vibe washing over him. It was almost impressive.

“My apologies, I should have taken into account how my beauty is blinding.”

The rocker sneered as the light died down. 777 stopped squinting, eyebrows arching in surprise to see someone who's age was indefinite, but was clearly youthful, perhaps an older teenager or a young adult much like the Reaper himself, standing with a proper posture, right in front of him.

“Is this better?”

“I guess,” 777 snorted. “Ya look like a princess.”

“Do not talk to the Composer in such a manner,” Megumi spoke up, posture rigid, as if he was the one who was offended and not the pretty boy standing in front of them both.

“Megumi, relaaax, I take it as a compliment you see. I should not be seen as anything but royalty.”

“Yer porcelain skin would make a mighty fine throw rug.”

“Sir-- please,” Megumi started. “He's being rude-”

“Megumi, despite how long you have been part of the Underground, you still are extremely uncertain of your newfound status as Conductor. I suggest kindly, that you only speak when you're being referred to. Just watch, please.” Joshua sighed, rolling his eyes and placed a hand on 777’s shoulder. “Between you and me, he can be sooo protective, it's silly really. He's not new to the UG but he's  new to the position of Conductor; really needs to loosen up a bit...”

“Don't touch me.” 777 snarled, causing the Composer to take his hand off the Reapers shoulders in slight surprise.

“Got it.” He didn't really feel like getting his fingers bitten off, especially in a setting like this. He needed this Reaper to trust him, even if it was only a little bit. Provoking would only make the matter at hand worse. “No touchy touchy~”

“What d’ya want?”

“My, extremely straight to the point, aren't you?” Slightly annoying, but it gave him the impression he wouldn't have to butter up anything he said. The Reaper clearly had already come to terms that he was dead and not returning to the living. The only issue at hand may be the personal Vendetta against the one who ruled the UG.

“At least tell me who ya are, “Mr. Composer”.” The sarcasm in the singers voice definitely wasn't going anywhere, nor was the heavy air quotes he made as he spoke.

“A bit of an irritating brat, aren't you?”

“Of course; gotta keep up my rep.” 777 cracked a smile, crossing his arms. “I aim to please.”

“My name is Yoshiya Kiryu, but you may call my Joshua like the majority of those around me.” The Composer tilted his head, Ash blonde bangs falling over his face as he analyzed the Reaper. How peculiar of a personality; he really didn't care what he said to someone of authority, did he? Joshua returned a soft smile, finding that things from here on out would be entertaining, at the very least.

“I'm sure you're wondering why you're here-”

“Yeah? Kinda? I thought that part was obvious.”

Joshua rubbed his forehead, an irritated sigh leaving his mouth. Nevermind, would this be entertaining or borderline aggravating? “Will you please stop interrupting me and allow me to get straight to the point, you're only wasting your time here and prolonging the visit so be patient and kindly shut up.”

When no other smart alec comments were made, Joshua mumbled a relieved 'thank you’ to the Higher Plane. God.

“What I wanted to talk to you about was your points,” he began, clasping his hands in front of his face, his smile crumpling into that of a concerned frown. “You seem to be an exceptional Reaper of sorts, despite you not having the strongest Underground abilities, you have miraculous control of your vibe…” Joshua trailed off, listening to the music that this Reaper emitted. It was heavier than most would be, louder too, but it was steady and stable. The beat was consistent, a heart of a drum beat and a guitar solo of his heart on top of the static that was common among souls of the UG.

‘If he keeps developing at the rate he is currently,’ Joshua hummed as he thought to himself, ‘then it could very well be possible that it would only get louder and more refined; perhaps the static will vanish completely and the song will be in it's best form…’

“Is it true that you mastered the ability to shift planes within the first couple of weeks of becoming a Reaper?” Joshua couldn't help but blurt out the question. Normally Reapers took at least the first month to be able to figure out how to go back and forth between the RG and UG, and even then for those prodigies, it would still be a strain on their bodies, but here was a Reaper phasing in and out like liquid through a strainer. It was essentially effortless.

“Sorry, it's just-- you do so poor regarding most abilities in the underground. You have trouble summoning Noise, pins are almost completely useless for you, and your psyches as a Reaper are limited to brute force, but yet you somehow have extraordinary abilities in regards to your vibe and you are above the average Reaper when it comes to imprinting.”

“And?”

“And?” Joshua's sleek brows furrowed, momentarily stunned by the question. Didn't he know how atypical that was?! No, of course not, this Reaper had a brain full of songs and spare parts.

“It's absolutely fascinating!” Joshua couldn't just put it into words how intrigued he was with the other, it made him feel giddy with excitement. 777 couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in mild confusion; he wasn't around long enough to actually understand anything about him that Joshua thought was so amazing, but yet here he was, the Composer Himself acting like a preschool kid learning about dinosaurs. Joshua, catching wind if his actions, cleared his throat and straightened out his posture back to the professional facade it was before.

“I do believe you could potentially see yourself rank up if you get better in the other areas of performance, but enough of that,” Joshua paused, tapping his pursed lips with his delicate porcelain fingers in thought.

“The real reason I called you down, aside from my own fascination, was how you are with Players. You seem to be able to erase them without much of a second thought, but with others you will hold yourself back or even help them. It's not against the rules by any means, but I don't recall many Reapers, or even some at all, taking as much mercy onto the Players as yourself. Does this correlate with your abilities, by chance? Why do you do it?”

It wasn't really that hard for 777 to answer. “It's because I relate to them. I went through the Game, and I hope I became a better person because of it. They show potential, they deserve a chance to better themselves and it's going to only get harder with every passing day in the UG. They deserve that one ounce of hope.” 777 looked away, towards the ground. It felt weird hearing the words come from his mouth. It wasn't the entire truth by any means, but he hoped it would satisfy. For now, at least.

He just doesn't want anyone to go through what he did during his game. He wants to be that ounce of hope to help a Player through the day. 777 just wanted to mean something good for once.

“I think it's partially 'cuz I feel more human after the game, ‘specially compared to most Reaps that I've seen.”

Joshua's eyes widened slightly. Most Reapers would say they felt less humane, more monstrous, no longer inhibited by the rules of the living. In the Underground people could be who they truly were underneath their flesh and skin. It made sense though, here in front of him stood a Reaper who felt more human, one who not only frequented the RG, but interacted with it, taking pity on it and the people who walked that plane.

“We we're all human once, but when I was alive I stripped myself of my own humanity earlier than most would. The Game showed me how I was before was just. Wrong. That's not the way a human should act, no one should be like how I was.”

“We were all...human...once…” Joshua repeated the words slowly along his tongue. They felt foreign on his lips, like trying a new dish from another culture and being unsure of the taste. Was it like or dislike? Too spicy or too sweet?

“You seem to have a good grasp on yourself as a person.”

777 couldn't help but burst out laughing. “If I did, I don't think I'd even be dead!”

“True.” Joshua hummed. “May I ask what was your entry fee to the game?”

“My voice. Not just my physical voice, but my metaphorical one, too. I couldn't ever bring m’self t’ try and bring out what I really thought and wanted to say.”

“How unfortunate. And the fee you have after becoming a Reaper?”

“I don't know.”

“Do you feel discontent because of it? Not knowing the fee you lost to become who you are now?”

“I think bein’ a Reap was the bes’ thing to ever happen in my life.” A pause. “Unlife.”

“After life,” corrected Joshua.

“Whatever.”

“And why might that be?” Joshua asked. He could already guess the answer, he just wanted to hear it for himself. A confirmation of sorts, just to know how he should approach the Reaper in the future, if this Reaper would allow him to, anyways.

“I get a new identity. I get to be better than what I was before I died.” 777 looked to the side. “I can achieve my dreams like this, without havin’ 'em be wasted away t’ nothin’.”

“What dreams are those?”

“I wanna be a rockstar. I wanna influence people, show 'sm they're not alone in the world, that there's people jus’ as angry as 'em, just as upset as 'em, and together we can make a difference.” 777 narrowed his eyes, looking back at Joshua. “I don't fuckin’ know why I'm tellin’ ya all of this, I don't even know ya.”

“You know my name.”

“And nothing else.” 777 snorted, crossing his arms. “My turn to ask questions, then.”

Joshua blinked in surprise. He really didn't think the tables would turn so sharply onto himself, but he should have at least  guessed as much, considering how the Support Reaper was acting.

“Do you have any dreams?”

“I've been dead for a long time, and I am the godly influence of a city, I don't think I have time for dreams--”

“Thats bullshit!” Joshua stumbled back in surprise at the sudden hostility and passion that was in the others voice. “Everyone's gotta have dreams, if you're older ya jus’ had more time t’plan yer attack an’ tackle em!”

“I do suppose, you may be right.”

“I know I'm right,” snorted 777, a smirk on his face. “Ya may be dead but that don't mean ya can't feel alive.”

“That's rich in itself, coming from someone who has stated they feel more human.”

“Bold of ya t'assume that feelin’ human meant like ya felt alive.”

Joshua frowned at those words. They had only just met, and this guy got it; he understood. Humans don't have to feel alive, they do not even have to feel. They just had to be, and continue being. Not one person in the world wished themselves alive, but many wished themselves dead.

777 could say that he didn't have a grasp on who he was as a person all he wanted, but he had a grasp on emotions and how they functioned, whether he realized it or not. You didn't need a reason to feel the way you do, you just had to exist. Did it often make sense? Of course not, but the world wasn't black and white and things were changing and evolving so much that it made the Composers head spin in circles the more he thought about it.

But really; what was going on in that mind of the singer? A sense of feelings but not a sense of self; the emotion of anger but where was the guilt?

Joshua pushed a strand of his Ash blonde hair behind his ear, watching the singer in an unnerving silence. Neither of them spoke, but each of their minds was frantically thinking. When should I go? Do I let him stay?

The Composer breathed in, an idea trickling through his head. Why would he doesn't and wonder about what the other was thinking when he could see for himself? He had control over the UG, after all, he could just scan the Reaper and send him on his way, back to whatever shit hole he crawled out from.

Joshua closed his eyes and concentrated, feathers falling from his wings as he explored the mind's eye. There was nothing there.

Almost nothing.

He could see a door, locked and chained shut with an animal in front, growling through bared teeth and intense violet eyes that shone through a fury that was masked with rage, but hidden underneath was the familiar defensiveness of fear.

Triple Seven here, Joshua thought, with the lull of a sadness that he and the singer shared, but we're no strangers of. Is afraid of opening up...

Suddenly, the vision shattered like glass as he was knocked out of his meditative state. Stunned and falling to his knees, he could barely register what had happened. He reached a hand up to his face, feeling the warm, sticky blood gushing out his nose and between his finger tips.

“--SIR!”

Joshua waved his hand, signaling that he was fine, that Megumi should stand down and out of the way. He looked back up at 777, mouth agape in shock.

“You felt that?”

“I dunno, but did ya feel that, bitch?” 777 shouted, both hands clenched as his sides, as if he was prepared to through another punch. Blood dripped down from his right fit into the floor.

“Don't  fuckin’ try to scan me if yer preachin’ 'bout trust an’ shit if ya don't act on it! Ya want me to trust ya, and respect ya and whatever else bullshit ya want, yer gonna have to earn it like a normal fuckin’ person!”

Joshua's face of shock melted into a small giggle, before molding into a full blown laughing fit. He didn't care about the searing pain he had of a broken nose, he didn't care about Megumi frantically wanting to help him. This was definitely more entertaining that he had anticipated, he really just couldn't help but laugh in response.

The pain, the anger, this Reaper really was so human compared to the hardened Composer, he couldn't help but laugh at how alive he felt, tears forming in his eyes as he snorted. Joshua wiped the blood out from under his nose, starting at his bloodied hand, still laughing to himself.

“I can't believe you hit me.”

“I got more where that came from is ya decide to pull that shit again.”

Joshua looked up, back to his hand and the concrete floor, covered with blood drips, and back to 777. The smile never left his face as he got up, offering the singer his gentle hand as a truce. “I'll keep you under my watchful gaze.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” 777 snorted, looking at the hand and rolling his eyes. Yeah right, he wasn't going to take it from such a prissy boy, Composer or not. Spinning around in his heels, he turned to walk in the other direction-- away.

“Wait! The Composer hasn't dismissed you yet!” Megumi called out, taking a few steps forwards, only to be stopped as Joshua held his arm out, blocking the Conductors charge.

“Let him be.” Joshua said, glancing at Megumi and back to the Support Reaper, waving his hand in farewell at him.

“Goodbye, Triple Seven! Until we meet again!~”

“Ya didn't call me Sven.” 777 looked over his shoulder in surprise, stopping his walk to turn around and stare. Even though Joshua was socked in the face, there was still warmth to his icy cold facade, deep in his mulberry eyes.

“Of course not.” Joshua smiled softly. “This is who you are now.”

---

“I remember the outcome going a bit differently, don't you think? I distinctly recall you grovelling at my feet, kissing the very ground I walk on.”

“Duh, you probably had a goddamn concussion thanks to my fist.” 777 rolled his eyes, finishing off the can of beer in his hand and tossing it down the roof of 104, eyes following up as it fell until it could be seen no more. “We've known each other for a long time now, huh? Man, we're so fuckin’ old…”

“Absolutely ancient.”

#my motherfucking writing #the SHOW must go ON:|| HEADCANONS #Personal Jesus:|| aggravating young god #i am not gonna italisize things lmao i dont have the patience for that after just copy n pasting from my google docs #twewy #the world ends with you #i hope yall dont mind some fandom tags bc i worked really hard on this #i love writing and I love H's josh

[blurryhoney]

She Makes Him Better (Billy Hargrove x Reader)

Summary: You are Dustins older sister helping the gang with the demo-dog situation when a certain someone shows up looking for their step-sister.

Pairings: Billy Hargrove x Henderson!Reader, Steve Harrington x Henderson!Reader (Platonic), Dustin Henderson x Reader (Siblings).

Setting: Stranger Things 2, The Byers Home.

Inspired By: My Brain

Warnings: Cursing, Fighting, Blood, A Shot of Drugs, Talk of Abuse.

Author: Heather ( Account Owner (: ) 

Note: I do not agree with billys personality and behavior this is simply my interpretation on his character and am having fun writing. Be sure to read the end notes if you want a second part! NO GIFS USED THROUGHOUT THE STORY ARE MINE. 

Requests are open! Don’t be shy to message me or ask anonymously. :)

Word Count: 2338

Part 2 Part 3

“Hey, hey, hey!” Steve yelled gathering everyone's attention. He shakes his head. “ This is not happening” He stated firmly pointing at the askew of papers all over the house that laid out the tunnels for the demogorgons.

“ But-” Mike tried to explain but was quickly cut off.

“ No, no, no, no, no! No buts, I promised I’d keep you shitheads safe and that's exactly what I plan on doing. We're staying here on the bench and waiting for the starting team to do their job. Does everybody understand that?” Steve asks looking around at everyone, even you where you were standing behind your brother dustin.

“ This isn’t a stupid sports game!” Mike called out from where he was on the floor looking at steve where he was also looking at the map where the main section of the tunnels connected. Setting it on fire will give Eleven and Hopper the chance to get to the gate safely but also running the risk of getting four children and two teenagers killed.

“ I said does everybody understand that” Steve says sternly taking the towel from his shoulder and pointing it at Mike. You were conflicted.

On one hand going to the tunnels and setting it on fire gives El and Hopper the better chance of getting to the gate quickly and safely to close the gate and ending this hell once and for all. But again, if you all go and something goes wrong what are the risks of someone getting hurt? You wouldn’t let dustin get hurt and max, who has grown to be like a little sister, would do anything to do the right thing even if it meant getting hurt. You wouldn’t let any of these kids die. After last years events you thought this was all over, a bad memory that you wouldn’t have to think of again. Boy were you wrong.

You clench your fist and look at steve about to speak when you hear a loud roar and rumble of a car engine. Everyone's heads snap towards the front of the house when max starts running to the front window quickly. Thats immediately when you realize who it was.

“ Oh shit “ You breath out running behind her as everyone follows to the window and front door. Lucas and her jump on the couch seeing the blue camaro pull up on the driveway.

“ Its my brother, he can’t know I’m here he’ll kill me” Max looks at lucas who was sitting next to her. “ He’ll kill us “  She looks back at me quickly obviously nervous. I look at Steve who was next to me and see him thinking quickly before walking to the front door and shutting it quickly walking outside.

Everyone crowded around the window being sure to stay low so they wouldn’t be seen. You stood at the edge peering around the window frame standing above the kids as you see Steve stop at the porches edge waiting for Billy.

You and Billy had a confusing relationship. You always were interested in him and attracted but he never really had a good way of showing his feelings. He acted different around you, not being the total smart ass that everyone makes him out to be. You knew vaguely about his troubles at home but he was never open about it in the times you both hung out.

Letting you in would only get you hurt too. He doesn’t know what he would do with himself if he was the reason something bad happened to you.

As Billy climbed out of his car he smirked blowing out a puff of smoke before leaning against his car.

“ Am I dreaming or is that you Harrington? “ He smirks as steve rolls his eyes his hands on his hips.

“ Yeah it’s me don’t cream your pants.” Steve states obviously annoyed. He walks down the steps as Billy takes off his leather jacket throwing it in the car before walking up to Steve his chest puffed out his cigarette hanging from his lips.

“ What are you doing here Amigo? “ Billy asks his signature smirk plastered on his face still.

“ I could ask you the same thing...Amigo.” Steve replies calmly.

“ Looking for my step-sister. Little birdy told me she was here.”

“ Huh that’s weird I don’t know her ” He says shaking his head.

“ Small “ Billy pinches his fingers together. “ red head ” He points to his hair. “ Bit of a bitch.”

“ Doesn’t ring a bell sorry buddy “ Steve replies quickly. Billy nods twisting his neck.

“ Ya know I don’t know this “ He steps closer to Steve “ This whole situation Harrington, It’s giving my the hibigeebies.”

“ Oh yeah whys that? “ Steve asks confused but tries not to show it.

“ My thirteen year old sister goes missing all day and then I find her with you “ He motions his hands towards Steve. “ In a strangers house, and you lie to me about it “ He says furrowing his eyebrows at Steve obviously starting to get angry.

Steve breaths out a huff looking away from Billy, “ Man were you dropped to much as a child or what? “ He looks back at him watching him run his tongue across his teeth. “ I don’t know what you don’t understand about what I just said, she’s not here” Billy chuckles and takes his cigarette out of his mouth using that same hand to point behind Steve.

“ Then who is that? “ He asks matter of factly. Steve looks out the window quickly seeing all four kids lined up along the window before they all ducked down.

“ Shit! Did he see us?” Dustin asks quickly. You jump into action throwing yourself at the window just in time to see Billy kick Steve who was laid out on the dirt ground in front of him.

“ Everyone stay here “ You say quickly running to the front door and running outside slamming the door shut. Billy looks up at you as he walks up to the porch confused as to why you were there too.

“ Princess, you haven’t become desperate to be with Steve Harrington have you?” He asks now getting upset that you were with another guy let alone is archenemy. Yet his whole demeanor changed when he saw you, he wasn't as tense and he looked happy to see you. You huff out a breath the cool air nipping your bare arms.

“ Billy go home your sister is okay I’m watching after her. “ You state calmly looking around Billy quickly when you hear Steve groan from the ground. You rush over to him thinking Billy would listen to you as you help Steve stand.

“ Are you okay?” steve grunts and nods looking up after he hears a door slam shut. You look quickly to see that Billy had ran into the house successfully pissing you off. “ God damn it “

When you and Steve ran inside you found Billy hunched over slightly by Lucas who was backed up against the wall.

“ You are so dead saintclair, you’re dead “ Your eyes widened at Billy's harsh words to the poor thirteen year old. Steve stomped over quickly grabbing Billy spinning him around to face him away from Lucas.

“ No, you are” With that he punches Billy as hard as he could in the face successfully throwing him sideways making you gasp. Lucas runs to you quickly wrapping his arms around your waist making you look down at him and hold him close protecting him and calming him down before you felt Max and Dustin hug you from your sides and Mike behind you. You watched wide eyed as Billy laughed almost maniacally looking at steve his nose now bleeding.

“ Looks like you got some fire in you after all, huh? I’ve been wanting to meet this King Steve everybody has been telling me so much about. “ Billy gets close and up in Steve's face again making you tense up.

“ Billy please go home you can’t do this. “ You say looking at him with shocked eyes. He must have went through something bad at home to be in this anger state now. The fact that him and Steve don’t get along doesn’t help the situation either.

“ (y/n) it’s okay let me handle this “ Steve says not giving Billy the chance to respond to you.

“ Don’t tell her what to do.” Billy grumbles eyebrows narrowed. Steve poked Billy’s chest pushing him away from him a little bit giving themselves a little distance from each other.

“ Get out “ Steve all but growled staring at Billy. It was silent for a good 10 seconds before Billy swung missing as Steve dodged causing Steve to punch Billy hard again in the face.

“ Yes! Steve!” Dustin yells encouraging Steve. You shake your head quickly pushing everyone back away from the two fighting teenagers.

“ Dustin don’t encourage them!” You yell looking around to try and figure out something to stop them with without hurting either of them.

They didn’t last long in the kitchen and somehow ended up in the living room with Billy on top of Steve beating the crap out of him. You looked around quickly trying to find something to help knowing that if you went in to pull him off you would most likely get hurt. Before you could stop it Max grabbed the shot and stomped behind billy stabbing him in the neck with it definitely drawing his attention away from the boy underneath him.

He stood up looking behind him slowly seeing max right behind him and you walking towards them quickly. You push Max behind you pushing her towards the boys who grabbed her pulling her to them. You put one hand on the exposed side of Billy's neck to help steady him while you use your free hand to pull the shot out of his neck dropping it to the floor. He looked at you confused and you could tell he was starting to get delusional. He stepped forward looking at Max.

“ Shit what did you do “ He mumbled looking at Max before stumbling backwards and falling to the ground. You quickly caught him going to the ground with him to help break his fall having him practically lying in your lap as his eyes closed and soft chuckles escaped his lips. You look up as Max grabs Steve's trusty nail bat before she swings it over her shoulder looking at her brother on the floor.

“ From here on out you’ll leave me and my friends alone, do you understand?” She asks sternly. You look up at her proud to see she was finally sticking up to her brother. She didn’t know that he was trying to protect her from the dark world, but being a pissed older brother and emotionally abusing her wasn’t the way to go at it with her.

“ Screw you “ He mumbled eyes practically closed the drugs causing him to come in and out of consciousness already. Max quickly derailed his comment by slamming the bat right into the hardwood floor just missing his privates. That quickly got him to open his eyes and look up lifting his head to look at the bat right in front of his crotch. You looked at her in shock by her action as did the boys who stared at her in awh from behind her.

“ Say you understand! Say it! “ Billy’s head lolled back into your lap where you gently held his head tangling a hand in his curly blonde hair. He leaned into your touch his eyes officially closed.

“ I understand “ he practically whispered falling asleep in your lap. You look at his pocket seeing his keys dangling out of them before leaning forwards and wiggling them out of his jeans. You look up at Max who dropped the bat on the floor.

“ Max “ she looks down at me catching the keys quickly that I tossed her way. “ You’ll need those” She smiled looking back at the boys who were too shocked by everything that just happened to move.

After helping them get Steve in the back seat of the Blue Camaro you somehow were able to get Billy into the passenger seat of your Black 70 Ford Mustang before closing the door and looking back at the kids who were all waiting by Billy’s car.

“ Where are you going?” Dustin asked concerned his knee jumping. You wrapped your arms around him hugging him. “ Go to the tunnels and burn these son of a bitches. You all are amazing kids I know you can do it, Steve will wake up and help you guys to I know it. “ You explained making them all look at you confused.

“ Where are you going (y/n)?” Mike asked again confused. You sighed trying to avoid the question failed.

“ I need to get Billy out of here and away from you guys. I’ll be okay I promise.” Max looked at you with a small smile.

“ Do you love him?” Dustins question surprised you. As much as you wanted to say goodbye to the blonde hot head you had a little piece of yourself that was with him. Him was with you too.

“ It’s complicated Dusty.” You sigh petting his head. “ You guys be safe alright if any of you get hurt-” You were cut off when Max practically ran into you hugging you tightly.

“ Thank you, (y/n). I know you can change Billy’s ways.” You hug her tightly looking off to the side at the knocked out boy in your passenger seat, he was bloody and needed to sleep for a while but you couldn’t help but feel your heart flutter just looking at him.

“ I hope you’re right max” With that you all went separate ways. The kids drove off with Steve in the back seat planning on distracting the demogorgons and saving El and Hopper. While you got Billy away from the hell that you all have been dealing with for the past couple days. You couldn’t stop checking on Billy. What he did was awful and he needed to explain himself. He goes through hell at home but is that an excuse anymore after what he just did?

Damn it Billy Hargrove why did you have to make me love you?

Sorry I posted later than expected! I was thinking about doing a second part to this of the aftermath and really going into the relationship between reader and billy. Depending on how well it does and if you guys want I will be down to do it! Requests are open and if you have any ideas let me know! :)

#billy hargrove #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove imagine #Billy Hargrove angst #billy #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington imagine #stranger things #stranger things imagine #stranger things imagines #stranger things one shot #stranger things 2 #dustin henderson #mike wheeler #lucas sinclair #max hargrove #stranger things 2 imagines #henderson!reader #billy hargrove/reader #billyhargrovexreader #steveharringtonxreader #billy hargrove x you #steve harrington x you #steveharringtonxyou #billyhargrovexyou

[notthelasttime]

mmmmtagged by @flykiwiflyaway

Rules: Answer 30 questions and tag 10 people

# following: around 250

# of followers: 70ish here, 300ish on my main blog

Average hours of sleep: really really depends tbh. been trying to get a solid 7-8 hours bc i’ve felt pretty garbage lately but sometimes shit happens and i’ll get like. 4 or 5.

Lucky number: 8 and 13

Instruments: haven’t picked it up in a considerable amount of time but I can still play (badly) the viola and violin

What are you wearing: sweat pants that are too big on me and an old tshirt that’s been washed too many times and is starting to fall apart. it says ‘dissent is patriotic’ on it, bought during my young edgy teen punk™ days

Dream job: GOD anything self employed at this point, either art or writing, but my production is so up and down i.. don’t know if i’ll ever actually be able to make it happen. you can’t finish one thing every 6 months and hope to support yourself on it so

Dream trip: I have romantic ideas about paris that i know would realistically only lead to disappointment. otherwise i’d probably give my left tit to see ankor wat irl

Significant other: nnnnnah son

Birthday: october 5th

Height: 5′6ish, maybe a little taller

Gender/pronouns: female, she/her

Other blogs: main blog, art blog, a shared writing blog for short stories i have with a friend that we keep forgetting about then trying to revive, that blog i kept while working at a sex shop to save ridiculous stories but is now defunct and i just don’t have the heart to delete it, a blog for my/my best friends youtube channel which has turned into nothing but bad video game memes

Nicknames: jess is already a nickname. sometimes my dad calls me jezebell or just bell. a last-name related nickname that would make no sense out of context

Star Sign: libra. why i’m so full of Justice and can never make up my mind, apparently

Time: 8:59pm

Favorite Bands: thee michelle gun elephant

Favorite artists: ummmmmmmm idk that i can settle on one favorite but i went through a pretty hardcore ivan albright phase for a while lmao. and i strive for my linework to be as intense as junji ito

Favorite tumblr artist: UH well not a tumblr artist so to speak, more like an artist that happens to be on tumblr - daisuke ichiba. i've also been very in to apollonia saintclair but BIG nsfw warning on her tumblr

Song stuck in your head: my very uncool answer is that the bridge combat music from hellblade has been stuck in my head for like a solid week

Last movie you watched: jiro dreams of sushi but idk how much it counts bc i just had it on as background noise

Last show you watched: started watching one punch man recently

Why did you make your blog: this blog in particular was made to keep my fanfic bullshit separate from my regular bullshit.

What do you post: bad opinions, video games, occasionally writing and even less often art

Fandom contributions: initially all promnis fic but now i’m branching out. expanding my horizons. trying my hand at gladnis, sheith and fenhawke. becoming the one woman ignyx show. 

Last thing you googled: john corigliano

Ao3: notthelasttime

Do you ever get asks: i do on occasion. more after i starting live blogging the dragon age experience lmao

How did you get the idea for your url: i wanted something for ao3 that had no connection/similarities to anything else i had online but i have no idea it just sort of popped in my head. i think initially i was thinking like.. won’t be the last time or something similar, but i like the repeating letters in notthelasttime

Favorite food: man idek i couldn’t even narrow it down i don’t know

Last book you read: currently reading Hannibal mostly because clarice can be cool sometimes

Top 3 fictional universes: DA has gotten fantasy on my brain so middle earth absolutely comes to mind. columbia from bioshock strictly from an aesthetic standpoint my... issues with the game itself aside.and there’s a big soft spot in my heart for deepgate from the book scar night but i would definitely not want to live there, also the other books in the series were so... mediocre in comparison. but there’s something about deepgate for sure. 

from my recent notes minus people that have already been tagged: @breotch-iunderstoodthatreference @libertusostiums @lunaloupgarou @the-mad-duchess @muncharoux @cheepx2 but also ZERO pressure if you don’t wanna

#sorry i'd link my art blog but it's my full name and i'd feel weird posting it here #and a lot of you have figured out my main blog anywya #tagged #thank u this kept me entertained for a while lmao

[ask-the-little-nightmares-crew]

about stranger things

So in Hawkins Indiana there’s this kid named will Byers’s and he goes missing and his mom Joyce Byers has to find him so she gose to her good friend Jim Hopper who sadly lost his daughter due to cancer so hopper sets off to find will when later were introduced by a girl named eleven and she has been in a bad place with her papa Brenner Ives and so she’s caught by a boy named mike Wheeler and he takes her inside his house we’re she meet his friends Dustin Henderson and Lucas saintclair 

Season 2:in season 2 a girl named Maxine lives with her step brother billy hangrove and he turns out to be a bad guy 

Don’t want to spoil it all so if you watch or have nextflix the. Watch stranger things so I don’t give it all away 

And since Nina is from Russia theirs some people who speak Russian in season 3 of stranger things 

For @lady-sweet-eyes

#stranger things

[saint--claire]

Tagged by @blackidyll - thank you! (◕‿◕✿)*:･ﾟ✧ I had fun with this, this was a good one.

10 Films I Love: (not in order, because jesus, I can’t pick that)

1. The Little Mermaid.  Little me was obsessed with it, adult me still loves it, and all versions of me can still sing it (badly). 

2. Top Gun Maverick - MY BELOVEDS.  Something that (for me) the sequel was even better than the original.  TGM was such a brilliant sandpit to fic writers that I got back from my 2.5yr year writing slump, and got to get back the joy of that as a hobby.  Watched the ending in awe, having completely lost track of time in the cinema and with no idea about whether they were going to kill of Tom Cruise in a blaze of glory.  (For the record I am glad they did not).

3. Now You See Me - the ending to this day delights me.  I caught the movie by accident right at the start cooking dinner at uni one night, with the movie on the communal TV. 

4. The Old Guard - undying found family.  Beautiful dynamics between everybody.  Sweet romance.  Insane anti-hero who you know is going to stir some shit up.  Very hot woman swinging deadly weapons around.  Also love that.

5. Howl’s Moving Castle - Restful.  Old Sophie has the attitude on life that I want.  This movie is calm-down-and-drop-off-to-sleep - everything’s safe watching.

6. Glass Onion - A Knives Out Movie.  Just delightful.  The main thing I enjoy about this movie (apart from all of it) is how very obviously each actor is having the time of their lives.  They all look like they are having fun.  I also suck at murder mysteries and the endings are complete surprises to me every time, which is great fun.

7. Fast & Furious - I saw the trailer for FX yesterday and I am WILDLY excited.  It looks absolutely batshit insane and I nearly cried when Paul Walker came on. Another movie where the actors are all having the time of their lives.  Fast cars go zoom, cool stunts, great actors, a movie that understands exactly how far outside the bounds of reality and physics it is and still doesn’t give a shit.  Inspirational.

8. Pirates of the Caribbean - Boats!  Swords!  More cool stunts and pretty people!  Everything about the series.  I was about to say my favourite was the third, but then I remember the fountain of youth and curse of the black pearl and couldn’t commit.  Still absolutely obsessed with the King of the Brethren Court, and her hat.

9. Skyfall - I’m with blackidyll here, this was the best.  We were given so much - Q, James & Q, everything that happened with Skyfall manor, and James and M.  I will say Eva Green as Vespa remains my second favourite Bond Girl, as the first, clearly, is Q.

10. The Martian - Maybe I was lying when I said I couldn’t pick a favourite movie.  I adore this movie.  I watched it for the first time with my Dad, not having read the book, and then twenty minutes after it finished I found and read the book and loved that even more.  The love, emotions, desperation, and humanity gets me every time.  “Houston, 6 crew safely aboard”.

I am going to tag @milestaller @luddycris @glitterisblue - if you have the time and spoons xx.  Anyone else following me - also feel free to complete!

#saintclaire speaks #shout out to Malificent which nearly ended up on the list because I can't count #for aesthetic reasons #I would like to do a netflix party with people #we can do a rewatch #bonding via carrier pigeon

[saint--claire]

Hey Hey 🥰

Please would you talk about the Princess Diaries au??

[It's one of my faaaaaavs!! 🥰]

Hello!!!!

The Princess Diaries 2 AU started on discord and spiraled into a slowly-growing monster after we all simultaneously agreed that Jake Seresin was Nick through and through. Bradley is obviously Mia.

What was supposed to be a 5k one-shot has grown to hideous proportions with almost the entire TG and TGM cast in various cameo roles. My personal favourite is having Hondo as Charlotte - they've both got the competent and chronically tired of dealing with this bullshit vibe.

I hope you enjoy the snippet below!

They’re settling into the cinema room to review the potential candidates when Hondo marches in and starts setting up the slide show at the projector.

Maverick hands out bags of popcorn, because he’s a little shit like that, and Ice wheezes as Mav flops heavily down into his lap like it’s his rightful place, as Ice reclines back on the couch.  

Nat pats him on the shoulder in sympathy as she dumps down next to him.

Hondo hits play, and as the opening page switches out Bradley stares in mute horror at the projector screen.

“Why am I looking at slide transition graphics from 2005?” Nat asks the room at large, squinting with one eye shut at the screen.  

Hondo glares at her.

“First on the list of eligible candidates for Bradley’s marriage; Count von Drac, son of the late Avery von Drac.”

“No,” Ice declares, throwing a handful of popcorn back and crunching loudly.  “Compulsive gambler.  If Slider’s telling the truth, he just bet a vintage Porsche on cockerel fights and lost.”

“I have questions about how Slider knows this,” Maverick mutters, and is soundly ignored.

#saintclaire speaks #PD2AU #ask answers

[saint--claire]

Amnesia 👀👀

Amnesia snippet! Beware of angst, but be aware there is an implicit happy ending (always)

“What’s your name?”

He doesn’t know what his name is.

“Do you know what your name is?”

No.  

He searches his mind, reaches out for something that’s familiar.

“Bradley?”

They’re frowning.  He must not have got it right.

There’s yelling in the corridors, the sound of a scuffle.  One of the doctors slips out.  

A dark haired man steps forward.  He’s not wearing scrubs, or a stethoscope.  An orderly? 

“Your name is Jake, son.  Jake Seresin.”

There’s an expression in the orderly’s eyes that makes him uncomfortable.  Someone in the corridor is sobbing.  

Jake’s tired.  He doesn’t know what’s going on.   The dark haired man speaks again.  He’s starting to think this man isn’t an orderly.

“You can go back to sleep now Jake.  It’s okay - just rest.”

“Bradley,” Jake says helplessly, and goes back to sleep.  

---

When he wakes up, they try again.  

“Do you know what your name is?”

No.  He doesn’t.

“What can you tell us, Lieutenant?”

“Bradley,” says Jake.

A man standing in the corner of the room stares at him.  He’s in fatigues, not scrubs.  Terrible moustache.  Probably not a doctor.  

“Who is Bradley?” the same person asks from beside him.

“I don’t know.”

The man walks out.

Jake wants to cry, and he’s not sure why.

“Who are you?” he asks the doctor at his side.

“Ash.”  the man replies.  He’s very tall.  “I’m the head of emergency surgery and trauma here on base.”  He gives Jake a minute to process this.  Ash isn’t smiling, but his face is relaxed, and he’s got the eyelines of someone who smiles frequently.  “It’s going to be okay Jake.  Are you in any pain?”

“No.”

“Do you have any questions you would like to ask me?”

He doesn’t remember.

“You’re on a lot of medication at the moment Jake. There’s no need to worry if you’re a bit fogged up in there.”

He looks at the drip lines running out of his arm.  

“Don’t fight it if you feel sleepy.  Just go with it.”

Jake doesn't want to go with it.

“Can I get you anything son?”

“Bradley,” Jake whispers, and falls asleep.

---

There’s a new person in the room when he wakes up the next time.  She’s sprawled in the chair by his bed, flicking through a magazine and she sits up slowly when she sees him shift in the bed.  

She smiles.  “Hey Jake.”

Oh good.  He’s sick of people asking what his name is.  

“I’m Phoenix.  How ya doin’ there?”

Something about Phoenix is relaxing to look at.  He shuffles again.  

“I’m hungry,” he says, and then stops, surprised.  Phoenix looks a bit surprised as well, but she’s still smiling, and turns around to drag a tray table of food in front of him.  

“Thought you might be.  Eat up, Seresin.”

He likes Phoenix.

The food is - strange.  Most of it is in containers, homemade.  There’s a couple of bakery packets, a little carton of hospital-issued milk, a sleeve of cutlery.

“I would start with that one.” Phone says, pointing at a purple container with ‘GARCIA’ written on the lid in faded permanent marker.  He starts eating.  It’s very good.

“Do you know who I am Jake?”

“No.” he says honestly.  She doesn’t look upset, and she doesn’t look surprised.  It’s a relief.

“I’m one of your friends.”

“I don't have friends, '' he says, and then stops.  Frowns.  Why did he say that?  Phoenix is frowning as well.  Damn it, he’s got another answer wrong.

“You’ve got lots of friends,” she corrects, after a beat.  She gestures around the room and for the first time he notices the flowers, the paraphernalia on every surface.  “All your many admirers.”

His head swims.  Phoenix notices.

“Eat.”

He eats.

Phoenix doesn’t say too much, mostly, she just prompts him to eat.  He picks a couple of containers at random.  He likes the ‘GARCIA’ one, the ‘LENNOX’ one is his favourite.  He says as much to Phoenix, who nods.  

“Louise is a damn good cook.”  Pauses.  “The best, if Harvard and Yale are to be believed.

None of these names mean anything to Jake, so he just nods, fidgeting with the corner of his blanket.  

“Hey Jake?”

Phoenix’s eyes are soft when he looks at her.

“I know you’re having some trouble up there at the moment.”  She taps the side of her own head twice.  “Would you like me to try and explain what’s happened and fill in some gaps, or do you want me to leave it for now?”

Gaps.

The pounding in Jake’s head gets louder and louder.

“No.”

He doesn’t understand what he’s saying.  What does he want?

“Bradley?” he asks Phoenix.  

Phoenix’s eyes are impossibly soft. 

“Do you know who Bradley is?”

No. 

“No.”

Well then.  

Phoenix wriggles her chair a bit closer to the bed, tucks her feet up against the bed base.  He’s frustrated with himself, and she seems to pick up on it.  

“Don’t stress about it Jake.  Bradley’s not going anywhere.”  She lifts her hand slowly, telegraphing the movement, and knocks very, very gently on this side of his head.  “Don’t think you could get him out of there if you tried.”

She scratches her nails against his scalp and for a moment he leans into her hand, it feels so good.

“It’ll come back to you.”

Phoenix turns the TV on.  The channel is showing an airshow that took place a couple of years ago.  

The light of the TV hurts his eyes a bit, but he watches the old Lockheed -45 do a couple of slow loops.

“The handling on those is shit.” he says.

Phoenix swivels towards him, and he nods at the screen.  “The 35-s are better.  Smoother.”

Phoenix turns her head for a moment and wipes her arm across her face, but when she looks back at him she’s smiling so widely he can see the dimples in her cheeks.

“Would have thought you could handle a temperamental McDonald, Seresin.”

He likes seeing her face.

“Did it go fast enough for you?”

It was an absolute scrap heap of a plane, and he’d loved it.

“Can always go faster,” he mumbles, suddenly tired again, and then he goes back to sleep.

#😘 #saintclaire speaks #jake seresin #ask answers #Nila my beloved #i promise i haven't entirely vanished again the work shit is just hitting the ceiling rn

[saint--claire]

Music Games

rules: shuffle your “on repeat” playlist from spotify the music service of your choice and post the first 10 tracks

Tagged by @blackidyll who is a blessing to us all, and who I also realised last night was the person who wrote the YOI fic I just re-read. We love falling over our friends in unexpected places. Your millionth kudos from me will soon be coming.

Rules: shuffle your “on repeat” playlist from Spotify the music service of your choice and post the first 10 tracks

1 - Six Feet by Patent Pending - Riot Hearts Rebellion. Had me dancing in the living room!

2 - The DJ is Crying For Help - Single Release

3 - Statue (The Pills Song) by Smith & Thell - Soulprints

4 - Toast by Smith & Thell - Soulprints

5 - Roads by Lawson - Lawson

6 - Move Your Body by Sia - This is acting

7 - Bambola - Merk & Kremont Remix by Betta Lemme, Merk & Kremont. Shout out to Warrior Nun for giving me some of most dramatic outliers of my Spotify tracks to date.

8 - Music Box Dancer by The Piano Guys - Music Box Dancer. So much of my writing has been done with this song on repeat.

9 - Alaska by Little Hurt - Every Second

10 - Window by MAGIC GIANT - In The Wind. I have been listening to this since sometime in ?2021 and the love hasn't waned yet.

I am going to tag @glitterisblue @milestaller @yikes-00 and whomever else wants to join! I LOVE seeing peoples music recs, so please please even if I haven't tagged you join in and ping me!

#saintclaire speaks #all my TGM friends need to listen to Six Feet #and everybody else needs to listen to both music box danseur and Smith & Thell #I hope the links work #toast is the track currently sitting at the top of on repeat #but I suspect six feet will soon have it beat #definitely not something i listened to on repeat walking around IKEA for the better part of three hours #my spotify likes contains anything from bag pipes to pop to classical to sea shanties to harp covers to musicals #and then Warrior Nun gave me spanish dance tunes #we love to see it #every day is music appreciation day

[saint--claire]

WIPs

Rules: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it!

Tagged by @gothampot​.  I was also someone who never used to get tagged for these, it is nice to have people to play with!!  Please know I love you and would make you soup if you came to my house.  I am not great at making soup, but I would try.

Welp, there were more of these little shits than I thought!  These are the current Top Gun WIPs - the whole list is too many.

1 - Princess Diaries 2 AU - A Royal Engagement.  What it says on the tin!  With a combination of luck, spoons, and Nila, this may actually get posted some time soon, god willing.

2 - Jake Goes Down.  MAGS.  YOU ARE BELOVED AND I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THIS, YOU WILL BE PAID YOUR DUES.

3 - Dagger Naptime Comfort Fic

4 - TG Cave Diving AU.  I actually goddamn love this plotline.  I worked the whole thing out, revised it and then wrote - a third of it??  And I get to do cool shit with scene settings.

5 - Your Husband, My Emotional Support Arch-Nemesis.  😉

6 - The Text Logs Of Slider Kerner.  See above. 

7 - Amnesia. 

8 - The Unholy Grail Of Prompts.  The unholy is not an exaggeration!

9 - ranch so I can do cowboy Jake.  🤠

I am going to tag @theinsouciantknitter - I miss doing sprints with you at 10pm :( @viridessense just because I love you and Lilly both, and @winter-fir because time zones are damn rude and I feel like we get an approximate half-hour of crossover time per 24 which is not. enough!

Anyone is more than welcome to ping me an ask about the above, but if I have missed anyone who’d like to join, do it anyway and tag me! 💕💕

#saintclaire speaks #the collect here is maybe 60k worth of content? #maths is not my strong suit

[saint--claire]

Haiiiiii just stopping in from ao3 to tell you I LOVE your Melendaire fics and you’ve inspired me to write my own <333333333

hope you’re doing well!

Hello, this is such a nice ask to get!!!

It's always nice to hear that people like my writing but if inspires you to write MORE pieces, that is even better!! It's been a while since I published for TGD, but the fact it's still making you smile is pretty damn amazing.

I am doing pretty well these days - I seem to swing between being manically busy and absolutely pooped, but currently I am in the rocking chair with her grace purring away beside me, so tonight's a win 😊🦋

I hope you have the nicest day

x

#saintclaire speaks #the cat says hi #TGD surprisingly #which is not something I get pinged for often these days #but this put such a smile on my face Skz #you've no idea #thank you!!!

[saint--claire]

More tag games!

rules: tag (9) people you want to know better and or catch up w, then answer these questions below!

I was tagged by the real @milestaller,   I love you and your ginormous brain ideas both ♡＼(٥⁀▽⁀ )／♡

four ships: Hangman/Rooster, Gideon/Harrow, Yuuri/Victor and Yura/Otabek.  (Back on my YOI rereads)

last song: Chasin’ Honey - Wild Party  https://open.spotify.com/track/6gcbw1ri3I6dQNhT6NDXAA?si=cc6d6bc0faf04813

currently reading: Little Thieves, by Margaret Owens.

last movie: Not a movie but I finished The Witcher Blood Origin and spent most of the time Merwyn was on screen slack jawed over her beautiful costumes

craving: ice cubes.  am hot

9 is... many people.  I'm tagging @burntblackfeathers @ahartfulloflove @viridessense @monkiedude and @buddiextarlos

#saintclaire speaks #little thieves is a retelling of the goose girl #which is an insane fairytale in it's own right #and this book is insane as well #but in a brilliant way #my friend gave me a copy in the semi-annual book exchange #but it returned to her custody and I loved it so much I had to buy my own

[saint--claire]

Just wanted you to know I’m obsessed with your top gun fics

Aww. Thank you!!

Please be obsessed as long as you sleep and drink water in between reading them ☕️

#SaintClaire speaks #nice things #somebody save me from the five WIPs in the drafts #flash ficlet coming out in Feb #entirely unclear when anything else is getting published atm 😅

[saint--claire]

@monkiedude tagged me in this - thank you Monkie!  I like getting to do these.

3 ships

My favourite three ships at any one time depend on the phase of the moon and how intense the hyperfixations have been lately.  Current three favourite ships?

1 - Hangman/Rooster - a dearly beloved dynamic: I have a strong emotion so I’m going to call it rage; I fucking hate you but you’re important to me, you piece of shit.  How dare you put yourself in danger!  Come back home to me.

You can explore basically any trope with them and it works, the whole universe is an outstanding sandpit.  The TG:M movie snapped me out of a years long writing de-motivation funk; and I was actually having fun writing and drafting out fic plots for the first time in ages, which was really special.  It also led me to Discord, and I got to make some new friends, which was equally if not more exciting.

2 - Gideon/Harrow - Look.  Writing it down is forcing me to observe some trends here.  These two have the world’s most dysfunctional relationship with horrifically beautiful level of co-dependency and I love that for them.  Also, not a ship but I adore all of the platonic/familiar/antagonist relationships in the whole of the locked tomb - I really like the way Tamsyn writes characters in relation to each other.  Nona?  J’adore elle.

3 - Nie Huisang/Jiang Cheng - Softly sweet and incompetent shell hiding a no-fuck’s given fully-fledged mastermind who’s playing grandmaster’s level chess on 12 boards in three different realms.  Paired with Jiang outwardly-rage-and-lightning while an utter marshmallow loves-his-nephew-and-all-dogs on the inside Cheng.

First ship

Oh god it will have been something from Harry Potter.

Actually, it might have been Faro and Sapphire from the Ingo Series, if I’m getting specific.

Last movie

Fast 9!  I like the Fast and Furious movies, and I enjoy them getting more and more absurd the more time goes on.  And the very final scene of F9 where they’re sitting around the table and Brian’s car zips up to the drive makes me tear up.

Last song

Bummerland by AJR - blasted music all the way home in the car from the beach and I like singing to it.  I am WAITING IMPATIENTLY for AJR’s new album to come out.  We went to one of their shows where they let the crowd do a call and response they recorded live to be part of the new album and it was really exciting.

Currently reading

What aren’t I reading.  There’s an insane number of tabs open atm.  Most of them Top Gun.

In the middle of The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake - love it.  Everyone in this book has a royally fucked up relationship with everyone else and I love it.  Found family except the whole family either hates each other or are having philosophical discussions while they fuck.  Slowly - (glacially slowly) moving towards friendlier connections with each other, couldn’t and wouldn’t disband if they wanted to.

Currently watching

Just started Kaleidoscope, that’s cool.  I’m being boring and watching in the order they’re on Netflix, so if anyone has better suggestions hit me up.

Currently consuming

I have just eaten dumplings with a mound of shredded carrot on top + a small dish of grated cheese because I can.

Currently craving

Ice cream.

Nobody feel obligated, I am going to tag @blackidyll @tikaaninightshade @ishipallthings @thaffyreblogseverything and literally anyone else who wants to do it - open invite.

#Heidi not this #SaintClaire speaks #thank you Monkie! #Everyone out here building sandcastles in the TG universe #and I love them all #I'm not kidding there's a ridiculous number of Ao3 tabs up