#super happy with this au hope y'all like it too!!! C:

[sonicstorybook]

The King’s Champion

A SatBK AU where Shadow is the one sent to Camelot and Sonic is the doppelgänger- the one and only King Arthur!

Chapter 1/2

Summary: Arthur the Hedgehog pulled the legendary sword Caliburn from the stone, and he became King Arthur, the ruler of Camelot. Shadow the Hedgehog appears in a flash of magic in the middle of his banquet hall, and he becomes Arthur’s problem. As the sun rises over the kingdom, a pre-dawn conversation between both hedgehogs also helps them reach... well, not quite a mutual understanding, but progress is progress! 

(Shadow doesn’t know where he is, what’s going on, or why he’s there- but it doesn’t matter. He’s Shadow the Hedgehog, the world’s ultimate life form, and he’s going to play this weird game by his rules.)

Contains: Pre-relationship/platonic Arthadow (Arthur the Hedgehog x Shadow the Hedgehog)! 

Rating: G

Word count:   4,289

Note: Dedicated to my pal Smash ( @teamxdark ), whose fantastic Arthadow stories have been living in my head rent free until I finally had to try my hand at their dynamic. Hope this helps scratch your Arthadow itch. <3 

And a very special thank you to my good friend Essy ( @messedupessysonicsheit​ ) whose encouragement, enthusiasm, and marvelous ideas helped give this AU life! C: Thank you for being forcibly recruited as my beta reader, lol!

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‘Be careful what you wish for, Arthur, because you just might get it!’

Sir Ector had told him that so many times as a child when he complained of all his tedious chores and boring lessons. Arthur would much rather dream of adventure and glory as a knight, powerful and brave and noble! Back then he was always running, always rushing to get to this point in time.

Sir Ector was right, of course. His foster father was right about many things, it turned out. Who knew that a normal human being could understand the heart of a blue hedgehog so accurately?

Strange. How strange that he should think of childhood dreams and idle wishes now, making his way up the winding staircase to the tallest tower.. and his guest.

Arthur takes the steps two at a time, impatient to get to the top where he knows Shadow the Hedgehog is brooding.

Probably. It’s difficult to anticipate what the stranger is doing since he is completely unpredictable.

It had been an omen that this Shadow had appeared in a whirlwind of strange magic, materializing out of thin air like a ghost. And like a ghost, he had disappeared just as quickly, dislocating Lamorak’s shoulder and bloodying Sir Hector de Maris’ nose in his haste to get away.

For two weeks, this hedgehog with Lancelot’s face and his frantic energy had wandered throughout the kingdom, lost and confused and very clearly looking for something. While a bit careless with his strength, and very destructive, their strange guest only lashed out when provoked or cornered. (Which was probably why this Shadow favored the castle towers so much. No walls or ceilings to trap him. This was one of Arthur’s favorite places to run away from his duties, too.)

None of his knights had been able to bring Shadow the Hedgehog back, neither by strength of arms or skill of speech. It wasn’t until Camelot’s king himself sought him out, bested him in a duel and coaxed with gentle words did the mighty warrior finally agree to come to court.

(Arthur still isn’t sure how he was the one who managed to connect with this Shadow the Hedgehog. Gawain has the strength of ten men and Percival a patient, silver tongue. Shadow shows a clear disdain for authority and doesn’t seem particularly impressed with Arthur’s laurels, so what? What is it? Is it because they’re both hedgehogs?)

The cloak on his shoulders feels heavy and itchy, and how he longs to take it off- but he does not. Arthur pushes the trap door open, and finds Shadow the Hedgehog on the embrasure. He’s sitting on one of the raised rocks that circle the tower like a crown, one knee pulled against his chest. The other dangles over the side of the wall.

“Hello, Shadow the Hedgehog,” Arthur calls out, adjusting his cloak around his neck to protect from the early morning chill. He kicks the trap door closed behind him, and makes his way to the stone next to the other hedgehog, using it as an armrest as he looks into the gloom of the pre-dawn.

The darkness of night slowly recede as the first spot of distant orange light starts to peek over the tree line, dark purples and blues bathing the emerging silhouettes of the castle town. Shadow’s profile is barely illuminated by the growing light, but his red eyes glimmer with an unnatural light of their own.

“How did you sleep?” Arthur tries again when Shadow doesn’t respond, tilting his head thoughtfully, “Your quarters were comfortable, I presume?”

“What do you want?” Shadow asks brusquely, eyeing him with a guarded suspicion. In cheerful temperament, particularly so early in the morning, Shadow and Lancelot are perfectly matched. (Shadow’s own fault- Arthur had a perfectly decent guest room prepared for him, and his strange visitor hadn’t stepped one foot inside!)

“I want to know how my guest is enjoying my hospitality,” Arthur answers back just as dryly, “And if he needs anything. Clean towels, perhaps?”

“I’m fine,” Shadow looks back to the sky, but his attention is on the straggling stars that are disappearing in the growing morning light. He looks so very lost like that, searching for something he can’t seem to find.

“Are you?” Arthur asks quietly, but just as he anticipated, that snaps Shadow out of his pensive mood, “You don’t act like you’re fine.”

“Don’t you have a kingdom to run?” Shadow fixes him with a fearsome scowl, quills bristling in annoyance.

“Run where?” Arthur grins with a shrug, turning so his elbows are leaning against the stone nonchalantly, “I think it’s doing pretty good here. Where would do better? On the banks of the Misty lake? In the depths of the Crystal Cave?”

Shadow doesn’t look the least but amused with his teasing, frown somehow deepening, “Ugh. Surely there must be something more important you should be doing than bothering me.”

That comment hits a tender part of his heart Arthur had long forgotten, when he was half this size and went by the epithet ‘Wart’ instead. Perhaps not much has changed during that time. Perhaps he’s still just an annoying little boy trying to be what he is not.

“...I suppose there are other matters that need my attention,” Arthur concedes after a long moment, remembering himself and slipping back into his more poised and measured royal voice, “But it is also true that a good king cares for his people.”

Kings had to look forward, not back. He gives Shadow a pleasant but bland smile, focusing on the here and now,  “And a great king extends that hospitality to all his subjects, and all the visitors to his lands. I apologize if I have disturbed you.”

Shadow opens his mouth to argue, a strange emotion flashing in his eyes, there and gone like a bolt of lightning- but he doesn’t do or say anything. He just crosses his arms over his chest and glowers at the forest in the distance, “...Whatever.”

The first rays of the sun are just starting to peek over the horizon, pinks and oranges stretching out across the pale blue sky. It bathes his kingdom with a warm, almost magical glow.

It has been a long time since Arthur has taken the time to see the sunrise. He enjoys the stillness of the sleepy morning. In another hour or so, his kingdom will be bustling and awake, bringing new problems for him to solve. But for now, it’s serene. Calm.

“The sun rises on yet another day, and as the kingdom wakes and goes about its duties, so too must its king,” Arthur pushes off the stone and clasps his hands behind his back, projecting the calm confidence his people have come to expect from him.

“If you are feeling more sociable today, breakfast will be served in the banquet hall. We would be most delighted to enjoy your company, if you are willing to grant it,” Arthur has learned to be careful with his word choice and tone, since it carries much more power than he realizes. An invitation could be read as an undeniable request, and a request a threat.

“Tch. Yeah, right,” Shadow scoffs, mouth twisting into a grimace as he rolls his eyes. Clearly not an issue with this Shadow the Hedgehog, “Just leave me alone.”

Such a remark could have been interpreted as treasonous if Arthur was a less patient man. (As it turns out, this flippant disregard for his position is delightful, making Arthur feel more like a person than a figurehead, for once. Even Kay’s barbed teasing and affectionate insults had lost their bite the moment Arthur the Hedgehog became King Arthur of Logres.) Arthur allows himself a small smile.

“And so you shall be!” Arthur shrugs, forgetting himself for a moment, “Enjoy acting like a gargoyle! You’ve got the fearsome scowl down perfectly.”

Shadow’s eyes flicker to him briefly, but he doesn’t respond

“If you should need anything, ask me directly, please. My knights are proud, and they won’t forget or forgive that they lost to an unarmed and unknighted knave-“

“I'm only going to say this once,“ Shadow crosses one leg over the other as turns to give Arthur his full attention, “I’m not a knave or a churl or a boor or whatever strange terms you guys insist on using. I��m a hedgehog. Only a hedgehog.”

“That’s not what that means-“ Arthur starts to try to explain, but Shadow cuts him off.

“I don’t care.” Shadow tosses his head imperiously, “Whoever calls me anything but hedgehog is going to get a kick to the head.”

They stand in silence a moment longer, watching the sky continue to lighten.

“I’ll pass along your message, but I can’t promise my knights won’t try to use this knowledge to challenge you,” Arthur turns and starts walking to the door, waving a hand over his shoulder, “Well then. Good day to you-“

Just as Arthur is about to go back inside, Shadow speaks up.

“Wait.”

Arthur pauses, ear swiveling backwards before he turns to face Shadow again

“I have... a question,” Shadow says slowly and carefully, crossing his arms over his chest. There’s a tension to his shoulders that looks like wariness, almost like he’s bracing himself for a negative reaction. “Tell me the truth.”

Arthur has long learned to keep his facial expressions bland and approachable, never giving too much of his inner thoughts away- but he feels his heart beat faster. It feels like Shadow is about to ask for a boon, and this one probably isn’t as simple as granting him a year-long apprenticeship with Kay in the kitchens or the company of one of his knights on a quest.

Arthur isn’t sure he’ll be able to give this stranger what he’s going to ask for.

“Ask freely, sir,” Arthur chooses each word deliberately, carefully, used to this verbal dance. He taps his foot against the stones at his feet, trying to rid himself of nervous energy, “You have my word that, should I not know, my knights will venture forth to seek whatever answers may be available.”

Encompassing enough the petitioner feels like they are being listened to but narrow enough to be feasible.

“Am I... Lancelot?”

“Huh?” Arthur is not usually at a loss for words, but all he can do is stare. He picks at his ear discreetly, certain he must have misheard, “Um. I fear the wind carried off your words before I could hear them-“

“Am I Lancelot?” Shadow repeats, annoyed, turning to face him with a defensive hunch to his shoulders.

“I don’t know,” Arthur answers honestly, like he promised, crossing his arms over his chest as he scrutinizes Shadow head to toe, “Let me see.”

Though physically very similar, there are a few small but significant differences.

Shadow’s fur is short and sleek, and there are no scars visible anywhere on his body, certainly none over his eye. The divide between his red and black fur is precise, like it was stitched together by a tailor’s skilled hand. It’s nothing like the wild, asymmetrical streaks of red enchantment on Lancelot. They both have strong, proud shoulders, but Shadow’s have a sag of doubt to them. For all his faults, for all sins, Lancelot has never doubted the convictions of his heart and soul. (Arthur hopes he never sees the day his dear friend’s shoulders carry the heaviness of weary regret like that. He misses Lancelot dearly, wishing him well wherever his latest quest has taken him.)

“No,” Arthur answers at last, nodding definitively, “You aren’t Lancelot.”

Shadow doesn’t acknowledge his answer, and he doesn’t look back at him or move. When Arthur is just about to repeat himself, however, Shadow asks quietly, “How do you know?”

What a strange question! Intrigued, Arthur decides the castle can spare him for a little longer. He sits next to Shadow, dangling his legs over the side of the embrasure like the unusual hedgehog. It’s exhilarating, sending a warm thrill to Arthur’s soul that he didn’t even know he craved. Shadow tenses next to him, but does not move.

“Well, for one, Lancelot would never wake up this early,” Arthur answers, lightheartedly, kicking his feet pensively, “Lancelot is sleep’s favorite knight, and when he is in her embrace, she is reluctant to give him back to the world of the wakeful.”

“What are you talking about?” Shadow looks at him like he grew another head, tone confused and angry. (Shadow seems to be angry a lot.) “What does any of that mean!?”

Impatient, impatient! Shadow and Lancelot share that in common, too. Arthur laughs despite himself, shrugging airily with a mischievous wink, “It means he’s a heavy sleeper and would never get up to see a sunrise. It also means I'll give you a better answer if you ask a better question.”

Shadow looks slightly taken aback, something flashing through those vivid red eyes of his. It’s gone just as quickly. His eyes are like storm clouds, Arthur thinks distantly, never calm even when he’s still.

“You say you’re King Arthur,” there’s a hint of a sneer to Shadow’s tone, like he’s stating the obvious, “You should know exactly who your best knight is.”

“I do know Lancelot,” Arthur concedes, amused by this challenge, “I know Lancelot well! He’s a good friend and an even better knight! “The way he moves on the battlefield is captivating! He’s so fast it’s like he’s not even moving!”

He takes great pleasure in watching Lancelot fight, gesturing with his hands as he gets swept up in the story, “Just appearing and disappearing like- like lightning! He’s got such a reputation that most knights are afraid to challenge him directly- with good reason!- so he disguises himself to get a fair fight!”

Arthur sighs in dreamy acknowledgement, wishing his place was on the field instead of the throne, too, “He is truly worthy of the title of ultimate knight.”

“Hmm,” Shadow manages to make a wordless grunt sound derisive, looking incredibly unimpressed, “That’s not useful at all.”

“Like I said- if you ask better questions, I’ll give you better answers,” Arthur arches a quizzical brow in Shadow’s direction, matching the other hedgehog’s condescension, “I am not privy to the thoughts in Lancelot’s head or the emotions in Lancelot’s breast, save those he chooses to share with me.”

Shadow‘s scowl deepens, “I don’t have time for your riddles, hedgehog.”

“Riddles, Huh?” Arthur leans on the stone to his side, looking up at the sky as he feels the sun warm his back. There’s a pang of longing for his wild, old mentor, who disappeared from his life as quickly as he came. Poor Merlina has some very big shoes to fill… If Merlin was truly gone.

It’s possible and entirely probable the wizard was responsible for Shadow’s sudden arrival, and would be by to check on him eventually… if Merlin realized whatever he was trying to do worked. Or didn’t work. It was always very difficult to tell with wizards.

“Anyway!” Shaking his head free of thoughts of Merlin, Arthur gestures to the well-groomed patch of fur on Shadow’s chest, “You are in a better position to judge if the heart that beats in your chest is also that of Sir Lancelot of the Lake.”

Shadow doesn’t look satisfied with that answer, glowering at the landscape below again. He doesn’t say anything back.

“You asked for my opinion and I gave it to you. You are not Lancelot,” Arthur repeats, confused, “Does this answer trouble you?”

“What? No, of course not, don’t be ridiculous” Shadow says it quickly, more like he’s trying to convince himself than Arthur. He shakes his head as if dislodging his doubts, “It doesn’t matter. Nevermind.”

Shadow swings his legs back up to stand on the lower stone, crouching down to look at the ground below. He looks like he’s trying to calculate the distance- Surely this hedgehog isn’t mad or desperate enough to throw himself down?!

“Wait, stop! I’ve got a question for you, too!” Arthur interrupts Shadow’s thoughts loudly, sincerely concerned this stranger is about to hurl himself off the tower. He moves towards the center of the tower, away from the edge in the hopes Shadow will unconsciously follow him. (Shadow does not.) “Why the change of heart?”

As hoped, Shadow is distracted and back looks up, “Huh? What do you mean?”

“You were very clear in asserting yourself as ‘Shadow the Hedgehog the world’s Ultímate Lifeform’ when you first arrived in my castle’s halls. You were insulted at the idea that you would be compared and mistaken for another! Absolutely adamant that you were not Lancelot.”

Arthur pauses briefly for a moment, waiting for a reaction, but Shadow doesn’t give him one. Not very emotive, this fellow. “If you were so sure you arrived here as Shadow the Hedgehog, the ultimate life form, why do you think you’ve become Sir Lancelot of the Lake?”

He doesn’t think Shadow is going to answer him. The other hedgehog clenches his hand into a fist, tight enough it looks painful, before finally responding, “Everyone has been calling me Lancelot.”

It’s said softly, like an admission of guilt, but it seems innocuous enough.

“You bear a striking resemblance to him. Does this trouble you?” Arthur prompts gently, not sure what to make of this... revelation? It seems very minor and insignificant, but it’s obviously important to Shadow.

“They seem sure that I am Lancelot,” Shadow continues, crossing his arms over his chest looking up to the sky like he may find answers or comfort among the clouds.

They? Who’s they?

“And… their conviction outweighs your own?” Arthur continues, tapping his chin thoughtfully, only pausing when Shadow fixes him with an offended glare.

“No,“ Shadow snarls like it’s pressing on a tender wound, gesturing impatiently at the scenery, “It's the environment that matches their conviction.”

“I see,” Arthur agrees even though he really doesn’t understand what Shadow is talking about. Is he trying to say he comes from a world devoid of forests and magic and castles and lakes? How dreadful!

“It all has the right physical properties and endurance,” Shadow continues almost like he’s distracted, suddenly kicking at the arrow slit under his previous seat. The thick, solid rock breaks under the force of his sabaton, the entire left side of the opening falling to the ground with a thud. Shadow picks it up like it weighs nothing, chucking it over the edge of the tower. They both watch the rock plummet to the ground until it is nothing but a small dot shattering into hundreds of smaller specks, “Everything follows the laws of physics.”

“Hm,” Arthur gives a noncommittal grunt as he runs his hand against the now much bigger hole, impressed at Shadow’s strength. He might even have Gawain working up a sweat!

“Water corrodes metal at the same rate. Plants die if they are snapped in half,” Shadow moves so he’s standing again, still uncomfortably close to the edge, “Things that are broken or damaged remain that way until they are repaired or replaced.”

Although Arthur still doesn’t quite understand Shadow’s monologue, something clicks.

“Is that what you’ve been doing since you came here?” He asks, thinking back to the reports of the half-mad hedgehog doing nonsensical things with a frightening intensity and ferocious strength. Apparently there was a purpose to his carving varying lines on the trees in the forest, leaving an assortment of strange items in a pool of water and examining them days later, and interrogating the locals on the present and near past. “Conducting tests?”

“Of course,” Shadow looks at him oddly, as though the question is inconceivable, “Why else?”

Arthur knows a verbal trap when he sees one, even the inadvertent ones, and he sidesteps graciously, “Why play such coy guessing games when the truth is easily obtained from the one in front of me?”

“Hm,” Shadow doesn’t look convinced but strangely enough, he doesn’t argue. There’s a weird tension in Shadow’s shoulders again, but why would ‘truth’ elicit such a reaction?

Arthur moves on, “And what have you determined, friend?”

“Physical sensations and wants don’t change my perception of this world, and there are too many details that go beyond my frame of reference, so it’s unlikely it’s a dream.”

“...Physical wants?” These remarks trouble Arthur greatly, scrutinizing Shadow more closely. There’s no bags under his eyes and his fur looks healthy enough, but... “When’s the last time you slept? Are you hungry?”

Shadow rubs at the back of his neck with a sigh, not listening or choosing not to reply, mostly talking to himself at this point, “I may be back in stasis, but that’s always been dreamless... unless my memory is being tampered with again. But that’s a delicate and complicated procedure, and certainly wouldn’t be wasted on something this meaningless-“

“It’s not meaningless! And I would ask you to never refer to my kingdom as such again, Shadow the Hedgehog,” Arthur interrupts sternly, using the commanding tone he has mastered but is still loath to use.

Shadow looks up sharply like he is broken from a trance, blinking at Arthur owlishly like he doesn’t understand the outrage. The king gentles his tone as he gestures to the castle grounds, “Camelot is the dreams of peace and brotherhood made real. My knights, my people, and all our forefathers have made tremendous Efforts and suffered many sacrifices to bring it to fruition.”

He makes eye contact, every word spoken with conviction, “Even if this dream only lasts a moment, it was worth it. Even if the impact is as fleeting as the sands of time, it was good.”

Arthur puts his hand over his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart, “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished and what we will accomplish. And no matter how treacherous the path, even if my heart shatters into a thousand pieces and the bitterest tears wet my cheeks at the closing, I will never regret any of it.”

“...”

Shadow doesn’t look away. He looks at Arthur as if seeing him in a new light.

“I understand. That is your conviction, and I respect it,” Shadow gives what Arthur supposes is an apology and acknowledgement, although it isn’t either. Arthur is a proud man, too, and the lack of a clear repentance grates on him-

“Thank you, Arthur,” Shadow closes his eyes as if in thought, and for a brief moment, he looks like he’s at peace, “You reminded me of something important I had almost forgotten.”

Shadow smiles. It’s a beautiful thing, small but genuine, like sunlight peeking through dreary storm clouds, “Even If my memories and environment are artificial, I’m still me. I’m Shadow.”

He opens his eyes again, looking determined, “And I will do what I must to keep the promise I made. Wherever I am.”

Just like that, Arthur’s irritation is quickly overtaken by a bloom of warmth in his chest. Shadow is terse and cold, but his soul is noble and his heart is devoted. He may not be Lancelot, but Shadow has the makings of a fine knight. He will undoubtedly achieve great things, too, and Arthur hopes he’ll be able to at least hear about them.

Arthur knows that he’ll break the serene spell Shadow is under if he speaks. He wants to savor this moment, commit it to memory forever- but he can’t help himself. As impulsive as when he took that weathered sword out of a rock, Arthur blurts out, “You have a beautiful smile, Shadow the Hedgehog.”

“...Hmph,” Shadow frowns at him disdainfully, although there’s no heat in his scowl. It seems primarily for effect, like Shadow’s not sure how else he’s supposed to respond to a compliment like that. What a strange man, unable to apologize or accept a compliment!

“I hope this will not be the last time I am acquainted with it,” Arthur tells him sincerely, noting but not commenting on how Shadow’s ears twitch, “It suits you.”

“Yeah, well, don’t hold your breath,” Shadow tries to sound annoyed but it comes out amused. Unfortunately the frown makes a comeback rather quickly as Shadow crosses his arms over his chest. Ah Well. The sun has already risen enough that the telltale hustle and bustle of the morning is coming from the courtyard, even if it’s very faint at this height. He’s spent too long away from his duties already.

“Join me for breakfast!” Arthur offers Shadow his arm, but the other hedgehog looks at his arm then at him blankly, like he doesn’t understand the gesture. Perhaps they don’t do that where Shadow is from? “Follow me. It’s a bit of a walk, perfect for building up an appetite-“

“Walk?“ Shadow repeats incredulously, looking somewhat disturbed by the notion, “You?“

“My legs work just as well as yours, Shadow the Hedgehog,” Insulted, again, Arthur crosses his arms over his chest, arching a brow disdainfully, “Would you prefer I request a litter to carry me like I was grievously ill? Perhaps call up two of my strongest knights to parade me around on their shoulders like an infant?”

The blue hedgehog shakes his head incredulously, tapping his thigh as if to demonstrate its physicality, “I got here on my own two feet, and I’ll leave here the same way!“

Arthur has an incredibly childish urge to stick his tongue out at Shadow that he is barely able to resist, “Unless you are volunteering to carry me down yourself, then I intend to use them!”

“Fine,” Shadow doesn’t back down from his challenge, gaze steady as he holds his hand out, palm up, “I’ll do it. Come here.”

#satbk #sonic and the black knight #satbk au #satbkified #satbk king arthur #shadow the hedgehog #writing #fanfic #shipping #arthadow #sonic the hedgehog #sonadow #this was very fun and very indulgent and shadow is super grumpy lmao he's so surly and arthur tries so hard ahaha #super happy with this au hope y'all like it too!!! C: #the little banner took me forever they are tiny but its lineless and has so much paiinstaking detail lol but i'm really happy with it!!!! #kings champion au #why is it called the kings champion au roo? *smeagol voice* you'll see you'll see!!!!!! C: #rook mispelled my own name SIGH #anyway i hope u like it smash <3 pt 2 coming eventually ahaha

[join-the-joywrite]

You are the music in me (part 1)

(mostly) juke soulmate AUs no. 1

Special thanks & shoutout to @endless-navigator and @i-spit-on-fire for helping me with my first juke soulmates au post, you guys are amazing!!

Suggested by the lovely Endless: AU where soulmates are musically connected, so whenever the one is playing music, the other hears it in their head (Everyone Is Alive AU, Trevor and Bobby are not the same person I know it doesn't make sense shh)

First of all, I love this au and my co-writers

Second of all, let's just pause for a moment to imagine Alex suffering out hours of Justin Bieber's pop music because that was Willie's playlist at one point. Alex retaliated by starting a rock band and that's the real story behind Sunset Curve, shhh

They all go to the same school & the entire grade is very aware of Julie & Carrie's rivalry for top spot in music, dance and drama. So far, Julie has music, Carrie has dance and somehow, Flynn accidentally got into drama due to an admin error in eighth grade and she's been rocking it ever since. But Julie and Carrie are best friends, don't doubt that. It may seem a little suspicious, but they do love each other.

Luke thinks Julie is a hotshot and finds Carrie super arrogant. He tolerates Flynn. He expects his best friends to do the same but Reggie adopted Flynn as his little sister and partner in crime, and Alex regularly sleeps over at Carrie's for spa night and boy gossip. Luke is very betrayed when he discovers this.

Once, Alex was over for a Dirty Candy recital and spent the next day singing the song they were performing and when Dirty Candy performed it, Luke and Reggie were Very Confused -- but half an hour later, Alex was singing Justin Bieber under his breath again.

Anyway back to the juke I initially started this for

Perfect Harmony

Luke doesn't really like Julie but he's the first to admit she's actually really talented. Julie has no idea who Luke is.

When Sunset Curve started up and found their sound, Julie decided that she couldn't wait to meet her soulmate because she was going to strangle them on sight. How was she supposed to get her homework done when all she had every afternoon was rock music???

They once independently went to the same concert and after realizing that the music wasn't bad, they were just hearing double, both got excited that their soulmate liked the music they did.

Julie wrote music with Rose a lot and often, she'd be the one singing. Luke often thought about penning down the unfamiliar lyrics to search it up later but he always forgot, getting lost in the beautiful music his soulmate listened to.

Eventually, Julie grew accustomed to the constant rock and decided to Google the lyrics in her head. After coming up blank everywhere, she concluded that her soulmate was making original music. So she had a talented soulmate. Didn't mean they weren't annoying.

Perfect Harmony

Julie still can't wait to meet her soulmate. Maybe she won't kill them on sight but she sure as hell will beat them with a cushion for the one calculus test she flunked after spending all the study time with loud music in her head.

Luke and Julie write music together

I love Luke but he's dumb and he doesn't even notice that he's writing music with his soulmate. Julie does, but only because her soulmate has a very distinct voice and any music that comes from her soulmate shares that voice and even though it's so very different to her own, there is an undeniable complimentary aspect.

Julie has like 8 duets locked away from her family that she co-wrote with her unaware soulmate.

Perfect Harmony

Sunset Curve has ballads now and then. Bobby, Reggie and Alex know why but they're not gonna tell Luke. They're just gonna share knowing glances and pretend like nothing is different. They have a bet going with how long it'll take Luke to realise.

Luke is falling in love with his soulmate because music is life and his soulmate has GREAT music taste. Unlike Julie, he hasn't yet figured out that the music in his head is original music.

P E R F E C T H A R M O N Y

Endless, Sun & I thought about killing Rose but we threw that out the window pretty quickly. Instead, we decided upon a year-long coma. In which Julie loses music.

Luke is absolutely distraught. He thinks his soulmate died. Reggie, Alex & Bobby don't think so for sure but the longer the silence goes on, the more convinced they get. It affects Luke's music too. Sunset Curve doesn't shut down like Julie did, but they do get softer.

Luke spends more time writing, singing to himself. If by some miracle, his soulmate isn't dead, then he's singing to them. Hopefully.

One day, Sunset Curve performs for Julie. Well, they don't specifically perform for her. They'd have to know her for that. Sunset Curve throws a small gig and "this song goes out to all of you who feel hopeless, like you'll never be able to wake all the passions you used to have up again."

Flynn decides Julie needs to start living again and drags her to the small mini concert because it's small and why not.

Julie goes through the entire evening in a daze, but after Flynn leaves her house later that night, Julie feels a little fuzzy, like something's wrapping her in a big warm hug. And the next day, Julie absolutely obliterates Wake Up.

A week or so after, Rose is concious again.

Now that the serious moments are done, let's get to some funnies.

Luke, distracted and bored: you with the sad eyes

Julie, trying to do her homework: W H Y

Luke, oblivious: don't be discouraged

Julie, squishing her scrap paper: >:(

Flynn finds this amusing and asks what's up. Julie growls, "he's singing Trolls."

"So sing back. Duh."

And then she does. Luke's singing gets less lazy and more energetic. Julie actually really likes Trolls music and she has to admit singing Poppy's lines are fun. Flynn is super tempted to record Julie and call it blackmail stock. Alex, Reggie and Bobby actually act on the temptation.

They do this often. Julie will be doing something mundane and then all of a sudden, there's a duet playing in her head and it's her idiot soulmate covering the song akd hoping she joins in. Thankfully, Julie is mostly alone but she wonders if her soulmate is acting a fool in front of other people just for the sake of hearing her voice. Endearing.

P E R F E C T H A R M O N Y

Julie needs some practice on her dance recitals okay, so randomly, she has the track playing on her headphones and bops her head along. Sometimes she's cleaning the kitchen and dancing with the broom pretending it's her dance partner. No I don't do that haha

It has been WEEKS of this.

Luke has developed brain cells. He now knows his soulmate is helping him write music. So he starts penning down a new song. Both of them know it's a duet. They've even had some joke practices together with no music and things like that. Julie doesn't know the music that goes with it because Luke is careful not to play it. Ever.

And so one night, Julie's down in the studio -- it's dusty and needs a little cleaning -- and pops her earbuds in and she's doin her lil dancy-dance as she listens to her the music for her dance class recital.

Luke: GUYS GUYS GUYS ITS TIME ITS TIME SHE'S PRACTICING GUYS GUYS

Alex: IT'S FINALLY HAPPENINNNGGGGGGG

Reggie and Bobby: so should we leave you two alone for a minute or--

Luke: NO YOU WILL STAY HERE AND YOU WILL PLAY THE NOTES I GAVE YOU LAST WEEK I HOPE YOU NERDS PRACTICED

Bobby: you know we're gonna silently make fun of you the whole time

Luke: I am aware but you guys love me and you'll do this for me now shut up I have to time this perfectly

Julie is hearing double. At first she thinks maybe she never plugged her headphones in or maybe Flynn or Carrie are nearby listening to it too or -- no wait hang on a minute that doesn't sound like the track she's supposed to dance to.

Taking out her earbuds confirms that the music is in her head.

Off topic, speaking of music in her head, Luke definitely thinks I Got The Music is a Bop™

Its soft, its sweet, it's just guitar. There is no way in hell her soulmate is listening to guitar instead of playing it. She knows that much.

So now Julie has forgotten about cleaning the studio up and is pretty much standing in the same spot, just holdin on to the broom that did just two short sweeps

"Step into my world"

"THE BASTARD WROTE A SONG"

"Bittersweet love story bout a girl"

big gasp "THAT BASTARD IS PLAYING OUR DUET"

"Shook me the core"

Julie's brain: singggg,,,,, Julie: I'm afraid, ,,, Julie's brain, in Flynn's voice: S I N G

"Voice like an angel, never heard before"

Julie, before she can back down, "here in front of me"

Luke's eyes get so wide and so happy. Bobby takes a pause to snap a photo. When they finally find Luke's soulmate, they're gonna have so many dorky pics to show

Y'all it is the most beautiful separated duet of all time. I mean, not for the guys, the pauses are really weird but hey, at least Luke seems to be enjoying himself.

Post duet: "Mija are you singing to yourself"

Julie: (screams and throws broom) no?

You know what maybe this needs to be split for a part two...

#julie and the phantoms #julie and the fat ones #julie and the himbos #jatp #julie molina #luke patterson #juke #sunset curve #alex jatp #reggie jatp #carrie wilson #flynn jatp #willie jatp #willie williams #willex #jatp soulmate aus #mara's soulmate aus #soulmate au #au headcanon

[knickknacksandallthat]

Fanfic Tagging Game ;)

@jayjfox at it again! Tagging me in this SUPER fun one! Loved it!! Thanks for tagging me! (I loved reading your answers too- can't wait to read about CrimePodcaster!Andrew and Vigilante!Neil 🤩)

Author name: Niknak22

Fandoms you write for: All for the game

Most popular one-shot: Deadly Affections This was my very first fanfic I wrote, right after reading the books! I was super nervous posting it, but everyone in the fandom was so lovely and welcoming 🥰. It's all about Neil being his authentic, badass self in front of the Foxes, and learning that they can handle his darkness.

Most popular multi-chapter:

Based on kudos: Deadly Affections, for the win!

Based on hits: I Hope You Lie to Me. Phew, I poured my blood, sweat and tears into this one. First multi-chaptered fic about Neil and Andrew working through what it meant to be Demi v. Gay. Lots of Angst and Miscommunication. (But a Happy Ending!)

Favorite story you wrote: Whattttt??? I have to pick one?? (*hugs all my fics to my chest and squeezes them tight*) Ugh, okay, well, if I have to pick one, I'll pick one of my latest, 12 Ways to Woo a Minyard, because it was just a RIOT to write lol. Had so much fun w/ it.

Story you were nervous to post: (All of them. Always). Blooming (Only For You) had me nervous though b/c I wanted the concept and Andrew's voice to come off authentically and wasn't sure if I nailed it completely. But all of the readers and comments have been super supportive so....love you guys!! Thank you for dispelling that fear!! 🤗🥰

How do you pick your titles: Ugh. Picking titles is the WORST for me. Hmm - usually some kind of mix between story theme, music inspo, poetry, or a clever play on words. (Clever may be relative tho, looking at my titles 😂)

Do you outline: HA. DO I OUTLINE?? (Omg, I outline SO HARD).

How many of your stories are complete: All of them!! ✌ That is actually one of the biggest promises I always keep to myself. I don't begin posting unless the story has been completely drafted. I may edit here and there as I post, but I never go in without the fic being fully fleshed out.

In-progress: Uh....*literally checking my files*....right now, three fanfics (not counting original work)

Coming Soon: I have an upcoming multi-chaptered, andreil fall fic that I'm *desperately* trying to eke out in time for Halloween.

Do you accept prompts: Sure! Feel free to hit me up! 😁

Upcoming story you are the most excited for: Hmm, I really like this fall fic that I'm doing, but don't want to give anything away yet, so I'll go back to this apartment fic that I'm working on. A little enemies to lovers au that has me jazzed writing. Can't wait to share it with y'all!

Tag five fanfic authors to answer the questions: If you'd like to join in, how about:

@fuzzballsheltiepants, @fortheloveofexy, @willowbird, @foxsoulcourt, and any other fanfic writer who'd like to play who I didn't tag! 😊

#fanfic tagging game #super fun

[hotpinkacademia]

    Hey everyone. So I, like many, am a Broke Boi. Well okay, I have money, but it has mostly all been promised towards other things like supplies for my ferret or to begin an Etsy shop; something I've been preparing for a while.

And well y'all, I have fallen in love

With this man

This good fellow just may be my soulmate

Unfortunately, my soulmate is a classy gentleman and costs $61 dollars and change for everything for shipping and all of that jazz. My amazing friends have already donated half of that as an early birthday gift, but I still need to get the rest before they take my love away from me, so here I am.

  I will be doing writing commissions !!

I have definitely improved in many ways since my wattpad story - especially since the beginning of it, goodness how did anyone bare that?? -, and while I don't think I have ever reread and edited a chapter of that before posting, I would of course be much more mindful for any commissioned works.

They can be for Chyan, HSM in general, HSMTMTS, or another show or book. I post about many of the shows I watch on here, but if you're unsure of anything, just ask ! I can also do completely original works with new oc's or old oc's I'm not already using in whatever genre or prompt you want c: I do not feel comfortable writing real people rn, however.

  I won't do anything smutty, and will decline any requests for things I'm just not comfy with (inc*st, dark topics, large age gaps, etc.), and will either ask you to change your request or say no altogether. That is well within my right and if you are not okay with that, please leave.

I'm not super well acquainted with crime, or general mystery stories, but I did write a murder mystery party for my stepbrother once that went p well so I won't take it completely off the table, just know I wouldn't be my first choice for those themes. I will only take a couple requests at a time to keep from stressing myself out, and will give myself a fairly lengthy writing time for the same reason so please be patient.

   I will charge .10 cents per word for a basic request. Large Au's (eg, completely changing the world the work is set it) or crossovers will be two extra dollars. Smaller specific requests/small au's (such as to base it off of a song, feature it around multiple ships, make it a holiday theme, etc) will be one extra dollar.

You can set a word maximum for me so you don't have to pay too much, or a word minimum. Try to specify if you want it to be a one shot or longer, even if you don't give an exact word count.

I'm going to try out this pricing process for a lil bit and see if it works, but if I feel it ends in over or underpriced works, I will change it and notify you all.

I think that's it! You can ask me any questions here, but requests can be made in messages on here or on tumblr (anxiousfanatics or winnswishes), and payments can be through cashapp, or PayPal if necessary but my only PayPal uses my deadname so I'd like to avoid it if possible :3 I can open another cash sharing account (as long as it's free) if requested !

Please don't feel like you have to commission me ! Times are tough and I totally get it. Take care of yourselves. I hope I can continue to entertain you, wether it be with the future Chyan sequel or a paid work💛(and happy pride month !!)

p.s. also, once I buy my bear, a portion of the rest of the money received from commissions will go towards charities helping the BLM movement.

#writing #fanfic #commissions

[bazypitchandsimonsnow]

The Black Swan

Chapter 1

Rating: T

Genre: Fluff/Angst

Word count: 3731

Chapter: 1/17 (All chapters)

Summary: Prince Simon of Watford hates being a prince. He would rather be with his friends than try to learn tax policy. While adventuring in the scary woods with Penelope, Simon finds a strange boy who somehow transforms from a swan into a human when he sits on a lake. Simon immediately becomes fascinated with the boy and his mysterious existence. And as he learns more, Simon's feelings start to deepen. But when the stakes get higher, can those feelings triumph over their struggles?

Read on AO3

AN: Hello everyone, and welcome to my big bang! It's super long, I spent hours trying to fix stuff that I'm still not 100% on, and I'm very happy I actually did it. And I really do like it, I'm just way too critical of myself. I wrote this because A) I love fantasy AUs, B) I love the Swan Lake ballet, and C) I love the webcomic based on Swan Lake “The Prince and The Swan” by April Pierce which I recommend you all read it's awesome. So this an AU based off both the ballet and the comic. I'm posting the first two chapters today cause I feel like them together is a good start to the story. I'll be posting every monday and every other Thursday. 

Shoutout to my artist @bookerella who made amazing art for this fic. I’ll be linking her piece for this chapter at the end. And another shoutout as always to @carryonmylovelies because she has been my rock for the past five months through writing this fic and along with a lot of other struggles. She's the best and I love her with all my heart. And after all that, please enjoy the first two chapters of The Black Swan. Hope y'all like it :)

———————————————

Burning, everything was burning

The whole world was engulfed in flames and reeked of smoke. Simon didn’t know where he was. Only that this body wasn’t his. The arms were small, pudgy, that of a young boy. But he felt the muscles move and the skin heat up with the flames.  They licked at him but didn’t touch, bending away before contact.

“Darling, where are you?!” a woman’s voice yelled, followed by an ear piercing scream.

Simon started running immediately. He didn’t know why, just that he had to go. He ran past the creaking wood, the scorched stone, looking for where the voice was coming from. Consciously, he didn’t know who it was, but he knew he had to get to her. A burning beam nearly crushed his head, but he kept going. He needed to get to her.

“Mum!” His voice shouted. It wasn’t his though, yet it came from his mouth. Rather, it was a child’s voice, desperate and afraid. Simon could feel tears streaming down the boy’s face, created from smoke and fear.

“Where is she?” Simon asked himself from the boy’s mouth.

Another scream rang out. Simon started running again. He couldn’t see. There was too much debris and smoke and fire to find anything. But he reached her room eventually, using all his short might to force the doors open. The boy’s mum was standing right in the centre of a ring of fire. Her grey gown was in charred shreds, hair obscuring most of her soot covered face. A thick arm was wound around her neck. She was struggling to breath, from smoke and the person choking her.

“Mum!” he shouted with voice that wasn’t his again. “Stop hurting her!”

“Run,” she rasped out. The person with the thick arm looked at him. His eyes were piercing blue, filled with a killer’s rage. The boy backed up slowly. “Run!”

And so he ran. He was running as far as his little legs could carry him, ducking and weaving through the burning debris. She told him to run. So he would, he would do whatever she said. Run, run, run-

“Not so fast, brat.” The man grabbed his small fancy collar so hard he choked. His voice was smooth, confident, completely sure of his own power. “You’re not going anywhere. I’ve got other plans for you.

He tried to scream, but the man’s grip was too tight for speech. The burning world slowly turned black.

———————————————

“Simon. Simon. Simon!”

Simon jolted awake so hard his head smacked against his wooden chair. He whined as he rubbed the sore spot. King David stood over him from the other side of the desk. He had his hands on his hips, glaring at his adopted son with extreme disapprovement.

“Yes?” Simon grumbled.

“Were you sleeping when you were supposed to be studying battle techniques?” David asked in a way that meant he knew the answer.

“N-No,” the prince lied with a shaky voice. David kept glaring, and Simon sighed. “I’m just tired from studying, Father, sorry.”

David shook his head, crown shifting on his brown curls. “I’m disappointed, Simon. You’ve been the crown prince full time for a year now, you should know how to cope. I brought you here to be my heir. The least you can do is try.”

Simon picked at his nails, a nervous habit he still hadn’t broken over the years. Another thing David was disappointed in. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

“Words are meaningless, Simon. Do better. Now come along, we have a council meeting.”

Simon had to suppress a groan. He hated council meetings. They were always so boring. They made him really want to find the executioner so he could be put out of his misery.

He did up his embroidered tunic properly and put the gold circlet back on his head anyway. He wanted all these damn things off so bad. The circlet always got too hot and made his forehead sweat. And the formal attire was so damn itchy. Simon was never comfortable when he dressed like a prince. Even years later, he still wondered if David made a mistake, picking him to be his heir.

David pushed open the council room doors with flourish, green cloak flapping behind him. He always did it so much with flourish, always making a grand scene when he greeted the council. Penny would roll her eyes.

“All rise,” Sir Premal announced, “for his majesty, King David Owens of Watford. And for his royal highness, Crown Prince Simon Owens of Watford.”

The lords stood, hands clasped in front of them respectfully. They all look bored, as usual. Nobility weren’t allowed to enjoy themselves. Simon was pretty sure it was written in the Constitution of Watford Kingdom. Though some of their eyes flicked to Simon and narrowed. He could feel the contempt and snobbery radiating off them. He knew what some of them thought of him deep down; just a lowly orphan painted up to impersonate a prince. Simon couldn’t disagree. A lot of the time, he felt like that too.

David stood at the head with Simon right beside him on a smaller chair. Everyone’s chairs had to be smaller than David’s.

“Be seated,” the king said. All the hardwood scraped on the stone simultaneously. Simon desperately wanted to slump further, but he knew David would yell at him later. It wasn’t worth the ear ache.

The King opened his large leather bound ledger. He kept meticulous finance records. Many would say he was obsessive. And many would be correct. “Now, the tax increases have been fully implemented. Have you all of you have been collecting well?”

His tone made it incredibly clear that this was a question with specific answers. David’s questions always came with specific answers. The lords shifted minutely, the closest they’d ever come to protest, and replied with a monotone “yes” as they handed their bags of collected gold pieces. Not Lord Grimm though. He merely pushed down his burlap sack while staring straight ahead. He rarely spoke during these meetings. Simon assumed it was because David took his late wife’s throne, the same throne that was originally meant to be passed down to his late son but was now going to Simon. Simon couldn’t blame him. He wouldn’t like being constantly reminded of his family’s demise either. Maybe not talking made it easier.

“Good,” David said as he checked off every province. “Any disturbances from the people?”

“No,” the speaking lords replied.

“Wonderful.” David snapped his ledger closed. “Now, there’s the matter of the old Hampshire property. It’s fallen into complete disrepair over the past few years, what with Lady Fiona moving and no one else living there. I suggest we demolish it for building materials. The new castle extension needs stone. Any protests?”

No one spoke up, because David’s cold expression told them not to. Not even Lord Grimm said anything, which Simon found surprising. Hampshire was the oldest Pitch family property. They owned it before becoming the royal family. But he said nothing. Just stared ahead with a bored expression. Simon still instinctively shied away though. Lord Malcolm Grimm always looked like a white haired pit viper, calm most of the time but definitely could kill you in an instant. But today was a good day, because Malcolm simply looked at King David, and nodded.

David nodded back. “Good. Lord Grimm, please alert Lady Pitch of this. Are there any other matters we need to discuss?” All the lords stayed silent in response. ”Very well. You’re all dimissised. Farewell, your lordships.”

“Farewell, your majesty,” the speaking lords said.

What was the point of this? Simon thought. Less than five minutes so the King could take money from the rich people and announce he was destroying a historic building. Penelope said most of these meetings were just so David could flex his power. Simon liked to believe there was something more, but he had to admit she had a point. She was usually right.

As he and Simon were exiting, Malcolm put a hand on David’s shoulder. Simon stiffened. It wasn’t appropriate to touch a king. He remembered the day David first brought him to the castle. His new father had slapped him away when he tugged on his royal sleeve. “You ask permission to touch a king, Simon. Remember that,” he’d said. Simon had always kept to that rule, along with everyone else. Yet David didn’t look upset at Lord Grimm’s discretion. His eyes justs slid over to the side.

“Excuse my boldness,” Lord Grimm said smoothly, “but I have something to discuss with you, your majesty.” His cold brown eyes shifted to Simon. Simon tried not to gulp. “In private.”

Simon looked to his father. David nodded. “Go, Simon. I give you leave for the day.”

The prince grinned ear to ear. “Really?”

“Did I not just say so? Return by supper.”

“Yes, yes, Father, I will.” Simon was already going towards the exit as he spoke.

“Close the door on your way out.” David didn’t say please, because, “kings are above politeness, Simon.”

Simon nodded. “Yes, Father.”

As he was closing the door, Simon heard snippets of their extremely hushed conversation. Malcolm looked serious, David looked unamused.

“Insult...too long...,” Malcolm muttered.

“Very well...remember...know your place,” David replied.

Simon was too excited to leave to care for stupid royal dealings. He shut the door and immediately raced down the carpeted hallway. Past the dirty high ceilings and confining stone walls. Even though this castle was only a little over a decade years old, it had the fashions of somewhere old. David wanted it to look ancient, to make it look like his royal line was just as old as the Pitches were. Penny told Simon it was about ego or power or something. Simon didn’t care. He just wanted to leave it right now.

The second he reached his room, Simon stripped off his tunic, making his circlet hit the stone with a tink. He hopped around trying to get his pants off and nearly fell face first on the floor. That would be rich, Simon thought, a crown prince with a broken nose caused by his own inability to get out of his trousers. What a great future king I am, huh David?

Simon put on his loose white shirt and filthy riding pants. He wrapped an old scarf around his head, attempting to hide his distinctive bronze curls under the grey fabric. It wouldn’t stop everyone from noticing him of course, but it would stop enough. Enough that he could get to one particular place.

As the reluctant crown prince and graduated student of The Mage School, which sat just to the north of the castle, Simon had enough practice getting from royal property to the town quickly. He used the hidden passageways, weaving through the corridors with ease, greeting every servant by name as he passed by. He ended up in the kitchen, where Cook Pritchard was already preparing for supper.

“Hello, Mrs. Pritchard,” he said, hanging over her counter. “How’s the kitchen?”

“Oh, same old, same old,” she replied. “How’s castle business?”

“Boring, of course. Say, is that a spare scone?”

The cook gave Simon an amused look. “I believe so.”

Simon grinned brightly. Ebb told him he had a smile that could persuade armies to surrender. She was always so nice. “May I please have it?”

Mrs. Pritchard sighed overdramatically as she handed the pastry over. “Only because you asked so nicely, your highness.”

“I told you, call me Simon, please. Your highness is too long.”

“I would, but his majesty insists on formal titles. He’s quite...demanding.”

“Don’t I know it,” Simon grumbled, taking an aggressive bite of the scone. “Thank you, Mrs. Pritchard. Need anything from town?”

“No, no, I’m fine. Those carrots you found last week were lovely, thank you.”

“No problem! Thanks for the scone!”

Cook Pritchard waved as Simon dashed off. “You’re welcome, your highness, have fun!”

He absolutely would. He always had fun on days like this. Simon ran out the wooden doors, over the rawbridge, and across the great lawn. Ebb was standing there with her goat herd, magically trying to rein them in. She waved with her entire arm.

“Good morrow, Simon!” she yelled. Ebb didn’t care for formalities at all.

Simon waved back. “Good morrow, Ebb! Need anything from town?”

“Oh no, I’m alright. Just say hello to Penelope for me!”

“Will do!”

Simon ran over the grass and down the dirt road. The thick brush of the Wavering Wood separated the castle from Watford Town. Most used magic to reveal a path. But Simon didn’t trust his magic, so he knew the forest like the back of his hand instead. He made it through with ease, jumping over fallen branches and across the mossy ground, emerging into the sunlight on the other side. He immediately took a deep breath, exhaling with a long sigh. Outside the stone walls and merwolf moat, he could finally breathe.

Watford Town was the biggest collection of people in the Watford Kingdom. (Both were called Watford, which made geography lessons far too confusing in Simon’s opinion.) Large, tall houses lined busy dirt streets. Stalls were filled with people shouting out prices of their wares. Everyone was bustling and talking and laughing. Soldiers stood on street corners, watching everyone move. Simon strolled past all of them with hands in his pockets. A few of them went wide eyed seeing him, but most people didn’t even notice he was there. He sighed. This town was his real home. And he missed it all the time.

Simon walked through the downtown to the slight outskirts. He knocked on a familiar red door. A few footstep sounds later, it swung open, and Simon was looking Penelope Bunce right in the eye.

“Hey Pen,” he chirped. “Ebb says hi.”

Penny smirked. “Did you have to sword fight Davy to get him let you out during the day?”

Simon grinned even more. “Nope. He just let me go.”

“Wow. Is our good ol’ King going soft in his old age?”

“I’m not sure that’s possible,” he scoffed. “Can I come in? Or has your Mum finally officially banned me?”

Penny barked a laugh and steps to the side. “Like she could stop me. Get in here, you royal bastard.”

Simon whipped off his scarf off and stepped into the Bunce house. It was big, but not as big as the castle, and it felt much smaller with two adults and four children all together. Simon didn’t mind. He preferred the cozy family feeling here to his large, empty supposed palace.

“How’s the castle been?” Penny asked. Simon groaned and flopped on one of the chairs. “That good, huh?”

Simon grunted. “Bloody nightmare. I thought David was demanding while we were in school, but now he’s got me reading even more books. I think I’m going to slice my throat on a policy manual page one of these days.”

“Oh the horror of reading. Want tea?”

“Yes please. And I’m fine with reading interesting books. But these ones have too many complicated words and not enough pictures.”

Penny sighed heavily as she boiled the kettle with her wand. “I sometimes wonder why we’re friends.”

Simon twisted his head around towards the kitchen with his sunshine smile. “Because I’m nice and charming and you love me.”

“True, untrue, and yes, I do, despite my better judgement.” Penny turned to him. She was smiling a bit, but her eyes were sad. “It’s sort of weird, y’know, not seeing you everyday at school. It’s been almost a year, and it’s still weird.”

Simon sighed. He got up from the chair and strolled over to her. He draped himself over Penny like an affectionate ragdoll, chin on her head and arms around her neck. “I miss you too, Pen.”

Penelope sighed and sunk into his arms for a second. But then struggled out of his grip as the kettle whistled. “Yeah, yeah, I miss you, you big softy. Now get off me and let me make the tea.”

“Of course, will do.” He planted a big wet kiss on her cheek before flopping back to the chair. Penny soon brought over two cups with steaming tea. She took the seat opposite him, and sighed after a long drink. Her whole body relaxed. And it looked like she needed it.

“So,” Simon said, “how’s the new job?”

Penny groaned. “Horrible. You’d think there’d be better work here for a mage, but there seems to be little good use for us outside court or in the North where Micah is. Which means I’m stuck trying to sell cooking ware to people on the street.”

“I wish I could help, Pen,” Simon sighed. “If I become king, I’ll make you and Micah court mages. And you’ll be my head advisor and court mage, promise.”

She gave Simon a strange look over her cup. “You mean ‘when you’re king’, Simon, right?”

Simon sunk into his chair. He shrugged his shoulders high and slumped down. Penny slowly put her tea down and leaned forward. “Simon, you’re the crown prince. You were specifically chosen by King David to be his heir.”

“I know,” he grumbled.

“You can’t pretend you’re not anymore.”

“I know.”

“You have to accept the responsibility of-”

“I know!”

The whole house shook slightly. The side table fell over and a crack appeared in the nearby wall. Simon was horrified, his gut twisting with guilt. He put down his cup and rubbed his face up and down. Stupid magic,he thought, never listens.

“Sorry,” he groaned. “Sorry, sorry, I shouldn’t have lost my temper and this is your house and I’m damaging it. Sorry-”

“Hey, Simon,” Penny stepped out of her chair and stood in front of her friend. She put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s alright. I shouldn’t have pushed you. I just, I hoped you would have accepted this by now.”

Simon sighed, slumping forward. “Yeah, me too. Guess not.” He ran a nervous hand through his tangled hair. “I just don’t know how I’m supposed to be a king. I barely passed my civics classes, I hate policy, I’m terrible at speaking, I can barely use this supposedly amazing magic I have. I’m never going to be like David.”

“Dear Lord, I hope not.” Simon gave Penny a weird look. “Simon, King Davy has made some good changes, but he does it with an iron fist. He just barrels through no matter what the lords or the people say. That’s not a good ruler, that’s a tyrant.”

“Don’t call him that. He’s not all bad. He took me in.”

Penelope sighed, patting him kindly. “I know. Just, don’t try to be like David, Si. Be like you.”

Simon reached up and squeezed her hand. “Okay. And you’ll be my top advisor. Or bodyguard, like Premal.”

She groaned, immediately pulling away from her friend. “Please never compare me to my brother ever again. The boy has a stick jammed so far up his arse you could mistake him for a statue.”

“Too true. He’s so still and slomen that I sometimes I run into him.”

“Please keep doing that. It might make him loosen up.”

Simon sunk further into his chair. “Hm, I’ll try.” He sighed, rubbing his forehead. It still felt weird from his crown. It always did. “I don’t want to go back to the castle tonight. David’s going to make me read the geography book again.”

“Well,” Penny said playfully, “I’m not working tonight. We could go exploring the Wavering Wood, like our school days.”

“But we’ve explored all The Wavering Wood,” Simon whined. But quickly, like a lightning flash, an idea came into his wild head. He grinned mischievously. Penny instinctively leaned back.

“I don’t like that look, Simon.” She raised a cautious hand raised.

He stood up, hands on his hips in triumph. “We can explore the Forbidden Lands!”

Penny groaned. She shook her hanging head and walked towards the kitchen. As well as away from her insane friend. “I knew you would say that and I still can’t believe it,” she muttered.

“C’mon, Pen, it could be fun! We’ve been through the Wood enough. We’re old pros. This would be a new adventure!” He followed after her, practically vibrating behind her as she put away the tea blocks.

“Si, the Wavering Wood may be dense, but the Forbidden Lands are different. They’re actually treacherous. Lots of steep slopes and dangerous animals. We could get seriously hurt.”

Simon waved dismissively. “You’ve got good magic, I’ve got a sword, we’ll be fine.”

Penny gave him an unamused look over her glasses. But when Simon put on his pathetic pout, her resolve buckled. He hugged her from the behind. “Please Pen? We don’t even have to go that far in. I just want to go explore somewhere new, have some fun. Like the old days.”

She still looked unamused, but Simon pouted more, rubbing up against her hair like the affectionate puppy he sometimes was. “Please?”

Penelope stayed stoic for only a few more seconds. But soon enough she sighed, posture falling along with her resolve. “Fine,” she groaned, “we’ll go exploring.”

That made Simon, crown prince of all of Watford and most powerful mage in the land, squeal like an excited school boy. He jumped up and down while saying, “thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“I hope you know that if you die, it’ll be my head on a pike. So stay alive.”

“Of course! And I’ll pay you back. Get you some fancy herbs from the court mage’s cabinet.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Si.”

He hugged her tight again. “I wouldn’t expect anything else from you.”

Penny leaned against him. Simon put his cheek on her hair. He really did miss this. Mage’s School was tough, what with his lack of magical raising and previous poor schooling, but he met Penelope and Agatha. And for the first time in his life, he had real friends. He never thought he needed one until them. Now, he missed seeing them everyday so damn much.

Simon wanted an adventure. Like the great magical prince he thought he would be the day David took him in. Just one. That was all he needed.

———————————————

AN: If you're enjoying it so far, go to chapter 2 right here.

#carry on #snowbaz #cobb2018 #carry on big bang #simon snow #baz pitch #penelope bunce #fantasy au #the black swan #mysnowbazfanfic

[loading99percent]

Who Is She? 1/2

Pairing: WZY x OC [Zhang Meilian] || ZZT x OC [Ling Shuang] Genre: slice of life, college!au, fluff Word Count: 4,711 Summary: Ziyi’s curious about this Lady Lotus while Zhengting’s been searching for the girl with the heart and rose tattoo for months. Although the answer is standing right in front of them, both Meilian and Shuang aren’t making it easier to reveal the answer to them.

part one.part two

Warning: uh... matured content as in college related stuff. swear words...? i guess. lol

Hi! So this is like a sequel to Exclusive, but with different leads if that makes any sense. So it’s a standalone story from that. You don’t really hav to read the previous story to understand what’s going on in here. This one came to mind because of my sister as she felt like there was more to Exclusive, but I told her no. lol and eventually it got me thinking and coming up with this. So enjoy. Admin Lia~

"Good morning, Meilian." Yanchen chirped once Meilian stepped off the bus and frowned upon seeing the male. "How did you know I was gonna be here?"

"You're location and Yankai mentioned you left later than you said."

"Ugh, you're both annoying."

"Well, I have to make sure you get home safely."

"The bus is right by the campus. I'm fine and Langfang's security is like one of the  best, Yanchen."

"Either way, I still need to make sure."

"Whatever. Nu Chi Phi is right there. You can go back to Iota Phi Theta now."

Meilian told him while pointing in the direction he can go as Yanchen chuckled.

"Alright, take care then."

"Bye."

The duo hugged before parting as Meilian returned to her sorority house on her own and was surprised to see Yanjun standing outside of it with two bags in hands. She smirked while climbing the steps not believing that Melanie was right about him. She fished her keys out of her pocket while eyeing Yanjun as he shot her a friendly smile.

"Meilian, good morning," He greeted her with a charming smile, "What perfect timing because now I don't have to wait."

"Actually, you'll still have to wait. Melanie's not gonna come down." Meilian informed him as she was about to insert the key into the door.

"Wait, what do you mean? How do you know I was waiting for Melanie?"

"Haha, I just do, Yanjun."

Melanie had sent a message in their NCP's group chat informing them that if Yanjun showed up at the door in the morning with breakfast to not let him in no matter what. So now it was Meilian who was the one that was the unfortunate soul who had to deal with Yanjun in the early hous of morning.

"Would you mind letting her know that I'm here?" Yanjun asked with a sweet smile while Meilian smirked. "She already knows."

"Oh, then she'll meet me?"

"Uh, no, bye."

Meilian deadpanned with a small laugh as she entered the house and closed the door on Yanjun after giving him a small wave not really feeling sorry for the guy with all the stories she has heard about him from Melanie's own mouth as well. She responded in the group chat about Yanjun before making her way up the stairs and entering her shared room with Shuang who was awake and chilling in bed.

"Did you sleep at all?" Meilian asked as Shuang rolled her eyes. "I did, but I just woke up to use the bathroom before you came in."

"So what did he bring for breakfast?" Shuang asked a moment later after putting her phone down and sitting up in bed with a smile. "I honestly never thought the day would come where Yanjun would be so whipped for a girl, but I'm glad that girl is Melanie though. He was totally into her since he set eyes on her."

"Actually, I dunno. I wasn't paying attention to it, but he was holding two bags though." Meilian answered after dumping her things onto her desk and changed into a tank and shorts before climbing into bed. "But me, too, and I know right."

Meilian checked her phone one last time before letting out a sigh. "Ugh, why can't he just stopped asking me about Lady Lotus."

Shuang turned over onto her back and looked over at her rommate. "Ziyi again?"

"Yes. I already told him that I don't know who she is."

"But she's really you."

"I know, but ugh. He's so bugging."

"Why don't you tell him that you're Lady Lotus?"

"I'll tell Ziyi I'm Lady Lotus when you tell Zhengting you're the girl with the black heart and yellow rose tattoo."

"Uh, never mind." Shuang turned her back to Meilian and snuggled into her bed. "Forget I said anything."

"That's what I thought." Meilian smirked before settling into her bed comfortably. "Anyways, I'm going to sleep, but can you wake me up before you leave?"

"Okay, yeah sure. Good night, Meilian." Shuang chuckled as she reached for her phone to set the alarm so that she'll have energy for her afternoon classes.

Shuang arrived to her first class of the day even though it was at two-forty in the afternoon, but she was super excited today than she would normally be. It was all because of one of her Nu Chi Phi sister would be attending the class due to some group issues from another class. Shuang didn't mind the people in her own class, but it was a lot better when she had someone that she knew and was really good friends with also taking it with her.

Shuang entered the classroom and immediately headed towards her own group of five others who were all male, so it was one of the many reasons on why Shuang was so happy for Serena to join her as it'll give her another female to work with. They happened to notice her chipper demeanor, to which they rarely saw as she was more stoic and reserve majority of the time, along with a seventh bubble tea drink when it was normally six.

"You're very happy today." Zhou Rui commented when Shuang handed him his drink while letting out a distracted hum. "Hmm?"

"Did you actually sleep well today that you got enough sleep more than usual?" Yanchen asked with a chuckle as he avoided Shuang's playful smack. "I always sleep well, Yanchen."

"Who's the other drink for?" Ziyi asked as he took a sip of his own bubble tea while Zhengting poked the said drink while also taking a sip of his own boba. "Is it for you so that you can stay up in class this time?"

"It's mine." Serena answered as she appeared beside Shuang and the two hugged which caused the other five to stare at them in shock.

"What are you doing here?" Xukun asked Serena upon seeing her and standing up so that he could hug her as well.

"I'm a part of this class starting today, but Shuang didn't tell me that you guys were a part of this class, too." Serena eyed Shuang as she cast her friend a playful smile. "I didn't? My bad. I thought I did."

"Shuang doesn't tell anyone anything. She just leaves notes or simple text messages regarding things related to the class or homework, but never about anything outside of that." Yanchen deadpanned as Shuang grinned at him. "That's right. Y'all don't need to know about what goes on with my life, anyways."

"Oh, I would beg to differ." Ziyi countered with a knowing smile as Shuang shot him a curious one. "And what would that be?"

"You're life is pretty interesting once you don't think so much about it."

"I feel like you know something I'm forgetting."

"Haha, I don't, but I heard stories from others."

"What kind of stories?"

"You're actually more happy-go-lucky when you're not out and about."

"Who told you that?"

"A few people from your sorority."

"Ugh, so annoying."

"Wait, Serena, are you the student that Mr. Hung was talking about last Thursday who'll be joining our class despite it being way later to do so?" Zhou Rui asked interrupting the conversation as Serena nodded. "Yup, that's me."

The now group of seven quieted themselves as Mr. Hung entered the room to start their lesson. While he talked and recapped from last week's lesson, the two women were whispering to themselves about other things not related to class.

"Why didn't you tell me Xukun was in this class, too?" Serena whispered as Shuang chuckled silently. "Does it really matter? I didn't know that you guys were gonna be an item so soon. I was betting over the summer y'all were gonna end up together."

"Bet with who?"

"The other girls."

"You've guys been betting on my love life?"

"Not just yours. Melanie's, Meilian's, and even Yandi. I'm sure the others have a bet about me, too. You included."

"Really?" Serena eyed her as Shuang shrugged with a small smile. "Who knows."

"Okay, true. I knew about the bet of the others, but not about me."

"Obviously."

"Whatever. There was something about Angela and Ming Peng, but everyone thinks they're just gonna be friends."

"I think so, too, but I'm still hoping they'll get together before school ends."

"Haha, I have it before the next school term. Anyways,I remember hearing something about you and someone."

"Who?" Shuang asked in high alert as she tried not to give herself away by looking at someone within their little group.

"I don't really remember who the guy was, but Kimberley was telling me that someone from I-P-T has been asking around and looking for a girl with a black heart and yellow rose tattoo," Serena shot her friend a knowing look, "And I only know one person in Nu Chi Phi that has such a tattoo, especially around the lower stomach and side area."

"Psh. I'm sure there are other girls who has such a tattoo, Serena, and probably in that said area."

"Not other girls, Ling Shuang. A Nu Chi Phi girl and you're the only N-C-P soror with said tattoo in said area."

"Shut up. I'm sure he doesn't know that that person is in a sorority, so you be quiet."

"Hey," Zhengting interrupted the two's conversation, "What are you two talking about over there ever so quietly?"

"Your face." The two answered in a nonchalant manner causing the others to laugh as Zhengting rolled his eyes. "I know I have a beautiful face, but you guys don't have to admire it in whispers. I'm all ears."

"Serena's been wondering how you do your eye make-up." Shuang lied trying to move the conversation elsewhere. "She's jealous because she can't get hers right like at all."

Serena playfully smacked her. "What? That's a lie. I don't even wear make-up."

"Well, Serena, if you need any tips, then just let me know because I think this one colo-" Xukun interrupted Zhengting. "Whoa, there, bud. Serena's fine and you're not gonna give her any tips while I'm still around."

"Don't be jealous, Kun. She's not even my type anyways."

"Oh, which reminds me. Have you found that one girl you''ve been looking for for like weeks now?" Ziyi asked Zhengting directing the conversation in another direction which caused Serena to shoot a knowing look in Shuang's direction who just signaled with her eyes to tell her friend to be quiet and not say anything.

"I'm pretty sure it's more than weeks now." Zhou Rui interjected. "I think Zhengting's been looking since winter break, right?"

"Winter break?!" Yanchen silently exclaimed. "You've been looking since that long and you still haven't found her. Wow."

"I have." Zhengting pouted. "But no one seems to know who she is. Maybe she doesn't even attend Langfang and was invited by someone who goes here."

"It was a mixer though." Xukun recalled. "Only those from a sorority or fraternity were allowed in unless she sneak her way in or someone brought her when they weren't supposed to."

"Oh she's not a random stranger as she does go here and is from one of the sororities." Serena muttered to herself, but somehow the others had heard her and were all looking at her. "Oh, did I say that out loud?"

"You know who she is?!" Zhengting asked excitedly while Shuang sent Serena murderous glares as to not say anything.

"I'm not sure, Zhengting. I might have mixed up the information. Why don't you refresh my memory?" Serena smiled innocently as Shuang continued to stay quiet while plotting on how to get away with murder.

As Zhengting refreshed Serena's memory, Ziyi who was sitting next to Shuang noticed her unusual quietness.

"You okay?"

"Hmm?" Shuang looked at Ziyi with a confused look. "Did you say something?"

"Yeah, are you okay? It seems like you were really focused on whatever you were thinking about."

"Oh, I was, but I'm not sure how I'm gonna execute it later."

"Wanna share?"

"Not unless you wanna be an accomplice."

Ziyi shot her an amused look. "An accomplice to what?"

"Murder." Shuang smiled, but Ziyi didn't believe her. "Yeah, right, Shuang."

"You don't believe me? I could be one."

"I know, but you're still too nice to actually go through with it."

"Says the one that is actually nice and would never ever contemplate it."

"Right, so no more negative thoughts, Shuang." Ziyi told Shuang as he ruffled her hair and she swatted his hands away. "Stop doing that or you'll never actually get a girlfriend because she thinks you're flirting with all your home girls."

"I would like to think otherwise since Yanjun was able to find one."

"Because Melanie puts him in his place."

"True."

"No, but seriously you gotta stop being overly nice to people, especially girls or the one you like might think you don't like her."

"I feel like your specifically speaking of a particular person."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because you always bring up this topic whenever I do something bro-like with you."

"It's not just me. You do it to Melanie and Serena, too. Even Meilian."

"But now they're taken, so it shouldn't matter. Well except Meilian and you." He smirked playfully. "Do one of you have a crush on me?"

"Yeah right. If I did, then she would kill me."

Ziyi frowned. "Who? Meilian?"

"Um, no one. I didn't say anything like specifically. I just meant that your future girl would kill me if I had a crush on you, but I don't." Shuang blabbered revealing her secret partially. "Besides, I like someone else."

"Ooh, who?"

"None of your business, Wang Ziyi. Now don't ask anymore about who it is."

"Fine, but hey," Ziyi remembered something, "Do you know who this Lady Lotus is that appears with Xingjie on his midnight Monday radio?"

Shuang paused for a second, but recovered. "Technically, I know of her, but not who she is if that's what you're asking."

"Oh, I thought you would know all the girls on campus."

"Seriously, don't believe everything that comes out of Serena's mouth. She just likes to mess with me like the others."

"Then do you know who would know her?"

"Have you tried asking Xingjie about her?"

"Yeah, but he told me this Lady Lotus told him to keep her identity a secret."

"Then I guess you'll just never know who she is."

"I guess not." Ziyi muttered in a sad tone and Shuang nudged him playfully. "Do you like her even though you don't know who she is?"

"What if I do?"

"That is so cute."

Ziyi regarded Shuang for a bit with an analytical expression. "Are you sure you don't know who she is?"

"Hey Shuang," Zhengting interrupted the duo as Shuang felt relieved by the sudden interruption as she turned her attention onto Zhengting once he spoke again, "Serena says you may know who the mystery girl is."

"Excuse me? What did she say?" Shuang asked with widened eyes while casting Serena a look as Serena nodded with a teasing smile. "Yeah, Shuang knows like all the girls on campus. She has a photographic memory and never forgets a face even if she doesn't know who they are."

"How come you haven't said anything when we were all talking about her when we came back from winter break?" Yanchen asked as Shuang came up with a lie. "It's because it's not my business about other people's situation, of course." She then dismissed the topic while gathering her things and standing up. "Anyways, can we not talk about Zhengting's love life. I'm sure Mr. Hung is gonna wonder why we haven't left to go to the library like the others by now. I'm gonna go first."

Shuang ran off with Serena giggling to herself knowing full well that Shuang was gonna do something to her later, but for now she basked in her friend's misery. Maybe Melanie was right about the joy of others' misery if it helps progress the feelings at hand.

Meilian woke to the sound of her alarm going off as she frantically searched for the source of it. She found her phone and ended up the alarm set for three-oh-five and wondered when did she ever set that one up. She sat up while moving to sit on the edge of her bed as she turned to look over at Shuang's empty bed.

"I thought I told her to wake me up before she leaves." She groaned while standing up and went to relieve herself before getting ready for ler late Tuesday's class.

While getting ready, Meilian noticed her phone flashing every so often and rolled her eyes while putting up her hair. "Does that kid not have some extracurricular after school to attend to besides bothering me?"

She shook her head as she reached for her phone to check her message after she was satisfied with how her hair was done. She left her room and began to head to class as she scrolled through the messages of her little brother reminding her that she still needed to provide her vocals for his music project by Friday or he'll get a D for a half-finished project.

"I know that already." Meilian mumbled as she replied back to him before placing the mobile device into her pocket and exited the sorority house. As she made her way down the steps she was greeted by Xingjie as the duo walked in the same direction together.

"Y'know, I love my brother and all, but you and the gang don't have to keep a watch on me for his sake's." Meilian informed the male as he laughed. "Well, Yankai means well and is just making sure that his big sister is well taken care of."

"I know. Yanchen already made sure I arrived safely to my sorority house this morning when I came back later than normal. I really feel like my brother has a tracker on me or something."

"It's because you have your location on, that's why, Meilian." Xingjie reminded her as he laughed again while he swung an arm around Meilian's shoulder. "Just think of it as your very own protection squad."

"I'm pretty sure you're the ones that need it as how Iota Phi Theta is a pretty popular fraternity as of late if I recall from your ever so popular scavenger hunt."

"Yeah, but someone still owes me dinner for ditching me on my Monday night midnight radio special guest appearance."

"I thought you said it was gonna be next Monday night, not yesterday's night."

"You need to check your calendar more often or I'm not gonna buy you late night snacks during our radio jams."

"Whatever. It's not like you're special or anything, Xingjie."

"I know. You already have a special one reserved already."

"I do not. Shut up about that."

"Why? I think by now you would have let him know about your feelings."

"He doesn't need to know and I'm pretty sure he isn't interested anyways."

"How do you know?"

"Because I just do. Now, what did I say about mentioning that or him? Hmm?"

"That you'll treat me out every time it's brought up."

"What? No I did not. Liar."

Xingjie laughed as Meilian pushed him away from her, but he returned back to his original position before she did that.

"Okay, okay. I'm kidding. Sheesh. You're so violent. Ziyi might not like that."

"No I'm not and shut up about that name."

Meilian denied although she elbowed him away from her as he feigned injury by grabbing at his side like it was in pain.

"I'm gonna have to bill you all of my medical incidents this whole semester."

"Yeah, right. That's all on you."

"Maybe I'll forward the bills to him. I don't think he'll mind since he's been wanting to know the voice of Lady Lotus."

"Stop. But why does he wanna know?"

"He likes your voice and wants to meet you."

"That's awkward, but no you can't tell him."

"Why not? You think he's not interested, but he is."

"He just wants to know Lady Lotus, not Zhang Meilian."

"Well, if you just let me tell him, then maybe it's really just you since he doesn't know it's the same person."

"Ugh, shut up, Xingjie."

"I know you know that I'm right about this."

Meilian didn't reply back and ignore her friend. They finally came to their building and Meilian shot Xingjie a smile resuming talking to him again even if for a little bit. "Okay, our path ends here. I'll see you next week."

Xingjie rolled his eyes as waved her off. "We have class together tomorrow morning, dummy. I don't know why you always do that."

"Because I can. See you later, Huba!"

"What did I say about calling me that?!"

"That you'll treat me out every time it's brought up! Huba! Huba! Huba!"

Meilian stuck her tongue out at him as she ran up the steps to her classroom as Xingjie rolled his eyes. "This girl."

Shuang had left the library earlier than normal so that she could get something to eat before her next class as it would be a three hour one. Also, she didn't want any of the others asking her questions regarding the mystery girl that Zhengting was still in search of. Shuang knew that she should have reminded Serena not to mention any of that, but forgot all about it as the boys never really brought it up in class since then.

Shuang let out a sigh as she ran a hand through her hair while making her way to the campus' cafeteria. While thinking of what to purchase, she didn't hear someone calling her name until she felt someone nudging her. Shuang looked to her left and saw that Zhengting was matching her pace while catching his breath. She internally screamed and knew that it was probably Serena who told him that she had just left.

"What's up, Zhengting?" Shuang coolly asked before facing forward again.

"I just wanted to know if you could tell me about that girl with the heart and rose tattoo." Zhengting answered while hoping that Shuang could provide him with some clues to go on as he's been stuck with this girl on his mind since then.

"I don't know much about her so I can't really tell you anything, Zhengting."

"You must know something."

"Why are you so keen on finding her? Didn't you just like slept with her because you were drinking too much?"

"That's none of your business."

"Okay then."

Shuang quicken her pace, but Zhengting matched her once more and grabbed her elbow to slow her down so that they could talk.

"Alright, sorry, but can't you just tell me something?" He pleaded as Shuang let out a deep breath while removing her elbow from out of his grasp. "Sorry, Zhengting, I really can't. Serena just likes saying stuff that isn't true. I don't know who the girl is even though I do have somewhat of a photographic memory, but it doesn't mean I know anything about others. Sorry. See you Thursday."

Shuang didn't give Zhengting time to respond as she rushed away leaving him to stare after her although she was feeling slightly guilty as she really did know, but wasn't sure if he was looking for the mystery girl only to tell her that it was a mistake. In Shuang's mind, she felt like for her it wasn't a mistake at all as she could recall the deep conversations that she and Zhengting shared. Still, this was college and they both had too much to drink when it happened.

It wasn't something that Shuang wanted to dwell upon because if Zhengting couldn't even remember it was her, then why should she even give him a chance to. Of course there was something in the back of her mind to give him the benefit of th doubt, but Shuang didn't want to chance it and have her hopes crushed. This was college after all and it was a time to just live life before the real world ate you up. Or more so of what Shuang thought of her college life so far, anyways.

Meilian skipped the rest of her class when Ms. Ming announced that the second half of class would be discussing about the previous lessons and so left when she announced a break. The professor was only doing reviews for the lab work that was next week and Meilian already knew the material and so didn't want to sit in on another boring lecture. The class was already long enough with the teacher talking endlessly in such a monotone voice. Meilian figured she'll do without the reviews as she usually winged the lab work, anyways, and always scored well.

After exiting the classroom, Meilian hurried to turn off her location so that her brother and friends wouldn't continously bother her about her whereabouts. She was a grown woman already so of course she didn't need to be baby-sat. She'll have a talk with Yankai later about it. Anyhow, Meilian was on her way to the school's cafeteria to get herself something to eat and drink before heading back to the N-C-P's house since she was already done for the day.

Whille Meilian was browsing the many items of the cafeteria she heard her name being called softly from behind her and turned around to see Tengyang. "Oh, hi, Tengyang." She greeted the male with a hug. "What's up?"

"Hey, Meilian." Tengyang smiled at her. "I wanted to ask your opinion about something since you're a girl and all."

"What kind of opinion?"

"About stuffed animals."

"What about it? I'm not totally into it."

"Yeah, but you're still a girl."

"There's like a bunch of other girls here, Tengyang."

"I already asked them so I'm just collecting more opinons."

"Alright, what is it?"

Tengyang smiled as he brought out his phone and went through it before finding what he was looking for. "Question one, what kind of stuffed animal do you prefer?"

"Koala." Meilian answered without hesitation.

"Really?"

"Yes. Next."

"Do you prefer a small, medium, big, or gigantic stuffed animal?"

"It depends on what it is."

"It's a koala one."

"Then a very big gigantic one."

"Seriously?"

"Yes. What else?" Meilian shot him an amused look as Tengyang continued. "Um, what about the color?"

"Blue."

"What if there was no blue?"

"Then anything else except red. I hate red."

"Why?"

"I just do."

"Okay, then, um..." Tengyang trailed off as he inputted Meilian's answers while moving to the next question.

"How many do you have left?"

"Just a few more. Please bear with me"

"Ugh, okay. You're lucky I'm not busy."

"When are you though?"

"Not the point. Anyways, go on."

"Okay, okay. Are you going to attend Iota Theta Phi's karaoke night this Saturday?"

"No."

"Oh, what? Why not?" Tengyang asked surprised as he looked up from his phone.

"Because I have other plans."

"Like what?"

"Sleeping or watching my shows."

"You do that like all the time."

"So?"

"You should go out more and hang out with your peers."

"What are you? My mom? I can do whatever I want."

"Yeah, yeah. One more question then."

"Finally."

Tengyang chuckled before speaking while shooting Meilian a playful look. "If someone from Iota Phi Theta gave you that gigantic Koala stuffed animal, then who would you want it to be?"

"What kind of question is that?" Meilian asked him with a suspicious look. "Was this a setup?

"What? No, Meilian, it isn't. Why would you say or think that?"

"Because I'm not stupid, Tengyang. I know how you boys at I-P-T like to play your games and what not."

"What? No way. I'm not playing any games." Tengyang looked to his left and right before pointing behind. "I think I hear someone calling my name. I'll catch you next time, Meilian."

"Uh huh. Sure, Tengyang. Bye."

Meilian watch him rush off before turning her attention back onto the food display while thinking who had sent him to ask her such questions.

#loading99percent #idol producer scenarios #nine percent scenarios #bbt scenarios #nex7 scenarios #wang ziyi #zhu zhengting #idol producer #nine percent #boom boom taker #bbt #nex7

[cannedapricot]

Murder Mystery Party! Wanna One

happy late halloween!! here’s a halloween special, murder mystery party! wanna one for you all!!

welcome to the annual murder mystery party held every halloween

it’s a tradition you see

every student on campus is invited

and everyone apart from the victim is a suspect

but the thing is, nobody actually knows who the host is

rumor has it that the original host actually died one night and others have been keeping the tradition alive

but people also say that the host changes every year and is decided by lottery

every student receives a invitation a month before the 31st

so y’all have enough time to get a costume together lol

the envelope always matches the theme of the party

last year, it was a simple, slick black, matching the theme of a classy work dinner kinda party

included in the envelope was a wad of paper

containing everything you needed to know about your character and if they were the murderer or not

or if they were the person flopping to the floor dramatically and dying rip

but of course

this is all fictional and done for fun

or is it????? ???? ? 👀👀👀👀👀

this year, as usual, you received an invitation on september 30

this year though, the envelope was decorated in victorian accents 

in gold lettering, the first piece of paper read,

“you are hereby invited to the biggest victorian masquerade party of the year”

you already want to skip the party this year lma o

victORIAN CLOTHING IS EXPENSIVE. EVEN IF YOU’RE RENTING OK

ALSO A MASK????

LOOKS SADLY AT BANK ACCOUNT

but guess what!!!

minhyun and jaehwan ain’t having none of that!!!

again,,,, but loOK, IN MY DEFENSE,,, MINHWAN ARE BFF GOALS

the two drag you along with them to rent costumes

with you throwing a tantrum like a six year old on the way

“buT IT’S SO EXPENSIVE I CAN BARELY AFFORD TO E A T”

“oops the wind’s too loud, what’d you say?”

“tHe WiNd’S tOo LoUd. THERE’S NO WIND JAEHWAN”

so you settle for pouting

art student! baejin happily agreed to make masks for all twelve of you so that’s some money saved lol

you wince looking at the price tags

“300 foR A MONTH????? ARE YOU K I D D I N G M E”

stOPS BREATHING FOR A SHORT SECOND

bitCH YOU ARE SKIPPING THIS DUMB ASS PARTY--

“y/n where do you think you’re going??”

minhyun caught you by the hood of your hoodie

shIT

YOUR GREAT ESCAPE PLAN WAS FOULED BY NONE OTHER THAN THE GREAT EMPEROR HWANG

angrily puffs

the three of you are just as poor as each other

so you guys end up renting the cheapest three 

but of course, minhwan look 10/10

you’RE STUNNING AS WELL THOUGH

“yes y/n, step on me”

“i- what the fuck”

looking at other people’s character’s info was strictly against the rules 

you’d be uninvited every year from then on if you’re caught

but you were able to ask others about theirs 

cause it’s up to you to decide if they’re lying about it or not

and that’s what minhwan cautiously asks you on the way back to the dorms

“hey y/n, what’s your character this time?”

you

haven’t

really

looked 

at the info

and after renting the costume,,,,, yoU GOTTA MEMORIZE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER BEFORE THE PARTY

because well, taking out your info sheet at the party breaks the atmosphere

swEATS

“uH,,,, GUESS”

SONIC SPEEDS OFF

YOU WEREN’T GONNA LET THE TWO KNOW THAT YOU DON’T KNOW

BECAUSE HELL, JAEHWAN’S NEVER GONNA LET IT GO

EVEN IF IT WAS SOMETHING TINY LIKE THIS

so you SLAM your door open, stunning your dorm mate

CHUCK your rented costume on your bed

gently

because that thing was expensive as fuck

and FLIP out your character sheet

you were the child of a well known lord

and so you were in the middle upper class

you had an older brother who is SUPER protective of you

well, at least the sheet said

every character was unique and had different alibis

and murder motives

the host obviously has to spend all year on this lol

the victim was said to be a person in the higher level middle class (one of the only information about the victim given)

and so you were confused as to why you would be a suspect

why would someone in a higher social position murder someone lower??

a sigh of relief left your lips as you realize you’re not the real murderer

you sucked at lying

but you were a suspect due to the fact that you knew the victim since you guys were children and the two of you were sworn enemies

not the “oh my god i hate you but i also love you” kind

but the “fucKING HELL I ACTUALLY HATE YOU WITH ALL MY SOUL” kind

as you two grew up, you got mature,,,, but they got worse

you overheard something about the victim wanting to assault your father

anD SO YOU WERE SUSPECTED DUE TO THIS

BECAUSE EVERYONE WOULD THINK THAT YOU HAD TO KILL THEM BEFORE THEY KILL YOUR DAD

huffs

this would be a tough character to pull off

especially since the victim has plans to kill your father

that’s a strong motive

your dormmate willingly tells you that they’re a part of the working class

you hum in response

your gut feeling telling you to not show up at the party at all

buT YOUR MIND IS TELLING YOU TO GO BECAUSE YOUR WALLET IS HAVING A BREAKDOWN DUE TO THE STUPID COSTUME

so that’s what you do

on the 31st, you’re getting ready with your dormmate

and you receive a text from seongwoo as you’re fixing your mask

which, by the way, is also stunning. art student! baejin is talent itself

“hey, i apparently have a younger sibling and i’m asking everyone but they say that they don’t have no sibling. you’re my last hope y/N ARE YOU MY LONG LOST SIBLING”

you lowkey wanna reply with “fuck off”  but you reply saying that you, do, indeed have an older bro and that you two are not long lost siblings

“yUS IM POSITIVE ITS U, ARE U A CHILD OF SOME LORD???”

“yea”

“oKAY Y/N YOU CUTE LIL SIBLING, BIG BRO WILL PRO T E C T YOU”

flashbacks to haunted house pat timer! ong seongwoo

the info sheet said protective older bro but ong can’t wait for you to get a s/o lmao protective my ass

with a roll of your eyes, you head towards the party with your dormmate

WHICH WAS HELD IN SOME FANCY, EXPENSIVE HOTEL

it was already packed by the time you got there

you couldn’t tell who was w ho

the masks were throwing you off

your dormmate disappears off to the “kitchens” as she was a working maid

the host of the fake masquerade party (not the real host, the person whose character is the host in the script) was wearing a beautiful royal blue mask and was heading your way

you lowkey panic™

humaN INTERACTION???? ALREADY????

“hello, i’m your humble host today, lee daehwi”

“ohMYGOD DA E H W I”

“who is this--”

you pull him into a HUGE hug

“iT’S Y/N YO”

“yOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BREAK CHARACTER FOR THE FIRST HOUR Y/N GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER”

“oH FUCK i mean hi!! i’m y/n,,,,”

swEATS 

“HOW DO PEOPLE INTRODUCE THEMSELF IN THIS ERA??” 

you whisper

“IDK I’M JUST GOING AROUND SAYING THAT I’M THE HOST”

he whispers back

YOU SCREAM INSIDE

“what are you supposed to be though??” you ask daehwi, looking at his costume

“i’m an earl,,,, i have no idea what an earl is but i mean,,, i get throw parties so,,,, it’s high in the hierarchy right?”

do earls throw parties i have no idea i can’t remember anything from black butler

you ask where the other guys were and so daehwi leads you to them without hesitation 

“lIL SIB!!!111!!11!111″

fuck

its “protective” sibling seongwoo!!

“lmao let go seongwoo” duke! daniel says

seongwoo pouts

the boys tell you their identities one by one as requested from you!

jisung and minhyun were barons, sungwoon’s a country farmer, seongwoo was of course the son of a lord, jaehwan was a duke along with daniel, jihoon and woojin were thieves (phantom thief! au anyone? 👀), baejin was a knight, daehwi was an earl and guanlin....

“you guys have it all good buT I’M A BUTLER???? HELLO???”

y'all burst into laughter

the party was gREAT

THE BUNCH OF YOU BASICALLY HUNG AROUND THE SNACK TABLE THE WHOLE PARTY

UNTIL YOU WERE ALLOWED TO BREAK CHARACTER AND DANCE LINE MADE A BEELINE FOR THE DANCE FLOOR

then it neared midnight

and everyone was wondering when someone would flop dead

then it hit midnight exactly

and an arrow came flying in through the window

and hit someone on the chest

biTCH WHAT THE FUCK

THAT SCARED ME LOL

THAT MUST BE THE DEATH FOR THE NIGHT

and so y’all buzz over to the victim

buT

THE ARROW AND BLOOD LOOKS SO REALISTIC??

sungwoon mutters,

“that’s not real blood is it? why does it look so real this year”

seongwoo pushes through the crowd and sniffs the blood for sungwoon lol

expecting it to be fake

but his eyes popped wide when

“thiS SMELLS LIKE REAL BLOOD???”

HOLY SHIT

“IS SHE BREATHING???”

“NO???”

FUCK

ABANDON EVERYTHING

LEAVE THIS PLA C E

REAL MURDERER ON THE LOOSE

CALL THE COPS SDUGBISB

someone does but it was raining real hard and the traffic was screwed up due to some crash

it’s gonna take the cops ages to arrive

shIT Y’ALL SCREWED

Y’ALL AIN’T GOING OUT IN THE RAIN IN THE HEAVY ASS COSTUMES

UNI DORMS WERE MILES AWAY

ALSO THINK OF THE PRICE TO GET IT DRY CLEANED 

AND THE DEAD PERSON WAS EXPOSED AS THE REAL HOST OF THE MURDER MYSTERY PARTY

AS WELL AS THE MURDERER OF THE NIGHT

YOU WENT THROUGH HER POCKETS AND FOUND THE MASTERLIST OF WHO WAS WHO

SHIT

for safety reasons, the party goers decide to stay in clusters

and try find the real murderer so you guys can lock them up and make sure they’re not gonna kill anyone anytime soon

you melt into wanna one’s group

they don’t question you because y’all a cute group of friends

but you guys decide to start from finding where the arrow came from

so you guys head outside (with some shotty umbrellas jisung found)

and head towards the general direction the arrow came from

seongwoo and his extra ass climbs a tree to “observe” 

he stumbles upon this machine, timed for 12 on the dot

y’aLL GET GOOSEBUMPS

SEONGWOO’S GLOATING ABOUT IT ON THE WAY BACK INSIDE

“I’M SO TALENTED, I SHOULD BE A DETECTIVE”

“k”

back inside, you find the others cornering your dormmate

because they’re known for having a rivalry with the victim

but this is the “ oh my god i hate you but i also love you” kind of rivalry

the others didn’t know that though

you knew though

so you, being the hero you are, step in

wanna one trying to hold you back because

“stAY OUT OF TROUBLE Y/N”

“thAT’S DANGEROUS”

but you end up defending your dormmate anyways

it took a lot of persuasion on your part but

you didn’t do persuasive speeches for nothing during classes

and you end up successful 

jihoon stepped in at some point to help you but that wasn’t the point

and everyone continues their search

until woojin finds this rather big muddy footprint on the marble floor

which obviously could only be there if someone went outside during the party

it hadn’t rained when the party started

and it couldn’t be any of the w1 squad

it was a different shoe size than what the 12 of you were wearing

then everyone started comparing the bottom of their shoes lmAO

it was a mess

jisung couldn’t take it anymore and just screamed at everyone

“SHUT UP!!!!!!!!! LETS JUST COMPARE ONE BY ONE OK???”

and that’s what everyone did

they came up one by one next to the print and guanlin squinted at their facial expressions to find anyone looking like they’ve just killed anyone lol

this continued until there were only a few people left

and the killer broke from pressure

he admitted that he had committed the crime

if he was gonna be exposed soon anyways, might as well admit it himself

“i was supposed to be the victim tonight, but i was the victim last year, and the year before that! it’s not fair that everyone else but me gets to have fun. i found out who the host was through multiple sources and begged her to change me for another role. but she shot me down without hesitation. i asked her why,,,, but she just looked at me coldly and said that i was only suited to be the victim. i,,,, got angry and lost control,,,,, i planned this tonight. i’m so sorry.”

he said with his head down

daniel sighed as he moved to hold the dude’s arms to his sides

“such a shame", he tuts

anD CUE THE COPS WHO BASICALLY DID NOTHING

WEE WOO WEE WOO

they show up and the murderer away

needless to say, the campus tradition was no longer continued

no one wanted to attend ever again

“hey guys, are you going next year?”

“hELL NAH”

here’s the late halloween special!!! sweats in 2.3k words

you can tell that i tried to finish it on time by how rushed the ending was,,,,,, it’s not my best aaaaa likE THE KILLER BROKE UNDER PRESSURE????? IM SO SHIT AT THIS. I’LL STICK WITH CRINGEY FLUFF FROM NOW WHE E ZES

also, my search history is filled with searches about the victorian era dsbvisb

#wanna one #yoon jisung #ha sungwoon #hwang minhyun #kim jaehwan #ong seongwoo #kang daniel #park jihoon #park woojin #bae jinyoung #lee daehwi #lai guanlin #produce 101 #murder mystery party! au #broduce 101 #wanna one scenarios #kpop #kpop scenarios #wanna one imagines #wanna one aus

[alo-piss-trancy]

if you don't mind sharing, what are your opinions on the ud/g characters so far? id love to hear your thoughts on them :3

Yeah, I'd be happy to talk about my thoughts so far! :D Altho fyi I'm still on the 2nd chapter and I'm playing pretty slowly/taking my time with it, so I haven't met a ton of characters yet. I'm trying really hard to find all the collectables/win the arcade challenges and stuff so I'm going at a snail pace lol. It's been an absolute blast though!

BIG SPOILERS FOR U/LTRA D/ESPAIR G/IRLS (AND OTHER GAMES) BELOW!!!

K/omaru's kinda different than I expected her to be tbh but I do love what they did with her! I kind of had it in my head that she'd be more upbeat/heroic and like, stronger/more of a fighter than M/akoto, so to find out she's actually even quicker to give up/very defeatist was a bit of a shock lol. But I do really like it, both for development purposes as the game goes on and also bc she IS what a normal person in that world would be, depressed and scared shitless, panicky even with a weapon, relies a lot of T/ouko. Having the sister of the Ultimate Hope be... not Despair, but just a little less confident like that is very nice thematically. I love her banter with T/ouko a lot, they're funny af together. Not sure if I really ship them? They might be cute but also T/ouko is so 200% devoted to Master B/yakuya that even my multishipper butt has trouble separating them at all lmao. One-sided crush from K/omaru's side would be pretty sweet tho 💛

I don't trust M/onaca. Not even bc she's named M/onaca or bc of her creepy hollow gaze or overly uvu nice routine, but bc she has green hair. In my experience you NEVER trust an anime bitch with the cutesy green hair and golden/green eyes combo. They will be evil, or at least a bit unhinged every time istg. This bitch be plottin 🙃 That said, I'll admit her design is cute af, very aesthetic 💚 and I'm very interested in her development as a character. Her and the blue boi are cute although I'm positive she's going to betray his ass immediately when the moment comes. There is no love in her soulless little eyes and I fear for him

J/ataro (I think that's his name? The art mask boi) is my favourite Warrior of Hope!!! I mean, I'm like 80% sure his mask is made of human skin and I know he's committed many, MANY atrocities (that dancing puppet diorama of adult corpses was... something lmao), but ALSO... he's very polite, easily the nicest of the Delightful Children 2.0. He fixed their air conditioners and chairs and stuff and he's a good boi deep down kind of. Minus the murder I mean. And he has floppy sleeves and likes crafts and the fact that he literally wants ppl to hate him and doesn't think he's worthy of love slaughters my feelings 😭 He's like G/undham but EVEN SADDER and therefore he will be my favourite no matter what awful shit he's guaranteed to pull in the future akdkfk. I'm terrified bc I know in my gut I'll probably be responsible for his suffering if each boss battle is like the red-haired kid's and I'M NOT READY TO DO THAT TO HIM HHHH. I desperately want one of the other gremlin kids to be his friend (maybe the pink or blue one???) PLEASE JUST LET ONE BE NICE TO HIM. LET HIM BE HAPPY. I KNOW IT WON'T HAPPEN SO I MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE FLUFF AUS OR SMTH 💔

I... don't remember anyone else's names yet and I can't google bc spoiler potential RIP. So uhhh:

Pink girl: 20/10 design, kinda trash personality but she's also fun lol. Seems to like animals which is a plus. Is mean to craft boi, which is a minus. She's like if G/undham, S/onia, J/unko, and H/iyoko were blended into one evil little gremlin which I find pretty funny. I love that she's the fighter and I look forward to seeing what devastation she'll wreak 👿 She and M/onaca would be cute tbh (but again, I'm sure M/onaca will Ruin Her. Plz run pink child your devotion is going to be for naught c':)

Blue boy: He's a cute, composed boi and I feel bad for him lol. You just know he's going to absolutely snap towards the end. He seems like the smartest and most likely to succeed, which means he's gonna get screwed over big time. I like that he kind of babysits the other gremlins. RIP his crush on M/onaca, he's gonna get his heart broken. Also watching him talk shit to N/agito gives me such life y'all don't even know lmao. Those milkshakes were garbage and he should feel bad.

Red boy: Kinda annoying AF to me personally, but I do feel horrible for him. The scene where he's so desperate to stop his hand from shaking that he bashes it until he breaks it while K/omaru was begging and crying for him to stop was hard af to sit through, GOD. Everything about that scene was just hhhhh

I'm legit so scared to see these other kids break down after that, like goddamn... I don't wanna know what they've been through but also I do ajdjglk. Damn these game creators snipping my heartstrings, I just wanted to make robot bears dance dude 😭

Other chars:

S/hirokuma: predictably, Absolute Baby, 20/10, I will love and cherish him forever 💛💛💛 HE'S SO CUTE HHHH I ADORE HIM 😻 Even if he turns out to be evil or makes me mega sad ajdjgkhl I don't entirely trust him but I also don't NOT trust him???? Let's face it this game's gonna flip one over on me regardless of what I try to predict bc they love their plot twists and betrayals so I'm just chillin for the ride lmao

Y/uta: Not 100% convinced he's dead ngl but also... I wouldn't be that upset if he was tbh. Maybe bc I just like the angst of M/akoto getting his sister back and to have a potential wife in K/yoko in the end while A/oi lost her own wife and brother thru all of this hell 🙃 He seemed nice enough, the part where he mimicked writing names in hands bc u know he probs learned that from A/oi made me wanna cry 😭

ALSO I JUST MET WHO I THINK IS H/AGAKURE'S MOM AND HHHHH 😍😍😍 She's so pretty and her voice is 20/10 but I'm terrified she's either gonna turn out to betray me OR even worse she's gonna get killed bc I gave her the hit lists before I saved akdhkgl TOO LATE NOW THO AND I REFUSE TO LOOK IT UP SO I'M JUST GONNA HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT IF/WHEN IT COMES

That's all I can think of to say so far ajfkjk, hopefully it's coherent c': I'm thoroughly enjoying the game and it's variety of chars, tbh I think I actually might like it a little more than the 'main' ones :0c Mostly bc it touches on a lot of the stuff I liked about the novels/was implied in other games, it's nice to see the darker takes not be interrupted with as many running gags and such. The easter eggs are super fun too!

#bear txt #not omo #drspoilers #dr spoilers #basically i love but also distrust everyone in nearly equal measure lmao #and i'm ready for this game to gut me harder than any of the others 🙃 #btw if y'all want my theory i'm positive the kids are gonna either already be robots or turn into some #bc the red boi wasn't marked deceased like the main games do in the people section 🤔 #and also they all have unique symbols in their eye highlights which is weird even if it's just a stylistic choice #but i won't say any more bc i would like to just play thru and be surprised lol