#this is geo's memory... it was going to cut to geo snapping back to reality in the present after but... couldn't get it right | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

annelizabethwrites · 2 years

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Pairings: Roger Taylor X OC (Scarlett Walker); George Harrison X OC (Star Walker) Rating: Mature (See Notes, Muses & Warnings for the actual warnings)

POV: Third-person, George, Scarlett, & Star

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February 16th, 1969- Scarlett's POV

George got out of the hospital yesterday; he's home with the other three Beatles to visit him. I was going to see him after my shift at Biba. I plan to ask if I can do the Biba internship for my internship class. I know, so last minute. After seeing Geo, I'll go to Kensington Market and see Freddie's new market. I was almost on my break, and that is when I was going to ask if I could do their internship.

"Ms. Walker, can you see me in my office now?" My manager asked as I was about to help another person.

"Ma'am, I was about to help someone," I told her, "Can I quickly ask what she needs."

"No. Office now," My Manager demanded sternly. I gulped my confidence and walked into her office, "Listen, Walker, I like you. You busted your ass and bounced right back after your December accident."

Am I getting a promotion?

"But I'm sorry to say we have to let you go due to the over employment here, and your commission rates weren't high enough in January," My manager said, then went off on what to do, and she will be more than welcome to help me with recommendations for a new job. My face fell. I lost my job and my boyfriend almost a month ago, but before anything, I lost my memories months before. I was snapped back into reality and gave her my name tag and other things I had.

"Hey, what happened?" Elaina asked, grabbing me as I walked passed her.

"I just got fired," I fought back the tears. I walked out and ran to a store, grabbed a pack of beer, and took the bus to George's house. Once at the stop around Kinfauns, I walked up the property, lost in my thoughts; soon, I noticed Pattie's car was gone. I barged into Kinfauns, and the lads were laughing about something. I dropped the beer pack and jumped on the couch face first.

"Scarlett?" I heard as I turned around to see John.

"Why aren't you at work?" Ringo asked.

"I got fired," I laughed out of exhaustion. I do this a lot. Many people told me it's unhealthy.

"What?" They looked at me as I sat up, grabbed a beer from the six-pack, and opened it. I am now ferrous since I got fired because they over-employed the store.

"The store is over-employed, and my January commission was shit," I sipped my beer.

"They cut your hours due to your accident!" John yelled in frustration at the news.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious, but in retail, it's all about how many sales you bring into the store," I rolled my eyes, "And to top it all off, I promised Rocky I'll go to the opening of his stall in Kensington, that he's partnering up with Roger."

"Aww, poor Scarlett has to face her ex?" John playfully pouted.

"Hey, John, when was the last time you saw Cynthia?" I asked John; he looked at me.

"Touché," John shook his head; John sat next to me and grabbed a beer, "Can I take one."

"Take them all," I slammed my back on the back of the couch, then mumbled, "Best birthday month ever."

"It's not that bad," George tried to cheer me up, "Your birthday is this week!"

"George, it's Sunday, my birthday is Saturday, and I have to go through this week with no internship for class, no job, and I need this week's paycheck to pay rent!" I freaked out, "I have to figure out how to tell my teacher why I don't have an internship yet."

"Didn't the class start later than the rest of them?" Paul asked

"The first day was Monday. I have that class every Monday and Friday," I nodded and took a deep breath. I started to have a mini panic attack. I relied on this week's paycheck. People always ask me, well, your older brothers are the Beatles. How aren't you loaded? Not to mention a Beatles twin? Well, that's simple, I hate using the lads' money, and I don't allow them to give me money. Plus, I don't get my Beatles Twin royalties until I'm 22; it was an agreement between John and Brian Epstein. They had thought two teenage girls shouldn't have that much money, which I agree with, and the two considered by the age of 22, Star and I should know how to be financially responsible. The lads would give us a portion of our royalties since they felt it was wrong to drag us into this life, and we get shit. So we got paid every week, which was 100 pounds. I saved at least 25 pounds for a rainy day fund and kept the rest for the week. I used my rainy day fund to pay down the flat. The flat is under my name since out of Elaina and me at the time. I was the only one with a stable occupation. At the time, Elaina and I had just started to work at Biba, and I had to put down Beatles Twin for my profession. Since I've been a Beatles twin since I was 15, I got granted to have a loan for the flat. Elaina and I split it, we now split it into thirds, but the interest had gone up, which made a dent in my financial plan. But because of the increase, it was cheaper when it was just me and Elaina than all three of us.

"Walks! Are you listening?!" John asked.

"No. No, I was not Lenney," I snapped out of my thoughts and had a panic attack.

"We were saying we'll give you money," John started.

"No, thank you, but no."

"Scarlett, you need the money!"

"I don't need it," I rolled my eyes after getting into a fight about my financial problems with the lads. Paul, Ringo, and John called it quits and said they would go out for a quick smoke. George looked at me as I put my head in my hands.

"Hey, Scar, can I ask you something?" George cleared his throat. I put my head out of my hands and looked at him. He looked nervous about what he was about to say next. I nodded my head, and he cleared his throat again.

"Do you remember you said you'll talk to Pattie if my concerns worsen?" George's voice cracked; it was somewhat funny; I nodded again.

Why?" I asked, trying to figure out where this was going.

"Are you free tonight? It could be an excuse for you to see Roger shorter," George asked and used the fact I don't want to see Roger against me.

"What do you want me to do, Hazza," I sighed.

"Can you...um..." George started to rub the back of his neck, "...Have dinner with Pattie tonight?"

"Yeah, sure. Where and when," I popped up. We started to talk more about the details. Then I had one more question, "So after spending half a month avoiding Pattie and getting closer, plus sleeping with Star. What changed your mind?"

"Because if what I'm thinking is true, I would end things with Pattie since it's not fair to both of us if we love other people," George sighed.

"So, will you move on and hurt Star again?" I asked.

"No, I'll finally have the balls to ask her out," George told me, and my eyes widened. The others came back, looking at me.

Later...

After a long bus ride, I got to Deathrow, Roger, and Freddie's stall. Freddie told me to meet up in the alleyway, and I did so. I saw Star, Freddie, and Elaina talking as I walked into the alley. I walked up, and Freddie hugged me.

"I'm so sorry, darling. I would hire you here, but you don't get along with the other owner." Freddie hugged me as I glared at Elaina

"You told them?!" I yelled as Freddie pulled away from the hug.

"Well, Star needed to know!" Elaina rubbed her shoulder.

"Fine, whatever, just don't tell anybody, okay?" I turned to Star, "I have a ladies' night with Pattie tonight. Wanna join?"

"Why just Pattie?" Star asked.

"Geo wants me to talk to her about her and Eric," I walked closer and whispered in her ear; Star looked at me.

"Why is he asking you to do it, and why should I come?" Star whispered back.

"She'll tell me, and you both understand what it's like being in love with Geo," I responded. Star sighed and nodded. Freddie grabbed me and dragged me inside so he could show me around. My eyes eventually landed on Roger, which gave my body this unnecessary overload of these lust emotions.

"Talk. To. Him. You're practically drooling all over him, darling," Freddie looked at me.

"I'm not," I looked at Freddie.

"Go talk to Roger." Freddie shoved me in Roger's direction.

"Fine," I sighed and nodded. As much as my pride doesn't want to talk to him, I have to. I walked up to Roger; he was surprised, then smirked.

"H-hey Scar," Roger awkwardly waved. I smiled and waved back.

"We need to talk." We both said the same thing at the same time. I blushed and bit my lip; Roger just looked down to hide his smirk. I could feel something between us, not distance like it should be but a warm and tingling feeling. Before we could say something, people started to walk in and look around; Roger got called away as I walked back to Star, looked around, and saw everything following the latest trend or old hand-me-downs. As an hour passed by, I felt someone grab my arm. In response, I jumped but turned to see Roger.

"Can we go to the back?" He asked. I nodded, and we walked out into the ally.

"I know you probably want to punch me in the face," Roger started, a great conversation starter. I tried to show what I had left of self-confidence by crossing my arms and looking at him.

"That is why, if you want, I am giving you a pass," Roger closed his eyes, waiting for me to punch him in the face. As much as I would love to do that, I would get shit from Brian for punching his drummer. So instead, I slapped him, and it felt better, but I felt terrible afterward, then all the anger from that night came out of me.

"You fucking asshole, I trusted you!" I finally yelled. Roger was more shocked that I slapped him than punched him before looking down to his feet.

"I let you in, and I caught feelings, and...and-" I mumbled, "and I fell in love with you."

He looked up at me, I looked down, and Roger lifted my head with his fingers.

"Well, I fell in love with you too," He smirked, "And that's why I want to explain myself. I couldn't get you out of my head, no matter how much I tried-"

"I couldn't get you out of my head, poor lads, and Star had to hear it," I giggled, "I want to listen to your side."

Roger sighed then started, "I got off stage, and this girl kept trying to get with me, but I said, No, I have a girlfriend. I was going to see you after the gig, but she made it impossible for me to leave. Then she jumped on me and started to kiss me, and I tried to push her off, but she pulled on tighter."

I froze, now I felt like a dick, I looked at him, and he did feel bad. But do I give him another chance? Does he want another chance with me?! I've been such a bitch towards him for the past few weeks. I was lost in my thoughts, and then I felt two arms wrapped around me and a kiss on my head.

"I want to give us another chance," Roger whispered, "I'm sorry you saw me kissing another woman."

"Why do you want to be with me? I was being a bitch for the past few weeks?" I whispered back. Roger pulled out of the hug and gave me a 'are you fucking serious' look.

"Because, If I were you, I would have done the same thing," Roger stated, "And I promise I will be true for this day on."

I wanted to say 'of fucking course,' but something told me I was not in the right state of mind. I'm still angry and upset about getting fired, and now this aments pressure is on my shoulder for a new job. It wouldn't be the right time to restart another relationship, plus I should talk to the lads since not everyone likes Roger and got pretty pissed at me when I didn't speak to them first the last time I started to date Roger.

"Rog..." I sighed, his blue eyes got soft on me, curse those beautiful blue eyes, "...I need some time to think if that's alright, I mean the last time we started to date, and I didn't talk to the lads, they were pretty pissed at me."

Roger nodded in understanding, which was a relief.

"I'll give you my answer on Wednesday at the latest. Maybe we could meet up somewhere?" I smirked.

"I can do Premier on Wednesday at noon," Roger smiled.

"Well, I hope you don't mind having someone else with us," I smirked. Roger's eyes widened with jealousy.

"What?!" His eyes widened, "Who?!"

"A five-year-old little boy who wants to spend time with his godmother," I teased, Roger flustered with embarrassment. I laughed and whispered in his ear playfully, "Someone jealous?"

He blushed before kissing me on the nose as a response.

That night...

Star and I got to Kinfauns; the other's cars are still surprisingly there. Star and I barged in; not only was it just Pattie, but all the partners were there.

"Hey guys," Star walked in; everyone looked at Star and then at me.

"So, how did things go today?" Paul asked.

"Oh, the only interesting thing that happened was that she and Rog talked and now thinking about rekindling their relationship," Star sat down, the lads looked at me, and I gave Star an 'I'm going to kill you' look, she just smirked.

"You're a fucking idiot," John raised his voice, "What kind of idiot restarts a relationship with a guy who cheated?"

"Me. And the fan wouldn't get off of him; you, of all people, should understand that," I crossed my arms, "And this time, I'm doing it right and told him I'll talk to you four bozos first!"

"Aww, cute, but not going to happen," John smiled.

"John, why not give the lad another chance," Paul tried to reason. John started to disagree with Paul, and then Ringo and George sided with Paul. I looked at Pattie and Star then we left. We went to this restaurant where George set reservations for us.

"Thanks, guys, for having dinner with me!" Pattie cheerily said. Star and I both smiled.

"Anytime," I softly smiled. We ordered our food and drinks. Once the drinks came and the food was on its way, I decided I should just ask the question, even though I knew the answer.

"Pattie, I need to ask you a question, I know the answer, but I need you to verbally say it," I coughed as she looked at me.

"What is it?" Pattie asked.

"Are you having an affair with Eric Clapton?" I asked as Pattie looked down at her food and started to play with it before looking up and nodding.

"I know it's wrong, but I couldn't take it anymore. George is constantly cheating! I can't have any girlfriends anymore because I'm so paranoid he'll sleep with them. Plus, we don't even love each other. I mean, it's not like he has been hiding that he's in love with Star." Pattie ranted a bit as Star was drinking. When Pattie said that, Star's eyes widened, and she almost spat out her drink and then started to cough.

"W-what?!" Star coughed, "Pattie, there is noth-"

"I know George is in love with you. I'm not stupid," Pattie said, "I knew since the India trip."

"What do you mean by the India trip?" Star asked.

"He got drunk, thought I was you, and confessed his love and everything. I got pissed and fought with him. Everything has been rocky since. It felt wrong after knowing." Pattie bit her food, "Then Eric saw George and me fighting. He went to me for comfort. Then some spark happened."

"Umm, Scarlett, can I talk to Star... alone?" Pattie coughed as I nodded and headed to the loo.

Star's POV

Scarlett left as I felt my stomach clunch. Is she mad at me?

"Do you love him?" Pattie looked at me.

"What?" I looked at her.

"Do you love George? I need to know. I know the answer, but I need verbal confirmation from you. No lying, please. I want the truth," Pattie looked at me.

"Yes, I have since I was ten," I truthfully said.

"Why aren't you mad at me?" Pattie looked at me as I gave her an are-you-serious look.

"Why the hell would I be mad at you?" I looked at her.

"I took George from you," Pattie looked at me as I laughed.

"You didn't take George from me. We were going on two different roads in life. He was going into the road of fame while I was on the road of shame. I would've broken it off anyway because I didn't want to drag him down that road."

"But-"

"Pattie, I'm serious; you didn't. Some may see it that way, but you didn't. I was glad George had somebody when I wasn't there. We would've never made it if we stuck to the plan."

"What do you mean plan?"

"When George and I first started to date secretly, we said when I'm in Uni, we'll tell John and date officially. But looking back, it would've never worked; Y'know, I wouldn't have had the experiences. We both probably would be getting married young and like you two, no offense, kinda fizzle out because everything became so different, the change would've broken us up." I explained, "I mean, when you were with him, I went to university, saw the lads change, and it must've been hard on you and the girls because it was also happening in your house. Meanwhile, Scarlett and I did our own thing."

"So you're not mad?" Pattie asked as I shook my head.

"I know you and Eric started not even a month after returning from India. That I do know, and a little upset because I know you're driving George crazy with that... but I have no room to talk since I used the fact to hang around Eric to drive George crazy," I smirked, "But I tried my hardest so no affairs of him and me, I hope I Wasn't the rea-"

"Your not. George's affairs with his lady friends and my affair with Clapton are. You're not the reason. Mo told me about some things... you didn't have to do all of that, really," Pattie looked at me.

"I can't live with myself knowing I broke up a marriage, and I knew if I were still the same old Star around George, it would've broken you two up. I couldn't do that to you. You've been so nice to me and such a big sister figure. It would be a dick move to take your husband," I looked down at my food.

"Thank you," Pattie softly said as I looked at her, "You were in pain for years for my happiness. But Star, I'm planning to leave George, Eric's offers are getting more tempting, and honestly, I know I won't help George with his infidelity, but you can-"

"Speaking of...." I coughed, "I didn't mean it, but when you were on that romantic holiday with Eric... George and I got high and slept together. I'm so sorry. I wasn't in the right state of-"

"Star, Star, it's alright. As you said, I was on a romantic holiday with Eric. I'm not mad. I don't feel betrayed. I'm just glad," Pattie cut me off.

"You should be mad," I muttered.

"And you should be mad at me for stealing George, but we're not going to make a man ruin what we have built for years," Pattie shrugged as I smirked.

"Yeah," I looked at her.

"But Star, before I leave, I want to make sure George will be okay. I want to make sure you have him and take care of him?" Pattie looked at me as I stuttered and nodded.

"Of course, I give you my word," I nodded. Pattie smiled.

"Thank you," Pattie sighed in relief.

Scarlett's POV

Star and I finished dinner, and we promised Pattie we won't tell George. The three of us got to Kinfauns, the lads were talking, and when we walked in, they all looked at me.

"I think you're going to die," Star whispered.

"Sod off," I rolled my eyes. The four pulled me to the side, and everyone in the living room looked at us.

"We all thought about what you said earlier..." John started, "...And our answer is no, you can't date a cheating arse."

My face dropped, then the other three looked at John and screamed, "John, that's not what we agreed on!"

John rolled his eyes and sat down a little grumpy. Ringo and George looked at Paul.

"Why me?" Paul asked, then the two looked at him harder. Paul rolled his eyes, "Fine, and we agreed to give Roger another chance to redeem himself."

"We will give him another try, but we would like to talk to him," Ringo crossed his arms, trying to be tough.

"But if he hurts you again, we're not going to let him off easy," George finished. I smiled and nodded. I forced them into one big hug, and this time will be different.

"Thank you, guys!" I pulled away from the hug, "Also, don't try to be tough. It doesn't work."

Ringo, Paul, and John left. I was about to leave when George pulled on my sleeve.

"How did it go?" George asked nervously. I sighed and looked down. I promised Pattie I wouldn't tell him, "Scar?"

"Well, I promised Pattie I wouldn't tell unless she wants me to," I smiled innocently. George looked at me.

"The point of this..." George started, then pinched his nose and walked out. I laughed. I walked out, and Star and I said our goodbyes, then left.

February 17th, 1969

I was sitting in my internship class as Freddie smirked at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Ohhhhhh, nothing, just talked to Roger last night," Freddie smirked.

"Okay and?" I said.

"Well, are you going to get back with him?"

I nodded with a bashful smile, and class started. My professor made a speech about how we should all plan our internships or have them. I sunk into my seat. The professor asked what the student's internship was, and she went to me, and I was last.

"Ms. Walker? Let me guess. You got the Biba internship?" My professor, Prof. Evans, asked

"Umm, no, ma'am, I got fired before I could ask yesterday," I sunk into my seat farther.

"Talk to me after class." Prof. Evans looked at me.

After class...

I walked to Prof. Evans, readying myself for a rant on not coming to class prepared.

"Well, Ms. Walker, today is your lucky day," Prof. Evans started, "An old friend of mine is looking for someone that can do a paid internship."

"Really? Thank you, but why are you helping me?" I looked at her with confusion.

"I see a lot of potential in you. You remind me of my friend. She told me to meet her in the parking lot in an hour," she told me. I nodded, ran to my flat, and changed into a white jabot-type blouse with gingham frill trousers and sneakers. I have black loafers that I will change into when I get to school. I put my hair up, tied it in the back with a black ribbon, and applied makeup. I got my stuff together and then ran out the door. Note to self: check how long my license is suspended. I was at fault for my crash, so I suspended my license since I gave myself amnesia for it. The other driver was okay. I was the only one with injuries. But the court suspended my license, and I now have to go through the process again to get it back. I got to school, and while waiting, I changed my sneakers into my loafers. Soon as I put my sneakers in my bag, Prof. Evans walked over to me.

"You got dressed well," She looked up and down at my outfit. We both went into her car, and she started the drive. It was quiet. I was looking outside the window.

"So I already told my friend about you, and she is excited to meet you," Prof. Evans said.

"Thank you so much. You don't understand how much this means to me," I turned to Prof. Evans.

"I know what it feels like," Prof. Evans said, "I didn't get to be a Professor overnight."

I smiled. After a couple of minutes, we arrived at this building. We walked in, and I saw 'Kelly's Closet' imprinted on the door. My mouth dropped. This isn't for real. Prof. Evans walked into Kelly Price's office and then dragged me there. There I saw the one and only Kelly Price. Her dark black hair was in a bun, and her wired glasses showed more of her Green emerald eyes. She perked up from her work.

"Cordelia!" Kelly got up and ran to Prof. Evans and hugged her. Kelly turned to me, "And you must be Scarlett. I have heard a lot about you!"

I was shocked, for one Star just stole Kelly Price's clothes a few months ago. She also died way before I was born, in my old life. We both sat down, and Prof. Evans gave her a paper.

"So Scarlett, you are a twin and have no parents?" Kelly started to read out.

"Yes, Ms. Price," I answered.

"Tell me, what was it like at home before your parents died? Was it a reason why you started to design?" Kelly folded her hands on the desk.

"Well, I wasn't close with my mother, she was never around, and when she was, it was...bad. I was very close with my father, all my siblings and I were," I started, "My dad taught me how to draw, and we always bonded on our art style."

"Tell me about your life with John Lennon and the Beatles?"

"Well, I have lived with them since ' 61. John bought me my first sketchbook. My sister and I were forced to dress correctly by the Lads manager, and I would draw the outfit I would rather wear."

"Do you have any pictures or designs?" Kelly asked. I nervously nodded and grabbed my sketchbook to pass it to Kelly. Kelly was very observant, she told my professor to look with her, and they all looked at my sketches.

"You are talented," Kelly closed my book, giving it back to me, "Now I want to ask you a few more questions."

"Go ahead, Ms. Price," I smiled, then Kelly started to ask me questions like wildfire. It was the standard job questions, like what do you see yourself in five years, my job history, etc. After the last question about my work ethic, Kelly stopped writing things down, took off her glasses, and looked at me.

"This question I want you to think about before you answer," She still looked at me. I nodded for my response, "I don't want to know what Scarlett Walker, the Beatles' twin, can do. I want to know what Scarlett Walker, the 21-year-old Uni student for apparel design, can do?"

I thought for a second, what is the difference? One is the title, and one is who I am. The Beatles' twin side of me was just told to stand still and look pretty. On the other side of me, I work hard, have fun, and will stand up for what I feel is right.

"The Beatles' twin Scarlett is just a title, an act I have to do. The real Scarlett will work my butt off until the job is finished. I can take care of a mess before it could ruin someone's career. I will find a way to have fun during a professional time and smile threw the most boring and horrible times of my life, and I will stand up for my opinion and what I think is right."

"Your right Lisa, she's exactly what I am looking for," Kelly smiled and looked at my teacher, then Kelly turned to me, "Congratulations, Ms. Walker, you got the job. It will be a five-month paid internship, and we will see where it goes from there."

I smiled and wanted to hug her, but I stayed in my seat instead. Then Kelly put a serious face on and started to explain the job.

"You will be my assistant. You will go to meetings with me. You work Monday through Friday. If you finish your work early for the day, you can leave early. I have your schedule right here, so I know when you have classes," Kelly then pointed to another desk in her office, "That is your desk. You can decorate it. I don't care as long as you do your work. I will see you tomorrow after your classes. Any questions?"

"No. Thank you so much!" I popped up from my seat. Then I remembered I'm babysitting Julian Wednesday. "Wait, I have one."

"What is it?"

"I have to babysit my godson on Wednesday between 10 to 5, is there a chance I could bring him? He's a good child, and I also promised him lunch," I closed my eyes, waiting for Kelly to yell or something probably.

"As long as he won't bother others, I don't care. You're allowed to go out for your lunch break. It's 12 to 1 every day. You can leave a few minutes early," Kelly said, "I sometimes have to bring my son to work. I do understand you have to do what you have to do. And you sometimes have to watch my son."

I nodded and breathed out in relief. I walked out of the building with a smile on my face. I asked Prof. Evans to drop me off at Apple records. I should tell the lads I got a new job before they give me a check. Since the lads were re-recording Don't Let Me Down, I walked into the studio and jumped on the couch with the smile still showing.

"Hi-ya Scar," George Martin strangely looked at me.

"Hi-ya Martie," I responded.

"Ooh, nickname and smile, what's the news?" George Martin asked.

"Oh nothing, just that my Professor got me a job with the Kelly Price!" I said with enthusiasm.

"Oh shit, really?!" George Martin said, falling off his seat. The lads looked over when they saw George Martin fall off his chair, and me too busy laughing to help him up. The lads, and Yoko, walked in as George Martin was still on the ground and now laughing at the fact he fell off his chair.

"What did you two snort?" John asked.

"Nothing you haven't tried," I responded.

"Touchè," John crossed his arms, slightly offended, "Why are you here smiling and laughing?"

"I got a job! My professor is a long-time best friend of the Kelly Price and gave me a job that is also an internship, so it helps me with my class and financial problems!" I quickly said I'm pretty sure the only thing the guys understood was I got a job.

"That's amazing news!" Ringo walked up to me and hugged me, then it became a group hug, while my 5' 2 self was stuck in the middle all around someone that was 6′2, another that was 5'6, two people that were 5'10, and one other person that is 5'11 and Yoko, who is my height is in the corner watching the hug.

February 19th, 1969

My first day at work was excellent. Today, I have lunch with Roger. I walked into work, holding Julian and a bag of his toys, so he could be distracted when I was working. I walked to my desk, which only had two pictures on it. I've been bringing in as little as possible. Kelly was sitting at my desk, looking at the pictures. I walked in, and Kelly jumped up from my desk, she saw Julian, and her eyes were infatuated with him. I introduced Julian as Kelly walked up and waved to Julian. Julian got nervous and dug his head into my neck. I told Julian who Kelly was, and Julian turned to Kelly, then smiled and waved. I walked to my desk and gave Julian some of his toys. I gave Julian my seat while working and standing. Kelly grabbed two chairs.

"Oh, thank you, Ms. Price, but I can stand," I told my boss.

"Sit, and call me Kelly. I am only 25, Scarlett," Kelly instructed. I took the chair and started to work. Oh yeah, Kelly is three years older than me. Kelly played with Julian while I looked through the following line's designs.

"Ms. Pri- I mean Kelly," I caught myself, "For the new line, do you need a photographer because I don't see one written down yet?"

"Oh, I must have forgotten about that, shoot," Kelly looked over, "I set a date for the pictures but didn't ask a photographer."

"Um, Kelly, I have four photographers in my family, and two live in London," I pointed out, "My twin sister, Star, is more of a journalist but can do a photo shoot. My brother Payton is a traveling photographer for a living, my sister-in-law Astrid but she lives in Germany, and my soon-to-be sister-in-law Linda, just a photographer."

"Can any of them do a photoshoot for Tuesday?" Kelly sighed.

"I can see, most likely Linda and Star, but I will see Payton over the weekend," I said. She looked relieved.

"I love your family right now," Kelly smiled, then she helped me a bit with the new line project. When it was 11:55, I started to get ready for the Premier. I'm really nervous to see Roger, even though I'm telling him the good news, I'm still nervous.

"Where are you going for lunch?" Kelly asked.

"The Premier," I picked up Julian.

"Is it just you and Julian? You look a little anxious?" Kelly asked.

"Um, no. I had this boyfriend of mine, and we split. Now we are having lunch to talk through things," I said shyly.

"Don't be nervous, Scarlett. You'll be fine," Kelly told me. I looked at her for a bit. Then she realized I was getting nervous because I had told my boss for two days, "Also, don't be shy talking to me. If you're going to be my assistant, we need to have a bond."

"See you at 1, Kelly," I nodded. I walked out and went into the Premier. I let Julian pick the table, and he decided to have a front outside seat. It's pretty good weather for February. Roger walked up and smiled. I blushed a bit, then Julian looked at both of us.

"No mushy stuff please," Julian stated. Roger and I burst out laughing while Julian was confused.

"Hi," Roger smiled.

"Hi," I smiled back; we looked at each other, then Julian stopped us from staring.

"Why are you guys staring at each other? My dad does it all the time with step-mama." Julain stated. The waiter came out and took our order.

"So, how's the new job?" Roger started the conversation; I looked at him confused; I didn't tell him, Freddie, or Brian. I only told Star, Elaina, and the lads that we all went out to celebrate last night that I got a job.

"How did you-" I asked.

"I know? Brian told me, and Star told him," Roger explained, "Well, is Kelly Price nice or a cold person?"

"Nice, she's amazing and very welcoming," I responded, "How is the market doing?"

"Good, we got some sales, but I've been getting more money off Smile."

"When is your next gig?" I asked, then quickly looked at Julian, doodling on his kids' placemat.

"Tonight," Roger responded, "Why you ask?"

I bit my tongue in response. I could give Roger a hint that I want to give us another chance or say 'curious.'

"Well, I want to see my boyfriend play with my two best friends," I teased. Roger looked up, and his eyes widened with a devilish smirk.

"Oh, really?" He slightly licked his lips, "He must be a fortunate guy."

"Oh yeah, but I feel like I'm the lucky one, especially when I look into his deep baby blue eyes," I joked, "He's the drummer, y'know. I always was told to watch myself with drummers... but he's different."

"How so?"

"Well, he's caring, kind, and very understanding, unlike the typical drummer, which is-" I stopped and looked at Julian, "-Not very kid-friendly names."

"So I am guessing the lads said yes?" Roger smiled before looking down to hide his laughter.

"Sorry guys, we are packed inside today," the waiter walked over with our food and drinks; after the waiter left, I took a sip of my milkshake.

"So, what did they say?" Roger asked, taking one of my fries.

"Oh, they just want to talk to you. To get to know you and make sure you have the right intentions," I bite one of my fries, "And if you hurt me again. They won't let you off so easily, which means they will cripple ya."

In the last part, my scouse accent came out. I put my hand over my mouth, a little embarrassed. Roger's eyes widened, and surprised that I still had the accent.

"So you do have a scouse accent!" Roger's mouth opened, laughed a bit, then grabbed my hand, "I think it's cute."

"I think it's weird," I grabbed Roger's hand.

"I thought I said no mushy stuff," Julian sassed. Roger and I laughed and then talked. After 10 minutes, Julian got off his seat and ran. I chased after him and saw him run up to John.

"Dad!" Julian jumped on his father.

"Julian, you can't run away," I caught my breath, "Hey guys."

"Aren't you supposed to be at work," John pointed at me as he picked up Julian.

"I have a lunch break," I told the guys, then I noticed the lads tensed up. I turned around to see Roger wide-eyed, scared for his life. I turned to the lads.

"Boys. Don't." I talked through my teeth. John put Julian down and walked inside with the others as they gave Roger the stink eye.

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yostresswritinggirl · 3 years

Text

Alatus' Weakness

Even the strongest, mightiest men carry with them their ultimate weakness. And when it is under the wrong hands, their power won't be enough to prevent them from crumbling... What is it? What was it that the Evil God took hold of that forced him to serve his evil deeds for years?

Pairings -> Alatus x Reader (Xiao)

Word Count -> 1350

Themes -> You won't find happiness here.

Series -> #SojournerSpecials (600 Followers Event)

Warnings -> This is punishment for Xiao forcing me to whale for him. As well as the Oceanid anons. (EDIT: THIS HAS MADE PEOPLE CRY, PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK)

The Yaksha of the wind dances in fluid whirlwinds as the breeze makes its rounds over the plains, his lightness barely wrinkles the green grass underneath his uncovered feet as the robes he dons flutters behind him.

It was so beautiful, he looked so ethereal.

And when his spear finally settles in a sharp swing, the force manifests into harmless gusts that sweeps the pasture for a second before straightening up again. Alatus had always been an agile dancer. And everyone in the village knows of this.

He offers a slight bow and a smile upon your loud clapping, so giddy of the exclusive performance that you were lucky to witness. It was a treasure that every local wishes to see beyond the battles he fights. Men and women alike yet out of them all it was you who was graced with this blessing.

"Beautiful as always, Alatus!" Your wide smile was infectious and his grin grows the closer he comes to you, arms finding its way around your waist and across your back in a soft hug. The giddiness continues as you turned into a giggly mess from his special affection, reciprocating with a tackle of a hug.

"Did you miss me that much?" He was answered by wordless nuzzles to his chest, making him chuckle and pull you closer.

Alatus was a great and powerful spear dancer, and he had been protecting the village you two reside in ever since. Gods and beings trekked the world commonly and it was too dangerous even for stationary communities. More so for those who lack the Vision to fight in the first place.

He was one, if not the only one capable enough to protect everyone. And many times he would go beyond the parameter to exterminate threats before they became an issue. Most of the time he disappears for a while during this expedition and then return triumphant as the village people greet him and praise him for his hardwork.

But at the end of the day, he settles down in your quiet home where he engulfs you protectively in his arms. There you two would exchange your tales during the span of his expedition, and he would indulge you in a showcase of his dances as compensation for his absence. The highlight of your day.

"There seems to be higher activity in the surrounding territories regarding monsters and Gods," he introduces the topic as he picks up the nian gao with wooden chopsticks, munching the soft treat as you poured a cup of tea to match the snack. "The other villages are asking me to patrol their parameters for a few days to at least clear some of them."

"There's been disturbances around here too," you worriedly chewed at your own snack as you two sat by the veranda of your home, watching the whole of the village from your spot over the cliff. This must be one of the reasons he liked staying here too, an easy access and overseer to the whole area for his duties.

Alatus hums in agreement but continues eating. The way he chews his meal was a telltale sign that there's a worry gnawing at the back of his head. And you had the same worry, except much lighter than his.

The growing tension between the Gods of Teyvat spurs on more turmoil at the news of Celestia's sudden challenge over the archons. And with such offers and desperation, powerless humans and villages had been wiped recently courtesy of the war.

It was a matter that didn't really bother him nor the village, but somehow it came back to him tenfold in multitudes of worry. He has a gut feeling. But Alatus cannot make himself turn away from the pleas of the people that call his name for saving grace.

"Come home soon," your smile snapped him back to reality upon knowing that he wouldn't just leave the other villages behind.

Yet when he left, there was still a gnawing anxiety at the bottom of his stomach.

Alatus for once... had lost his grace for in his hand his spear shakes in unspeakable fear. In front of him beyond the cliff's edge is the blazing ruins of a village he protected for years, day and night diligently. Monsters and men ravaged what's left and he tries to push away the guilt of ignoring them when he rushed immediately to his home.

To where his home should be.

"Alatus," the towering figure turned around to face him and his pupils dilated at the image, muscles flexing to dash when its hand raises in a motion to stop him, tutting mockingly at the warning. "Ah, ah, you wouldn't want them to die like this, would you?"

The being of pure evil had your unconscious form in its arms, a fight evident on your bruised and cut form as blood trickles from your forehead to the earth beneath. And on your head, the source of the wound, is a crown of thorns. He fights the urge to cry and vomit at the state you were in, at the state he could have prevented if he'd just STAYED.

"Please," his broken voice ghosted a smile on the God's face, "Please leave them alone."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Alatus' heart sinks at the refusal with his gaze unfocusing at the difference in power. "After all, they're the one I wanted in the first place, everyone else is just collateral damage."

From that point forward, to preserve the little life force you have, Alatus was under the grasp of the evil god. Under his command he razes the villages he once protected, eating the dreams of the humans that only wish to live in peace. His hands of grace grips his spear with the stains of blood as he kneels in front of the evil God, its name he didn't bother to remember anymore at this point.

It smirks at him while over its hand floats a cube only a few inches bigger. Your cell, where you're cooped up with only a glow of deep blue indicating your existence within it. When he misbehaves he hears cries of agony from it, when he does very satisfactory he even gets to hold it but only that.

The years of painful service had wiped off his smile and most of his memories. Alatus had already forgotten your voice and your face at this point, only the humans and beings he had killed comes to his memories.

Soon after, he has only known the cube to hold something dear to him, a weakness that is a precious one he could not risk. When he tries to remember, he's reminded of a vague visage and a sweet taste on his tongue. If he could cry now he would. It was one of the only good things in his mind now even tho its details continue to ebb away with his horrific deeds.

And finally, like a light that shines through the canopy of the overhead trees, a being mighty enough to contend his evil master comes down to end his suffering.

Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon, the one the evil god desperately tries to overthrow died in his hands.

It is done, all of it. No more innocent blood should stain his hands. "The cube this god possessed is a cell." What should he do now? There was no other place to come back to, maybe the You that resides in the cube had any ideas, to start over. That sounds like a good idea.

"Alatus, was it?" His head slowly picks up from the blank stare it had on the ground.

"Yes, Rex Lapis?"

"Do you know of the one who resides within this cube?" There was a hesitance in Rex Lapis' voice that passed through him.

"They are someone that I know."

"It seems... that human... has perished 200 years ago in this cell."

Alatus, like that last day in a ruined village, had lost his grace when he collapses to the ground. His weakness and his hope both gone.

Seems to me my writing has been short lately

@moaa @dandelion-dreams @witchsungie @lehra @zelos-simp @legionqueensav @snackgod @rxsalinee @cala-ran @wind-wheel @lilydewi22 @yellowflowre @traveler-lumine @nonniechan @kookieyachi @struggljng @bunniesrorange @anormalguyreader

#genshin impact #Xiao #genshin impact x reader #Xiao x reader #exile.flower #sojourner specials #Angst #gender neutral #for the first time I am sorry #genshin impact oneshot #welcome home Xiao :))

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sparkling-moonbeam · 3 years

Text

Xiao x Reader (Genshin Impact) 🍀A Subject🍀

A/N: It’s been a while since I posted something so here’s a Xiao one. Sorry, it took a while but I’ll try me best to write more since vacation is now here. Reader is gender-neutral. Hope you enjoy reading!

🍀💐🍀🍀💐🍀🍀💐🍀🍀💐🍀🍀💐🍀🍀💐🍀🍀💐🍀🍀💐🍀🍀💐

Black smokes and a pair of golden eyes. It’s the first thing that caught your eye as you arrived in the rooftop of the Wangshu Inn, a place that the traveler recommended on you as you told them you’re planning to go to Liyue, looking for a subject to sketch. The traveler warned you on the dangers you might encounter, making sure to remind you to call a friend of theirs in times of great danger and when you try to questioned it:

“He knows what to do. He’s an adeptus, a protector of Liyue,” they stated.

“Like a Knight of Favonious?” you questioned.

“You can say that…except the fact he works directly for their archon and really held great responsibility for the duties that the Geo archon laid upon him,” they explained further. “Oh and, please don’t forget to call him in case of danger. His name is-”

“Xiao.”

You uttered, staring into his golden eyes. You notice the black smokes surrounding him, you don’t know if it’s the effect of the teleportation he used or something else. You also take note of the spear he’s holding, the color same with the tips of his upfront hair. The once peaceful feeling on the terrace suddenly disappearing as the intense tension in the air completely evaporated it.

“How do you know my name?” He questioned, eyes squinting in suspicion. “You don’t seem like a citizen here. State your business.”

You blinked, “I-I’m from Mondstadt, I’m a friend of the traveler that-”

“The traveler, you say?”

As soon as he heard that, his whole demeanor changed. The black smokes slowly disappearing into thin air, clearing the whole tension that build up earlier. His grip on the spear relaxing a bit as he continues to inspect you.

“Did they send you here?”

His eyes remained looking at you carefully, maybe taking notes of your actions and what you might be up to. If not for mentioning the traveler, you might be in great danger now. Thank the Archons, the traveler warned you and lend you their knowledge for this trip.

“Not…exactly.” You answered, smiling slightly as you try to explain your reason. “You see, I came here because I need a new subject-”

“For what?”

“…Sketching an art. The traveler just assisted me on the things I should know before going here. They told me about you and to call you if ever I face something..really dangerous?”

He didn’t move an inch after your explanation. His lips remained in a straight line as he stared at you, processing your words before flipping his spear into the air which quickly disappeared in a blink. The movement making you flinch a little.

“The traveler’s right. In any case that you face something dangerous ahead, call my name. I’ll take care of it.”

He turned his back at you, looking at the view on the terrace as if scrutinizing every place around the inn. You watched as the wind blew, his hair dancing with it as the leaves on the tree fell into the terrace. You gently tiptoed to the side, not really going near him as it might put you in a bad situation. The sun reflecting half of his face add effects on what you were witnessing just right now. His gold eyes looking seriously but also faraway. You notice how the tips of his hair and his eyes seems to glow, you thought it might be because of the shade of the tree and the sun. His pale lips never moving an inch, remaining still like before.

You were too busy taking notes of everything you’re seeing. It’s perfect, way too perfect, in all honestly. The timing, the lighting and him, it’s pretty. A beautiful sight that you’re actually witnessing right now. A smile escaped your lips as you were taken in by the view. Fascinating.

“What are you still doing here?”

You blinked as he took a glance at you. All of your thoughts moving away for a second. Your smile turning into an awkward one as you thought he caught you looking too intensely at him.

“N-Nothing.” You tried to laugh, fixing your gaze into his gold orbs. “I just…really wanted to stay for a while. I mean, the scenery here is breathe taking like really breathe taking.”

He blinked slightly, confusion filling his eyes as he continued to look at you. You’re being weird in his eyes; your actions are too baffling for him. “You should go somewhere. Liyue has more places to offer with breath taking views. Don’t come near me as it might bring you in danger.”

Your head tilted in confusion, looking at him with a blank stare. “I don’t get it.”

“What?”

“I mean, you told me to call you whenever there’s danger and yet you threat yourself as a danger too. Aren’t you the protector of this city, Liyue?”

He scoffed. “You know there’s different kind of protectors, right?”

“Oh, so you mean like a vigilant or something. You’re like that?” you questioned; your voice fills with curiosity.

“Yes. Now, stay away-”

“But still, you’re just doing your duty right?” You cut him off unexpectedly. “Regardless of how evil or dangerous your actions are in your eyes, at the end of the day, it’s for the safety of the people here.”

He looked away, “You don’t get it, it’s much more complicated than that.”

You smiled, sitting down as you grab your sketching materials from your bag. “Can you explain it to me then?”

He sighed, “It’s something hard to-”

He stopped as soon as he saw you sitting down, a brush and a piece of paper in front of you as you were surrounded by brushes. At first, he was confused at what you were doing then it hits him.

“Are you secretly just keeping me distracted by talking to me?”

You hummed, glancing at him. “Not really, I’m curious too but I won’t pass any opportunity to sketch something…remarkable.”

“You’re wasting your time. Like what I said, there’s a whole lot of places than-”

“Say, can I…interest you into something?”

He looked at you in confusion. His eyes eyeing your brushes and other materials on the floor. You’re cutting his words, usually it was him that always cut someone off. It’s amusing, he thought but you’re being bizarre on your actions as time goes by. It’s not unusual for him to find a really determined and hard-headed mortals and you give off the same aura, except that you’re not begging him to give you wealth or something.

“Hello?” He snapped to reality as he heard your voice. You smiled as his eyes meet yours. “Are you okay?”

He closed his eyes; you should be no exception still. A mere mortal like you can’t get close too much to him or you’ll suffer, sooner and later.

“Get all of your stuff and leave.”

You lean back to the railings of the terrace, a sad smile forming your lips as you sighed. “Don’t I really stand a chance?”

“I told you, no.”

“Even if you’re the subject?”

His eyebrows knitted. “What? Do you really think that would make a difference?”

You chuckled. “Look, I’m trying. I’m not a good persuader like the traveler.”

He sighed, “You’re hopeless.”

A laughter escaped your lips on his remark. He looked at you as you laugh. He was never one for jokes, that meant to be an insult, he thought. Why are you laughing so light-heartedly? He wanted to ask you but you seem like you’re really having your time laughing and for some reason, he don’t want to disturb you. It’s the first time someone laughed at his comment with no any sign of malicious intent or hurt.

“Alright, I’m fine.” You fix yourself, fixing your throat for a second to stop yourself from laughing. “But seriously, don’t you wanted to see yourself in-”

“I’m not interested. A common behaviour of mortals like you was to always look for something priceable. I assumed you’re just going to sell it in high price anyway.”

You gasped in exaggeration, clutching your heart in a jokingly manner as you look at him. “That’s a very harmful stereotype to the people out there!”

“It was a normal act for mortals,” he deadpanned.

You hummed, “I mean, you’re not entirely wrong…”

“Because it’s what they are.”

You looked at the sky, thinking about what he said. “Say, do you have some deep grudge against these mortals?”

“Don’t call them like you’re not a part of them,” he stated.

You pouted. “I’m just asking.”

“Stop asking then.”

A sigh escaped your lips. “I don’t really sell some of my works, I only sell paintings or sketches of sceneries. It’s different when it’s personal.”

“Personal?”

“Something that really caught my eye, you know. Like what they said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Whenever I see those moments, I keep them or sometimes I gave them to the people I shared the memories with. So…”

You looked at him, a warm smile on your lips. “I’ll give it to you once I’m done.”

He turned to you with a puzzled look, “What benefit is there for you then?”

“Connection with different people.”

“You should get close too much-”

“I know. Just let me sketch you and the scenery, then we’re finished,” you stated.

“Will you keep-”

“It’s a deal. I will keep those words.”

He looked at you intently as he tried to decipher your mind but no matter how he tried to looked at you, his curiosity just eats him more. You’re a weird one, he wanted to tell you but instead he kept it in his mind. He has a feeling you’ll just laugh again anyways.

He looked away. “Fine, just do it quickly.”

You cheered before picking up your brush again. “If I do it quickly, I won’t caught it perfectly.”

“You’re the one who wanted this,” he stated.

You pursed your lips. “It’s not my fault if I found my subject earlier than I anticipated.”

He glanced at you for a second before returning his gaze to the scenery ahead of him. He took note of the orange hue of the sky and the cold breeze of the wind. He closed his eyes as a thought entered his mind.

Maybe he can let this one slide.

#xiao x reader #xiao x y/n #xiao x you #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #xiao #vigilant yaksha #genshin impact adeptus #adeptus xiao #genshin xiao #genshin impact scenarios

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crit20art · 3 years

Text

fuck it. jmart kid fic preview

Somewhere Else, 2027

The walk between work and home is always longer going than it is coming. Maybe it’s the fatigue. Maybe it’s some subtle undulation of space. There are things like that here, shimmering at the edges of Jon’s perception, dewdrop-spangled webs catching stray slips of this reality’s sunlight. They aren’t Hilltop tears, just threadbare stretches, places where this world rubs up against the next. Made it a prime candidate for the invasion of Fear, Jon supposes.

The thought sends a shudder through the tension of his upper back, and his jaw clenches, and-- fuck, he’s bitten the goddamn cigarette in half. “Blast it,” he hisses, and spits unceremoniously into the street. He gets a look from a passerby, and has to swallow back the urge to return a much eviler eye.

He lights up as soon as he gets home. Leans out the window on his aching elbows, closes his eyes, and lets the smoke roll through him. The nicotine glitters around the crown of his skull, stimulating neural pathways that don’t get much exercise outside of this ritual. What did he used to do to feel alive?

Live, probably.

He’s just tipping a second cig into his palm when knocking begins to resound through his flat. He stands straight and frowns at the dead-bolted door. While he (understandably, he thinks) has some unpleasant associations with knocking, this is not the ominous sort that he might have once feared; it’s light and fast and won’t give it a rest. Monsters have more restraint than that, he thinks. Probably some kid harassing him.

Grumbling like the old man he’s quickly becoming, he grabs his cane and snaps, “Alright, alright,” as he approaches the door. The knocking falters. He opens the door.

His own eyes blink back at him.

Jon drops his cane. It clatters to his faux-wood floor. He’s swaying, then; he goes proper dizzy, and only snaps back to full lucidity when his shoulder crumples into the door frame. He leans there, mouth agape, and blinks stupidly as the child on his doorstep stoops to pick up his cane. She holds it out to him. He stares at her.

She’s tall for her age. (Nine, he knows without Knowing.) Her warm brown cheeks are still soft with baby fat, and freckles crowd her nose. Wild hair wreaths her head and shoulders, controlled only by glittery barrettes tucked into the curly black jungle.

“Uh hi,” she says, and then she smiles. It’s a smile he knows better than his own, captured somehow on this child’s lips. Jon’s knees waver.

“Holy fuck,” he says.

Her smile falls, and she scrunches her nose at him. The gesture is so familiar that Jon thinks he might pass out.

“Uh--” Jon tries to stand upright, but he just staggers and sinks back against the door jamb. “You-- How-- you’re--”

“Are you gonna fall down?” she asks.

“A-almost certainly,” says Jon. She stretches her arm and shakes it a bit, bringing his attention to the cane she’s still offering him. Finally, he makes himself take it. “You’re. I, uh. Um.”

“I’m Aamal,” she says.

Ah. There it is. Jon’s knees give.

He slumps to the floor, startling the child’s brown eyes saucer-large. Before she can react further, Jon gasps, “How- h-how are you here?”

“I followed the black ribbons,” she says.

Flashes of magnetic tape tangle across Jon’s memory, as clear to him today as they were nine years ago, when the noose of them cinched tight around everything he loved.

“They… ah. Right.” Jon lifts a shaking hand to his face, as if touching something real will steady him, and stares at his guest. His--

His daughter.

“Yes, um,” he whispers, shaking, “H-hello… Aamal.” Her name feels small and sacred on his tongue, fragile as a dissolving wafer. How unworthy he is, to say it. “You’re, uh. Y-you’re- you’re here.” His hand skitters up through his hair, displacing combed-back licks of grey over his forehead. “H-how- how- how did you find me?”

And Aamal says, very matter-of-factly, “I saw you in my dream.”

Jon inhales so sharply that he almost chokes. “Your--?”

“My dream,” Aamal confirms, and bounces on her heels. “I have it every night. I thought it was a bad dream at first, because it was so scary? Like, the world was angry and hungry and I knew it wanted to eat me up while the sky watched. But then I realised that wasn’t gonna happen, because my daddies were there with me, and they’d keep me safe.”

Jon covers his mouth again. Teardrops slip over his fingers.

“You are my daddy, right?” Aamal asks, her cheeriness shrinking to something timid, little hands fluttering together nervously. “That’s how it felt in the dreams.”

“Uh- y-yes? I-- yeah. Yeah.” Fingertips still trembling against his lips, it occurs distantly to Jon that it’s probably time for him to pull himself together and try to offer some kind of comfort to the child who, regardless of whatever uncertainties surround her, has definitely hopped dimensions to be here. Gritting his teeth, he gets his cane under him and forces himself to slide back up the doorframe, then takes a few moments to catch his breath.

“Yes,” he says, finally, when he knows the words will come out steadily. “I, uh. I-I’m your father. My name is, uh, it’s Jon. Jonathan Sims. Um. You can- just- you can call me that.”

“Okay, That.” Aamal grins very widely and looks at him with expectant eyes.

“Oh,” says Jon, after an embarrassingly long pause. “Ha. Yes, uh. Call me ‘That,’ right. Um.” He takes a deep breath, and it punches back out of him in a nervous, awkward chuckle that would make most adults uncomfortable. Aamal just beams, and seems proud to have got a laugh out of him. “Well- no sense having this discussion in the hall, is there? Uh, do- do come in.” He stands aside and gestures at the dim, sparse interior of his flat. He does not blame Aamal for the hesitation that precedes her entering. Reflexively, Jon leans out into the hall and squints one way, then the other. Satisfied, at least, that no one is lying in wait, he shuts and bolts the door.

He turns, and finds for the first time since he signed for this flat that he is not alone in it. His daughter stands in the middle of his thrifted rug, her hands buried in the pockets of her dungarees and her freckles pinched together by her scrunched nose.

She’s here. She’s right here.

“It stinks in here,” she says.

Jon laughs. It’s hoarse and stale, bitten back the moment he realises how wrong it sounds. He clears his throat. “Yes, ah. Smoking’s a nasty habit.” He glances at the pack of cigarettes abandoned on his windowsill, and feels an odd twinge of guilt in his longing for a puff to steady himself. He looks back at Aamal, who has begun to make a circle of the room, touching his shelves, poking at the clutter that always builds up despite his best efforts.

“Um,” says Jon. Aamal doesn’t look at him. She’s shuffling through his books, the little divot between her brows settling deeper as she considers each second-hand paperback.

Jon clears his throat. “Do you, uh, like to read?”

Aamal turns her frown on him, mouth a squiggle of confusion. “Did you cut out all the eyes?”

Ah.

“I, uh. Well- uh.” He picks at the ragged grip of his cane. “That’s-- it- it hardly matters right now,” he manages, exhaling raggedly. Aamal opens her mouth, but he seizes what momentum he’s collected and asks, “Are you here alone? Where’s- do you still know Georgie and Melanie?”

Aamal forgets the books instantly, her face lighting up at the names. “You know Mummy and Mellie?”

“Mum- and--? Oh! Oh, they.” His throat feels like it might close up. “They raised you, then.”

“Yeah, they’re my mums.” Aamal wanders past Jon and drops onto his couch, gasping a squeak when the cushion sinks lower than she was apparently expecting. She wriggles for a moment as if trying to get comfortable. “Do you have any snacks?”

Whiplash-stricken, Jon flounders for a few moments before saying, “Maybe?”

Aamal’s brow drops like she doesn’t find that very promising, but she hops up from the couch and makes a beeline for his tiny kitchen. She’s sticking her head into his fridge before he plucks up enough lucidity to follow her.

“Do you like, ah--” What do kids like? What did he like as a kid? “Uh, how about a sandwich?”

“Sure,” says Aamal. She pulls her preferred makings, then rests her elbows on the counter and her chin in her hands, and watches Jon assemble. A long-lost hope flutters at the edge of Jon’s memory, a future he’d once imagined: a little face looking up at him, a meal to be prepared, a solid presence at his side, stolen kisses that might make their daughter stick out her tongue and make gross-out noises in the way of children too young to know how rare and precious it is for their parents to love each other so easily.

“Does your hand hurt?” Aamal asks.

Jon comes back to himself. He blinks down at his hands; habitually, he’s only using the one, letting the other rest half-curled on the counter. “Ah. No, n-not today.”

Aamal stares for a moment, then draws a sharp breath and looks Jon in the eye. “Sorry!”

Jon lifts a brow. “What? Why?”

“It’s rude to ask about scars,” Aamal informs him, and something in her intonation sounds so like Georgie that it twists up Jon’s stomach in an odd amalgamation of fondness and loss.

“Ah- well, as a general rule, maybe. But it’s alright.” He clears his throat, then stretches his burned hand with a small wince at its stiffness. Aamal watches his shaky fingers unfurl, and her eyes are intent, and maybe he’s imagining it, but… there’s a kindness there, he thinks. He tries not to think of other kind brown eyes, of other gazes falling so gently on his scars. “It hurts less than it used to,” he says softly. “I’ve had it since… lord, about a year before you were born, actually. Eleven months, almost to the day.”

At that, Aamal’s eyes grow wide. “Oh! Did you have me? Like, when I was born?”

“Oh! Uh, n-no, that wasn’t me.” Jon pulls his hand back, feeling very suddenly out of his depth. “Your, uh- did Geo-- did your mums tell you about that?”

“Yeah. They told me that before they adopted me, my parents were two boys, but I wasn’t confused or anything. I know all about genders,” she says, with all the confidence of a tenured professor. Then she looks around, as if suddenly noticing an absence. “Wait, where’s my other daddy?” She turns back to Jon, and he’s struck by the worst urge to look away. “Will he be back soon?”

Jon meets her hopeful eyes, and for the first time in years, actually feels the wound yawning wide in his chest, deeper and bloodier than the scar through his heart has ever been.

“No,” he says, very softly. Aamal’s face falls, her brows drawn in question. Jon can’t look at her. He stares at his good hand, knuckles yellowed by his grip on the edge of the counter.

“He, uh.” He swallows. It goes down like rocks. “He’s not coming back.”

“Why?” Her voice is high, pinched with a note of anger. Unbidden, Jon chokes out a small, miserable laugh.

She sounds just like Martin.

“Because,” he says, raw, both hands shaking now, “I messed up very, very badly.”

thanks for reading this lil preview!! i’m almost finished with ch 1 and planning to publish on ao3 next week. it’s gonna alternate between the present and the past, told through Jon’s POV post-200, and Martin’s POV throughout season 4/5.

#tma fic #jonmartin #jonmartin fic #the magnus archives fic #tma #the magnus archives #i promise i'm not abandoning my gbbo fic (or my zukka one for that matter) i'm just fucking possessed by this idea #trying to write other stuff has been torment and. yknow fanfiction is supposed to be fun so. i'm switching active projects lmao

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minnievirizarry · 6 years

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How to Use Snapchat: A Pro Guide for Marketers

With 187 million active daily users and an average use time of 30 minutes per user, you can bet that Snapchat is a good platform for your business to be active.

Millennials, in particular, the younger ones, love Snapchat. A recent survey found that 78% of high school students use the app daily.

What’s more, Facebook is likely to lose around 2 million active users under age 25 in 2018, while Snapchat will pick up around 2 million users under age 25.

There’s no denying it’s a growing platform, but it’s not really the go-to for most business owners as 25+ year-olds are conditioned to Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn—especially when it comes to promoting a business.

But, times are changing. Millennials’ share of spending power increases daily, and it’s important for brands to understand how to use Snapchat.

Getting Familiar With Snapchat

This section assumes that you’re a newbie to Snapchat (skip down to the business section if you’re familiar with the app). Here, we’re going to show you how to get started.

How to Create a Snapchat Account

First things first, you’ll need an account. To get started with Snapchat, download the app.

Then, create an account.

Using Snapchat

This short video explains how to get started using Snapchat.

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Get to Know Snapchat’s Home Screen

Snapchat’s home screen is really just a camera screen with a few other options. Check out the image and descriptions below to learn more.

The settings tab. From here, you can add friends, add your own Bitmoji, and more.

Flash setting. Tap the flash button to turn flash on or off.

Icon 3 is the selfie or regular photo toggle button. Tap it to toggle between your selfie camera or take a regular photo.

Your inbox. Tap here to view snaps and stories from your friends.

Icon 5 is the capture button. This button takes a picture or video. Tap to take a pic, press and hold to record video.

Icon 6 takes you to your Discover page.

Snapchat Vocabulary

Now that you have an understanding of how the app works, it’s also important to learn some Snapchat lingo. Here are some phrases you should get familiar with when you use Snapchat:

Snap

A snap is an image or video you create within the app and send to a friend. The term snap also refers to the images/videos that you receive in the app.

Snap is also commonly used to mean a chat message sent within the app.

One of the biggest differentiators between Snapchat and other social media applications is that snaps disappear a few seconds after being viewed.

To send a snap, open the camera/home screen. Tap the capture button to take a picture, or hold the capture button to record a video.

Next, make any edits you like, and then you’re ready to send. See the image and descriptions below to learn more about Snapchat editing.

Icon 1 allows you to add text overlay to an image.

Icon 2 allows you to draw on an image.

The 3rd icon allows you to add images and icons to your snap picture or video.

The scissors allow you to cut out any part of the image.

The paperclip icon allows you to add a URL link to the image.

The timer icon lets you adjust how many seconds your friends can view the image for (this is for pictures–not videos, as videos play for the length of the recording).

The arrow is the send button. You can choose to send to specific friends, a group, or share the snap in your story.

Icon 8 is a direct link to sharing your snap as part of your story.

Icon 9 is a download icon–in case you want to save the image to your phone’s camera roll.

If you don’t like the snap, just click the X to delete and take a new one.

The best way to learn how to use these features and get the most out of them is to get your hands dirty, just try them out.

Snapchat Story

A Snapchat story is a collection of photos/videos. When you decide to add a snap to your story, it’s shared with either all of your Snapchat followers or a certain few that you select.

Here’s how to make a story:

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Friends

Friends are people you’ve added on Snapchat. Friends can view your stories and any snaps you send to them. You can also view their stories and see any snaps they’ve sent to you.

Here’s how to add friends on Snapchat:

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Filter

Filters are decorative overlays that you can add to your pictures.

Geofilter

A Geofilter is a filter available in a certain location. For example, a vacation destination like Disney World, might have a special filter (see below).

Lens

Snapchat lenses are augmented reality (AR) filters that use animation, sound, or a combo of both. Lenses can be 2D or 3D (more on these later in the business section).

To use a Snapchat lens:

Press and hold on the face inside the frame that you want to add a lens to. You’ll see an icon swirling in the middle of the screen (see screenshot below) once Snapchat has detected the face or faces.

Swipe through the filter options (found beside the capture button) and take a photo or video using the capture button.

Memories

Memories allow Snapchat users to back up their snaps and stories to their camera roll. This comes in handy since snaps disappear once they’re viewed!

Chat

Snapchat has a text/chat feature. Like we mentioned, when people say, “I sent you a snap,” they could mean an image or video or they could be referring to a Snapchat chat message.

Snap Map

This feature allows you to share your location with your friends, and also see where your friends are. You can turn the feature off anytime (ghost mode) if you don’t want people to know your whereabouts.

Friends Page

The Friends page is where Snapchat collects all your friends that have recently shared stories and snaps. You can view the Friends page by swiping right from the home screen. Friends are located at the top of the page.

Discover Page

The discover page is a collection of your friends, publications you follow and other brands and influencers. Swipe left from the home screen to view your Discover page.

It won’t take you long to learn how to use Snapchat, especially if you’re an avid user of other social media platforms. Once you get the hang of it, it’s time to learn about how you can use Snapchat to grow your business and improve your brand awareness.

How Can Businesses Use Snapchat?

Snapchat offers a variety of business services including Ads, Geofilters, Lenses, and more. There are also a ton of demographics and audiences you can reach within the platform. Here are the primary ways to use Snapchat for business.

Snapchat Ads

Snap Ads are 10-second videos that drive users to a call-to-action, like an embedded link. Check out this list of Snapchat’s allowed CTAs.

Your photos and videos need to abide by certain specs in order to be approved for use on Snapchat. Here are some of Snapchat’s ad specs:

The recommended dimensions are 1080 x 1920.

Your aspect ratio is between 9:16 or 16:9.

The actual max file size is 1GB.

The accepted video formats include .MP4 and .MOV.

Your video length must be a minimum 15 seconds, but there is no max.

As we’ve learned, there is a lot you can do with Snapchat. But there are also certain things you should avoid when creating a Snapchat ad. Here’s a list of Snapchat’s restrictions, taken directly from their spec document.

Getting the Most of the Snapchat Ads Manager

When you’ve got your creative ready, whether video, gif, image, etc., you’re going to want to get super specific about who you target. Just like you would with any other ad platform.

There are hundreds of audience types on Snapchat. You can focus on reaching retailers, vegans, banks, etc.

Or, you could focus on a particular demographic, like young people in Austin, TX.

Just like other social media platforms, you can save your audiences. You can also create audience matches by uploading a customer list.

Or, you can use the lookalike feature to build an audience most similar to your best customers.

Pixel

If you’re familiar with Facebook Ads, then you understand how valuable a Pixel tool can be in you retargeting your audience.

A Pixel is a tool embedded in your website that collects information about the users that visit your site. So, with Snapchat’s Pixel embedded on the backend of your site, you’re able to collect information about the people that visit your website.

Then, use that collected info to retarget those people with a Snapchat Ad while they’re in the app. Retargeting significantly reduces cost-per-acquisition.

In fact, Hubble, a contact-lens subscription company, was able to decrease their cost per acquisition (CPA) by 82% by using a retargeting campaign with Snapchat Pixel embedded in their website.

Geofilters

This is a great tool for brick and mortar businesses or for those companies looking to advertise to users in a specific location.

With the use of Geo-positioning tech and beacons, Snapchat shows your ad or specific lens to an audience at a location that you’ve selected.

If you’re a Snapchatter–then you know that cities, beaches, and a lot of tourist destinations have their own Snapchat Geofilters.

Back in 2017, Snapchat made it super affordable for businesses to create their own Geofilters, with pricing starting at $5.99 and templates that are easily customized.

Many companies have used Geofilters successfully. For example, Netflix launched a Geofilter ad to promote the release of the new Gilmore Girls show. They printed a bunch of coffee cups with “Lukes” logo (a shop in the show) and added Geofilters for the shops where the cups would be distributed.

Lenses

Lenses are some of Snapchat’s most popular ads as they’re the ones with the AR (augmented reality) features. Lenses use facial recognition technology to put a user into the image shown, for example, allowing users to become Batman (an ad for the Batman Vs. Superman movie).

Another great example of Snapchat lenses in action is when Bacardi recently ran a lens ad that put users into a Major Lazer music video:

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Users love lenses, and they’re a great way to increase brand awareness as around 70 million people use lenses every day.

Snapchat created Lens Studio, a tool where businesses can create their own Snapchat AR experiences for users. Snapchat lenses see an average increase of 9% in sales.

With Lens Studio, business owners can use templates to create their own 2D or 3D filters, or create something custom with the help of Snapchat’s AR development partners.

Context Cards

In November 2017, Snapchat released a new feature, Context Cards. These are a great way to add a bit of extra info about your company to your ad and they’re also a great way to entice users to click on a link.

Lionsgate used the filter shown below for their movie, Wonder. They used Context Cards (seen at the bottom of the filter) to display movie times nearby, enticing users to click over for a ticket.

Deep Links

Deep links are links embedded in an app that take users into another app once the link is clicked.

For example, let’s say you’ve just created a new iPhone game. Your company could create a Snapchat Ad with an embedded deep link that directs Snapchatters to the App Store to download your game.

Etermax, a company that makes games like Trivia Crack, used Snapchat deep links for app-install ads and acquired users who are 25% more likely to play the game after a week compared to other platforms.

Their CPA was also 20% lower than other platforms like Facebook or Google.

Snapchat Discover Ads

Discover ads are Snapchat’s most expensive advertising option. As of February 2018, Discover Ads run around $50,000 per day. This ad type places your content at the top of user Discover pages and are usually reserved for big brands.

According to Snapchat, Cosmo (apparently a leading Discover ad buyer) gets over one million views per day via this ad type.

Publisher

Snapchat Publisher is where you create and edit your Snapchat ads. The process of getting started is fairly straightforward. Simply visit the site and sign up.

Once you’re logged in, you can click the top left manage ads button, and select create an ad.

Next, you can select between quick and easy or advanced ad creation.

Quick and easy is probably the best option if you’ve not got experience with Snapchat’s Ad Manager.

Once you’ve selected Quick & Easy, you can start to piece together a great ad with minimal experience.

Organic Growth on Snapchat

If you don’t want to spend money on marketing your business via ads, you can always start with growing your business organically on Snapchat.

Organic growth means you build up your follower base and rely on that following to add revenue to your business.

Here are some tips to build a Snapchat tribe for your business and gain followers organically.

Tell Good Stories

A good story goes a long way. Since the dawn of time, humans have gathered ’round fires to listen to a good story. Blogs build huge followings with stories and free information. And nowadays, more than ever, people are turning to video for stories.

A good business Snapchat probably doesn’t feature pics and videos from your offices all day. While that’s ok to do sometimes, eventually it’d probably get old.

Keep it exciting and refreshing. Share different photos that your teammates take. Or better yet, share your customer/client photos and videos. Maybe you’ll create news videos, sharing the latest and greatest happenings in your industry.

You could even create a contest around sharing videos like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that blew up on Facebook. Taco bell is another example of a brand that nailed storytelling on Snapchat with the first ever Snapchat film.

If your content is good, if there’s a story there, something exciting and fresh, people will follow.

Partner With Others

Are you connected with any Snapchat influencers? Or maybe another business with a big audience? There are ways you can co-market your business with the help of others who market to your same target demographic.

For example, you could partner up with another company to do an educational Snapchat story, where you both add relevant snaps to the story.

Be Consistent

If there’s a golden rule for building a following on social media—it’s consistency. Your snaps should occur on a consistent basis, i.e. once per day. Your snaps should also be consistent with your brand and image. For example, if you typically use relaxed language, don’t suddenly get stuffy and jargon-heavy.

Be Responsive

If you’ve got some fans that like to send you chat messages telling you how awesome your snaps are, thank them. If people reach out to you, try your best to be available if you want to make loyal fans out of ordinary followers. Give folks a shout out in your snaps or share something they’ve snapped.

In Conclusion

Snapchat has a pretty impressive repertoire of available advertising options – some suited for small businesses, and some best for Fortune 500s.

Whether you’re looking to grow your business via paid ads or gain some followers organically, Snapchat is definitely a platform to be active on as it’s growing rapidly.

Have you used Snapchat to build your business? What was your experience like?

This post How to Use Snapchat: A Pro Guide for Marketers originally appeared on Sprout Social.

from SM Tips By Minnie https://sproutsocial.com/insights/how-to-use-snapchat/

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