#another classic about a house eating its occupants
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Hunter's Prey Pt1: Slasher! Rob Lucci X Reader
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Sorry for only posting on Friday, i have been very tired this week but I've only got one exam left so I'll try not to post so late.
Warnings/Tags:
Modern AU
Mentions of killing people
Slight mention of violence
Stalking
Kidnapping
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Water Seven, a popular beach town known for its ship building it was a bustling town with many busy people living their daily lives, yet there was a dark shadow that loomed over that town...
The leopard. A feared killer on the loose known for hunting and killing his prey just like a leopard. He stalked his victims during the night when no one could see him and was gone in the morning the only thing left behind was the dead corpse, covered in claw marks and bruises around the throat...
Reader POV
I placed the cup of coffee down next to Paulie as he read the latest newspaper. I handed out the coffee's to the rest of the Galley La crew and handed the last one to Rob Lucci. I had been working at Galley La for over two years now and had gotten very close with everyone except for Lucci. He was always quiet and only spoke through his pet pigeon Hattori. Lucci was quite anti-social and only ever really talked to Paulie and from what I heard, even the he doesn't talk much and only let's the pigeon talk. He's so mysterious and kinda hot, I just wish I could get to know him more. After giving everyone their coffee I sat down next to Paulie as he sighed and closed the newspaper, "Another person found dead in their home..." He sighed as he read the article about the Leopard's latest kill. "And the police are doing nothing about it!" he said growled as he took a sip of his coffee. "Isn't Iceberg supposed to do something about it? He is the mayor after all." I asked, "Iceberg is trying to keep the town calm during the situation. But he's been hiring the best detectives in he country and still can't find anyone.." Paulie grumbled as he opened back up the newspaper and continued reading.
"And we don't know who this person even is?" I asked, "Nope, no sign of any DNA at any crime scene at all.." Paulie grumbled as he went through the paper. I just looked down and drank my coffee, who could this be? Why would you even want to do something like that? From what I know, the victims have nothing in common: different ages, different genders, different occupations.. It just doesn't make sense! I tried to stop thinking about it and just tried to enjoy my lunch, until I felt a pair of eyes burning a hole in the back of my head. I looked up to see Lucci staring at me, Hattori wasn't talking so I didn't understand why he was glaring at me, usually if someone was staring at me for no reason I would stare back until they were uncomfortable but, the way Lucci stared at me just made me feel... Scared...
He had his usual blank expression on his face but his eyes, they were intense. They were staring at me like I was a gazelle and he was a... Leopard.... No it can't be, Lucci can't be the killer going around town! Sure he's always quiet and no one really knows much about him but he's always just so, chill. He's never shown anger towards anyone, he's never gone quiet or said anything suspicious when we talk about the killer, it just couldn't be him! But why was he staring at me like this? Like he was going to eat me...
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After a long day of work I made my way home without getting drinks with anyone this time and collapsed at home exhausted. I put in a pre-made dinner in the microwave and just flopped in front of the couch as I ate. What to watch, what to watch.... News? No that's just depressing. Nature documentary? That's even more depressing.. Oh wait, a horror movie is playing! There's something more interesting. Ah the original Halloween, a classic, I decided to watch Halloween and eat my dinner in the dark. Around the part where Michael starts trying to get into Laurie's house I heard a crash, grabbing a baseball bat I got up and went to investigate. Thankfully it was just my neighbor, he's an old man with arthritis so he drops things a lot. Relaxing again I went back to the living room and put the bat down. I sat back down and continued to watch, or noticing the figure sitting next to me. Before I could react a pair of arms wrapped around my waist and pinned me to the couch. I just managed to grab my bat and swang, I managed to his the person in the face and they let me go. Still holding the bat, I grabbed my keys and ran to the front door. Swiftly unlocking it I opened the front door and was about to bolt, but the person grabbed me again, pulled me inside and shut the door and pinned me to it by my wrists. Now with some light I looked up at the figure.... Oh no....
"LUCCI!?" My mouth was quickly covered by Lucci's hand so he was now holding both of my hands above my head with only one hand, I wanted an explanation but instead of Hattori talking Lucci's mouth opened and he spoke himself, "Your fear is adorable~" Was all he said as he took his hand off my and around my throat, "Now don't scream or I'll rip your throat out..." He said quietly. Lucci, the man that never speaks and let's his pet pigeon speak for him can speak? Not only that but he broke into my house and is threatening me!? What's going on...? I simply nodded to his request and his grip on my throat relaxed but didn't move. "Lucci, what are you doing in my house? How did you even get in?" "I have my ways darling~" he said as he moved his index finger to caress my cheek, a sinister smile growing on his face. "Now, how shall I deal with you darling?~" He said as he squeezed my neck a little tighter, "Lucci please... We're.. We're friends right!? I always buy you your coffee, I always try to include you in after work stuff?" I pleaded but he didn't seem to waver. "Lucci, people are already suspecting you a lot... If you kill me then you'll just give people more reason to believe it's you. And you don't want to get caught right?" This made Lucci stop.
He kept gently squeezing my throat while he thought, then his sinister smile grew again, "You're right, I wouldn't anyone suspecting me now would we? But how do I make sure that you don't go talking about our little encounter now?" he said as he brought his face closer to mine. "Maybe I should just keep you until I know you won't speak~" "But if you kidnap me then they'll still be suspicious!" "I know, that's why you're not getting kidnapped but taking a vacation." Lucci said as he grabbed my phone from my pocket, he texted Iceberg that I would be taking some time off for personal reasons. He put my phone in his pocket then looked back at me, "Now let's get you back to my place where I can keep an eye on you." Before I could try and say anything else he held a rag against my nose and mouth and I almost instantly blacked out, the last thing I saw was Lucci's sinister grin as he still held me by the neck.
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2 days in Denmark
6/28 -Michael Karpon walk 8AM - was a Rickrec. it was slightly gimmicky but interesting. It was not a hard history tour, but did give insight into modern Danish culture with a sprinkling of HCA. I arranged to tour Rosenborg with him on Thursday which changed my plans. After that I wandered and grabbed another durum (ate half) and planned day.
Walked north to Amalienborg , the royal mansions. A square of 4 royal mansions 3 of which are actively inhabited by the royal family. The tour takes you through one mansion with about 6 rooms reconstructed and preserved in the state at which the royal died. The royal jewelry is completely on display with pieces that are being used by the Queen marked in their place. The whole kabinett is oddly homey - hyggelig - The concept of coziness is crucial and interesting to the Danes. They live in a post-consumer, welfare state, so creating a homey, cozy space to inhabit is a cultural virtue. Its a concept similar to the xenia but closer to fellowship and wellbeing than to hospitality. It makes all the sense then that Danish design and furniture is so thoughtful.
Then stopped at Kastellet, a small super-local upscale spot where two families were happily chatting away over their herring and champagne..where I got my first smorrebrod, small toasts with herring, seafood, or meat. Pan fried herring with tarragon mustard, dill, capers, pickled onions and horseradish and a stirred beef tartare with horseradish, egg, and small fried potato slivers. The bread platform is super dense, and I think butter toasted. They recommend eating with beer and schnapps. It was good. Not life changing. Arguably a Durum is more delicious, in a gutter sort of way.
Then the danish resistance museum- an interesting AV narrative museum where you follow the story of 4 real people who lived through the Nazi occupation, a wife/mother, a med student-turned resistance fighter, a Danish Nazi, and a Danish Jew. From there, I walked south to Nyhavn - the colorful classic Copenhagen wharf, then around to the center of power, the Berser (stock exchange) and Christiansborg (the Capital), and then to the small-but-engaging modern, Copenhagen art collection housed in a tower attached to a church.
Very interesting how the worldly and secular are deliberately linked - physically linked to Christian concepts. A modern art museum inside an active 16th century kirke. The horizon brought me then to Christianshavn and the tower. A massive spiral church structure on the island of Christianhavn that affords panoramic views of, well, everything, including the skyline of Malmo - then back to Nyhavn and my hostel.
For dinner I trecked back to the anarchy of Christiania for a delicious cut of venison and a house brewed mead. After, I made my way to the more colorful areas until I was ready to walk back to hostel. Christiania is a cross between L5P, Amsterdam, a Montessori school, and Planet X. I watched the local fauna engage in a cat and mouse game revolving around selling hash to well healed or rough shod locals and avoiding the police, who clearly announce their whereabouts, while everyone scatters. It's an elaborate farce but a harmless one. Every single person I met was kind, interested, and happily bedraggled.
6/29 - I moved my outing day forward to take advantage of a guided tour through Rosenborg w Karpen. SO after deliberation, I decided to loop Fredericksborg (the 17th century palace) and Kronborg (the Medieval fortified castle). Fburg was fascinating but overwhelming and lacked a coherent narrative to engage the mind, altho it did impart a true sense of 16th century splendor. Completely famished by 12:30, not having had a repast of any sort, I found a small kababeria/pizzaria where they were making the dough fresh and then baking it immediately before wrapping the durum. It was insanely good - home cooked - delicious. I ate it in the square with a Tuborg then caught on bus toAfter, to Helsingor to see Kronborg - of Hamlet fame. Kronborg felt truly Nordic and the "casements" *read* oubliettes were evocatively dank and immiserating. Finally, I trained to Louisiana Museet - which was HO HUM. Beautiful place, but the first time Rick REALLY oversold a spot - not worth the treck at all. It was a sleepy hike through a Morningside neighborhood with nice, little, verdurous parks and thoughtfully installed sculptures. It was lovely. The Museet was pleasant but unremarkable.
Thoughts: smorrebrod is overrated, Doner/Durum is underrated. The Danes are the only foreign people I have felt an affinity with. They behave and react and seem to view the world the way I do. This is not to say that I do not like or identify with folks of other nationalities. When I’m in Ireland, or Italy, or Britain, I feel like a foreigner. Here I really feel very similar to the people. The Jokes are easier, the humor hits, the conversations are more natural. It’s odd and interesting.
Back to Hostel and on to Kadeau.
Enterring Kadeau I was greeted before on the sidewalk and was lead to a sitting room. Attended like a science-fictional Barron. The meal was interesting varied and worth it.
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date headcanons? as in like where the slashers would take u for a date/what takes place? idk how to word this i’m sorry😭😭😭
AN: I gotcha, no worries.
Warnings: Cursing, mention of weed, cigarettes, and alcohol, mentions of NSFW but nothing acted on, not really proofread
Wordcount: 2256 words
(Just a reminder that I usually write for RZ Michael unless requested otherwise.)
🕷⛧🕸🕷⛧🕸🕷⛧🕸🕷⛧🕸🕷⛧🕸🕷⛧🕸🕷⛧🕸🕷⛧🕸
Michael Myers
Okay, so, Michael hates going out.
He'd rather stay in, watch a splatter movie, stuff like that.
Outside is an enemy, he has to be someone else out there to not get caught and he hates it.
What he secretly loves is when you just cook for him and you both eat outside on the porch. Even better if autumn's just approaching and it's just warm enough to sit out there without freezing. And even if you freeze, Michael will gladly wrap his arms around you if it means staying out here a bit longer. It feels like a temporary escape. From himself, from this world and he treasures these times like nothing else.
If you don't have time or motivation to cook, that's fine. He'll get take-out from one of these greasy fucking shops downtown and then you two can watch a horror movie and relax.
Most of the time, his "dates" happen in the most unholy times ever. Be prepared to wake up to pizza at 3 am.
Michael gives me such weird metal-head stoner vibes and I'm here for it.
Vincent Sinclair
Vincent wants to be romantic so, so bad. I mean look at him. Vincent is the definition of a simp and I love him so much for that.
He hates himself for not being able to go out with you.
He works really, really hard to make it up to you.
His favorite type of dates are going out late in the night, stars sparkling on the warm summer sky over Ambrose. He'll take a blanket with you, one of Bo's, scratchy and itching your soft skin but you couldn't care less. It's him, you know.
You'll lay there, maybe with a few cigarettes, snacks, red wine, whatever you want, enjoying how silent, how ethereal it is. Maybe he'll draw you, maybe he won't. Sometimes you wish he would, just to feel his fingers ghost over your skin, shaping your body with his hands. They're so cold, making you shiver but his touch is smooth and tender like always and it just fits so perfectly to the ambiance, to the tranquility, it makes your heart swell with love for your boy.
On other days, he tries to cook for you which most of the time, fails horribly. But hey, it's the thought that counts. The candles and classical music are still a delight, even if you're eating microwaved left-overs with the smell of burned food lingering in the air.
Bo Sinclair
Bo really wants to be a gentleman but most of the time, he fails at being one.
Even though he hates the outside world and its people, he does enjoy taking you out.
I can see Bo going to one of these steak houses whose names already sound greasy. I hate it, wow.
Anyway, dinner is always something he enjoys. It's relaxing and he can spoil you.
Another thing you wouldn't expect from him are amusement parks. He hides it a lot, but Bo loves being a little child again, just running around and having fun. Amusement parks are one way to do that.
He'll buy you candy that'll make you sick but none of you cares as you rush through the crowds, hand gripping onto his sleeve as you tug him to one of the bigger rides, a childish grin on display. Bo can't help but laugh, the charming sound making him look 10 years younger as he forgets about his struggles for a while, occup[ied by your smile, your hand in his.
Lester Sinclair
Okay, Lester's dates are top tier.
They're quiet, sure, and most of them are completely improvised but he's so sweet and adorable, you can't help but adore them.
He'll plan a picnic at one of the lakes around Ambrose. Jonesy with you in the car, he'll blast that horrible country music and sing to you, voice all wrong and out of tune but he's grinning anyway because he can already see you giggle at his performance.
During the picnic, Jonesy keeps trying to steal food and Lester gets adorably annoyed at it. He tries to catch her, maybe leave her in the car while you're eating but she just runs away and it ends with the dog pushing him into the lake.
Thankfully, there's a blanket in the car and so you wrap it around him, cuddling up to your favorite trash boy to warm him up. He's grumbling under his breath but you can't help the chuckles escaping your lips. You stay there for a while, enjoying the warmth and the fuzzy feelings inside each other's bodies.
Baby Firefly
Baby surprisingly doesn't have any experience with dates.
She usually met people in bars downtown, greasy, dirty, dim-lit places. Approaches often led to quickies in stained bathrooms, encounters leaving her satisfied yet filthy, it was enough to please the lust, the adventurous lifestyle inside of her.
With you, she tries her best to change that. Not everything happening between the two of you is adventurous, it's intimate, it's even romantic sometimes. She wants to accentuate that, show you that you're different from the one-night-stands, the people she met before you entered her life.
She loves cute little dates. Doing your makeup and taking you out for example. Maybe you could visit the new coffee shop that opened down in the city? Go eat ice cream? Maybe have a walk in the park?
She's very traditional when it comes to dates but it's Baby, you know. She always manages to make even the most normal things a special event.
Otis Driftwood
Otis hates every single thing that could be considered normal. Dates are one of those things. His mission is to make something original, create something fun for both of you yet doesn't remind him of the cursed society around him, the masses of people he hates so much.
His favorite thing to do with you is something creative and chill. Maybe share a blunt, paint something, if you're down for that, even with blood.
Or drive around in his filthy truck that smells like cigarettes and vomit but it's alright because he is there, joking around while he threatens to drive the car off the road. You'll stop at your favorite liquor store, ready to just fuck around for a few hours, forget all about responsibility and problems.
He'll take that to his grave but he loves your chuckles, your laugh, the bright, blinding grin you send his way. It makes him dizzy from all the fuzzy feelings inside his chest, he swears he won't ever allow himself to lose you.
Billy Loomis
I imagine a lot of people think Billy is a very classic person when it comes to dates. He's really not.
Billy is a giant nerd. I don't think people really pick up on that. In the movies, his entire personality rotates around the horror movies he's watched.
Therefore, his favorite date would be a movie marathon. While horror is his favorite genre, everything is fine as long as it's not romance. He can't take that.
He'll get snacks, some drinks and oh, he'll be so giddy, so excited to talk about all his favorite actors, his favorite scenes. He's that one person that stops the movie to explain a special scene to you.
The whole excitement makes him tired too, so the marathon will likely end with him falling asleep in your lap, face scrunched up in delight. Too obsessed with his adorable state, you often fall asleep in a more or less terribly uncomfortable position, that leaves your neck hurting for days after the date.
To make it up to you, he makes pancakes to wake you up. Walking towards you, he rips you from your dreams with a kiss that tastes like maple syrup and mouthwash, his unshaved cheek scratching yours as he smiles into your skin.
Stu Macher
Stu has a pretty playful personality.
Therefore, it's not much of a surprise that his favorite kind of dates are spontaneous ones, that kind where you just drive away, with no idea where you're going, feeling excited and free, like two teenage runaways.
You never know where you'll end up.
Sometimes it's in another state, sometimes it's in some kind of underground bar. There have been times where you nearly got into trouble, situations where your feelings threatened to overspill, fear and aggression taking over but Stu's always there to calm them, make them seem like weak little problems that you shouldn't care about. Even after nearly being shot because you witnessed something you shouldn't have, Stu succeeds in making it better with his adorable grin and his adorable laugh.
Thomas Hewitt
Thomas is a virgin when it comes to dates. How can you blame him? Poor boy hasn't interacted with anyone but his family and victims in over ten years.
He's happy to be in your presence, doesn't matter where it is or what you're doing.
Thomas doesn't have the time nor the interest in doing something that's super adventurous and spontaneous. He enjoys sweet little dates, cute and adorable events that leave you both with delight and warmth.
Picnics are something he often surprises you with. He might not be the best cook but Luda often helps him organize the food and drinks so he can focus on choosing a place.
Finally being there he just enjoys leaning back, finally relaxing from his rather stressful schedule. He won't ask for it but if you start cuddling up to him, he'll just melt into your touch. Thomas adores your touches, your fingers against his cheek as he gazes into your eyes.
Josef
Josef is a very outdoorsy person. Hiking, swimming, crafting things outside, just makes him happy.
Even if you're not a very sporty person, he'll manage to drag you outside. Most of the time, it'll be super spontaneous too.
Still, his favorite dates are the ones at night. A blanket beneath your bodies, pressed against each other to save warmth while you gaze up at the stars, astonished at the brightness and number. Josef's hands will softly intertwine with yours, big rough fingers encasing yours as he softly looks at you, stars long forgotten over your pretty side profile.
Another great thing to do is cooking for you. Josef loves cooking and he loves it even more if he can do it for you.
He'll turn on your favorite songs and hum the familiar melodies as he dances around the kitchen, long hair in a bun. You're sitting at the counter, smiling at his movements. Every now and then he walks up to you, holding a spoon up to your mouth, feeding you a small sample of his cooking which always manages to surprise you.
Amanda Young
Amanda likes to pretend that she hates dates. Which is a lie. She really doesn't hate them.
Though her schedule is pretty tight, meaning she rarely has time to offer, time she could spend with you.
When she does, she always tries to make it special. She'll give you gifts, something you talked about a week or two ago, maybe a few of your favorite snacks on top of that.
Amanda cooks for you, surprisingly well at that, she even lights candles and puts on your favorite music.
After dinner, she draws you a bath and even though she keeps reminding you that this is about you, you manage to get her to join you inside of the hot water. She isn't really difficult to manipulate, considering your body is so close, so warm, and only a few meters away.
If you're not sleepy afterward, she'll gladly put on a shitty movie, cuddle you while you keep laughing about the horrible film she's chosen. She'll kiss you to sleep, lips lingering on your scalp, so warm and noticeable even in the trance state you're currently in.
Jason Vorhees
Dates?
He is cursing himself for never thinking about that.
After all, what are his choices, here, in the middle of nowhere?
Soon, he grows to love simple trips to the lake. Especially in summer, he likes to fish, swim, just random things in the water. He won't admit it but seeing you in your swim clothes also adds to his preference. He doesn't even think about it in a dirty way, he just loves seeing your body.
Another great idea for a date is a hunting trip. Now, that might sound boring, but to Jason protecting you is very, very important. Spending time with you while showing you how to survive in the wild without him? A jackpot.
Asa Emory
Asa loves spoiling you. He has the money to do so, why wouldn't he?
He is the typical "expensive dinner" guy. He just absolutely adores seeing your pretty body, your pretty smile in a rich and aesthetically pleasing setting like that, no matter the cost.
Expensive dinner, overpriced wine, horrible snobby people all around you, the thought just amuses him and he can not get enough of it.
While you're there, why not make fun of the people around you? He likes the way your eyes crinkle when he mentions how the old couple next to you doesn't exchange a single word with each other during the time they've been in the restaurant.
After that, he'll go on a walk with you, fingers touching your waist just high enough to be tolerable in public while you strut along the closed shops, neon lights flickering above the two of you.
#michael myers x reader#rz michael myer x reader#vincent sinclair x reader#bo sinclair x reader#lester sinclair x reader#baby firefly x reader#otis driftwood x reader#billy loomis x reader#stu macher x reader#josef x reader#thomas hewitt x reader#amanda young x reader#asa emory x reader#jason vorhees x reader#asa emory#jason vorhees#rz michael myers#michael myers#vincent sinclair#bo sinclair#lester sinclair#baby firefly#otis driftwood#billy loomis#stu macher#josef#thomas hewitt#amanda young#slasher x reader#slashers x reader
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[CN] Lucien’s Radio Broadcast Date
🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 电台之约, which has not been released in EN! 🍒
[ This date was released on 17 May 2021 ]
[ PROLOGUE ]
Part One: A Weekend Arrangement
On the weekend morning, I wake up contentedly, doing a big stretch on the bed.
Feeling for my phone beside the pillow, I tap on the unread text that was received five minutes ago.
Lucien: Are you awake? Little Lazy Bug.
A small smile involuntary surfaces on my lips. Nuzzling the soft pillow case, I get up at one go, washing my face and brushing my teeth.
After fifteen minutes, I knock on Lucien’s door.
MC: Lucien, it’s me!
Not a moment later, he opens the door, wearing light-coloured home wear that I rarely see, a pair of golden-framed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose.
It’s been a while since Lucien and I last saw each other. He has been staying in the research centre recently, and I’ve been busy with filming a new show.
Since we both have a rare break, we made arrangements to meet today.
Lucien: I even thought I’d only get to see you at noon.
Upset, I look at his teasing smile.
MC: In Professor Lucien’s eyes, am I a person who doesn’t keep to her promises? I finally get to see you, so of course I’m seizing every moment.
The arcs at the corners of his lips grow deeper. He turns his body to the side, beckoning me to enter.
Following Lucien into the living room, I see several thick English books left open on the coffee table, and my shoulders droop subconsciously.
MC: Lucien, do you have work to handle today?
Lucien turns around, his eyes curving when he sees my appearance. He walks to me, then lifts my shoulders up gently.
Lucien: Of course not. I finally get to see you, so of course I have to be entirely focused.
-
Part Two: Pondering on the Play
After releasing a secret sigh of relief, I become curious regarding the books on the coffee table. Picking up one of the books, I see its name on the title page -
MC: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare”? Are you reading Shakespeare’s works?
Lucien: To be more accurate, I’m selecting a play.
MC: Selecting?
Lucien doesn’t respond to my question, turning around and walking into the kitchen.
Lucien: Are there any plays that you like?
MC: Hm... I can’t think of any that I especially like. All the plays I’ve watched with you seem pretty good. What about you?
Lucien: Do you still remember the play we watched called “André & Dorine”?
[Trivia] André & Dorine depicts the enduring love between an elderly couple as their lives are disrupted, but not overcome, by dementia
MC: I remember! Was it that mime theatre production? I still remember how you pondered over the guitar case on stage for a long time after the performance was over.
Lucien: I wasn’t pondering much. It’s just that after watching it, I felt that life is very short.
Lucien brings over a cup of steaming hot cocoa from the kitchen. He places the cup in my hand naturally, his eyes meeting mine.
Lucien: It has to be spent with the person one loves.
-
Part Three: A Typical Day in the Radio Broadcast Station
The temperature within the house seems to rise along with the the piping hot cocoa. I pat my slightly flushed cheeks, pulling the conversation topic back.
MC: Come to think of it, why do you have to select a play?
Lucien sits down unhurriedly, his tone steady as he gives me an answer which leaves one utterly confused.
Lucien: I need to confess something to Producer MC -
Lucien: I accepted the invitation of another radio broadcast station.
After waiting for Lucien to finish with his short “confession”, I finally understand why he has to select a play.
Two days ago, Lucien received an invitation from the Loveland Radio Broadcast Station to participate in a 520 Special Broadcast Program called “A Day in a Play”.
[Note] 520 stands for 20 May, a day celebrated by the Chinese as another Valentine’s Day. This is because 我爱你 (“wo ai ni” - “I love you”) sounds like the numbers 5, 2, and 0 (“wu er ling”) when said aloud
This program regularly invites theatre fans from various occupations to share their favourite plays, and Lucien is one of them.
Hearing such news bogs me down with mixed feelings. On one hand, I’m silently in awe at the good choice made by the radio station. On the other hand...
I sneak a peek at Lucien. His head is currently lowered as he blows on the steam of the hot cocoa, his expression levelled.
...if I were to get jealous about Lucien agreeing to participate in another show, it’d be an incredibly inconsiderate thing, right?
Just as I think about this, Lucien suddenly lifts his head towards me. He crinkles his eyes into a smile, as though he has completely seen through the little grumblings in my heart from earlier.
Lucien: Oh yes, this show requires me to invite a partner. The Great Producer MC would grace me with her presence, won’t she?
-
[ DATE ]
Lucien: “Come live with me and be my love,”
Lucien: “And we will all the pleasures prove,”
Lucien: “That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,”
Lucien: “Woods, or steepy mountains yields.”
Lucien: “And we will sit upon rocks,”
Lucien: “Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,”
Lucien: “By shallow rivers to whose falls,”
Lucien: “Melodious birds sing madrigals.”
Lucien: “...if these flights thy mind may move,”
Lucien: “Then live with me and be my love.”
Lucien: What do you think about this poem? Do you like it?
Lucien sets down the manuscript in his hand, lifting his eyes slowly.
He’s leaning next to the window of the guest lounge. The warm light of spring falls on his shoulders, creating a mild, brilliant white halo in the air.
A few days ago, Lucien invited me to participate in the 520 Special Broadcast Program called “A Day in a Play”.
The content of this show consists of idle talk related to plays, and it regularly invites theatre fans from various occupations to share about their favourite plays.
The stanza that Lucien just read aloud came from a poem written by a playwright called Christopher Marlowe.
MC: I like it very much.
Returning to my senses, my expression is sincere as I look at him.
MC: Lucien, have you ever thought of changing occupations and becoming an actor?
When Lucien hears this, his eyes arch into a smile. He walks over, tapping the manuscript gently on the top of my head.
Lucien: An exaggerated compliment would make it lose its sincerity.
Just as I’m about to firmly express my sincerity, I notice from the corner of my eye that there are several markings on Lucien’s manuscript.
Leaning over to get a better look, I realise that those markings are notes taken down on the poem by Lucien with a pen.
I recall how he’s been incredibly busy in the previous period, and how there were many times when I had to remind him to eat...
Even so, he made notes on the manuscript regarding reciting techniques for this show. In my heart, I deeply respect his endless energy. At the same time, I can’t help but be envious.
MC: Does Professor Lucien need to do homework beforehand too?
Lucien: Techniques are required for specialised skills. I’m not a professional at reciting poetry, so of course I need to do my homework beforehand.
I deliberately fold my arms, letting out quiet “hmph”s.
MC: But you don’t seem to do any preparations as a consultant for Miracle Finder.
Lucien: Since I’m a consultant, I can’t let the producer of the show see me do last minute work.
He draws slightly closer to me, lowering his voice.
Lucien: At a place you can’t see, I’ve always been working hard for you.
The evident slyness in his tone causes my breathing to turn slightly ragged. Clearing my throat, I put some distance between us.
MC: [blushing] That’s not what I meant...
Lucien: I understand.
Meaningful arcs hook the corners of his lips, as though he sees through the feelings in my heart. He tugs me over to sit on the sofa in the guest lounge.
Lucien: Or should I only participate in the shows you produce next time?
MC: ...I’m not asking you to go that far either!
He narrows his eyes and turns his head to the side, pretending to give it some thought.
Lucien: In that case, I’ll always ask for Producer MC’s opinion before appearing on a show. Is that okay?
I nod, face red from his teasing. All of a sudden, my heart stirs.
MC: Verbal statements can’t be relied upon. Concrete evidence is needed.
I lift my hand, removing the small hair tie on my ponytail. Then, I indicate for Lucien to give me his hand.
He seems to guess what I plan to do. Supporting his chin casually with one hand, he stretches the other hand in front of me.
With a serious expression, I put on the hair tie on his wrist solemnly, as though I’m conducting a formal ceremony.
MC: It shall be the evidence. In future, the Professor Lucien on the big screen will be completely reserved by me!
-
After sitting in the lounge for a while, the director comes over and goes through today’s show schedule with Lucien and I briefly.
The show is segmented into reading letters from theatre fans, reciting monologues from plays, and monologue appreciation, among other things.
In every episode, this show will choose a particular theme of plays, which will then be used to expand on the contents of the show.
In order to be in line with the special day of 520, the theme for this episode has been set as the “possessiveness” between lovers.
As such, the plays and characters we selected are related to “possessiveness”.
The first segment consists of sharing letters from listeners. The show team had collected various reviews of plays from listeners, as well as their personal takeaways from the plays.
There’s only ten minutes before the show begins. Seizing this final free time, I sit in the studio, skimming through these letters briefly.
Some of the letters include analysis spanning over a thousand words on the extreme possessiveness of some classic characters in plays...
Some of the letters created a hearty one-act play based on the word “possessiveness”.
My line of sight roams over these letters, and I can sense someone leaning over from the side.
Lucien: What are you looking at?
MC: Letters from the listeners. Which letter would you like to read later?
Lucien glances at the open letters on the table for a while. Then, the corners of his lips suddenly curve upwards.
Just as I'm about to follow his line of sight, the director gives us a signal from outside, telling us that the countdown to the broadcast is about to begin.
Suppressing my curiosity, Lucien and I begin today’s radio broadcast with the guidance of the host.
-
The segment of reading letters arrives on schedule. I select a satisfactory review of a play to read. Very quickly, it’s almost time for Lucien to read a letter.
Host: Would Professor Lucien be reading an interesting review of a play as well?
Lucien picks up a pink coloured envelope in the middle directly, as though he has long since made a decision.
Lucien: Even though it isn’t a review, ever since I saw this letter before the show, I really wanted to share it with everyone. However, it looks like the owner of this letter is female. If I were to read it, I’m afraid it’d be slightly inappropriate.
Lucien turns over, handing the letter to me.
Lucien: Could I request Producer MC to read it for me?
I blink, taking the letter without knowing what’s going on.
Opening the letter, the childish handwriting brings with it a fragrance as it unfolds before my eyes.
MC: “Hello hosts, I’m a student from junior high.”
Slightly puzzled, I look at Lucien. He smiles slightly, indicating that I should continue reading.
MC: “Recently, I’ve been feeling troubled.”
MC: “Ever since coming to junior high school, my deskmate has been a very playful boy, and he always bullies me.”
MC: “He often tugs on my ponytail, or asks me to give him my seat in the canteen. Even though he gives me snacks, he says that it’s only because he doesn’t want to eat them.”
MC: “While eating his snacks one day, a classmate suddenly teased us and asked if we liked each other. At that time, I was in a fluster and shouted without realising, ‘How could I like him!’”
MC: “Ever since then... my deskmate hasn't spoken to me.”
MC: “I thought I’d be really happy since I’m freed from his bullying. But whenever I see him distributing snacks to other girls, I actually feel the impulse to cry.”
MC: “I even secretly placed his snacks on my own table, pretending that my deskmate gave them to me...”
MC: “ --so that I can attempt to stake my claim in front of other girls.”
MC: “Last week, I watched a stage play, and the experiences of the lead character were somewhat similar to mine.”
MC: “Afterwards, I read the reviews. Everyone was saying that the lead character was fiercely possessive, and a little abnormal...”
MC: “Am I also such a person? What counts as being possessive? Is being possessive truly an illness?”
After reading the last line, I lift my head to meet Lucien’s eyes, giving him a knowing smile.
Host: I didn’t expect Professor Lucien to select such an adorable letter. How would you respond to this young listener’s question?
Lucien: I’m very sorry, but I’m unable to respond. This question might require a consultation with a professional. But I once read a document on concepts in psychology related to “possessiveness”, and I could share it with everyone.
Lucien stretches his hand towards me, and I hand the letter to him in tacit understanding.
He unfolds the letter, casually lifting his spectacles. Then, he lowers his hand, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the table.
The sound of tapping stops abruptly. He lifts his hand to support his lips, then tilts his head slightly, as though recalling the contents of the document.
Lucien: The following information is for everyone’s reference. Possessiveness is typically expressed as an exceptional cherishing of the other party, and being concerned about the other party in various aspects of their life.
For some inexplicable reason, along with Lucien’s words, I suddenly recall scenes of myself heading to the research centre to bring him bentos.
Lucien: Only allowing oneself and the other party to have a connection, and not wishing for others to get close to the other party.
My heart once again inexplicably recalls the bitter taste when I heard of Lucien participating in this show.
Lucien: If one finds that the other party no longer belongs to them, they’d use all sorts of methods to stake their claim.
Lucien appears to deliberately twist his wrist slightly, revealing the small hair tie on it.
...I have a feeling that Lucien is implicitly referring to me. I keep my eyes on Lucien, and can’t help but purse my lips.
He seems to sense my “complaint”, but his eyes remain on the letter in his hand, a smile on his lips tugging upwards.
Lucien: This is simply a definition, and isn’t enough to ascertain the intensity of a person’s possessiveness. However, satisfying one’s possessiveness in an appropriate manner isn’t a bad thing. If possessiveness is unable to obtain a suitable outlet, it’d end up violently engulfing the originally balanced love. Furthermore, possessiveness isn’t a disease.
Lucien sets down the letter. As though sensing my gaze, he turns his head and gives me a slight smile.
Lucien: It accompanies a strong love. It’s a human instinct.
-
After the letter reading segment, Lucien, as the main guest, has to read a monologue from a certain play in the next segment.
This play narrates an account in mid-century Europe, involving the love story of a wealthy lady and a butler who grew up together since young.
This butler was naturally more intelligent than others, and had a composed temperament. If he were to craft a career for himself, he’d do far better than being a butler.
However, in order stay by the side of his beloved lady, he was willing to remain within the four walls.
The naive wealthy lady didn’t understand the genuine feelings of the butler. Like every other wealthy lady, she looked forward to marrying her own prince.
But when she was arranged to get married to a wealthy duke, her heart started to waver.
Because the intensity of the butler’s possessiveness went to his head, he eventually poisoned the wealthy lady, then vanished into the night.
With his own hands, he buried the love of his life, and from then on became a fugitive, living a life that was neither dead nor alive.
The monologue that Lucien is about to read is taken from the part after the butler finds out that the lady is inclined to marrying the duke. It’s the first time he reveals the depth of his possessiveness.
Lucien selected this monologue himself, and I can’t help but anticipate it.
Host: Listeners and friends, we’ll now lend our ears to Professor Lucien -
Lucien nods slightly, tilting his head towards me and blinking slowly. His lowered voice gradually seeps into the earpieces.
Lucien: “I thought she was just a canary which would only sit by the window...”
Lucien: “When the sun rises every morning, she’d be at the glass window, facing the blazing sunlight and preening its feathers to its heart’s content.”
Rich affection is in Lucien’s voice. It’s as though I can see a talented and handsome young man staring at the girl’s back in the room with deep feelings.
Lucien: “Her wings are vibrant and heart-stirring. She spends a lot of time on them, combing them gently with a bristle brush.”
Lucien: “Whenever this happens, I’d stand behind her, carrying a cup of hot tea, waiting for her quietly.”
Lucien: “I know that in this moment, she belongs only to me.”
Lucien’s voice suddenly turns soft and barely discernible. I can’t help but be immersed in it -
The modern studio around me suddenly shifts, as though turning into wooden furniture in Western Europe.
Ripples of colour reflect off the windows and onto the floor, glistening with light. An expensive fragrance of rogue diffuses in the room.
Lucien: “Only I know what she's thinking of, and only I understand everything about her.”
I turn my head to Lucien, who is behind me. He’s wearing a fitting suit, standing at a spot where shadows and light mingle.
Lucien: “We will be forgotten in this place by the world, but the strings of fate will tie us together.”
He suddenly pauses, the intermingling of shadows and light distorting his expression into shreds. He trembles slightly in the darkness.
Lucien: “...before meeting that duke, she was always in front of that glass window, being my bird.”
Lucien: “She should realise that if she were to fly out, she would have cuts and bruises all over from those impetuous dandies.”
Lucien: “She would discover that there is an entire sky of canaries which are just as beautiful and frail as her. Those dandies only have to reach out gently--”
Lucien: “And her beloved feathers would be easily plucked out.”
Lucien: “If this is the ending... if this is the only ending...”
Lucien: “Then her feathers should belong to me.”
When I see his calm and shadowed expression, I hold my breath momentarily.
Lucien: “Only belonging to me.”
The monologue ends.
-
Lucien: In the short span of one minute, you’ve already hesitated to say something to me five times.
Lucien sighs, setting down the cup of water in his hand.
After the monologue ended, the subsequent segments no longer involve the guests that much.
Lucien and I have left the studio earlier, and are sitting on the sofa in the lounge, waiting for the show to officially come to an end.
It’s just that... ever since we stepped out of the studio and I saw Lucien returning to his normal state, my heart has had difficulties making the adjustment.
MC: ...I was just so stunned.
Tickled by the exaggerated tone in my voice, Lucien chuckles softly.
Lucien: I’ll take that as a compliment.
MC: Of course it’s a compliment! I didn’t expect you to perform so well. You were basically an entirely different person earlier!
Lucien: I was simply portraying the role as I understood it. But I accept Producer MC’s compliment.
He takes a shallow sip of tea calmly, returning to how Lucien typically is, and completely different from the butler he was acting as earlier.
Seeing him like this, a question suddenly surfaces in my heart -
I wonder what Lucien’s possessiveness looks like?
-
Director: Sorry for the wait! The two of you have worked hard today!
After the show ends, the director returns to the lounge, carrying a stack of manuscripts in his hand.
Director: The responses for today’s show are extremely good! Many thanks to Professor Lucien and Miss MC for the spectacular performance!
Lucien: We’re also grateful for your invitation to participate in this show.
Director: Professor Lucien is too polite. Both of you truly did very well. The comment board for the show is filled with positive remarks. To tell you the truth, there’s something I need to ask of the two of you.
The director unfolds the manuscript in his hand. Lucien and I lower our heads to look at it. It’s the script from that earlier play.
Director: We’d like to include a special 520 Easter egg for this episode’s theme. It would be the final scene between the butler and the wealthy lady. Earlier, Professor Lucien’s monologue left a deep impression on the listeners, and the responses were very enthusiastic. If possible, could you and Producer MC record this Easter egg today?
The director clasps his hands together, inviting Lucien sincerely. However, Lucien turns his line of sight to me.
Lucien: My rights to participate in a show belong to this lady. If she agrees, I’ll naturally have no issues with it.
The director looks over in confusion. Just as Lucien is about to showcase the hair tie with a dead serious expression, I hurriedly agree.
MC: Yes! We can!
The director unclasps his hands quickly, preparing for the recording of the Easter egg. Lucien and I remain in the studio to go over the lines.
After familiarising myself with my lines, I lift my head, realising that Lucien is leaning against the sofa, reading the script meticulously and silently.
Seeing him look so serious, I suddenly become curious again.
MC: Lucien, could I ask you a question?
Lucien: Does it have to do with why I agreed to participate in this show?
MC: ...as expected, I can’t hide anything from you.
He sets down the manuscript, grinning as he tidies the hair at my ear.
Lucien: I simply care about you exceptionally. I’m guessing that what you want to know even more is why I’d bring you along to participate in this show.
My eyes widen slightly, and I give him a thumbs up.
He chuckles after seeing this. Waves of gentleness ripple in those eyes that have always been difficult to read.
Lucien: I know that we differ from others in the way we’re always handling our own matters. It’s difficult to meet, much less have each others’ time. I also know that you’re always doing your best to give your free time to me -
Lucien: Bringing me bentos with plenty of dishes, attending conferences when I release new books, and taking me to see the spring day in your eyes.
Lucien: So, I want to tell you that whether or not you can see it, I’m also doing my best to own every moment of your free time.
Lucien: To me, participating in this show is akin to watching a movie together. I simply want it to be a special moment for us which belongs only to you and me.
He leans down, drawing closer to me, encasing my surroundings with his unique scent.
Looking into his eyes, a wave of gentleness seems to ripple in my heart, and my cheeks flush slightly.
MC: I’ll also do my best to create special moments belonging only to the both of us. I’ll invite Professor Lucien to look forward to them.
Lucien: You being like this is already good enough.
The corners of his eyes turn upwards, and he puts some distance between us.
Lucien: Let’s go over the lines together. The director’s waiting for us to record the Easter egg.
I nod. Taking a deep breath, I return my focus to the script again.
In the final scene between the butler and the wealthy lady, the wealthy lady is holding a love letter she wrote to the duke, naively wanting the butler to polish her writing.
Even though she senses that she shouldn’t let the butler see this letter, he’s the person she trusts most.
In front of the butler, she’s like a young girl experiencing her first awakening of love as she reads the love letter aloud.
The butler, whose unbridled possessiveness and intense jealousy have rushed to his head, finally poisons his beloved in his arms after she reads the final line.
Using a letter from a listener as a prop, I place it in his hand and begin the monologue.
MC: “You must definitely listen to this letter...”
MC: “It contains my heartfelt sincerity. No matter what, I don’t want there to be any mistakes.”
Lucien: "If you read it to me, it will be your first mistake.”
MC: “Please! You’ve never refused anything I ask of you. I’ll just treat it as tacit consent, just like always!”
MC: “Dearest Great Duke...”
MC: “I’m writing this letter to you, and it contains my sincerity...”
Following the script, I read the letter written to the duke.
MC: “...and with this, I look forward to your reply.”
These are the final words on the letter. Following this, there are a series of stage directions.
“The wealthy lady grips her love letter, brimming with anticipation as she stares out of the window. The butler is silent, handing her a cup of hot tea as he usually does.”
“The lady drinks it without putting up any defences, but doesn’t know that he had poisoned this cup. The love letter floats to the ground, and she falls into the butler’s arms.”
“...he speaks into her ear: ‘You belong only to me.’ The canary in his arms twitches for a while, then never stirs again.”
Seeing the tragic ending of this love story, my heart can’t help but sigh.
The butler’s love made him lose his mind. In order to possess his beloved forever, he pushed both himself and her into hell with his own hands.
I recall the scene from before when Lucien was reading the monologue, and how he usually has eyes as calm as a deep pond.
That earlier thought once again surfaces in my mind -
I wonder what Lucien’s possessiveness looks like?
Just when I’m thinking about this, I feel a forceful tug on my arm.
I stumble, then fall into familiar arms.
Puzzled, I turn my head towards Lucien. A sense of restraint is concealed in his eyes, and the unfathomable dark eyes hold within them intense emotions.
Lucien: “This letter will never be sent, just as the bird will forever remain in her cage.”
Lucien takes a deep breath, leaning his weight against my body.
I feel scorching breaths on my exposed shoulders, and his hand brushes against my lips gently.
Lucien: “You can only belong to me.”
A familiar scent cages me in his embrace. For a moment, I’m unable to tell if the person before me is the butler who went mad because of love, or if he’s Lucien himself.
I abruptly return to my senses - the performance should already be over.
However, Lucien doesn’t let go of me, as though he hasn’t disengaged from the performance.
Just as I prepare to remind him that it’s over, he suddenly leans near, leaving a soft kiss at the corner of my lips.
Lucien: Very sweet. I’m referring to the taste of the tea.
Stunned, I look at Lucien - he’s changing the ending of the script...
While he looks at me, the foreign emotions in his eyes suddenly vanish. Then, he crinkles his eyes into a smile, just like how he smiles at me every time.
I already knew that I couldn't hide anything from him.
This is his response to that question I’ve never asked -
Lucien: The person I want to possess will eventually possess me.
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Once Upon A Time: Part One - The Invitation
Sebastian Stan Au
Sebastian Stan x Fem!Reader
Word Count: 1231
Summary: When Laura Blake receives a letter from her old friend Sofie Stan in New York, she doesn’t think much of it. Until the contents reveal that Sofie would like her son Sebastian Stan to marry Laura’s oldest daughter Hannah. Laura and Hannah couldn’t be more happy about the offer and decide to take you with them to New York, without mentioning a word about the engagement.On a stroll around Manhattan, you accidentally meet Sebastian and, without a doubt, accidentally fall for him too.
But, can Sebastian go against his mother’s wishes? And what about Hannah, who has already fallen for the wealthy bachelor?
A/N: Here we go again! This is a story I’ve wanted to write for a long long time now, but I didn’t know how I should write it. Basically, this story is heavily based on the german classic Sissi! I’ve loved the movies since I can remember, but ever since discovering marvel, I imagined that story just a little bit more modern and of course with Sebastian! Some of you might not know the masterpiece that is the sissi trilogy so I wanted to bring the story to you, wrapped up in a modern AU! I hope you enjoy this story just as much as I love the movie!
Enough said! Enjoy!!
Tagging my loves once again:
@starksparker @arawynn @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan @moonbeambucky @sgtjbuccky @jaamesbbarnes @buckybarneshairpullingkink @buckyforbreakfast @v-2bucky @buckisthatyou @hearttoearth @denisgurianov34 @samingtonwilson
Laura and Ben sat down at the table where an arrangement of different types of food were neatly laid out for breakfast, the two of them each taking something they desired this morning. As usual, Bed couldn’t help but to eat with his hands which set Laura off on a ramble about why he shouldn’t. “Why did I even get cutlery if no one except Hannah and I use it? You know Y/n has always been like you, but I want her to still be well mannered!” She sighted as Ben started to laugh. “Oh dear, you know that Y/n will always be a little bit freer spirited than you would like her to be, but that’s just how she is.” Laura couldn’t argue with that. Even though Y/n wasn’t as much of the lady that Hannah was, she could never stand in her way.
“Where are the two anyway?” Ben spoke, food still in his mouth. “Y/n is out with the dog and Hannah is studying in her room for her French exam.” Laura looked at Ben a little disgusted by the food around his mouth, but still smiling shaking her head. All though he wasn’t the most gentleman- like, he was still the love of her life and carried her on his hands wherever she wanted to go without question.
As barking erupted from outside the house, both running out, Y/n could be seen running alongside the dog. Laura, afraid that she might fall and ruin her new pants, partly hid behind her husband. “MAKE HIM JUMP OVER THE FENCE” Ben shouted while Laura hit his arm. “No!” But Y/n did what her dad told her and instructed for the dog to jump the fence. Both of them laughing and congratulating the dog on his jump, Laura went inside holding a hand on her forehead.
“He was so well behaved today, dad.” She told him as she removed the leash from the dog. “How about we go into the city today to get new Records?” Y/n couldn’t hold her excitement and hugged her dad.
Laura stood in the living room a letter in her hands. She opened it and read it while pacing around the room, coming to a stop suddenly. “HANNAH, COME HERE.” Laura shouted and immediately heard footsteps. Hannah entered the room a little concerned, but that was washed away as soon as she saw her mother smiling brightly from ear to ear. Hannah, the oldest of Laura and Bens two daughters, looked just like her mother. Long chestnut hair, blue crystal-like eyes and her posture graceful like her mothers.
“Hannah, I have just received a letter from an old friend in New York.” She held the letter close to her heart. “We’ve been invited to her son’s birthday, Sebastian.” Hannah couldn’t quite understand her mother’s excitement but was distracted by Y/n yelling from outside. “Mom!” Laura went over to the window, opened it and saw her youngest daughter standing outside smiling brightly. “What is it?”
“Dad and I are going into the city to buy new records and I wanted to ask if Hannah wanted to come with us?” Laura sighted. “No, she can’t right now, but have fun.” A little disappointed, Y/n turned and walked to the car.
Bringing her attention back to Hannah, she smiled with tears in her eyes. “My dear, Sofie, my friend has asked me, if you would be willing to get engaged with her son, Sebastian.” Hannah, visibly shocked, was unsure. “But when we last saw each other, he didn’t pay me much attention.” Laura took her daughters hand and guided her to the couch. “Yes, but you were only children back then. And the Stans are the wealthiest families in New York. Sebastian is one of the most desired bachelors in Manhattan and there is a reason why Sofie wants you to be the one to marry her only son. Oh, how lucky you are. But don’t mention anything to your father. It’s all a secret as of now.”
Hannah nodded. “But isn’t it a little suspicious if only us two are going to New York?” Laura thought for a while. “Yes, you’re right. Listen, let’s take Y/n with us too so that it seems like any other travel. Ben doesn’t like Sofie anyway, so we don’t have to worry about him.”
Sofie entered the library of the house, seeing Sebastian sitting on one of the reading chairs, immersed into another world. “Sebastian? I would like to talk to you.” Gracefully, Sofie sat opposite her son who has grown into a charming young man over the past few years. “You know that in our circle, marrying the right person is not just about choosing one you like. It could make or break our reputation, right?” Sebastian, now more focused about what his mom had to say, than the book, sat up straight and nodded his head. “And I don’t want you to make the wrong decision, one which you might regret later on.”
“Mom, I know that, but I don’t think getting married is one of the things I want to do right now.” He knitted his eyebrows together, unsure of where this conversation is going. “Maybe, but you’re at the right age, Sebastian and a lot of woman have expressed their interest, but you haven’t made a move. So, I took it upon myself to find someone suitable for you instead.” Sofie smiled brightly knowing that her decision was the finest she could have made. “But mom, don’t you think I should have a say in who I marry or not?”
“Well yes, but trust me, the woman I have chosen is everything you could ask for.” Sebastian still unconvinced that this was right for him questioned his mother even further. “The only problem is, is that I don’t know her.”
“But you do! You met her years ago in Italy. It’s my old friend’s daughter Hannah.” He thought for a while and a few memories came flooding back, just none of Hannah, only her father Ben. “You mean Ben’s daughter?” A smile crept its way across his face at the memory. “Yes, that’s the only downside of it.”
But it wasn’t for him though. He really liked Ben and thought fondly of him.
All the Blake family sat in the living room, each to their own occupation. “We’ve been invited to Sebastian’s birthday.” Laura said to her husband, who in turn scrunched his nose. “He’s the son of Sofie, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is.” She smiled at Hannah who lifted her head as Sebastian’s name came up. “Don’t worry you don’t have to come. But Y/n, you’re coming with us.” Y/n peeled her eyes away from the television and looked at her mother. “I’m going to New York?” Her eyes sparkled at the thought of her favourite city which she hasn’t been to in a long time. “Is Chris going to be there too?”
“Of course, he wouldn’t wan to miss his best friend’s birthday! Do you still have the necklace he gave you in Italy?” Y/n thought for a while. “Oh, I’ll have to look for it.” Hannah and Laura shook their heads at Y/n’s ways of losing things. “When are we leaving, mom?”
“Tomorrow morning. So, you better find it tonight.” Y/n wasted no time and got up to pack her things, including the necklace.
#Sebastian Stan#sebastian x reader#sebastian stan x reader#sebastian x you#sebastian stan x you#sebastian imagine#sebastian stan imagine#sebastian stan fic#sebastian stan fanfiction#Bucky Barnes#bucky x you#bucky x reader#once upon a time#marvel fanfic
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Living in Costa Rica - A First Week of Adventures and Shopping
I'm encountering Costa Rica starting from the earliest stage - in a real sense. Because of my semi-far off area and the way that I don't yet have a vehicle implies I'm putting my soles to the ground and getting a move on all over a mountainside looking for day by day necessities. During my first week, the entirety of my time from waking to resting was spent dealing with easily overlooked details to cause another house and area to feel like home.
We are living in Las Nubes de (the billows of ) Coronado, Costa Rica. To get to our area; start in the Focal Valley of San Jose, go Northwest up into the mountains past Guadalupe, through Moravia, at that point through Coronado lastly up to San Rafael/Las Nubes. For better reference, an online guide is accessible here: Las Nubes de Coronado, Costa Rica, C.A..
We're up here in the mountains where the climate is continually Spring-like, the hummingbirds go to day by day to the blooming trees, Junior picks from the trees nectarines and bananas and from the brambles red and green peppers. 500 meters beneath us is a functioning dairy farm total with bull pulled trucks for moving around feed grasses and keeping in mind that we stroll by both milk cows and chickens nibble street side. The evenings are cold, yet we have an extraordinary huge chimney that keeps us warm and comfortable ... we simply need to discover a hotspot for more kindling (one of the many, numerous things on my extremely, long plan for the day)
The transport from Coronado runs around each half-hour and the last stop is 400 meters underneath our home. Junior and I have been bringing the transport down and back from Coronado day by day at an expense of 310 colones ($00.62) every route for the two of us. In Coronado we generally invest energy at a Web bistro, eat a supper and do some looking for family things like food and cleaning supplies. At that point it has returned to the transport terminal to get our transport for the ride up. The last 400 meter climb up to the house with our rucksacks and packs of buys can leave you short of breath.
One of our more critical excursions to Coronado included my discernment that all ATM's are made equivalent. In the states I never stressed over how minimal expenditure was in my pocket because of the immense number and dependability of ATM machines. In Coronado there are just two ATMs that I am aware of: one at Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) and the other at Banco Nacional (BN). Without giving an excessive amount of consideration I spent my way down to around 100 colones and when I went to the ATMs for more cash, I was denied admittance to assets by both. Junior and I gazed toward the peak, realizing that some place near the top was our home ... so away we went - strolling roughly 7 kilometers up and up and up and up .... furthermore, up! About 90 minutes after the fact we were home and sore - and yet, it was somewhat fun. All things considered, many travel from around the world to climb the mountains of Costa Rica and we had the posh issue of expecting to finish a climb only for returning home! See here Dairy Farm Residences
Friday, February 29th we got an opportunity to see somewhat a greater amount of the space on account of John's companion Arne. Today Junior and I took a taxi to San Antonio de Coronado (a territory underneath Coronado) to meet with Arne for a little shopping. The nearer you get to the capital city of San Jose, the really shopping assortment you need to browse. In our movements we went to stores in the barrios of San Pedro, Guadalupe and Moravia.
In Costa Rica there is an assortment of store (tienda) decisions going from minimalistic living space front stores (in a real sense) to the immense markdown and club outlet center (like a Sam's or Costco).
* Home-front stores regularly marked as a "pulperia" or "abastecedor" are typically situated in the front part of a construction or building that is generally a home. A basic sign out front or simply a sign painted on the structure indicates this sort of tienda where you can get a speedy bite fix like a pack of Funions and a Coke.
* Supermarkets can likewise be little owner shops up to bigger stores frequently alluded to as "Scaled down" or "Uber Supers". A basic food item chain comprising of medium sized stores in numerous spaces of Costa Rica is designated "Pali" (possessed by Wal-shop, articulated: dad LI). Pali is like U.S. based Aldi Food Stores in that they give essential staples like milk, beans, rice, snacks, cleaning supplies, and so on - complete with a sack it-yourself administration. Basic food item chains that more take after standard U.S. supermarkets are MasXMenos (another Wal-store possessed chain), Smaller than normal Uber Super, Uber Super and others. In these stores you will discover most all that expected to stock your home - even Jif crunchy peanut butter!
* Claim to fame Stores can again be little owner shops or corporate retailers that sell a specific kind of product like garments, furniture, gadgets, pet supplies, and so on, and so forth
- I bought a PC APC Back-UPS flood defender/battery back-up (model # BE350R) for $40.80 from a PC/gadgets chain called Group3C (Grupo3C) that has stores in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and El Salvador. The name of the Costa Rica store is called COC.CO (I think :o) situated in San Pedro.
- Subsequent to shopping a few bargain retailers (see underneath) I wound up tracking down a more ideal arrangement on a microwave at a forte store called El Verdugo in Moravia. My buy was a Haier 1,000 watt treated steel microwave (model # MWM10100SS) for $101.80
* Rebate or Club Stores offer the shopping experience of a Sam's Club or Costco. Hiper Mas (a completely possessed Wal-shop auxiliary - seeing a pattern?!) and Value Savvy are two of these sorts of stores ... be that as it may, anyplace, shop these stores against one another and claim to fame stores for cost and item. Actually like a club offering free beverages and comps, the way these all inclusive resource stores work together is to draw you in for some limited items while charging distribute more for different things. All in all, in case you're not cautious - net increase goes to the house.
- Value Shrewd club store model costs (Moravia store, 02/29/08):
+ Philips 50" Plasma - $2,600.00
+ Frigidaire Clothes washer (model FWS9333FS) - $475.00
+ sofa set (Sovereign sofa-bed, bed skirt, 3 little ornamental pads, 2 cushion cases - no sheets) - $70.00
+ cover (a delicate sovereign measured) - $38.00
+ sharp cheddar - $13.00/2lb bundle
+ bed pad (standard) - $10.60
+ sofa cushion (little delicate square) - $14.00
+ pistachios - $9.20/2lb bundle
+ sausages (enormous pack) - $8.00/37 franks
+ trail blend - $7.40/2lb bundle
+ Land-O-Ice Nectar Ham lunch get-together meat - $5.20/1lb bundle
+ Land-O-Ice Turkey Bosom lunch meeting meat - $5.40/1lb bundle
As illustrated, costs for specific things in Costa Rica might be higher than in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and so forth - however work and administrations are typically a lot less expensive in Costa Rica than somewhere else. Unfamiliar occupants, retired folks, and so on wind up purchasing the costly clothes washer and grass hardware at that point pay homegrown workers to run them (ie: employ a house keeper/cook/grounds-keeper ... indeed, even on an unassuming or retirement pay).
* Private Bilingual Essential (grade) School - $200.00/month (with many included additional items; soccer group, acrobatic, dance, cheer driving crew, math club, and so forth)
* Exercise center Enrollment - $13.00/month (complete with Vigorous exercise, Step Preparing, Turning, Tae-bo and classical loads and hardware)
* Hair style - $3.00 men and $4.00 ladies
* Supper for 2 - $10.00 including some espresso or soft drink each
Because of the greater expenses for some 'once buy' things, numerous unfamiliar inhabitants that live, have second or summer homes or simply invest a lot of energy in Costa Rica decide to make specific acquisition of gadgets, machines and different things somewhere else on the planet and bring or have them delivered to Costa Rica as an expense reserve funds measure ... yet, be cautious!
The absolute most ideal approach to carry anything into the nation is to actually convey it in your gear when you travel. Nonetheless, Costa Rica has sorted this out as well. In the wake of showing up in Costa Rica, your sacks will be x-rayed for un-announced things (indeed, I said in the wake of showing up - as in, after you have recovered your baggage and before you leave the air terminal!) So utilize your best judgment in rounding out those traditions statements. You are permitted a specific dollar measure of new things per each such countless months too utilized individual things with no traditions charges. Knowing this, on the off chance that you are bringing any new thing into Costa Rica and you don't anticipate announcing it as new and available, it is ideal to eliminate the new thing from its unique bundling before putting it in your baggage.
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Review: Knives Out (Johnson, 2019)
“Look around. The guy basically lives in a Clue board.”
(major spoilers below)
Rian Johnson, you dog!
Knives Out is lightning in a bottle. All at once a tightly wound thriller, a hilarious comedy, a dysfunctional family drama, an old-fashioned murder mystery, and a new-fashioned commentary on modern politics, Johnson as writer and director not only has his cake, but eats it many times over. He's assembled a pitch perfect cast, with virtually every actor getting a moment to shine: Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc (omfg that name) is beautifully droll in the most ridiculous southern accent imaginable; Chris Evans masterfully subverts his Captain America persona and reaches back to Scott Pilgrim territory as one of this year's most engaging assholes; Jamie Lee Curtis is an exquisite ice queen in a hot pink pantsuit; Michael Shannon is warm and frightening and hilarious all at once; Toni Collette makes an absolute meal out of every single line she has; Christopher Plummer (hot take alert!) continues to be maybe the most impressive and consistent actor of the last fifty years. Even folks who get slightly less to do than the rest of the family -- the always reliable Lakeith Stanfield! Don Johnson! Edi Patterson! Katherine Langford! Jaeden Martell! Noah Segan! Riki Londhome! K Callan! Frank Oz, for crying out loud! -- operate perfectly within the intricate set of cogs that Johnson has mapped out. I could have watched them continue to be terrible to each other for at least an extra hour. I was expecting to love this movie, and I was expecting to love this cast. What I was not expecting was how staggeringly good Ana de Armas is.
Let's talk about Ana de Armas as Marta Cabrera (expect spoilers). First off, her character is remarkable: the daughter of an undocumented immigrant who inadvertently goes head-to-head with a family of evil wealthy white people and out of sheer kindness actually wins. The film doesn't shy away from political observations (one charged family argument about the current occupant of the White House is remarkably effective even with its relative restraint), but the entire thing is taking white liberalism to task just as pointedly as Jordan Peele's Get Out did in 2017. Obviously, these are very different movies, but the comparison is there (as are inevitable comparisons to 2019's other comedy-thrillers about class warfare, including Peele's Us, Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillet's Ready or Not, and, of course, Bong's Parasite), but Marta's spot at the center of the film is pretty remarkable. De Armas knocks it out of the park, too -- her eyes have deep wells of unspoken terror and guilt and sadness in them, and even as her body betrays her with her bouncing leg or her projectile vomiting, she remains nearly unflappable as the everywoman wandering around this maze. It's a pretty tremendous performance.
Pretty much everything about this movie worked for me. The gorgeous production values, the perfect score, the magical cast, Johnson's remarkably assured writing and directing. That flawless final shot. If you'll forgive another comparison to Parasite, it's pretty amazing to watch both Johnson and Bong -- filmmakers who are not quite young but certainly not old -- reach a career high-point at virtually the same time, dealing with some similar ideas and dipping from the same river, continuing to grow and make good on the promise of their debuts over a decade ago. I can't wait to see what both of them do next.
I hope we get a whole series of Benoit Blanc mysteries. I hope this cements Ana de Armas as a major star. I hope this becomes the stone-cold classic it has every right to be. The whodunnit is alive and well and vital.
#knives out#sometimes elliott watches movies#rian johnson#ana de armas#daniel craig#chris evans#jamie lee curtis#toni collette#lakeith stanfield#don johnson#edi patterson#katherine langford#jaeden martell#christopher plummer#noah segan#riki londhome#k callan#frank oz#michael shannon
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My Neighbor is a Ballerina (Daniel Henney x OC)
It was already the start of lock-downs in USA, and Daniel Henney cannot help but be bored as the eighth day of quarantine passed. Surely, he is enjoying the company of his fluffy golden retriever Roscoe, but still, he missed going out for shooting different commercials and series he signed in for. There was no one to talk to inside his small home, either. He can only talk to his parents and friends through video calls, and no one is allowed to step out of their homes unless needed.
What to do now? He asks himself as he looked outside. He already have gone for a swim with his dog, he finished his exercise routine, and it strains his eyes to look on the screen for too long. He sighs as he got out, looking for something to tinker on for the rest of the day. His well carved face frown as he sat nearby his own pool, waiting for the brightest idea to pop in his mind. He weakly smiles as he sees Roscoe waddle his way to him, begging to be carried.
"What do we do now, bud? Wow, is this what you feel whenever I am not around?" he jokes. The golden retriever lays its head on Daniel's stomach, relishing in the presence of his good father who he would miss terribly whenever he isn't around. Just then, some sweet classical music filled the area, making his brows raise in curiosity. He walks close to the fence that separated his house to the rest of the neighborhood, finding out who owned the music. He finds on the other side a young woman who is half his age, dancing to the music that played with a gentle grace that can be seen in a pen, a female swan. She had black hair like him, and skin tanned from the rays of the sun. He haven't seen her before. Afraid to interrupt her peace, he became content with watching her by the sidelines, enjoying her small performance by the sun.
It has come to an end when his doorbell rang. Sighing in reluctance to leave, he took a deep breath and headed to the gates of his house, his loyal liege Roscoe trailing from behind. His friend Matthew Gubler greeted him with a smile, even though it was covered with a black N-95 mask. "Got you some groceries!" Matthew smiles as he placed them right on Daniel's feet.
"Dude, you didn't have to!" Daniel laughs as he took them in. "But still, thank you for the thought!"
"Well, I'd better go now, enjoy your day! And, go get that girl!" Matthew jokes as he hopped on his car and drove away.
Daniel chuckles as he closed the gate with his foot, Roscoe jumping up and down as they went in the house. Matthew is right; he needs to know more about that woman next door.
"Girl, really. That guy next door is checking you out."
Charleine is busy eating her tossed salad when her friend Carina Chandran gave her a call, and she raised the thing about some guy next door checking her out whilst she danced her way to fantasy world. The young raven haired girl laughs as she hears Carina prattle her worries for her, how she wanted to be there to give the man a piece of her own mind.
"Girl, no need to make a big deal about it." Charleine tells as she swallowed down the water.
"But still! You know what, I'm packing up. I am going there." Carina says as Charleine hears her shuffles on her side.
"Girl no need, I can handle myself." Charleine insists. "I have a background in Martial Arts, remember?"
"Okay, if that's what makes you at ease. Just make sure to be careful, okay?"
Charleine laughs as she put the phone call down. She can imagine how worried her Indian friend was, since there were a lot of men who'd catcall herback before this whole world craze happened. She used to stay in New York City since her job as a dance instructor demanded it. She also joined numerous ballets like Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty, and she always gets the lead. Carina Chandran is her childhood friend and neighbor here in Los Angeles, so no wonder why she can see him checking on her.
The next day, she went out to her backyard for another dance for nature, a series she makes for her Instagram account. She will try to catch the guy who Carina was talking about during the phone call. Setting her Bluetooth speaker and camera to where she wanted it to be, she started doing her dance routine she learned for The Nutcracker's dance of the sugar plum princess.
Daniel immediately ran to the fence where he heard the music that captured his whole being. The same girl was there, unaware of his presence as she danced her heart away to the music that played in the background, which he recognized as a part from The Nutcracker. If he only knew how to dance ballet, he could have jumped over the fence and joined her. He was enchanted with her; he cannot help but stare at her beauty that can be compared to Aphrodite, and marvel at her skills that are as graceful as Odette in Swan Lake. It was a magical enchantment that this young lady uses to men who lays their eyes on her. However, his daydreams were cut off when the young raven haired woman called his attention.
"Yoohoo! Sir, are you alright there?" she asks, which makes him tumble down. Loud gasps can be heard from her as she placed a ladder on the fence where she saw him. "Are you okay?"
He chuckles as he stood up, thanking the heavens above for not staining his sweatpants and hoodie. "Um, yeah. Thanks for checking." God, why is he being a nervous charmer? He asks himself. He cannot be like this, since he has swooned millions of ladies from around the world, yet this girl's got him smitten to the core.
"Oh, where are my manners? I'm Charleine Mercado, and you are?" she introduced herself.
"I'm Daniel. So, you're new here?" He asks, trying to hide his anxious self as he starts to know more about this girl.
"Not exactly. I used to stay here whenever I am on my break in the theater, and this one's a total break." She replies as she shrugged her shoulders.
"You work in a theater?" He asks as he grabbed a small chair and stood on it, just to be able to talk to her a little close, observing the one-meter distance. She nods her head yes as she waited for him to settle himself, asking him if he's comfy enough with standing, which he assures her he's fine with it.
They had a long conversation, and it was already noon when they decided to just exchange social media accounts and talk there whenever they are free. Reluctant that he won't see her for the rest of the day, he sighs as he walked back to his house, waiting patiently as he can for her to talk to him soonest. Roscoe senses Daniel's remorse as the golden retriever lays its head on his lean legs.
It was already evening when she decided to open up her social media and search for the man she once talked to earlier. She was having a gut feeling that she already saw him in some commercial or television series. Shrugging that thought away, she punched in his username, and the revelation made her eyes widen. "OH. MY. GOD." She decides to call her friend away, who quickly picked up the call.
"Girl, you won't believe who I just talked to this morning," Charleine yells on the phone, her adrenaline rush picking up the fast pace. Her friend gawked at her when she mentioned the name.
"WHAT? IT WAS DANIEL HENNEY?"
"Yes. We exchanged social media accounts, and it really was him."
"Send me a picture of him tomorrow morning! I need enough proof that it's really him."
"How about a screenshot video of a 60-second conversation via Skype? We planned to talk tonight."
It was on cue when her Skype account rang loudly in the background, showing Daniel's caller id on her laptop screen. She immediately tells Carina she'll talk to her later, and ran to her seat in front of her laptop. Breathing deeply, she clicked the green button, revealing Daniel and his dog on the other side. His bed hair still looked good on him, and she cannot help but swoon at him. "Hey, Charlie." Daniel groggily greets, groaning as Roscoe hopped on his lap, making her giggle as he cheekily grins back. "Dogs really are a handful, aren't day?" Charleine asks as she eagerly looked at the furry friend.
"I'll agree with you on that." Daniel laughs as he puts down Roscoe. He shuffles in his bed as he held on the laptop, walking towards his kitchen island. "So, I suppose you already found the accounts?"
She nods as she looked down at her own Golden Retriever puppy Neve, who begs to be carried. "Yes, and no wonder why you look so familiar. Nice work in Criminal Minds and Big Hero 6, by the way." She replies as she picks Neve and places the dog on her lap. Daniel's eyes widen as he saw Charleine's little puppy, smiling as he asked her where she got Neve, which Charleine eagerly answers. Daniel smiles as he realizes they had share a lot of common interests, the only difference was their occupations.
"Your name also rang bells in my mind, then I remembered a co-star telling me about your works in ballet. I must say, you did a wonderful job in your performances," Daniel tells her as he settled his laptop down as he started preparing his dinner for tonight.
"May I know who told you about me long before this call?" Charleine asks as she grabbed a Shawarma from her side.
"Do you by chance know Kirsten Vangsness?" Daniel asks as he grabbed some vegetables from his refrigerator and started chopping them down. Charleine's eyes lit up as he mentioned her friend and mother figure.
"Yes I do! She became my mother figure whenever I am not with my parents back in Manila," she smiles as thoughts of Kirsten and her spending time together filled her mind.
They spent hours talking about their work and interests, not noticing the time anymore that they were surprised it's already past midnight when they stopped for a while.
"Let's stay up together, I really love talking to you." Daniel pleads as Charleine settles in her bed, letting her bed engulf her in its softness and warmth.
"I love to, but I need to get up for my routines later," she tells him, letting out a yawn that Daniel finds cute. "You'll get to talk to me after."
"I look forward to that, Charlie. Good morning!"
What a dork, she thought as she waves good night and shut down her computer, her mind filled with thoughts about the new celebrity friend she made.
Daniel finds himself in a place where music and dance are everywhere. Kids wearing flower crowns and tossing flower petals greet him as he entered the gates of the magical kingdom. He finds himself wearing a cream pirate shirt that showed parts of his chest and leather pants that showed his lean legs well. He feels powerful as he took every step while wearing leather boots that reached his knees. Women swoon as he passed by while looking for a certain woman who he wanted to meet. He soon finds himself at the presence of the king, and was surprised that he introduced himself as a prince from some place far from this kingdom. The king led him to the gardens, where he saw the familiar face of Charleine laughing as she danced with her maids. Her face lit up as she saw him, hearing her father tell everyone to leave them for now. As soon as the maids and the ensemble left, he slowly strode towards her, taking in how beautiful she is as a princess.
"M'lady," he greets her, taking her hand and places a kiss on the back of her hand.
"I shall leave you two to yourselves. Please guard her," the king bade as he took his leave, his footsteps resonating on the tiles. They silently enjoyed the company of each other as he told her of his adventures, from defeating rebels to every mishap he got himself into. Her laughter is already music to his ears. He feels himself falling into her trance, his eyes taking in the view of her wondrous beauty.
His eyes squint at the feel of his dog licking the sleep off his eyes. He immediately looked around, checking if he wore the same clothes as he had in that dream of his with Charleine. It felt so real that he thought he would awake to ivory pillars and servants roaming around him. Did it really happen? He asks to himself as he got off his bed and prepared Roscoe's breakfast, his mind still stuck to that dream he had today.
It was the same dream Charleine had. She saw herself dancing with her maids in the pavilions, laughing as merriment and joy filled their surroundings. Her eyes lit as she saw Daniel in a pirate-like clothing, but can be easily identified as a prince. Charleine filled her friend Carina about this weird dream, but she was told that it is her subconscious thinking about the actor, and people tend to see their thoughts in their dreams when they think deeply about it and fell asleep. She let's it pass for now, but she knew that there was something behind it.
They both smile at each other as Charleine got out to her backyard, while Daniel stood at the fence that separated them, eager to watch her do her morning routine. "What's with that wide smile, Henney?" Charleine asks as she stood in front of him, hands at her hips in a sassy fashion. He chuckles. "Nothing, I am just happy that I get to see a new friend here. It really gets lonely whenever I am not with other people physically."
"Well, I cannot blame you for that." Charleine tells as she started playing the music, this time from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.
"Wait, so you had the same dream as mine?"
They both talked over Skype again, making sure to be reminded of the time now. She almost had problems getting up earlier, and good thing she still managed to set her body clock. Daniel told Charleine about this dream he had earlier, and it is coincidental that they both were in there. They had exact details as the other, making them wonder how come they had the same dream.
"I don't know, it was just... Coincidental. Maybe my friend Carina is right, it must be a work of our subconscious and the deep thoughts." Charleine shrugs as she took a bite of her homemade shawarma wrap.
"I suppose so." Daniel agrees.
"How's quarantine so far?" She asks.
"Well, still hanging here. Gosh, this drives me crazy as hell." He sighs, making her chuckle.
"You're not alone."
That was the last time they talked.
Daniel had to fly to Korea to attend to some important matters his management has raised. He didn't get to talk to her for the last time before he headed to the airport, which made him feel miserable during his stay here. Well, he tried to play his favorite sport and get his mind on the things he have to do here before he gets back to Los Angeles. He still tried to reach out to Charleine, but she never responded. Worrying that something happened to her, he tried to call Kirsten, who fortunately picked up the call.
"Daniel! So good to hear from you!" the ever cheery actress beams, making the half Korean laugh.
"Yeah, I missed you all! How are you?" he queries as he mentally planned how to get Charleine in the conversation.
"Feeling bored, since there was no one to talk to except my cat here," Kirsten sighs. "So, I heard that you met my ballerina friend already?"
Daniel smiles when she mentioned the woman who got his whole being. "Yes, and I was about to ask you about her. She wasn't responding to any of my calls and emails."
"Oh, she told me she's going to have a week off in using social media. She actually asked me to tell you about it, and she says sorry in advance if ever this happens." Kirsten chuckles, making Daniel smile weakly. He cannot wait to talk to her again.
It was a week when Charleine took a break off the social media. She wanted to take a break off the world's madness since this year started. Her eyes widen as she opened up her chats, revealing lots of missed calls and 'how are you' texts from her new friend Daniel Henney. He sent a voice mail that says:
Hey Charlie...
I don't know when you'd be back in social media, but if you ever receive this, I am probably in Seoul already, since I had to attend to some matters here, just like what I said during our last talks. Charlie, if I ever get back there in LA, I want to... Ugh. Never mind. I just want to let you know that I already miss you and those small talks we had whenever I watch you dance. If I could rush things over, I would have done it in a heartbeat. I would do everything if it means to see you again. It's already late here, and I should get some sleep. I am in the 14 day quarantine period, and I got a negative result.
"I made him wait, Neve." she tells her golden retriever puppy, who in return looked at her with its doe eyes as it sensed her bereft. She sighs as she looked at other messages he dropped:
Hey Charlie! I am missing you so much already!
How are you?
Did you eat already?
When are you going to post another dance in your Instagram?
Are you alright?
You know you can talk to me whenever you got something bothering your mind, right?
"That's it, I'm waiting for the right time to call him." She says to herself as she typed in her reply to all those messages and voicemails he sent her during the week off the media.
Hi Dan!
Kirsten probably told you already that I took a week off the media, since I got stressed with what is happening with the world right now. My godmother also nearly got my nerves, so I decided to do so. I'm sorry if I got you worried for me 24/7, but now you can talk to me anytime again. Just note the time, one of us might miss the complete sleep we need to be energetic the next day. Hope to talk to you soon!
His eyes immediately land on the message she just sent him, making him smile in victory as he read it multiple times. He immediately opened his Skype and gave Charleine a call, having high hopes that she'd answer it in a flash. He quickly checked himself on the mirror app on his phone, but stopped when he heard giggles from the other side of the line.
"Hey, you don't need to check your self on your mirror, Vanity Boy." she quirks, making him smirk.
"Liked that new nickname, Ms. Ballerina." he comments back, making the girl smirk back at him. "So, how's the week off social media?"
She weakly smiles as she looked down, taking Neve in her arms. "It's relaxing, since I got to connect with myself once again after all this madness happened. How about you? You said you are in Korea, right?"
"Oh yeah. I got a negative test result, and I can go to all the places where my manager told me to go to." Daniel cheekily grins at her, making her shake her head in annoyance, but a smile still plastered on her lips. "I already saw that dance you uploaded, and I must say, it's still different if I saw it live."
"You little stalker," she laughs as he chuckles. Daniel finds himself falling for her even more as the days pass.
After a few weeks of fixing up things in Korea, he immediately took a flight back to Los Angeles, eager to see Charleine again. His mother teases him on his little crush on the well-known ballerina, making him groan in feign dismay. His father, unfortunately, helps his mom with teasing him about it. But deep in his mind, he is glad that his parents are supportive with whoever he wants. He isn't pressured with what kind of girl he should date and marry, as long she is kind and understanding, he's willing to keep up with her.
It was another spring morning, and he is patiently waiting for her music to play. The small ladder he climbs on is already set, and he just needs to hear her music. Just as some random music played, he scrambles to the ladder, just in time for her to start dancing. She laughs as she saw how messed up his hair was, making her stop dancing.
"Why did you run all the way?" She chuckles as she stood on her toes, messing his now messy hair as she laughs.
"I just didn't want to miss my friend dancing," Daniel chuckles. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too, dummy." She says. "Um about that voicemail you sent..."
"Oh yes about that, I actually wanted to ask you on a date out, but there's quarantine, so..."
"You know we can just hang out in the backyards, right?"
"Oh. Yeah. HOW COME I FORGOT ABOUT IT?"
"Stop overthinking, Tadashi Hamada."
"How can I not, if I am standing in front of Juliet Capulet?"
After a few days of Daniel planning their first date, now is the day they finally get to be together up close, since they both got their negative swab test results. He made sure that the house is well disinfected, there is no mess around, and lastly, he'd make her smile with his charms and quirks. It is only a few hours before night falls beautifully, just like in La La Land. Clad in just his button up shirt and black fitting slacks, he casually waited by his gate, hoping she'd show up. He immediately opened the gate, revealing Charleine in a simple pink dress and some sandals. She shyly waved as Daniel let her in.
"Hey... Looking good tonight, I see?" Charleine smiles as Daniel guides her inside his home, her eyes widening at how simple and elegant it is. "You've got a nice house here."
"Well, thank you. I'd reckon yours is better than this," Daniel replies as he eyed the package Charleine brought in. "Oh no, no, no. Did you make food as well?"
"I did, it would be rude on my part if I didn't bring something, right?" the girl asks, looking down on the floor. Daniel sighs as he held her hands in his.
"You didn't have to, Charlie... But, it's okay, as long it's from the thought. I'd wager this is the best pasta I'll ever taste." Daniel tells her as he leads her to the pool area, the feeling of romance can be felt in the air as the candle-lit table stood nearby the very fence where they both met. She cannot help but smile as he pulled a chair for her, a dinner for two already filling the air as the aromatic scent fills her nostrils.
"I'll serve your Bolognese spaghetti later after this," Daniel tell her as they started to eat under the moonlight that coincidentally shone above them along with the stars. They talked about various things, ranging from his stay in Korea to random jokes they saw in the net. It was already late in the night when they finished eating. Her eyes widen as she heard one of her favorite songs from La La Land playing in the background, and Daniel offers his hand as he pulls her into his arms for a dance.
Silence enveloped the two of them as the song ends, the two enjoying the warmth of the other as the time passes. Her eyes widen when her watch shows it's already a quarter to midnight. "Daniel, I need to get back already." she tells as she reluctantly pulls away from their little waltz. "You can sleep here. I'll take the couch, it's actually past curfew." Daniel tells her as he held her hand tightly but gently.
"Are you sure? I don't want to be a nuisance to you, Daniel." Charleine asks, worrying that she might be interrupting any important matters.
"I am sure, so don't chicken out. I actually can borrow one of my shirts and sweatpants for you to sleep on."
She silently watched him pick one white shirt and gray sweatpants from his closet. She cannot help but swoon at how fit this man is. He already changed into a black sleeveless shirt and a pair of white pajamas, leaving his bathroom for her use. "This one would do," Daniel tells as he placed them beside her. He cannot help but look at her wounded feet that were barely covered by the slippers a hotel gave him before. "Change into those, I'll just find the ointment for those bruises on your feet."
"Is it still aching?"
She winces in pain as he massaged some parts of her foot, rubbing in the ointment his mother once used on him when he suffered the same bruises as hers. She cannot help but yelp in pain, tears starting to spill on her eyes. Daniel immediately sat beside her, pulling her into a hug as she started to cry. "I'm sorry , I'm sorry." He whispers to her as he kissed the top of her head.
"I'm alright, Dan. It's just I cannot fight the pain," She whimpers.
"I'll be here always, okay?" Daniel whispers. "I love you."
Her eyes widen as she heard those three words that can alter her life in an instant. A famous celebrity has fallen for her. "Hear me out, Charlie. I started falling for you since the day Kirsten started talking about you during Criminal Minds shooting and script readings. She is right about you being so strong, soft-hearted, smart, wise and beautiful. It's okay if you don't share the same feelings as-"
She gave him a peck on the cheek that made him stop rambling. He grins widely as he pulled her into a heartwarming hug and kissed her head many times. "You also got me from the start, Dan. It was when Kirsten told me about you whenever we meet up in New York City, and she told me that I would be able to meet you soon. So, here we are." She chuckles as he pressed his lips on her forehead, making her giggle.
"Let's get you to sleep now. You might call me a knucklehead when you wake up late," he jokes as he pulls her down beside him on the softest bed Charleine has imagined.
"Well, your boyfriend is here."
It was a year after the pandemic, and everything went back to normal. Carina and Charleine got their new assignments in Los Angeles, making it easy for the new lovers to meet up anytime they want. Daniel would pass by the American Contemporary Ballet, where she worked and performed. Carina would tease her about it, making her chuckle and playfully slap her. Some of their closest friends would drop by to see her, since some of their kids are under her class. It touched her that all of them really look at her like their second mom, and she dreams of having a family soon.
"My Prima Ballerina," Daniel mumbles as he buries his face on her hair, making her chuckle as she pulled away.
"Danny, I sweat." Charleine tells as she wiped the sweat off her brow.
"So what? You don't complain when I smell like Roscoe!" Daniel laughs. "Um, Charlie? Can I ask you something?"
She nods her head, but her eyes widen when she watched Daniel kneel on one knee, revealing a diamond ring on a red velvet box. Tears prick her eyes as he started rambling the most affectionate speech she has ever heard from him. Kirsten, AJ, Joe and the others are there, smiling at the most awaited moment.
Charleine Mercado. The moment I heard your name from Kirsty, I knew there was something with you that made me fall for you. Even though we haven't met long before that madness happened, I started longing for you. You were everything Kirs told me about you: you are smart, gay, loving, gentle, caring and among other things I wanted in a woman. Last year has been a blessing in disguise for me. If it weren't for it, maybe I wouldn't realize that I am just right beside this woman I have been seeking for god knows how long. That moment you told me your name, I said to myself: you are the one. Charlie, I know it has been a year since we started dating and become something more, and I want to be promoted to another position in your life. Will you do the honor of becoming my wife and marry me?
Charlie started tearing up tears of joy as she nodded her head yes, tackling Daniel in the tightest but gentle hug. He slips the ring on her right ring finger, and kissed it.
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@kittykatlow ok sweets here you go...again 😊this time I'll leave it up😉
Would you have sex with the last person you text messaged?
No
You talked to an ex today, correct?
No
Have you taken someones virginity?
No
Is trust a big issue for you?
Yes
Did you hang out with the person you like recently?
Yes
What are you excited for?
I'm a pretty excitable girl...so little things like new art supplies I ordered
7. What happened tonight?
😊 stuff
Do you think it’s disgusting when girls get really wasted?
No judgment do you sis stay safe
Is confidence cute?
Definitely
What is the last beverage you had?
Pineapple strawberry blueberry pear orange smoothie "
"
How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust?
Very few like I have fingers left on the one hand im using to count
Do you own a pair of skinny jeans?
I own several
What are you gonna do Saturday night?
No idea I'm not a planner
What are you going to spend money on next?
Hopefully a cute little dress
Are you going out with the last person you kissed?
Yes
Do you think you’ll change in the next 3 months?
Change no..grow Hopefully
Who do you feel most comfortable talking to about anything?
Daddy Bear
The last time you felt broken?
When my grandmother died
Have you had sex today?
No...LDR Covid stay at home orders all travel plans canceled
Are you starting to realize anything?
Nope
Are you in a good mood?
Yes
Would you ever want to swim with sharks?
Not even a little
Are your eyes the same color as your dad’s?
No
What do you want right this second?
Icecream
What would you say if the person you love/like kissed another girl/boy?
Depends are he or she our 3rd
Is your current hair color your natural hair color?
Yes
Would you be able to date someone who doesn’t make you laugh?
Never!
What was the last thing that made you laugh?
Tik Tok
Do you really, truly miss someone right now?
Yes
Does everyone deserve a second chance?
Mostly
Honestly, do you hate the last boy you were talking to?
No, hate does not serve anyone
Does the person you have feelings for right now, know you do?
Yes
Are you one of those people who never drinks soda?
Guilty
Listening to?
Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode
Do you ever write in pencil anymore?
Yes
Do you know where the last person you kissed is?
Yes
Do you believe in love at first sight?
No
Who did you last call?
Daddy Bear
Who was the last person you danced with?
Myself
Why did you kiss the last person you kissed?
The only reason you ever should...i wanted to
When was the last time you ate a cupcake?
A couple of months ago
Did you hug/kiss one of your parents today?
No, covid mom is immune compromised i would never put her at risk...i miss mom hugs😩
Ever embarrass yourself in front of a crush?
More than once
Do you tan in the nude?
I have been topless but I burn
If you could, would you take back your last kiss?
Nope
Did you talk to someone until you fell asleep last night?
Yes
Who was the last person to call you?
Daddy Bear
Do you sing in the shower?
Poorly
Do you dance in the car?
Like a stripper
Ever used a bow and arrow?
No
Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?
Graduation
Do you think musicals are cheesy?
Yes but I 💟them
Is Christmas stressful?
Its the most wonderful time of the year
Ever eat a pierogi?
Omg yes my mom and I went on a binge for like 3 months
Favorite type of fruit pie?
Peach cobbler
Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?
Cardiac surgeon
Do you believe in ghosts?
I definitely believe in displaced spirits...Creole is strong in this girl
Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?
Often
Take a vitamin daily?
Yes
Wear slippers?
House boots
Wear a bath robe?
Rarely
What do you wear to bed?
Skin
First concert?
lollapalooza
Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?
Wal-Mart target
Nike or Adidas?
Cheetos Or Fritos?
Cheetos
Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?
Both
Favorite Taylor Swift song?
You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter
You are the best thing, that's ever been mine…
Ever take dance lessons?
No
Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?
No, but I really like the whole helping them remove a tie and unbutton a shirt after work
Can you curl your tongue?
No
Ever won a spelling bee?
Oh no no no
Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
No
What is your favorite book?
Light in the attic
Do you study better with or without music?
With
Regularly burn incense?
No
Ever been in love?
Yes
Who would you like to see in concert?
Beyonce/ Aerosmith
What was the last concert you saw?
A drag classic rock show in Vegas
Hot tea or cold tea?
Botg
Tea or coffee?
Tea
Favorite type of cookie?
Animal
Can you swim well?
No
Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?
Yes
Are you patient?
Yes mostly but also not at all
DJ or band, at a wedding?
Band
Ever won a contest?
Yes I won an art thing in HS
Ever have plastic surgery?
No
Which are better black or green olives?
Black
Opinions on sex before marriage?
Sexual compatibility is so important. Knowing that before marriage is important IMO
Best room for a fireplace?
Den
Do you want to get married
I think yes
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Franken-Stans
Quick Drabble that I might post later on my AO3 account later. It goes with the Franken-Stan set @siro-cyll created here which also on our Redbubble page. You can have the Twin Set or either Stan or Ford.
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The room was dark, as usual. The only source of light came from a desk lamp that hung over the sole occupant of the room as he poured over some ancient text he found on one of his recent adventures. One hand feverishly wrote in a notebook as the other held his place on the page while he muttered under his breath various ideas and translations. Stanford Pines had been so wrapped up in his research, he did not note the arrival of a lumbering figure behind him until a pair of green hands appeared on either side of his peripherals.
“Braaaaaainssss…” A deep, gruff voice groaned out. In one swift move, Ford pushed himself up to his feet, kicked his chair into the figure, and reached for the gun on his hip. The figure cried out as they crashed to the floor. In seconds, Ford pinned the intruder to the ground with a boot to the chest and pointed the gun at their face. His own chest was racked with heavy, shuddering pants. The figure immediately put their hands out. “Woah! Woah! Sixer! It’s me!”
“Stanley?” Ford breathed, removing his boot and reaching for a light source. The room flooded with light and there, on the floor in what looked to be some sort of zombie getup was his twin brother, Stanley Pines. “What on earth are you doing?”
“It’s Halloween, genius. You know? The best night of the year?” Stan grumbled as his brother helped him up.
“Halloween?” the older twin stared off a moment in thought. His thoughtful expression melted into a sad one. “I haven’t celebrated Halloween since…”
This caused Stan to frown but shake his head and punch Ford lightly in the arm.
“Don’t be such a sad sack. That’s all behind us! Say, do you remember how we used to celebrate?” Stan grinned as he threw an arm around his brother. Ford’s thoughtfulness returned as he brought his hand to his chin.
“We’d dress up in matching costumes, then go trick-or-treating…” he murmured.
“And what did we do when we didn’t get treats?”
Ford gave a mischievous smirk.
“Terrorize the occupant until they did so…” he snickered but then stopped. “Didn’t we give Mr. Cretcher a heart attack one year that was near fatal?”
Stan scoffed and waved a hand dismissively.
“He got better. Besides, no telling if it was his time or not. So, how about it? Wanna dress up for old times sake and scare the bejeezus out of the kids trick-or-treating?”
Ford’s smirk only widened.
“On one condition. We lose the zombie costume and go with something a little more tasteful.”
“Deal!”
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Trick-or-treating in Gravity Falls was not unlike Summerween, only with obvious pumpkins instead of melons. Everyone was dressed to the nines in either repeat costumes, or if you were like Pacifica, a completely different costume because she wouldn’t be caught ‘dead’ in the same one in the same year. They would go about trick-or-treating for most of the night then return home with their treasures, hiding the good stuff from their parents who needed to ‘taste test for poison’ and take the name brand candies.
But before all of that, they needed to gather the treats. A group of four were the first victims- er- trick-or-treaters to the Mystery Shack of the night. Stan had decked the place out as he usually did with horrifying decorations and such, same as every twice a year. The porch squeaked eerily under their weights and before they could ring the doorbell, it flew opened to reveal a panicked man in a long white lab coat with black upper arms rubber gloves, black circles under his eyes and a pair of goggles on his forehead.
“Oh no!” He gasped upon seeing the children. “Run! You have to get out of here! My creation! It’s-!”
A roar from inside the house as well as heavy stomps heading for the door made the kids jump.
“It’s too late! Run children!” the man screamed as he was tackled down to the porch by a green and black blur. “No! You are my creation! You must obey me!”
The kids all screamed as they watched the figure that tackled the man begin to shake and strangle him with green, stitched together hands.
“No! No! You can’t-! URGH!”
The man soon went limp with an arm dramatically draped over his face and the figure dropped him only to get to his feet. The kids watched in horror and gasped when the figure snapped its attention in their direction. It let out a low, gurgling growl and lurched forward at them. With one last terrified scream, the kids scattered and ran back toward the town. The growl slowly turned into a hearty laugh and Stan shook his head.
“You know, that’s the first time I didn’t resort to face-melting or gore to get a scream!” he grinned with his hands on his hips and glanced over at Ford who pushed himself up.
“Of course not. It’s a classic that resorts to real-world bodily harm. Anyone who’s smart enough will run from it,” Ford chuckled, fixing his goggles and hair. “At this rate, though, we may not give out any candy if we just keep running them off.”
“Eh, one less cavity to worry about.”
“You know, that was the same mindset of Mr. Cretcher way back when.”
“Shut up and get ready. There’s another group on the way! And I wanna try the ‘stabbed through the chest’ skit.”
The ‘stabbed through the chest’ skit involved Ford answering the door as Dr. Frankenstein and engaging the children of what he’s been up to before seemingly being skewered through the chest from behind by ‘his monster’. Ford would then proceed to collapse to the floor and Stan would run after the kids halfway down the dirt road before walking back, cackling evilly. From this trick on, Ford’s coat kept the bloodstains and contributed to a more sinister look each time the kids came by.
Another skit would include another strangling, but this time the kids would witness the ‘rise’ of Frankenstein’s monster in the backyard where Ford had put together a makeshift lab and table. Stan would lay on the table motionless and Ford would ham it up, going through the motions of Dr. Frankenstein as he was trying to bring his creation to life. After the ‘switch being pulled’ and a small light show, Stan would sit up from the table and attack Ford. The kids, again, would go running, screaming back toward town and Ford would set the stage again to pull the same stunt. Stan figured this was his favorite skit by far so he didn’t do much to try to do a different one.
During one of the ‘rise’ skits, one of the groups had an adult with them who grabbed the nearest prop and began to beat Stan with it when he rose up and tried reaching for Ford. He didn’t have time to turn to strangle anyone. Ford had to pull the guy off of him and was thankful that the prop that was being used was made of lightweight wood. Still, it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt when hit with it.
“Okay, I think that’s it for the night…” Stan grumbled, now sitting on the porch couch with an ice pack as Ford brought him a Pitt Cola and sat down next to him with a mug of coffee.
“You did a number on that last guy though,” Ford admitted.
“Me? He did a number on me!”
“Yeah, but you scared him bad enough to cause his fight instincts to kick in without doing much,” the older twin snickered. Stan blinked then grinned.
“Yeah, I guess I did, didn’t I? HA! What a maroon! I still got it!” Stan laughed. “Seriously, though, that hurt.”
“I would imagine. How’s your head?”
“Pounding. But I had fun so it’s not as bad as it could have been.”
“Good. Happy Halloween, Stanley.”
“Happy Halloween, Sixer. I think we really needed this.” Stan sighed, glancing out over the staged area. Ford nodded then grimaced as he pulled out a handful of off-brand candy that Stan had bought for trick-or-treating.
“Yeah. But next year we're getting better candy. The off-brand is gross.”
“Then you’re the one paying for it. Not me. Besides, Soos will eat it when he comes back from that party his girl dragged him to.”
“Deal.”
#Gravity Falls#Franken-Stans#Ford Pines#Stan Pines#Halloween 2k19#Frankenstein and his monster#Happy Halloween everyone!
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Amber Solachiel for @shae-sims‘s Julian’s Bachelor Challenge!
Aspiration: Fabulously Wealthy
Traits: Ambitious, Jealous, Self-Assured
Occupation: General Manager at Atlantis Ship Building Company
Location: Willow Creek
You can find her spotify playlist here, and pinterest board here.
She has 3 daily, 3 formal, 2 athletic, 3 sleep, 1 party, 3 swimwear, 1 hot weather and 1 cold weather outfit.
Her backstory and more info under the cut.
Backstory
Born in Oasis Springs, Amber spent her childhood in a slum. She was extremely ill-treated by her parents, suffered financial difficulties for her family, and had a very bad childhood. When she finished elementary school, her father didn't want to send Amber to high school, he said she had to work, but Amber said she could take both of them at the same time and both worked and studied. While most of the money she earns was taken by her parents, Amber applied to the university with some of her savings. Her family didn't let him go, but Amber ignored them and made a decision to build her own future. Thus, she went to university and graduated as the first of her class in Business Administration.
In her second year, she started a long-term internship at a company, and after a while she began to have a relationship with her charismatic and attentive manager, Felipe Torres. At first, Felipe was a very gentle, cultured and wonderful lover, but over time his attitude towards Amber has changed. After two and a half years together, Amber graduated. The woman, who broke all ties with Felipe forcibly, changed her name to Amber Solachiel and came to Willow Creek, thinking that the only way to get rid of her obsessed ex was to change her name and moving to another city.
Luckily, Nathaniel Wheaton, a large holding owner, met her and offered her a job after hearing the woman's whole life story. Thus, Amber, who started to work at Sapphire Holding, was promoted to the position of Public Relations Manager from scratch, almost like a phoenix reborn from its ashes. She was also one of Nate's most trusted people and one of his closest friends. At present, she is the General Manager of the shipbuilding company that joined Sapphire Holding. In all of her wealth, she began to realize the absence of one thing: love.
Personality
Amber, who was extremely quiet until high school, started to raise her voice from high school and never hesitated to talk about what she wanted. She is straightforward and do not hesitate to express her views. Strong woman is extremely suitable definition for her. She is ambitious, does her best to get what she wants, but with being jealous, she can sometimes make things difficult. Nevertheless, the obstacles never made Amber give up, but instead she tried harder for what she wanted. Her self-confidence is very high and she's very good at communicating with people. Although she lost her faith in love many years ago, she enjoys spending time with men. There is a perfect balance between her social and work life.
Some facts about her
- loves to wear high heels. Her shoe cabinet is full of heels.
- work for herself for a very long time because she hates to be financially dependent to someone.
- listens to classical music while studying and reading. Other than these times, she usually listens to more energetic and popular songs.
- there is a library room in her house, at least as big as her clothes room.
- in the morning, she wakes up with the sunrise. She does sports every moring.
- loves orchids, lilies and lavender.
- favorite fruits are peach and strawberry.
- eats seafood almost once in a week.
- when she wants to have a snack during the day, she eats a fruit salad.
- her house is decorated in a very minimalist way and there is nothing about her past.
- her birth name is Leana Watson, and only her friend Nate knows it.
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main 6 classic fairytale aus
god this is SO LONG (and took so long). beware!
most of these follow the original stories, not modern adaptations (with the exception of nadia; the original story is too horrible for me to ever even consider that happening to nadia) in addition, all of these stories involve the MC still being asra’s apprentice (except for his own story + portia’s), so there’s that.
Julian - The Loneliest Prince (or, the Tower Prince)
(also known as the story of Rapunzel)
a young prince julian suffers a near fatal-assassination attempt on his 18th birthday, sending him into a coma. when he wakes, he can’t remember a single thing about his life.
for his safety, his father, the king of vesuvia, locks him in one of the castle’s towers, promising to release him once he remembers the truths about himself in the world.
flash foward six years later. julian is 24, still has not regained a single spark of his memory and is still imprisoned in the tower.
then, without warning, a plague sweeps across the land. despite being confined, it still reaches the prince and he falls dealthy ill.
the king, terrified at the thought of losing his only heir, calls upon the local doctors to heal him. after nothing works, he’s forced to turn to the local magician, asra
unfortunately, asra is indisposed in a far off land, leaving his apprentice to attempt to cure julian.
as the apprentice works to save the prince’s life, they listen to his tale of lost memory and confinement and begin to fall for him. they know, however, that julian could never feel the same way - after all, they’re just a magician’s apprentice. he’s a prince.
that is until julian recovers and confesses his love for the apprentice.
under the guise that julian is indeed still sick, they continue to see each other and fall even more in love. the apprentice shows books to julian detailing the world he’s forgotten. they enchant instruments and julian teaches them how to dance, one of the only things he can remember.
one night, julian presents the idea of sneaking out of the tower to see the world with the apprentice. they do, and share a lovely night in the darkest corners of vesuvia, disguised and pretending to live the lives of normal citizens. they continue to do this until one night they are caught by the king and forcefully separated, screaming for each other.
the apprentice is thrown in jail, and the king, furious at julian, makes a compact with the devil and places a curse on him. he is transported deep into the woods to another tower and transformed into a terrifying bird-like creature, one that the apprentice could never love.
when asra returns and finds the apprentice in jail, he helps them escape and locate the location of julian’s new tower. they rush there, shocked to find julian covered in feathers, and his heart shattered by his separation from his love.
seeing him such a state, the apprentice weeps tears of unconditional love and pity. when they fall on his wings, julian’s feathers begin to disappear as he returns to his true form. at that same moment, all of his memories are returned to him.
turns out, julian, right before his 18th birthday, had discovered that the king, unable to produce an heir himself, had kidnapped a baby from the village and claimed him as his. terrified that this realization would cause a coup, the king hired a rogue to assassinate the prince.
together, the apprentice and julian confront the king. the apprentice uses their magic to banish the king from the land, leaving julian (at the lack of a blood relative to the old king) as the sole occupant on the thrown. he and the apprentice get married and are coronated the next day.
and they all live happily ever after.
Nadia - The Slumbering Queen
(also known as the story of Sleeping Beauty)
after her parents’ unexpected deaths, nadia is crowned the queen of vesuvia. in grief at their passing, and at losing the only ones in the world who loved her, she locks herself in her room, leaving a power vacuum to fester in the kingdom.
many suitors come from far and wide to try to lure her into marrying them as a grab at the throne, but she refuses all of them. the more she turns away, the sicker she gets, to the point that she stops even leaving her bed.
the courtiers, worried at losing their only stabilizing force in the kingdom, call upon a local magician and his apprentice to relieve her depression. still, she refuses their help, and the entire court gives up.
one night, after refusing a particularly determined prince from a neighboring land, nadia is found in her bed completely comatose. the courtiers think it’s from grief, but the apprentice, hearing about this and the prince, thinks otherwise.
they apprentice begs the courtiers to let them investigate, and having no other option, they agree. the apprentice starts to visit her every night, checking on her vitals, analyzing blood samples...
until one night she speaks to them. not physically, but in her mind. nadia is conscious, and the apprentice’s magic allows them to communicate. they ask her what happened the night of the start of her coma, but she refuses to speak about it. ‘i dont want to wake up to a world without love,’ she says.
she talks about other things though. art. poetry. her parents. love. and slowly, the apprentice begins to fall for her and her beautiful mind, even if she cannot touch or kiss or hold them.
time passes, and the apprentice and nadia are inseparable; they spend every hour of every day at her side. they still refuse to confess their love, knowing telling such a thing to a comatose queen would spell disaster.
finally, after months of this, nadia suddenly confesses that she’s fallen for her caregiver. ‘i can’t see you, but i can hear you, and i wish to wake for you.’
according to her, the night she went comatose, she accepted a drink from a suitor, hoping to drown her sorrows in it. instead, she found it spiked with a sleeping potion - the prince, bitter at her refusal of his marriage proposal, decided if he couldn’t have the throne, no one could.
the apprentice, angered, attempts to hunt down the vile prince, but he is long gone. no trace of him remains.
the apprentice weeps over nadia, and at feeling their tears on her face, nadia makes a sudden realization: the apprentice truly does love her. there is love in the world, and its enough.
nadia asks the apprentice to kiss her, and they accept. they place the gentlest peck on her lips.
then nadia kisses back.
the sleeping potion reversed by true love’s kiss, nadia and the apprentice embrace, once again confessing their love for each other. ‘now that i can see you,’ she says, ‘i love you even more.’
soon, the pair are married, and stability is restored to the kingdom, the thought of the treacherous prince completely out of their minds. he doesn’t matter anymore, for they know one simple thing:
they can face anything if they face it together.
and they all live happily ever after.
Asra - The Magician’s Golden Thread
(also known as the story of Rumplestiltskin)
(* the miller is the apprentice)
a young miller is living deep in the country is struck with a horrible drought, killing all of their straw crops. left without a source of income, they begin to starve. still, they manage to survive, eating what little they have.
one night, they hear a knock at their door. standing before them is a weary traveler. the traveler begs for food, claiming he is hungry and on death's door. in their kindness, the miller gives him the last of their food, resigning themselves to true starvation.
at the offer, the traveler suddenly turns into a beautiful magician, asra, and tells the miller that for their kindness, he will grant them one favor.
all the miller asks is to be able to eat, and in an instant their house is filled with bundles upon bundles of straw. they are stunned, even more so when asra tells them to spin it upon the spinning wheel.
they do, and the straw turns into threads of gold.
soon, the miller grows rich on the gold and is able to buy enough food to last a lifetime. instead of just keeping everything to themselves, however, they begin to donate to nearby villages also suffering through the drought, saving countless lives.
asra is confused by the miller’s unexplainable kindness, even when the gift that he had given them could be used for such selfish purposes. with the miller’s enthusiastic consent, he decides to live with them in order to better understand how a human could be so good.
unbeknownst to him, asra begins to fall in love with the miller. unbeknownst, for the magician has never loved anyone before.
one day, the miller finds him sobbing in the corner of the house. upon questioning, asra reveals that his master, the devil, the one from who his magic derives, has begun to grow bored with him, and plans to force him to kill the miller. if not, he himself will die.
the miller, having too fallen for asra, promises to help him break his servitude with the devil and get his soul back.
asra confesses that if the devil tries to collect a soul that isn’t rightfully his, he will be banished back to his realm. using this information to conjure up a plan destroying him for good, the two summon the devil, and the miller strikes up a deal.
‘if you release asra from his servitude to you,’ says the miller. ‘i will spin gold for you as long as i am able, and all in your name.’
the devil, foolish, agrees. suddenly, asra’s ties to him are broken, and the devil makes his move to collect the miller’s soul.
upon doing so, the devil is bound by a thick cord of gold thread. he is baffled and furious, unable to understand why such a thing was happening.
‘my power to spin gold comes from asra,’ explains the miller. ‘and asra’s power comes from you. i promised to spin gold for you as long as i could, and if asra no longer has power, i no longer have the power to spin gold. therefor, my soul is not yours, and our deal is void.’
and with that, the devil is banished back to his realm, leaving asra and the apprentice free.
asra breaks down, overcome with the realization that the miller loves them, and that he feels the same. this, combined with the cleansing of his soul, prompts him to confess his love. the miller of course reciprocates, and they quickly marry.
after marrying, the two take their leftover gold thread and move to the city. using their profits, they start a soup kitchen and a charity, helping to heal the last wounds of the drought.
and they all live happily ever after.
Portia - The Thief of Hearts
(also known as the story of Robin Hood)
(* the noble child is the apprentice)
in a far off land, a rich noblewoman and her husband give birth to a child. at the same time, a poor farmer and his wife on the other side of town give birth to a baby girl and name her pasha.
while the noble child thrives, pasha’s family is struck with disease and all but she and her older brother, ilya, survive. following their parent’s deaths, they are sent to the orphanage and from a young age taught that the negligence of the noble class to the struggles of the poor is the thing that caused the loss of their parents.
eventually, the noble child grows into a fine example of the nobility, and by age 22 are the talk of the town.
by the time pasha is 22, she and her brother have been out of the orphanage for years. ilya becomes a doctor, but she still remains unemployed, refusing to work in a society that benefits only the wealthiest among them.
then, she has an idea.
‘what if, ilya,’ she asks one day. ‘what if we took from the rich and gave to the poor?’
in that moment, the dastardly devorak siblings, the heroes of the poor, are born. ilya adopts the name julian, and pasha...she decides on portia.
their plans are simple: when julian treats a rich patient, he scopes out their home, looking for any kind of easy entrance. then, in the dead of night, portia sneaks in and takes whatever she can get her hands on, sells it in the red market, and disperses the profits among the needy.
the two grow extremely, extremely good at this, and the poor of the town grow less hungry. but it’s still not enough.
portia then plans her biggest heist of them all: the house of the once noble-child, now 22 and the sole owner of the estate after their parent's untimely deaths.
unfortunately, the heist doesn’t go as planned. portia and julian are caught by the city guards and are taken to the noble child. in a twist, though, the noble child lies through their teeth and tells the guards that the two were welcome in their home, and were given the items they took directly by them.
after being released, portia confronts the noble and questions why they saved her from prison. the noble explains that they too are sick of the greed of the rich, finally exposed to them at their parent’s deaths. all of their relatives had come running, begging for a sum of the large fortune and when denied, shunned them, even more so when they suggested they donate some to the poor.
from then on, the noble joins the dastardly devorak duo, helping to infiltrate houses they had visited before.
along their journey, portia and the noble fall for each other, eventually confess their feelings, and continue to support the poor.
‘you did steal something from me, portia.’
‘and what was that, dear?’
‘my heart.’
and they all live happily ever after.
Muriel - The Wolf and the Apprentice
(also known as the story of Little Red Riding Hood)
a young apprentice is sent by their mentor asra to fetch an extremely rare magical ingredient supposedly known to grow in the forests outside of vesuvia
as they travel through the forest, they begin to remember rumors of a hideous beast living in the woods, dragging off prey into the shadows of the wood and leaving only blood trails behind
as the night falls, the apprentice realizes they have lost their way and begin to panic
then, in the distance, they see a small cottage, with a billowing cloud of fire smoke coming from the chimney. someone is home.
they knock on the door and are greeted with practically a giant of a man and he’s scary
the apprentice, still nervous, asks for help, considering a night with a stranger in their cottage at least less dangerous than a night in the woods
turns out, the man’s a huge sweetie pie. and unexpectedly quiet.
he introduces himself as muriel and the apprentice eventually falls asleep next to him beside the fire
the next morning, the apprentice wakes up and finds muriel gone - in his place, a huge, slumbering wolf
at first they’re terrified, but then they notice the scars on its face that so closely resemble the ones that muriel had on his face
it’s him. its muriel.
using a spell to talk to him, the apprentice is told by wolf!muriel that he was cursed long ago by an evil count, bitter that he refused to become a gladiator for him.
from dawn til dusk, muriel is turned into a wolf, the one rumors call the hideous beast. at night, however, he’s allowed to return to his true form.
(oh, and the supposed blood trails left by the ‘hideous beast’? it’s just poor muriel taking wounded animals back to his cottage to take care of them.)
eventually, the apprentice convinces muriel to come back to vesuvia with them, traveling solely during the night. they take him back to Asra’s shop just as the sun rises, and as muriel transforms back into his wolf form, asra realizes what’s going on
with the help of asra and the combining of their magic, the apprentice is able to reverse the effects of the curse and unbind him from his wolf form.
muriel, eternally grateful, decides to travel along with them and protect them for the rest of their days
(they fall in love, of course, and eventually get married.)
(and adopt a lot of dogs.)
and they all live happily ever after.
Lucio - The Taming of the Beast
(also known as the story of Beauty and the Beast)
(this one starts in past tense unlike all the other ones, i have no idea WHY just please don’t kill me)
at the foot of a great mountain lies a sleepy, small kingdom. atop the mountain lies an abandoned castle, once home to a selfish prince named lucio, but long since left empty by said prince’s sudden disappearance.
coincidentally, on the same night of the prince’s disappearance, a plague began to wildly spread throughout the kingdom. within days nearly 1/5 of the kingdom was infected, and with no ruler to pose any solution on how to contain it, many fell to it. they didn’t die, however. no...they fell asleep, unable to wake. comatose.
with no other options left, those who weren’t sick began to investigate unnatural methods of curing the plague. soon they turned to the local magician asra and his apprentice, the only two in the kingdom who knew any bit of magic.
asra eventually found a lead, a potion to wake the sick... but it required an ingredient that neither he nor anyone else in kingdom possessed - a rose, touched by the hand of an arcana, a magical being that may or may not even exist. latching on to the dim ray of hope, asra and his apprentice travelled up the mountain, hoping the missing prince’s gardens might contain it.
to their luck, it did. but as soon as asra plucked it from the soil, a great beast, a giant white goat, appeared from inside the castle and demanded payment for the rose. not gold, however, nor silver - the beast looked upon the apprentice and decided it wanted them. the magician could have the flower, but only if the apprentice stayed willingly.
asra begged his apprentice not to take the deal, but they, good-natured and good-hearted, agreed to the beast’s terms. the magician left with the rose, and the beast returned to the castle’s interior with the apprentice in tow.
for the first few days and nights, the beast locked the apprentice in a room and refused to let them out, ashamed of his decision to trade the rose for their life. then, overcome by guilt for imprisoning them, the beast let the apprentice out and began to treat them as well as he could manage.
the beast also revealed his name to be montag. the name, which carried such weight to it, struck a chord with the apprentice and caused them to further pry into Montag’s life. quickly, the apprentice became aware of something hiding deep in the beast - a spark of humanity. as well, they ignored his appearance, not caring a lick about how terrifying he seemed, something which he was deeply grateful for.
months passed, and with each day Montag and the apprentice grew closer and closer. montag began to fall for his captive, but filled with disgust at his own appearance, failed to reveal it to them.
one day, he found them crying in their room. the apprentice, while they did enjoy montag’s company, had grown deeply homesick and missed asra more than ever. doing his best to reciprocate the kindness they had shown him, the beast let the apprentice return to the village on the promise that they would return by sundown three nights later.
the apprentice, agreeing to his terms, travelled down the mountain and was greeted with open arms by asra, who had managed to, using the magical rose, concoct a cure for the plague.
overcome by happiness at the announcement of the plague’s end, the terms of montag’s agreement floated out of their mind. it was only by the end of the fourth night that they realized their grave mistake.
rushing back up the mountain, they returned to the castle, but it was too late.
montag, thinking the apprentice left them for good, fell sick with grief. his last breath is taken with his true love at his side, his last words a confession of such love.
the apprentice, suddenly hit with the truth - that they love Montag, even if he is a beast - weeped tears into his chest, detesting themselves for betraying him.
before the last tear fell, however, montag’s body began to glow.
in an instant, he was transformed from the beast montag into the long lost prince lucio. he sat up, shocked to find that he was no longer the monster he once was. even more shocking was the fact that the apprentice loved him, and in a moment of passion, he kissed them.
and they kissed back.
lucio then revealed that, before he was a beast, he was approached by an old man the night before the plague started. the man, ugly and dirty, begged for shelter from the storm that raged that night, in exchange, he would give him a single beautiful rose. but lucio, selfish, turned the man away. the man then revealed himself to be an arcana and placed a curse on the prince - until he could learn to not judge on appearances, he would be transformed into a hideous, goat-like beast. the only way to reverse the curse would be to gain the love of someone pure-hearted, one who would, like lucio should have, not judge on appearances. as the arcana left, he planted the rose in the gardens.
after all of this, lucio asked the apprentice to marry him. they accepted, and invited the entire kingdom, now free of the plague, into the castle to celebrate their marriage.
from then on, lucio and his love ruled with kindness, never turning down a single soul who asked them for help.
and they all lived happily ever after.
BONUS: the view that inspired me to write this. can’t you just imagine the gang running through those woods?
#the arcana#arcana visual novel#julian devorak#ilya devorak#asra the magician#asra arcana#asra alnazar#portia devorak#muriel#nadia satrinava#count lucio#imagines#headcanons#writing#montag
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❝ EVIL - it blooms. it eats. it grins. ❞ MAIA MITCHELL? No, that’s actually MARIA FORTESCUE. Only TWENTY FIVE years old, this HUFFLEPUFF alumni works as a STUDY OF ANCIENT RUNES PROFESSOR and is sided with THE DOUBLE AGENTS (THE DEATH EATERS). SHE identifies as CIS-WOMAN and is a PURE-BLOOD who is known to be RUTHLESS, MISGUIDED, and EASILY DISTRACTED but also PRAGMATIC, KIND, and POSITIVE. { LIZ, 22, GMT+2, SHE/HER }
aesthetics: there’s something soft in me ( ... we killed it and it’s rotting ), the smell of freshly baked cookies, good intentions, constant heartbreak, that one teacher that brings hot chocolate and blankets for the entire class only because she thought it was cold this morning, oversized earrings, watching the same muggle movie over and over again, never being able to decline a dare and doing what you believe is right, even if you may be proven wrong later.
BACK TO BASICS.
name: maria angelina fortescue.
occupation: professor at hogwarts. teaches ancient runes.
nicknames: mary.
+ pragmatic, kind, resourceful, positive and compassionate.
- misguided, easily distracted, naive, ruthless and high strung.
age: 25.
date of birth: august 28.
zodiac: virgo.
hometown: glasgow, scotland.
current location: spends most of the year at hogwarts, but also has a small summer house on the norweigan coast.
gender: cis female.
pronouns: she/her.
orientation: bisexual.
allegiance: to end the war ---- and she believes that the death eaters are currently the only ones capable of doing that. she was a loyal order member from the start ----- but then the people around her started dying and maria’s priorities changed. all she wants is for the war to end, so that her students can return to being the kids they were meant to be and so that her friends may live. ending the war may not bring her father back, but it’s all she can do to honor his memory.
spoken languages: english, spanish and french. can also read and write latin.
moral alignment: lawful good/lawful neutral.
element: earth.
house: hufflepuff.
pinterest board.
BACKGROUND/FAMILY/SCHOOL YEARS.
maria is the daughter of florean fortescue and his wife, seline. her childhood was spent in his ice cream shop, in diagon alley - where she would run around the place, always finding another customer to charm. she was the kind of child to smile at everything life threw her way ---- almost as if that sugary sweetness she was raised on became part of her very being, her blood.
torture tw >>>>
now ---- maria was never exposed to the war. nor did her father like talking about it very much, either. he had scars, for sure. the death eaters at the time had tortured him for information about the deathly hallows, and the elder wand. the wand to end all wars. florean had only been released after he had revealed what he knew, and then, it would take a long time before he would return to his former self. maria was born five years later, and that day ----- florean fortescue swore to himself that he would never talk about what had once been, ever again. the war was over. voldemort was dead. maria would grow up only knowing kindness and hope and never ending compassion and generosity.
end of tw <<<<
so her upbringing was sheltered. she was always doted upon and cared for. they were living in a post-war world, and her parents felt that theresa was a beacon of light and hope and sainthood ---- but most importantly, they believed that her world would be better. SHE would be better. they hoped that her name alone would speak it into existence.
her father was somewhat of an amateur historian, he spent copious amount of time gathering sources, information and literature on everything from the medieval witch burnings to the deathly hallows. if he had been less fueled by his need to bring joy into people’s lives, he would have become a professor, or a historian, or a researcher. but florean fortescue was not an ambitious man by any means, and would rather earn his keep by making people smile.
maria was raised on ice cream and stories, mostly. her mother was an author, who specialized in writing stories for witches ( think the kind of stuff molly weasley would be interested in reading ). but she was also a master storyteller, and maria was her favorite audience.
she shows up at hogwarts, and gets sorted into hufflepuff without the hat barely having to touch her head. and with them ---- she thrives. then again, maria has never not thrived. ever since her childhood, she has been that person that everything seems to run off, like water. maria is the girl that’s always smiling, never raises her voice, remains sweet like sugar and honey and everything nice.
though maria was overall very academically successful, she excelled especially in a history of magic and in the study of ancient runes.
could usually be found by the lake, in the library or in the hufflepuff dormitory.
known for sneaking into the kitchens and demanding to let the house elves let her cook something up ---- just something small, won’t take long, she promises.
AFTER HOGWARTS.
murder tw, parental death cw >>>>
she’s 23 when her father is brutally murdered in cold blood. she’s the one to find him. their ice cream parlour has been brutalized ---- but nothing has been taken. she’ll find out later that he was the casualty of a fight between death eaters and remnants of a fallen order. she’ll never find out who fired the curse that killed him. she’ll always blame herself for not having had been there, instead being busy with her books and her career.
end of tw <<<<
without her father, the ice cream shop doesn’t seem worth rebuilding, so she lets it fall into history. instead, she focuses on her job, and decides to pick up a position at hogwarts, as a professor. she has always been great with kids, and teaching comes naturally for her ----- it’s like second nature. so it makes sense, at the time.
she’s a baby professor!!!! this is her second year of teaching!!!!! she’s doing her best !!!!!
little does she know that a war is at the horizon, and it’s only gonna get worse.
murder tw, parental death tw, depression tw >>>>
ANYWAYS before i go on forever about this, maria has no experience of war. so when it comes knocking, she doesn’t know what the fuck to do. she doesn’t have her father to look to, and her mother has closed herself off since his death. maria only has herself, and all of her instincts are screaming at her to get the fuck out.
end of tw
but she can’t do that, can she? she has students, little children, to take care of. so maria puts on her bravest face, and tries to think like her father ---- her idol, her role model. so she joins the newly reformed order.
parental death cw, death cw >>>>
but months pass ----- not much changes. the war rages on. and she still hasn’t found any leads on who was there when her father died. she becomes distraught ---- confused. slowly, her number of friends start to dwindle. people die around her. she has to attend several funerals for her own students, and it kills her. little by little. it takes something from her, it steals tiny pieces of her soul. the order doesn’t seem that appealing anymore, does it? how the fuck are they gonna win this war? she has killed people in its name, and for what? resentment starts to grow, and it slowly turns into something darker, deeper, more vile.
end of tw >>>>
so she seeks them out ---- the death eaters. she starts to think that they’re the only way to end this, the only way to make all this bloodshed stop. but she’s inexperienced, a little naive. she only wants to help, really. who cares who wins, as long as the war ends? maybe if the other side wins, it’ll stick this time. third time’s the charm, and all that. maria only wants it to stop.
before she knows it, she’s doing unspeakable things in the name of something so unholy that she can barely speak the words. self doubt plagues her ---- will this all be worth it in the end? she’s fairly certain that she’s on the wrong side of history now, but she’s so loyal to her friends, to her students ---- she can’t stand by and watch them die.
currently, maria is still in the order. but she keeps distancing herself, making herself less available, pretending that she’s always busy with work. it pains her to betray people --- even though she doesn’t technically think that’s what she’s doing. she’s just hurrying the process along, right? it will all sort itself out, in the end.
torture tw >>>>
found her father’s notebooks on the deathly hallows and is currently pouring all of her energy into researching his work and all those things that he never bothered to tell her ( and yes, she feels betrayed by that, too. ) has also discovered her father’s journals, and all the information he withheld from her about the second wizarding war. now she’s kinda pissed at both the death eaters and the order, because 1) the death eaters kidnapped and tortured her dad. 2) the order did nothing to stop it, or save him, AND then basically covered up what happened once he was released.
end of tw <<<<<
PERSONALITY.
maria’s heart is in the right place, most of the time. she thinks too much of the bigger picture, and is desperate To Do Good.
a little too trusting? has a hard time seeing people’s true colors.
cares too much probably. really invested in her teaching and her students.
can be a really strict teacher!!!! will roast u if late. is always very punctual herself and expects the same in return.
doesn’t believe in this blood purity nonsense, but also doesn’t think that will actually stick once the war is over. she genuinely thinks that everything will go back to normal, if everyone would just stop fucking fighting !!!!!!!!
like i said, very misguided.
genuinely believes this will all work out if she just !!!!! can make !!!! the fighting !!!!! stop !!!!!
one gal against the world, ya feel !!!!!
always smiling !!!! that girl who will smile at u as u walk past just because she can and she wants to make u happy !!!!
plays with her hair a lot, it’s a problem
very passionate abou t classic art and history and ancient runes!!!! will fight u about it, get ready for a 150 page essay about why u are wrong
makes a lot of questionable decisions on a whim? problematic behavior right there
also cannot physically say no to a dare. miss maria will. do it... just watch
very, very afraid!!!!! right now, maria is lowkey terrified of both the order and the death eaters. she has seen some shit and doesn’t know who the fuck to trust. hot take: they’re all bad
would die for her students!!!
has a cat called stereo and an owl called clemence.
tries to give her students a sense of normalcy, but cannot afford to give herself the same courtesy. maria had a normal childhood - she wants the same for her students. if that means that she has to do What It Takes to try to make the war end? well, that’s what she’s gonna do.
with that said --- is the type of girl to find a solution to every problem! even if it means going against ur very nature bc u think thIS is THE only wAY to hAVE things gO bacK to normal !!!!! i never said her logic was flawless !!!!! she’s a scared girl trying to do what is right !!!! even if it’s so wrong ! ha
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The Beauty of Ancestral Silay
I enjoy traveling, especially to places that are rich in culture and heritage. Known as the Paris of Negros, the historical city known as Sitio Esteca, was long known for it’s beautiful landscape and enriching culture long before the arrival of the Spanish – it’s reputation still holds up to this day.We are going to Silay for some ancestral houses that have with stood the test of time. When we arrived to Silay City, I was surprised because their city is not only unique in both culture and heritage – the city is quiet and clean, not yet polluted with people.
Our first destination is in Balay Negrense; we saw a nice ancestral house. When we go inside, I saw a lot of historical things like the dress, chair, floor, and everything. The tour guide gave us knowledge all about Balay Negrense, and she introduced the owner of the house including it’s background like the owner of the family, where the family sleep and eat, etc. The second floor, when you go upstairs of the house you can see the two ways of stairs - in the right side stairs, this is where the boys are located, and the left side of stairs is for the girls. In the previous times during the peak of Silay’s historical significance, the people were very conservative and so the bed rooms were arranged in a way that the girls and boys are separated always. When the parents of a household have a important meetings or visitors, the children have their own table beside in the other room, with separated rows for only the boys so they can eat whenever the parents are busy. The main dining room was only used for the guests and their parents - the children are not allowed to join them, so the children have their own table rows. Their maids are not allowed to use the two stairs that the owners are using so in their balcony they have a stairs for their maids to go upstairs in the second floor. Their Sala (living room) is a generous wooden room which they only used for the guests. Their plates and cups were only made of wood or ceramics. The living room and piano are for visitors as well as for dances, musical performances and soirees, for here presided the piano that was found in almost every Silaynon home. Infamous for their musical talents, the Paris of Negros is remembered for the many singers from Silay; the city has produced many sopranos, including the world famous Conchita Gaston and many pianists. This ancestral house is very cultural, and contains many magazine on the table and maps of the city of Silay with it’s geographical location.
The Second Destination is in Hofileña Museum, however the tour guide said that they were having their lunch and that they they will be open at 2pm. We decided that we would go first to El Ideal for our lunch, so we ride a trike to our location. Then we are inside of El Ideal, we discover that there’s a lot of nice Pasalubongs – I decide to buy senioritas, since we can not find that in Bacolod. I also buy banana chips, but because some of their products are so expensive, I only buy two. We decided to eat and buy our lunch in El Ideal since many people are going and eating there anyways. I buy batchoy for my lunch, a hard choice to make but a safe decision - they had a lot of different items on their menu that I haven’t tried before, but I know that I will enjoy batchoy. The best seller on their menu are the spare ribs and guapple pie. After we eat, we go outside and decided to go to San Diego Church. Before we move on, we saw someone selling outside. In fact, all the varied vendors outside seemed nice, and the whole arrangement was very organized and did not cause any inconvenience to pedestrians or traffic.
Going to San Diego Church from our location at El Ideal, required very little effort on our part. The restaurant was so nearby, we just decided to walk to the church. While walking, we passed by Silay Park. When you see the church outside, its architctur seems so simple and humble -but when you go inside, the interior is far more complex, with the floor being patterned beautifully. The top of their roof is nice, and I’m amazed with it’s structure. The San Diego Church is so large and glamorous, the highlight being the giant chandelier hanging in the center of church. There are a lot of statues, or santo niño and staffs, that are displayed along the walls. After we take 20 minutes or 15 minutes experiencing the church, we decided to move on to our next destination.
Our Fourth Destination is to Café 1925. This is where we decided to have coffee, a hot drink to complement the cold and windy weather. Going inside the café, we experience a beautifully designed and cozy interior – the floor is designed in a variety of patterns, and the walls are decorated with hand crafter paintings and old historical pictures. The history of the café describes in renovation in 1925, with the new design still sticking to it’s basic historical charm but organized in a way that would attract modern tourists, younger people, and foreign customers. Their large and varied menu reflects the taste of their customers, both local and foreign. I buy a mocha latte, enjoying the cozy café and it’s comfortably small space. The café is popular, even offering catering and hosting functions like parties or events. Shortly after ordering, we were served our drinks. It was delicious. From the reactions of the other customers, with how enjoyable they seemed to be while eating the café’s hand made desserts, it is easy to see on their faces how good the menu and sweets they served must be. Café 1925 had many customers, and we left shortly after finishing our drinks. We returned to the Hofileña Museum at around 2pm, opting to ride a tricycle instead of walking in order to save time.
When visiting the Hofileña Museum, the rain had started falling. When we first arrived inside, the tour guide welcomed us warmly and said that we put our baggage in their box cage before starting the tour. We joined another small group of visitors, and during our tour, we were accompanied by the owner of the house himself. He finished the tour along with us, guiding our group throughout his home and describing the many features of the museum. He showed us the smallest doll in the world, featured only here at the Hofileña Museum, which he discovered and returned himself from the country of Japan. The owner of the museum described many other items on display, all collecting during his childhood or procured during his travels. He collected many foreign toys and antique items. He shared with us his hobby of creating printing paints using an old print pain machine, an antique item he played with during his younger years. He taught us how to use it and how it was used back then. He continued to show us the other items he had collected, like rare alcoholic drinks, foreign currencies that no longer exist today, and a variety of ceramics like bowls and plates and vases. His featured dining room table was elegant, and looking at it made us feel as if we were in an old classical house – the whole collection was very interesting and nice. During the second floor of the tour, we were lectured on the rare paintings of Jose Rizal that the owner had managed to collect, including other works of art from historically influential Filipino artists. The owner recounted the story of his friendship with a really good friend of his, a patron of the arts, who he wrote a story about after his friend had died. While on the second floor, we were shown some of the more mature paintings of the human body in it’s natural form. I really wanted to take some pictures, but we were told that doing so would cause the paintings to diminish or deteriorate faster. For the sake of preservation, pictures were only allowed on the first floor – art featured on the second floor were for eyes only. After the end of the tour, we take memorial pictures with our generous tour guides, before moving on to our next destination.
After we finish our visit to the Hofileña Museum, we head out to our next destination, which is the Bernadino Jalandoni House Museum. We get again another trike when traveling to go to the Bernadino Jalandoni House Museum. We arrive shortly, and when we go inside it can be noticed how similar the architecture is to the other ancestoral homes that we had seen earlier. But this time in Bernadino Jalandoni, during our tour we were shown the uniqueness of the home that was not featured in the other ancestral houses. The museum here is has an old trike with the home, a mode of transportation used in preparation for what the occupants had assumed would be the for-coming Second World War. We were also briefly introduced to everyday essentials used during the 1900’s like the sewing machine, old kitchen tools, antique plates, furniture, and outdated clothing. We were late when joining our tour group, and missed out on the tour guides explanation on these items and their history, but we managed to discuss briefly what we could during our short time there. In order to manage our time and maintain our schedule, we moved along to our last destination before heading home.
Our last stop is at Café Velo. We stop here briefly before we go home. I don’t buy anything because I already bought a lot of treats at Café 1925. I just take pictures of their decoration because I like the concept of their shop and how they decorate. I think many other business owners would also want a similar kind of decoration or design in their own shop, because Café Velo had a design that gives beauty that complements the simplicity of their store. We don’t stay much longer because the time is running out, so we get a trike again for the terminal. It is at the terminal that we catch a ride towards bacolod.
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ESSAY 3: Cambodian Culture
Cambodia is a nation with a rich but largely absent culture. During the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, as many as two million people were brutally murdered or starved as the Marxist Communist leader Pol Pot attempted to reestablish Cambodia as an agricultural nation. Pol Pot’s regime slaughtered 90% of teachers and over 60% of Buddhist monks (CNA, 2013)(Keyes, 1990). Despite the Khmer Rouge regime ending 40 years ago, decades of political instability prevented a quick cultural revival, and the current cultural landscape is vastly different than what could be found in previous centuries (CAN, 2013).
Religion in Cambodia is a primary facet of the culture. Nearly 95% of the population is Buddhist, and monks are revered and respected, to the point where the Khmer language has its own vocabulary for talking about monks (Goldberg, 2012)(Non-verbal communication, n.d.). However, because the peaceful nature of Buddhism led to a string of foreign occupation, Pol Pot’s regime declared Buddhist practitioners any rights. Monks who were not killed were either forced to give up their practice or flee the nation (Keyes, 1990). Before the Khmer Rouge, at least 50% of men became monks for a period in their lives; now, it is less than five. After the regime’s end, Cambodian Buddhism became muddied. Most Cambodians practice a mix of Buddhism, Hinduism, and animism. Most believe in some form of ghost, demon, or spirit, often needing to be appeased, and shamanistic medicine is alive and well throughout the nation (Goldberg, 2012)(Lifey, 2014)(Sacred Earth Journeys, 2014). Monks are often afforded the most respect in Khmer culture, and eating after noon in front of them, touching without permission, and sitting at the same level or above them is disrespectful (Misunderstandings, n.d.).
Cambodia is similar to other regions in their value system and deep culture. It is a feminine, collectivist hierarchical culture that only focuses on the individual as how they can best support the group. They are, due to their Buddhist nature, passive, patient, and resourceful (De Lourdes Serpa, 2005). They are highly contextual in their language, preferring indirect conflict to direct conflict, and will give signs of affirmation to show they understand what’s being said rather than necessarily agreeing. They refuse compliments to be humble, and will rarely ever use sarcasm. As in other Oriental cultures, pointing with a finger is impolite, as is direct eye contact, and the Western “beckoning” motion. Receiving gifts should be done graciously, first refusing and then taking the gift with both hands to show your appreciation and respect for the gift and the giver (Scroope, 2017). Removing shoes when entering a house shows reverence to the host. Personal space, particularly for monks, should be observed carefully, and especially by women. Certain pieces of jewelry and fine clothing can serve as a cue that one has a higher status in society, and may change the amount of personal space one should afford to others and can be afforded themselves. Clothing is a major stumbling block for Americans. Modesty — the covering of thighs and shoulders — is a sign of respect, and showing up for a meeting in casual clothing such as jeans and a tee shirt can be considered rude and disrespectful. Other physical faux pas are the touching of one’s head, as it degrades and despiritualizes the most sacred part of the body, showing one’s feet to another, as it’s the least holy part of the body, and using the left hand, which is used for bathroom activities (Non-verbal communication, n.d.). Most notably, standing with one’s arms at the sides of the body is considered aggressive and strong, while crossed arms is a sign of respect (Scroope, 2017).
The culture primarily prefers men over women. Women are, in general, seen as mothers and nurturers, and are under the whims of their parents until they’re married, after which they become under the whims of their husband. Very few work outside of the home and only 6% of those who do get paid for their work (Gender roles, N.D.). Despite this, they are primarily responsible for the revival of culture, as they were spared over husbands and brothers taken to the killing fields during the Khmer Rouge. (Frieson, 2001) The suppression of the arts has taken its toll, but various classical arts, such as dance, have been recovered and can be found in most city centers (123goasia, 2012).
Education in general, whether cultural education or academics, was nearly destroyed under Pol Pot’s reign and Cambodia’s system is far lacking compared to other countries in the region. Some facilities lack clean water and books, and some teachers charge to supplement meager wages (Untied Nations, 2011)(Kennedy, 2013). Many students, particularly in rural areas, don’t have access to school or have to stay home and work. There’s less money available and classrooms are usually overly full. Priority for English teachers doesn’t inherently go to those with more education or experience, instead favoring light-skinned, pretty women (Goldberg, 2012).
This is a marker for most of the Cambodian lifestyle. Cambodia is a developing country and infrastructure varies vastly between rural and populated areas. Less than 12% of the roadways are paved in Cambodia, and rural areas have difficulty getting electricity and clean water. Some areas deal with unexploded landmines left over from the Khmer Rouge regime. However, even in the capital Phnom Penh, infrastructure is lacking. Power outages are common, some roads are not paved, and tap water isn’t safe to drink. Urban areas do have other problems, however. Trash collectors are known to go on strike and waste collects on the street until the dispute is settled. (Cambodia - Infrastructure, power, and communications, 2019)(Infrastructure and utilities in Cambodia, n.d.) Food that cannot be peeled or cooked may be dangerous to eat and parasites are common across the country (Lifey, 2013).
Despite this, the unique culture of the Khmer Empire is more than enough draw to keep tourists flooding the country. Cambodia currently has the 15th highest GDP percentage from tourism, at 32.4% in 2017 (Contribution of travel and tourism to GDP (% of GDP) by countries, 2017). For comparison, tourism only accounts for 12.5% of Nevada’s GDP (Nevada Commission on Tourism, n.d.). Archaeologists, armed with the latest technology, are mapping the Khmer empire, now overrun with jungle. Phnom Kulen, the missing capital of the Khmer Empire, was rediscovered in 2012. Some compare it to Angkor Wat 50 years ago, covered in vegetation and near inaccessible (Beyond Angkor, 2016). It’s entirely likely that the next 50 years will see massive booms in the archaeological industry in Cambodia, similar to those in the Yucatan and Egypt. I can’t wait.
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Flight, Merciless
This was a gift for an acquaintance of @gengarofinterest ‘s. Commission slots are still open, if you’re interested. (More on this in a minute.)
They were staying in upstate New York, very close to New Rochelle and its boarding school where Root had had her meeting with Samaritan’s Analogue Interface. The house was large and modern, with a backyard that faced a woody park. According to Root, it was one of Harold’s very first safehouses. When they’d arrived last week, it hadn’t seen occupants in years, and yet someone had kept it clean.
John had left Root in the master bedroom in favor of going out and getting groceries and coffee. By now, he knew of Root’s affinity for Starbucks coffee, and got it for her as often as he could. Every person on Earth had a winter vice. Root’s just so happened to be that one. But coffee was what kept her going, and a decent amount of pills that she took once a day to keep herself from falling over. She slept poorly. Several times he was tempted to buy melatonin, or a stronger sleeping pill, but he figured he would have to ask before making that kind of purchase.
Just get what you’d gotten when you were a college student, Root had told him when he was making the grocery list.
What about when you were a college student? he’d asked.
I was a killer-for-hire when I was college-aged. I lived off takeout and room service and the occasional beef-flavored cup noodles.
Had it been Shaw he was staying with, he would’ve bought her her comfort foods. But this was Root, volatile and fragile, and he didn’t know what her comfort foods were. So he had to guess. He grabbed various meats and vegetables, frozen meals, bags of pasta and different sauces, and desserts. On the way back, he stopped at the nearest Starbucks. Since the month had rolled over to December, they had their Christmas flavors out. The Christmas roast was ever-popular; every customer seemed eager to get their hands on it. John scanned the menu, and realized that he didn’t know what Root’s usual coffee order was.
Hi there, said the cashier. What can I get you?
A grande pike in a venti cup, John said, and a grande Christmas roast.
Is that all?
Yes sir. He pulled out his wallet and paid with a twenty, accepting the change and stepping off to the side to wait.
—
There was music playing when John got back to the house. It was coming from the master bedroom upstairs. A classical piece, by the sound of it. Schubert, maybe? He wondered when Root had gotten an ear for opera.
He put all the groceries in their proper places and went up to tell Root. He found her sitting in the middle of the king bed, laptop open and brightly lit, but not working. Just staring. He cleared his throat, and she looked up at him over the rims of her glasses.
Bought some things, he said. He held out the cup of Christmas roast for her. Got you some coffee, too.
Root got out of bed for the third time and accepted the coffee. She asked, What did you buy?
A few things. I didn’t know what your comfort foods were.
Root’s face softened slightly. Maybe the only person who’d bought her comfort foods was Shaw, after their partnership turned into a friendship.
How’s your cooking? John asked.
It’s decent, Root said, though it’s not Sameen’s.
She made you food?
Despite everything, there was a sad sort of smile in Root’s eyes. She made me food every now and then. It was a habit that started when I interrupted her private time because I needed her stitching skills. Root sipped her coffee. Are we going to make dinner?
We can start whenever you want.
Root went over to her laptop and the music stopped.
I didn’t know you liked opera, John said.
It’s growing on me.
—
Dinner was quiet, as they almost always were. Root played with her food more than she ate it, dragging her fork through the pork dish, or painting the other side of her plate with the sauce that was supposed to accompany it. Reminiscent of a habit of Jessica’s. She’d do this too, when something was on her mind. She would brush it off with a, It’s nothing you should worry about. John hadn’t known what Jessica was thinking. With Root, it was easier. She was thinking of Shaw, and Samaritan, and outcomes.
Sometimes She and I are similar, Root had said, at the beginning of all this. We run through possibilities, sometimes about the future, and other times about what could’ve gone differently.
John’s appetite was dwindling, too. And even though the food was supposed to taste good, he took no notice. Everything was tasteless. Worse than the ready-to-eat packs that his troop had used when he was in the military. But he forced the food down anyway. They wouldn’t find Shaw on empty stomachs or when they fainted from lack of substance.
Root was still sitting at the table when John was cleaning up the dishes. Her plate was barely touched; she’d only taken a few bites of her pork and drunk only half her glass of water.
Do you think they passed through here? John asked softly.
Don’t know, Root replied. I don’t even know where to begin. She picked up her fork again, painted with the sauce. We’re supposed to be tracking a truck.
There’s little sign of it.
I’ve worked with worse. We have footage of it.
The footage was grainy, John remembered, but it was the truck. He turned back to the dishes, plunging his hands into the hot dishwater. So far in their search, there weren’t many signs of the truck. They stopped at every gas station they could think of and asked to see their security footage, flashing their various badges to gain cooperation. They’d had almost no luck until their last stop, just before coming up here, where the grainy footage was shown to them on the gas station’s staticky TV. Root suspected they’d come through New Rochelle, though until they explored tomorrow, there was no telling.
You should go to bed early tonight, John said. Try to get some good hours. He saw Root nodding. At last, she got up and gave her plate, fork, and glass to him.
Thank you for cooking, she murmured. It was good.
[…]
By now, John was used to quiet. It’d stretched from the moment his father’s casket had been lowered from the plane until now, where he was sitting in the kitchen on guard. Moments of expanded silence filled his life. He’d spent them with his mother in their Colorado house, with military buddies before missions and during them, with Kara in a lull before they went after another traitor, with Harold, when he was asked to stay for a drink and small talk until he was dismissed. He always knew when other people were awake. It produced an itch in the silence and a feeling in your ribcage and it was like you could sense the other person, almost as if you were a satellite picking up heat signatures. He could sense Root’s restlessness, almost hear her tossing and turning in that giant bed, almost hear her blinks and breathing and the twisting knot of anxiousness in her gut. He wondered if he should go into the bedroom after all, if she would feel better with him there.
Somewhere in the living room, a clock chimed the hour. Dong, ding. 2 AM. He got up and double-checked the doors and windows, and then quietly made his way upstairs. He peeked into the master bedroom, saw the outline of Root lying on her back with her hands folded over her abdomen.
I’ll see you in the morning, he said.
Goodnight, Root said, rather curtly.
The pillow in the guest bedroom was too hard, but he sank gratefully into the soft mattress. Within half an hour, he finally drifted off to sleep.
—
Her mother had often told her that the hours of the night were merciless in the way that they allowed you to think without interruption. Root became aware of that truth just days after her thirteenth birthday, when Hanna was officially declared missing. She’d lay awake wondering what happened to her, where she was, hoping that she was okay and warm somewhere. Yet the truth had always been there: Hanna was dead maybe mere minutes after climbing into Trent Russell’s car.
That wasn’t the case with Shaw. A truth lied there, too: Root knew she was alive. Her thoughts lay along that path. Where was Shaw? Where was that white truck taking her? What did Samaritan want with her? And, worst of all, would she ever come back?
It was no secret that their odds of survival increased with Shaw by their sides. They would need her when they battled against Samaritan at full force. There would be almost no other way.
You have to be prepared to lose people, Harry, she’d told Finch before she and John left. Or even yourself.
Death comes for us all, Root, he’d responded, and Root’s heart had almost soared at the use of her name, sometimes sooner than others. He’d spun around in his chair then, stopping both of them in their tracks. Are you sure you want to leave?
Yes, John had said. We need Shaw. We’re not going to find her wiling away down here.
History often likes to repeat itself, her mother had told her too. Sometimes twice, sometimes more. First it was Hanna that was taken from her, and then it was Shaw. It seemed history was always eager to take the people Root loved most just to shake her about. And in the early hours of dawn, she found herself wondering if this would always be her fate. She counted the differences between these two disappearances in her head: One, there was no resurfacing evidence with Hanna; there’s resurfacing evidence of Sameen in the form of a white truck. Two, you knew Hanna was dead; you know Sameen is alive. Three, you couldn’t save Hanna; you can save Sameen. Four, there was no hope; there is hope.
—
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