#fives no- but yes they are math rocks- but no! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dre6ming · 8 months

Text

Playing for keeps

Chapter I

Masterlist

Pairing: Austin Butler x Y/n

Plot: Austin is the next in line for the throne, but he can’t be king if he doesn’t have a wife. In your country tradition says that a selection formed of 35 young women must be formed for the prince to find a wife. You are obligated by circumstances to participate against your will. What are the chances that you might be the next queen? None right? Right?

Warning: none

Word count: ~4000

"To heal the soul by the means of the senses and the senses by the means of the soul" or something like that, is what Oscar Wilde said to make me really understand why something so simple as feeling the bristles of my brush stroke the rough surface of the canvas. My lines look a little jagged today, my hand keeps shaking and no matter how many deep breaths I take, the rock sitting on my chest hasn't gotten any lighter.

Thirty five, what a strange and odd number, why so many? Why not more or less? Did they have a mathematician who centuries ago did the math for them and concluded that thirty five was the lucky number to find a wife out? I take a deep breath as the word "wife" bounces off of the walls of my skull. It's not just a wife, it's the future queen.

It's been a little more than 30 years since the last selection, when queen Lori was selected out of the bunch by King David and now the result of their successful selection, their son, prince Austin, is about to have his very own selection. All of the girls in the kingdom between the ages 18-22 were asked to submit an entry into the competition, to hopefully end up being the princess of the kingdom and the future queen.

Emphasis on the word "asked" , we were not obligated to do it, at least not by our government, our parents however? Well the forced me to apply, dragged me down to the office where the applications were collected and made me sign up.

"Y/n it's time, come come sit!!" My mom shouts for me and I put down the paint brush, wiping my hands on a rag, brushing back some hair as I make my way to the very small, very crowded living room. My mom , dad and all my 5 siblings are spread around the tv, watching it like hawks. "Come sit!" Mom pats the spot next to her on the couch and I squeeze between her and my older sister.

I can't help but feel angry at the whole situation, my parents live in a poorer side of the country and the fact that they had 7 kids did not help, I'm right in the middle, being the 4th to be born, my older siblings, are married off to their own households where the also pop baby after baby, that is except for one of my eldest siblings, my sister Hannah, who's the reason why mom put me into the selection in the first place.

To back track a bit and explain, my parents met and got married when they were 20 years old, my brother Josh came a year later, he's now 26 married and expecting child number three, his income already stretched thin. Then came Anna, she's 24 she married in a more stable family, but with baby number two, turning into babies number 2 , 3 and 4, yes that's triplets that she's having, money is low. Mark, 22 now, not married, he's actually, well we don't know, he ran away with a girl from around here, we haven't heard anything in years and since we barely have time to live our own lives and win enough for a living, we've put him aside. My sister Hannah, 22 as well, she's Marks twin, she's supposed to marry, but the guy she chose is from a family of twelve and they have little to no money.

Then there's me, Y/n, 20 being auctioned away in the hopes that the weekly allowance my family will get for my participation would be enough for my sister's wedding and some other things for my youngest siblings. After me my parents had kids 2 more times, Kyle 14 and then the other set of twins, this time identical Tana and Lane, 10 years old.

My mom works as a nurse and my dad is a retired guard from our region. Money is low so we all have to work, but with 2 siblings out of the house and one waiting to marry, we lost working hands. I sell paintings on commission and I also work at the local bakery to try and make some extra money, but it's not enough to support me, mom and my younger siblings. Which is why I was forced by mom to join the selection, the family of the girl competing gets a weekly allowance for as long as she stays in the game, not to mention the chance of actually being queen.

As names are being drawn on tv I can feel everyone in the room tense as the 34th girl gets called out and it's not me, I had 34 chances and I lost them all, now I get one more, but I hope I'll lose again. I don't want to go, I don't want to meet the prince or be his wife, I'm not meant to be queen, I'm just not.

My breath gets caught in my chest as the host, Lucas, puts his hand back in the bowl of names. My ears are ringing as he read the name and I almost faint seeing my picture there. "You got it, hon, good job!" Mom says and all of my present siblings start to chant my name, happy for me. I can barely hear them though, so I get up with tears in my eyes, brushing everyone off, walking out, out of the room, out of the house.

My bare feet, touch the sharp gravel, but I can't give into the pain, all I know is I need to run, run for now, or at least until tomorrow when the people from the palace will be at my door to package me up and send me to their prince. Staring out into the midnight sky, I could see everything I had being ripped apart, I didn't have much, but I had enough. Dropping to the ground and letting the cold grass soak my thin cotton dress, I close my eyes, scared to death about the outcome of what I had just gotten myself into.

The next time I open my eyes, two guards from the royal guard stand in my door and my mom hands me a bag I didn't pack, pushing me out the door. I take one last look back at the people I'm leaving behind and I tell myself I have to at least make it a few weeks, so that my sister could use the money for her wedding, then I'd come back and move to a richer part of the country, where I wouldn't be able to ever see my family. Those are the rules, after you get into the game, when you live you have a higher status and income so they move you and you can no longer interact with your past the way you used to.

Watching my step getting out of the car that took me from the airport to here, I take in the palace, with it's high towers and beautiful architecture. People are outside, forming a pathway for us to walk as they chant different names of other girls who also got selected. I am so out my element here, the dress my mom picked for me was too tight and itchy, the high heel shoes hurt my feet and my hands were sweating too much. "Here it goes!" I say under my breath stepping forward and into the unknown building. The inside even more beautiful than I could describe, high ceilings with crystal chandeliers, gold accents and mahogany furniture, underneath my heels white marble floors.

"Ladies! Welcome, I am Silvia and I'll be you're etiquette advisor and teacher, I'll also be your voice here, anything you need, you ask me and I'll make it happen if it within my powers. You will now be less to yours rooms where you will meet your maids, they will help you with hair, make up and clothes and anything else you might need. Dinner will be served in your rooms tonight and breakfast is at 7 am tomorrow, after breakfast you will each get to talk with the prince and get to know him. I've left some pages on your beds with instructions about tomorrow as well as the schedule of our classes. Good evening going forward!" The tall blonde woman left our sight walking gracefully in her long gown. I wonder if I'll ever be like her? Back so straight, shoulders so strong, hair so put together, make up so natural yet so beautiful, voice so clear, everything about her spoke volumes on everything I was not. I don't know how they expect me to last a day here.

In my room, I stand and wonder how can a place for one person be the size of my home which currently houses 7, now that two of my siblings had moved out. "Lady Y/n!" Two petite women curtesy in front of me, they look like sisters, about the same age as me, but one of them looks a bit older. "Just Y/n" I lick my lips fiddling with my fingers. The older one nods, smiling. "A-and you are?" They seem confused by my question. "Your maids lady!" The other one explains in a sweet voice.

"Yes no, I know, I meant, your names, what are your names?" I ask again hoping I'm not making them uncomfortable. "I'm Jules and she's my older sister Jane, we're very happy and honored to meet you, lady Y/n" I nod, smiling as well, as they start pacing around the room fixing things up. My eyes watch them move, mesmerized by how synchronized they are. "Can you stand and turn around lady Y/n? We have the water running in the tub, so you can take a bath."

I stand and turn so that Jules could undo my dress, then sliding my arms through the silk robe. "Just Y/n please!" I ask again, all these official things making me uncomfortable. "Lady Y/n, if I may-" I open my mouth to correct Jane, but she puts her hand up stopping me. "You are now a lady, his majesty will refer to you as such and you have to keep to these titles, at least until you get to know him better." I nod at her kind advice and follow her into the bathroom, where she helps me step into the tub, taking my robe away and checking the water temperature one last time. "Well relax lady Y/n, when you're ready, call for us and we will get you ready for bed."

Before she leaves me to my own, I dare to ask her one more thing. "Jane, is he nice?" I ask, this being the first time I actually my curiosity about the prince, spiked ever since I was selected. Jane gives me a soft smile, fixing the creases on her apron. "That's for you to decide lady Y/n, but his majesty, prince Austin has always been well liked by the staff." She leaves before I get to asks anything more and I take that as her polite way of saying that's how much she's allowed to say.

The bed here is so much softer than the one at home, the one I uncomfortably share with my twin sisters. The sheets are so soft and silky, it feels like I could turn to fast and fly off the bed. Jules and Jane left shortly after, brushing my hair back and helping me into my silk night gown. Even in this big room, air feels compressed and I want to walk, so I find myself putting on my slippers , taking a moment to look at them, I've never had slippers before. I the dark of the room I make out the location of the door and I turn the knob slowly, trying to make no sound.

I feel a cool breeze brushing my bare legs and I follow it thinking this could be the way to find a door leading outside. Only thing stopping me are the two guards standing in front of it. "Miss are you lost?" One of them asks, making me blush, finally so aware of the fact that I left my room wearing only my thin silky night gown. "N-no, I was wondering how to get to the garden." I say hoping my voice didn't sound too shaky. "No can do miss, you need to get back to your room." The guard tells me, his eyes staring straight ahead. "Please, I, I just need a moment." I beg, taking a step closer and that's when they both move their eyes to look at me, their mean stares making me shiver. "Not allowed, back to your room miss!" The other guard speaks.

Suddenly another set of steps are heard and the guards stand straighter. I don't dare to make a move and look at who it might be. "Your majesty!" They say in unison and the blood freezes in my veins. I've never heard him speak before, his voice sounds so clear, a bit raspy, but still sweet, like warm honey. "Lay her be!"

"Your majesty, we can't-" the guard protests. "I said let her be, open the doors!" They do as he says and I don't wait to walk out, the cold air hitting my warm skin leaving goosebumps. "Stay 5 minutes, then back to your room, if you won't go willingly they have my permission to drag you there." I stop and without turning around I say. "Thank you, your majesty!" My voice sounding like it's under water.

I didn't stay too long after I heard him walk away, running back to my room almost immediately after. Sleep came to me easily after that, but I still felt restless now as Jane brushed my hair into a braid. They put me into a floor length light green dress, with beautiful lace details all around the corset. I looked like a princess this morning when I looked at myself in the mirror and I couldn't believe it and then for just a moment too long I had questioned why I pushed this competition away so vehemently. That last thought however got send back to the depth of my mind and I was now patiently waiting for my turn with the prince, tormented by the wonder of whether he would recognize me from last night or not.

At last my turn comes and I get up from my seat, fixing my dress as I walk with my head down toward the table where he awaits for me. Sitting down, I still keep my eyes on the ground scared to look at him, feeling my heart thudding against my corset concealed chest. "Y/n? Right? Pleased to meat you, I do hope you're feeling better." His voice comes out first, breaking the silence and making me finally look at him. I had seen him on tv, but the screen did him no justice, the blue in his eyes is so electric, the gold in his hair, is so endearing, my fingers itched with the wish to have a feel at it, his pink lips look so soft and warm. Everything about him is inviting and the way he seats in his chair, leaned back with his legs crossed, his chin in his hand, makes him look so young and careless, which he is, being only 22 and a prince.

"Yes, your majesty, I'm quite well, thank you!" I blush deeply, my hands clutching the material of my dress in a stupid attempt to calm my nerves. Austin's eyes move to my hands and back to my face, a concerned look painting on his god like face. "Are you all right? Lady Y/n?" He asks, changing his position in the chair, leaning towards me. "If you're not feeling well, I can have for the doctor to come and see you later Lady Y/n." He says in a whisper. The word doctor makes me immediately let go of my dress and smooth down the creases, breathing deeply. "I am fine your majesty, it's all nerves."

Austin hums and I expect him to go back to his previous sitting position, but he doesn't, he actually leans a bit closer if that were possible. I can now smell his woodsy cologne and a warm fuzzy feeling takes over my body. "You don't need to be nervous, I'm just a boy, just as you are just a girl-".

"But you're not" I find myself rudely interrupting him. "You're going to be king some day and 35 women were randomly chosen to come here and allow you to peruse them. 35 is a strangely small number compared to all the women out there that could be potentially way better for you than any of us."

"Then why come here? Why put your name in the ballot in the first place?" He asks and I can't read if he's been offended by what I said or not. "Your majesty, I apologize!" I look away from him and I can't help but notice that the other girls are all watching us, just like I had watched the previous ones when they were up here. I can only imagine they are analyzing if he likes me better or not.

"Don't apologize, keep talking, I feel you have a point." Austin urges me and I bite my tongue. "Lady Y/n, my situation is unique, but I have no choice, it does not matter if the love of my life is someone outside these walls, I am not allowed to meet them. So please keep talking!" I feel sad for him, it's clear he's thought the same thing as me, what if his one true love is not one of us, but he's obligated to choose one of us either way.

"My favorite book, "Withering highlights" the protagonists were not allowed to love each other but they did and the impossibility of being together killed them, had they not ever met, they would've been able to love someone else and live. I think what I said is quite wrong your majesty, maybe neither of us will be the love of your life, but with time you might find someone among us, that you could learn to love and survive."

Austin opens his mouth to say something, but he doesn't get the chance, since it's announced that our time is up and I must go in order for the next girl to come. I get up breathless and do a very bad curtesy.

The rest of the day I can't help but feel like I'm sitting on egg shells, I knew I had let my stupid mouth speak before I gave to much thought, but something about him made me feel like I could speak my heart. Jane brushes my hair, as Jules arranges things around the room, taking the pillows off the bed and putting in place the last things for me to go to bed.

A knock on my door makes Jane jump as she brushes my hair and Jules goes to open the door. "Your majesty!" I hear Jules say and so I turn to see him, in all his glory, wearing the same dark brown suit from breakfast, only he's discarded the jacket and the tie, a few of the buttons from his shirt being undone and revealing some of his chest, the sleeves are rolled up and this look suits him much better than the previous. Realizing I was just sitting and staring, I quickly get up and curtesy. "Your majesty!"

"How would you like a stroll out in the gardens, Lady Y/n?" Austin's voice is calm and my ears are ringing, so I barely make out what he's saying, but I nod. "Yes, um Jules, my robe please!" I say, remembering I'm just wearing my night gown, which was very inappropriate. "Lady Y/n!" Austin extends his hand and I walk the few steps over to him, putting my significantly smaller arm around his.

He takes the lead and walks us out of my room and to the gardens. My thoughts are racing, I'm not stupid I know he could have every advantage right now to try and make an inappropriate move onto me, but he doesn't seem like that kind of guy, but how does that kind of guy look anyway.

"You're awfully quiet." He says as we walk through the dimly lit gardens. "I was waiting on you your majesty." He stops and turns to look at me. "Why so?" Austin asks blinking. I simply shrug my shoulders.

He sighs and licks his lips, walking further into the gardens without another word. The whole situation is rather spooky and I can't help the anxiety building up inside me. Soon we get to a table, decorated with candles and flowers, steaming cups of tea resting on it. "I thought we might enjoy some hot tea, it's a bit chilly out." He pulls my chair out for me and I sit down hesitant.

"Tell me more about you, your favorite book is "Withering highlights", what else do you like?" It takes me a moment to realize that he is being serious I can't stop the giggle that comes out. Confusion is once again shown on his face, but this time is accompanied by something else, the corner of his mouth slightly pointing up, he's amused too. "You really want to know?"

"Well I must find a wife somehow." The breath gets knocked out of me by his statement, for a split second I had forgotten why I was here, to play in the game of selection.

"I like to bake and knit, I make clothes for my siblings all the time, but by far my favorite thing is painting, there's something so strange about being able to use my own hands to capture a moment I time li you would a picture." He looks at me as I talk and something in his demeanor tells me he's actually interested.

"Picture, I, well I don't paint, but I do enjoy photography." He admits, his eyes glimmering with excitement. "Really? And what do you find best to photograph? Objects, humans or nature?" I ask, Austin blushing slightly. "All, I can't say I'm that good, I don't have enough time to dedicate to the hobby, but I enjoy it."

"I don't believe that you must show me one day, any kind of art is good art. I don't have any of my paintings here, but perhaps if I got the supplies I could paint you something!" I propose, trading the experience of showing off our works of art. "Perhaps one day." Austin says absentmindedly, clearing his throat before getting up. "It's late, I should escort you back to your room!" He says hastily.

I don't bring up how neither of us even touched the tea or what a short time had passed since we got here, the tea still steaming in the cups. Something about him has changed, he's much colder, stiffer if you may. No more words are exchanged between us, except the good night he rapidly wishes me, before walking away.

I'm left confused and with another feeling stuck in my heart, because for a moment there I actually let myself go and I got happy? Maybe, I don't know.

Sleep came to me very difficult and when I woke up this morning I had a headache, I didn't want to see or talk to anyone. As Jules is complaining that I had tangled my hair so bad in my sleep another knock is heard and my heart stopped. Is this hope I'm feeling? Hope that is Austin?

"Lady Y/n, a package for you!" Jane announces.

I get up taking the note from her hand, looking at the huge box that bigger than her. I open the small envelope and the first thing I notice is the very clean and neat handwriting.

<Lady Y/n,

I hope you will forgive me for leaving so hastily as I did last night, but I figured that our encounter wasn't quiet up to etiquette and in fear of damaging you or me, I thought it better continue some other time. Please forgive me and accept this gift, I hope you'll have a painting to show me soon enough

A.B>

Tags: @galaxygirl453

@rainydayz101

@samaraannhan20

@marlowmode

@myradiaz

@areuirish

@micaelainthe60s

@homebodybirkin2003

@pennyroyalcreep

@purejasmine

@strokesofstokes

@lanasfloridakiloss

@denised916

@kibumslatina

@macey234

@melodixs-blog

@shantellescrivener

@chewiethecatus

@guacala

@fangirl125reader

@father-of-2cats

@lucid315

@ashtag6887

@ilovehobi101

@richardslady121

@jensmithin

@julie181

@chrisevansgirl34

@ranaissingle

@onecrazydirectioner

@maria-1287

@austinbutlerssimp

@kingdomforapony

@acoolnight

@tarot-sybarite

@goldenmarygio

@frozenhuntress67

@anonyboo63478338

@littlewhiterose

@thefallofthedamned

@1eminicookie

@rose-deathman

@iheqrtaustin

@desitravelsblog

@prompted-wordsmith

@austinsvlrslut

@crystallizedth0t

@hertvgirl

@peanutbutterinacup

@austinswhitewolf

@saniyahgordon

@thatgirlthatreadswattpad

@slowsweetlove

@jaqueline19997

@formulapierre

#playing for keeps series #austin butler #austin butler x reader #austin butler fic #austin butler fanfiction #austin #austin butler love #austin butler fluff #austin butler imagine #austin butler fanfic #austin butler fans #austin butler x you #austin butler x fem!reader #austin butler fandom #the selection series #the selection

98 notes · View notes

muselixer · 17 days

Text

dumb things my friends and I have said: 2024!

part one: january - march apologies ahead of time for length! feel free to change pronouns if need be. warning for foul and dirty language, suggestiveness, and capslock-implied yelling :)

"I think [hometown] dirt would taste better than the dirt here because it contains a level of lead I've grown used to."

"Incorrect. I am not a mother fucker. I have never fucked a mother."

"Your authoritarianism is quite insatiable."

"He absolutely pulls his limbs off for funsies."

"There's a Pope in the road again!"

"Get a tramp stamp that says 'this is no place for a horse'."

"Have you perhaps considered experiencing natural sunlight? No I'm genuinely asking."

"Everybody wants to see Santa's cock and balls!"

"I think calling physical food in front of you "cuisine" is incorrect."

"Hey Google, unshit my jorts."

"DON'T MAKE ME WHIP OUT MY VAGINA HOLE."

"Ayo, what them balls do, king?"

"It goes hard in a hard way."

"THIS DUDE FARPIN' FOR TWENTY DOLLARS."

"I'll be there in Sprite."

"Get all this Jesus outta the way so I can eat my dinner!"

"With my luck, it could be raining titties, and I'd still look up and catch a dick."

"You must be smoking chicken fried dick if you think I give a chicken fried fuck."

"It is ready for gripping at all times. ...That's what she said!"

"I want that fucking twink in a blender."

"Aw hell nah, they used my boy as a plot device!"

"I meant, as to the condition of the Italian."

"Gimme some of that peepee in the mouth."

"Tell her that her son is cringe."

"A scallop is like a brother to me."

"I blame your astigmatism on your brother."

"She got a cooch like Grand Central Station."

"I BET YOUR PICKLES AREN'T EVEN CRISP."

"Yes, I am a little stupid. It's part of my charm."

"There's a specific kind of white boy that I would... you know."

"Man, don't do this to me. I'm gonna get sads in my ramen."

"Wow, okay, orphan. Who killed YOUR dad?"

"Hell yeah, let me power that rock, daddy."

"Keep sniffing me and I'll peg you."

"I'd get MY interior designed, if you know what I'm saying."

"I think I just get possessed by Chad the frat guy."

"He's what the color lime smells like."

"Can't hear you. Too busy barking."

"...I didn't wanna have to be homophobic today."

"Yehowdy, y'all should vote for me, Mayor Weenis."

"One man complained about the viagra commercial because he was having sex for five hours straight."

"I was busy fighting math."

"I am like a horse. I will not elaborate."

"PICK UP YOUR TITTIES BY YOUR BRA STRAPS."

"Sometimes I hate you and your stupid nipples."

"We have to do super-blow in the hospital."

"The highway to Hell has guard rails!"

#sentence starters #rp starters #ask meme #rp meme #rp prompts #(( this is almost two weeks late!! sorry!! bye!! ))

21 notes · View notes

heyybaejjk · 9 months

Text

MODERN AO'NUNG HCS — PT. 3

pairing. ao'nung x fem!reader

summary. human aonung hcs

warnings. none

masterlist. pt. 1 pt. 2

Mans definitely is going for an ATAR course and for his HSC ‼️‼️

I feel like the main classes he chose are:

- Music

- Art

- Maths

- English Advanced (only because you prob do it)

- Marine Studies (cmon now fishlips)

- SLR, the only non-ATAR subject because it's more of a chill subject.

Hates math with passion, only chose it because you chose it.

If he isn't in one of your classes then he loves to leave class at least five minutes early to walk to your class and wait for you

Some teachers have caught him walking out, but it's the second term of school, they're already used to him doing this

Term 1: "Miss, what the fuck is that right behind you? Is that a spider?!" Ao'nung screams frantically, pointing behind the female teacher with his eyes widened and mouth gaped.

"What!? What is it!?" The teacher yells as she turns around to the white wall that faces her. An empty, blank wall painted with nothing. Confused, she turns back around and sees a tall figure run out the door.

Term 2: "Miss, there's a big ass fucking spider on your shoulder!" Ao'nung yells, a slender finger pointing to the teacher's shoulder. "Ao'nung, leave already," The teacher rolls her eyes as she was already used to his stupid tricks.

"Oh, okay." 🧍‍♀️

During the break, all people see is 👫

If you do food tech as one of your classes, bro's begging for you to save him some food that you made in class.

"I had theory instead of prac today, I'm sorry, Nung. I didn't make anything today, but I made lunch," you giggle as your boyfriend's heavy weight drops on your back, pulling you into a hug. His long ass arm wrapping around your shoulder. "That teacher of yours is a stank ass liar-"

A cough from the sideline erupts, causing you both to turn your heads. There, stood a mid-thirty-year-old man, tapping his foot aggressively, eyeing your boyfriend down. "What was that, Ao'nung?"

Let's say you got into a fight once...

You ate that shit up.

Having a fine ass man like him, people can't help but stare respectfully

Others.. not so much.

Others really can not take the hint, or even the answer no. Especially, and specifically, a girl in your class named Ray. Yes, the same girl from before. A few months after the incident of Ray texting your man, after multiple times blocking her, it seemed she didn't care after she made a new account. Her non-stop texts weren't harmful at all until she sent a rayraybae: I'm better than her in so many ways, just let me in your room and I can prove it ;) No doubt your man screenshotted it and sent it to you straight away! 🤣👏

The very next day, you rock up to her class and confront her, to which she just laughs in your face. Already prepared to hit, you put your hair into a tight ass fucking bun and tie your hood up, then proceeding to punch her square in the face. Turning into a whole fight where students walk in for class, only to whip out their phones to record.

Let's bffr, it's a high school fight. It either turns into a whole ass fucking brawl or a 1v5 or wtv. (I've seen it at my school personally or on Twitter so 🤞) For the sake of this, let's say no one jumps in.

Along the sideline, you can hear Ao'nung screaming "Yeah! Yeah! Get her ass!"

When you're finally pulled away by Ao'nung you both bolt out of the room and out the gates.

You both aren't big fans of skipping school, but today seemed like an exception.

this is so booty cheeks and so short, I'm so sorry 😭😭♥️♥️♥️ @yourstrulyyyyy

#avatar the way of water #aonung fanfiction #aonung #avatar twow #aonung fluff #aonung x reader #aonung x you #ao'nung

89 notes · View notes

saffronandperi · 9 months

Text

Casting Call: Season Five

Saffron and Peri: Season 5 Casting Call

Saffron and Peri is coming back with a fifth season and we need more voices!

If you’re interested in lending your voice to the fifth season of Saffron and Peri, we have a form for you to fill out, and a list of characters for you to get acquainted with.

Once your form is filled out, and an mp3 file of your audition is ready, please email us at SaffronAndPeri @ gmail.com (no spaces).

Please note that your audition has to be crisp and clear, and it is very much preferred if you have access to recording equipment.

The deadline to submit your audition is Friday, August 25th.

Feel free to leave me a message if you have any questions. Good luck!

Character List

The Seven Dwarves:

Sunny Day:

Gender: Any

Description: Dwarf, Copywriter at the Ad-a-Day Agency

Personality: A self-proclaimed poet. A bit dreamy and easily confused.

Lines:

I brought another poem.

This is dedicated to a true friend and honorary dwarf *Ahem*

Snow White, Snow Bright,

Still your star shines oh so Bright.

Minnie Day:

Gender: Female

Description: Dwarf, Receptionist at the Ad-a-Day Agency

Personality: Self-obsessed and dramatic. If you like, you can try a stereotypical valley girl accent

Lines:

Hey guuurrrll, Snow, you look so good for a dead person!

As you probably already noticed, the first thing upon entering is me, Minnie Day. The face of the company.

Tutu Day:

Gender: Female

Description: Dwarf, Fashion Consultant at the Ad-a-Day Agency

Personality: Condescending and snobby. Thinks she knows best. The type of person who calls everyone “dear” and never means it.

Lines:

Oh yes, your complexion is as blindingly pallid as the first time we saw you.

Seven League Boots are SO last season, dear. Perhaps you should pop those in the donation bin?

Wendy Day:

Gender: Female

Description: Dwarf, Graphic Designer at the Ad-a-Day Agency

Personality: Morose and very prone to crying. Some lines of dialogue will just be incomprehensible sobs.

Lines:

Sn-Snow, I want you to know.. *weeps*

*weeps like she’s trying to say something*

*weeps more desperately*

Arthur Day:

Gender: Male

Description: Dwarf, Accountant at the Ad-a-Day Agency

Personality: Polite, non-confrontational. A very practical dwarf who’s very good at math.

Lines:

Magic? No no, it’s not magic. Excellently crafted, yes, but not magic.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh - OOOF. *bumps into a wall here*

Farah Day:

Gender: Female

Description: Dwarf, Talent Scout at the Ad-a-Day Agency

Personality: Outgoing, a go getter, and never misses a chance to do business. Likes to encourage people to be as motivated as she is.

Lines:

Ignore Minnie! Hi, I’m Farah. Farah Day of Ad-a-Day Agency. Did anyone ever tell you that you have a gorgeous profile? And your friend here has the most beautifully manicured claws I ever saw! Did you two ever think of modeling? Our card.

Sadie Day:

Gender: Female

Description: Dwarf, Manager at the Ad-a-Day Agency

Personality: Full of eldest sibling energy. Organized and meticulous, but still makes the business feel like a cozy family affair. A little sarcastic.

Lines:

Welcome to the Ad-a-Day Agency! Founded by seven siblings - we apply our dwarven diligence and craftsmanship to create top notch, top trending advertising campaigns.

Other Characters:

Grock:

Gender: Male

Description: Rock Troll, Secretary/hired goon/transportation at the Detective Agency.

Personality: An intellectual snob who thinks very highly of his own “genius”. Constantly neglects his job to work on his plays. Abrupt and insulting, he does not take kindly to interruptions or criticism.

Lines:

Silence! The muse has called to me! I must write!

Interior: detective office. An under-appreciated and undiscovered playwright stares soulfully out the window. Enter: two hooligan youths. Youth 1: Hark noble faced Sirrah, word of your wordsmithing and crime solving has reached us in yonder far away lands

That, you myopic munchkin, is precisely the point!

Prince Bartholomew:

Gender: Male

Description: Prince and ex-husband of Snow White.

Personality: Has courtly manners and a gentle spirit.

Lines:

AAAAGGHHH. ULP (like he’s being choked. In this scene, he’s attacked and the attacker goes for the throat)

Forgive me if this is crass, but isn’t Snow White dead?

Thank you, your majesty, for allowing us to join you today.

Mrs Garden:

Gender: Female

Description: Human, Grieving mother. Middle aged

Personality: Usually quiet and soft-spoken

Lines:

I can’t imagine anyone heartless enough to do such a thing!

Now, now, let’s not be too hasty.

Mr. Garden:

Gender: Male

Description: Human, Grieving father. Middle aged.

Personality: More talkative and action-oriented. A good foil to his wife. Grief translates to anger for him.

Lines:

If I ever get my hands on whoever did this….

Donna:

Gender: Female

Description: Human, young college student.

Personality: Usually kind, but has a dark side that comes out when someone hurts her friends.

Lines:

*grief stricken* I tried! I tried! I tried everything under the sun! Nothing would work.

Have you ever heard of the “quiet ones” who suddenly go violent? That’s me.

Rhubarb:

Gender: Female

Description: Fairy

Personality: Dramatic as all fairies in this universe are. Hot-headed and jumps to conclusions frequently.

Lines:

Ahhhh! Thank you both so much for coming!!

Oh, I’m so glad that stereotype about how teenage girls love to solve mysteries is true!

Agghhh, okay, so I threaten to do creative and violent things sometimes! But what fairy doesn’t??

Guard:

Gender: Any

Description: Prison Guard.

Personality: Stiff and rule-abiding.

Lines:

you have fifteen minutes. No funny business.

Saffron and Peri Voice Actor Form

When emailing us your audition, please fill out the following form and include it in your email.

Name/Contact Information:

(Please provide your name and an active email address where you can be reached.)

How you would like to be credited:

(If you don’t want to use your actual name and have a stage-name you would prefer to go by, please state it here.)

Part(s) auditioning for:

(Please list the part or parts you are auditioning for.)

Previous Experience:

(If you have had any previous experience lending your voice to a podcast or other such project, please list them here.)

Commitment:

(Can you assure us that you can submit your work within the time limits we set? If you have a minimum amount of time you need to provide us with your work, please state it here. Example: “I can only record on weekends” or “I need at least a week to record an episode”)

Social media:

(Please list any social media accounts like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, or some other site. Please let us know if you would like us to link to your accounts in our cast page, that way listeners will be able to find you elsewhere if they’d like.)

#casting call #saffron and peri #audio fiction #podcasts #comedy #fantasy #audiodrama #fiction podcast #voice acting #auditions

45 notes · View notes

goodheartt · 8 months

Text

𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐓𝐔𝐁 𝐂𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐒 - 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃

skunk has a band with his friends from high school named bathtub cigarettes. their vibe ?? angry midwest emo meets folk punk. we already know skunk is the drummer, so you might as well get familiar with the rest of the band !!

earl - lead vocals.

earl is twenty-two years old, non-binary trans-masc, uses they/them/theirs pronouns, and is loudly and proudly queer. when they aren't singing for the band, they are working as a bartender for a small dive bar right down the street from the bathtub cigarettes house. they rock a buzz cut that is dyed in a red and black checkerboard pattern. their favorite things ?? grape flavored candies, modello, roller skating, and black and milds ( specifically wood tip wine flavored ones ). earl can seem stand offish at first due to their protectiveness of their friends. to earl, the band is their family. once you get to know them, they will begin to open up, and show you how much of a goofball they can really be. earl met skunk for the first time in high school, specifically during their freshman year math class. they've been inseparable since.

mikey - guitar.

mikey is twenty-one years old, a cis-man that uses he/him/his pronouns, and is so unapologetically queer. when he's not rocking out on the guitar, you can find him making lattes at a coffee shop downtown. his hair is long and dyed black, the strands that frame his face have been dyed bright purple. his favorite things ?? malboro 100's, bush apple, fireball, cats, and skateboarding. mikey is incredibly scatter brained, bubbly, and goofy. he can be really unreliable at times and has been banned from making any group plans for the band ( due to him often forgetting he made the plans in the first place ). mikey met earl his junior year of high school and they have been best friends ( and partners ) ever since. earl keeps mikey on track, trying to steer their partner in the right direction. the two have been dating for five years now. mikey is always late to band practice even though he lives in the house that they practice in.

karp - bass.

karp is twenty-two years old, a trans-woman, and uses she/her/hers pronouns. karp is a lesbian and will not be afraid to tell you that, often making jokes about her shortly trimmed fingernails. when she's not playing bass for the band, she works as an apprentice at a local tattoo shop. yes, she is responsible for most of the bands tattoos. her hair is styled into a shaggy and choppy mullet that has been dyed lime green. her favorite things ?? menthol cigarettes, steel reserves, pop punk, roller skating, and animals. karp is incredibly kind an thoughtful, she would give her shirt off her back if she needed to. she met skunk in high school, specifically in concert band. she played percussion with skunk, and they hit it off right away. karp is the creator of the name 'bathtub cigarettes', drawing inspiration from late nights in her childhood trailer home, smoking cigarettes that they had stolen from their father with skunk in the bathtub.

martin - banjo/backup vocals.

martin is twenty three years old, non-binary trans-femme, and uses they/she/he pronouns. martin is bisexual with no preferences. his hair is styled into a mohawk that is dyed navy blue. when they aren't performing with the band, they work as a freelance artist, spending most of their time spray painting the sides of buildings with skunk. their favorite things ?? malboro reds shorts, montucky cold snacks, 80's grunge/punk music, and roller derby. martin has a very warm and caring heart, she is almost like a parental figure to the band. she loves to crack jokes and make others laugh. martin met karp in an after school board game club and was quickly introduced to the rest of the group. everyone quickly took them under their wing, seeing how perfectly they fit with everyone else.

#bathtub cigarettes / headcanon.#alcohol mention //#cigarettes //#i started working on these bios literally just over a year ago <3 how fitting to be posting this now (':

21 notes · View notes

kleenexwoman · 3 months

Text

I'm finally getting out of my fog and writing again!

Naturally, I'm writing about brain chemicals more. This time it's Steve and Eddie, and there might be a surprise mentally ill guest star I will make you feel unexpectedly bad for. (@thorniest-rose you are literally the mortal inspiration for me writing this all tbh)

Sneak preview:

Billy oozes by Eddie’s locker after lunch, and Eddie expects him to say something about Steve, but he doesn’t.

“Need some white heat,” is Billy’s opening line.

“Dude, your dealer in Los Angeles might know what the fuck you mean, but you gotta be a little more specific with us hicks,” Eddie says. “That could be, like, anything.”

“Nose candy, moron.” Billy rolls his eyes.

“Are you fuckin–” Eddie stuffs his books into his locker and lowers his voice. “What are you, a narc? You can’t just buy cocaine off me in the hallway, idiot!”

“I’m so bored, man,” Billy whines. “What, do I gotta come to your special little goblin rock in the woods or whatever for anything halfway decent?”

“Look,” Eddie says. “It’s pizza day. I have oregano, ‘cause the pizza here is basically grilled cheese, and then I have antacids so you can concentrate in class. And I have some aspirin for girls on their periods. If you want anything more interesting than that, you gotta come to my place.”

“I thought you delivered,” Billy says.

“You can walk to my place,” Eddie points out. “I don’t deliver when I can hear you blasting Speedwagon across the park.”

“There’s nothing wrong with Speedwagon,” Billy says.

“Didn’t say there was,” Eddie says. “I’m just saying, you can walk. Or drive, or whatever.”

“Fine,” Billy says, and points at him. “Five-thirty, sharp.”

“Yeah, whatever, man,” Eddie says as Billy walks off.

Whatever. He’ll be at home or he won’t. It’s not like Billy has that much money, not unless Hagan is sending him to get the drugs, which seems like a reversal of dynamic on their part. But the world has changed, who knows what bright new social order blah blah.

It’s a little more of a surprise when Eddie closes his locker ten seconds later and Nancy Wheeler, of all people, is standing there.

“I don’t sell study pills to bitches,” Eddie says.

“Yeah, I’m fine on the… study pills,” Nancy says, wrinkling up her nose like she’s not going to be slamming Mother’s Little Helpers come her frosh year of U of C or wherever the fuck she thinks she’s headed. “It’s about Steve.”

Eddie points at himself, then at Nancy, then raises his eyebrows.

“Please, please don’t sell him anything,” Nancy says.

Eddie angles his whole body towards the retreating Billy, looks back to Nancy, back to Billy, shakes his head, and then turns back to Nancy.

“That’s Billy over there,” Eddie says, “unless I’m very much mistaken.”

“I saw you sitting with him at lunch,” Nancy says.

“Yeah, well, nobody else was,” Eddie says. “Can I go to class now, hall monitor, or do we need to take this to the interrogation chamber?”

“I’m just saying that he’s been through a really hard time,” Nancy says, and raises her hands defensively, “and yes, I know I was part of that–”

“So you understand the unfeasibility, nay, the pure absurdity of your negotiating position here,” Eddie says.

“–but just because we’re broken up doesn’t mean I don’t care about him,” Nancy says. “I mean, six kids? Who has that many children in one lifetime?”

“Mormons?” Eddie blinks slowly. “I’m sorry. Are you coming to me to ask me not to engage in the commerce that is my trade, or are we discussing birth control now?”

“I’m saying that it’s probably unethical for you to target Steve for, like, drug-selling reasons when he’s just been through a really bad weekend,” Nancy says. “So please? Like, please? I don’t want to have to call his parents and explain why their son is in a straitjacket at Central State Hospital.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have called the guy ‘bullshit’ in front of all his friends then,” Eddie chirps. He opens his locker door, shoves his math book inside, and rattles it around for a few seconds just to make a point. “Seems like anything I’m gonna do after that is just gravy.”

“Look,” Nancy says from behind the locker door. “It wasn’t my best moment.”

“It wasn’t,” Eddie agrees. “Neither is this. But I’m willing to do you a favor and forget it.”

“But I’m really serious,” Nancy says. “You have no idea how much harm it could do–”

“Rule One of the Munson Doctrine.” Eddie slams his locker. “Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.”

“What?” Nancy tilts her head forward in that way smart girls do when they’re not sure if they’re hearing you wrong or they just think you’re stupid.

“Ethics,” Eddie says. “You mentioned ethics. I have ethics, and I’m sorry they don’t line up with yours, but that’s a big one. Rule Eight: Do not complain about that which you need not subject yourself.”

“Those are the Satanic Rules of the Earth,” Nancy says slowly. “I saw Anton LaVey on Geraldo too, y’know.”

“Okay, you got me.” Eddie throws up his hands. “Twenty bucks and I won’t sell anything to Steve this week. Are you happy?”

“Fine.” Nancy visibly sets her jaw, like she wasn’t the one just accusing Eddie of preying on the weak-minded for sport and profit, and digs a crumpled twenty out of her purse. “Thank you. I really appreciate this.”

“And I appreciate making a sale without even having to move any product,” Eddie says, stuffing the money into his pocket. “Break up with a few more guys, and I might be able to get into Warhammer.”

#steddie #steddie fic #nancy wheeler #eddie munson #billy hargrove #steve harrington #anton lavey #satanism #tw drugs

17 notes · View notes

andydrysdalerogers · 11 months

Text

Sliding Into Home ~ Are You Sure We Aren't Going Crazy

Pairing: MLB!Frank Adler x Abigail Hernandez (OFC)

Synopsis:

After a trade from Boston to Los Angeles, first baseman Frank Adler would seem to have it all. Money, women, an amazing niece, yes Frank should have it all. Except for one thing. One thing that left after a mistake five years ago. Los Angeles should be the chance to start over. Except she is supposed to be in Boston. Not his new medical director.

* A Frank Adler AU x Major League Baseball Story**

Warning: ANGST (i can't stress this enough), second chances, cheating, eventual smut, slow burn, drug use, abandonment issues, betrayal, domestic violence (i may have missed some), flashbacks

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Previous: The Future is West

Main Masterlist ~Sliding Into Home Masterlist

Abigail Hernandez, Medical Director.

The sign on the door of her new office was still shiny as Abby stared at it from the outside. She couldn’t believe, with how young she was, that she was the head doctor for the Dodgers. Her heart clenched for a moment. This was supposed to be the Red Sox.

Moving the day after graduation had been the worst and yet the smartest decision she could have made. While she wished it was under better circumstances, her residency was with the best sports medicine doctor on the West Coast. She could start over, out of the shadow of her famous ex-boyfriend. The one she was still, undoubtedly, in love with.

Her heart clenched again when her mind drifted to thoughts of Mary. Sweet, angelic Mary, who has done nothing wrong except have an uncle who betrayed Abby with his actions. She wondered how big Mary was now, if she was still as sharp as she had been when she was starting school. She wished she had kept in contact, at least with her. But a clean break is what had been needed at the time.

In the weeks that followed the breakup, Abby threw herself into her schoolwork. Medical school was no joke and with wanting to forget her social life. She had converted two years into one, didn’t have a social life but it paid off. At the end of her third year, she was offered an internship with the Boston Bruins as an assistant to the team doctor. She got used to how athletes were, what could be done on ice and so forth. That line on her resume allowed her to get her residency at USC after graduation.

Her parents were sad that she was moving but they didn’t fight it. They remembered the absolutely broken look that was on their daughter’s face the night she came home. They knew about the rumors; who didn’t at this point? But she never said a word other than she broke up with him and needed to move back with them.

She shook her head, not wanting to relive that last fight, the last words spoken to him.

She finished at Harvard Medical School and graduated top of her class. Her whole family showed and her now only best friend, Mike. Mike had been there for her the entire time, never lied to her. He was the support she needed then. He was there when she went to the airport and hugged her tightly, reminding her that she could call whenever, and he would always answer. Mike was her rock.

Her mind drifted to the day she met Mike. Ironically it was the same day she met Frank.

Fifteen Years Earlier...

“So, Abby, how many classes did you get to skip?”

“Math, Science and English.”

“Wow. So, you’re a genius?”

“Not really, just smart, I guess.” Abby blushed at Frank’s attention. He was smoking hot, lean, baseball cap backwards covering his hair, blue eyes that made her feel like she was drowning.

“Yo! Adler, wait up!” Another boy walked up to Frank. “Dude, chemistry is going to suck. I got partnered with Barnes and... oh, who’s this?” Mike looked Abby up and down.

“Abby, this is Mike, my best friend. Mike, this is Abby. She’s a genius.”

“I am not a genius!” Abby shoved Frank a bit as Mike smiled at her. “I’m just really good at math and stuff.” Abby pushed another strand of her unruly hair behind her ear.

“Well, beautiful, if you can help me get through Trig I would appreciate,” Mike said. Abby was gorgeous and Mike wouldn’t mind tapping that. It wasn’t like he didn’t get enough tail from the jersey chasers, but Abby seemed different.

“We could make a study group,” Abby offered softly. “I mean I don’t know anyone here yet.”

“You a transfer?” Mike popped his gum.

“No, I’m a freshman,” she blushed furiously.

“Huh. That’s cool. Adler, we should bring her along to practice.”

“Only if she’s cool with it.” Frank smiled at Abby. “Up to you Cricket.”

“Cricket?”

“You’re quiet, like a little cricket. But peaceful.” Frank smiled adoringly at her.

Abby smiled. “I like it.”

God, that maybe turned into a yes and the three of them were inseparable for the next two years. When Frank and Mike left for college, Abby felt so alone but found a friend in Frank’s sister, Diane. She was in the same year as her but unlike Abby, Diane was a true genius. A math genius but still went to a normal school per her mother’s wishes.

Abby spent every weekend with Diane as she completed her high school requirements and her college courses. Whenever Frank and Mike came home from school, the four of them would hang out.

Abby shook her head; she didn’t want to think about what happened after Abby graduated. The memories were just too painful.

She continued to organize her office when the president of Dodger operations Nick Stanton came in. “Hey Dr. Hernandez, how are you settling in?”

“Good, Mr. Stanton, but please call me Abigail or Abby.”

“Only if you call me Nick. I know it's your first day, but we have a contract signing in an hour and I need you to meet the new player and go through the physical requirements.”

“Sure.”

Nick looked though his folders. “Shit. I forgot his file. I will have it for the meeting so just make sure you have whatever you need to complete the physical.”

“No problem Nick.”

“Oh, and Natasha is sending Mike over for the signing. I need to thank him for giving me your name. I think you will be a great fit here.”

“I’m excited. Have loved baseball since high school. My best friends were on the team.”

As she organized her shelves a knock on the door turned her head. “Hey beautiful.”

8 months earlier...

“Abby?”

Abby turned at the call of her name. “Mike?”

“It is you!” Mike hugged Abby hard in the middle of USC Medical Center.

She pulled back. “What are you doing here? Why didn’t you call me.”

“I wanted to surprise you.” He could see how much happier she was. “You look even more beautiful than before.” She blushed at the compliment. “I’m serious. California is doing wonders for you.”

“Thank you.” She leaned back into the hug. “I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you too, beautiful. Hey, let’s have dinner. Tonight?” He looked deep into her eyes and caressed her cheek.

Abby closed her eyes and leaned into the touch. It had been so long since she had felt a man’s touch. She hadn’t been with anyone since Frank. When Mike thumbed her cheek, she opened her eyes and smiled.

“Hi,” she smiled.

“Ready to do this?”

“Sure. Let me just grab my pad.” She grabbed her clipboard and headed out.

He held her hand as they walked to the conference room. “When are we going to start planning?”

“After the start of the season, I promise.” She smiled. “I’m excited. I’ve been looking at places in Boston or here. Did you know that Griffith Observatory will let you get married under the stars? That is so romantic.”

“Hmmm, we can look into it, baby.”

She smiled as they walked through the conference room door.

And into a nightmare.

“Oh good, you’re here,” Nick said as he walked over to the couple. “Frank, let me introduce you to our medical director, Abigail Hernandez and one of the members of our legal counsel, Mike Weiss.”

Abby swallowed hard as she looked Frank over. He looked the same, floppy dark brown hair, trimmed scruff on his chin, piercing blue eyes. He had more ink, from what she could tell from the opening of his shirt. His arms were filled out even more and his jeans hugged his thighs, letting her know how much he worked on his swing. Looking over him, she almost missed his hand.

“Dr. Hernandez, it's nice to see you again,” Frank said, a twinge of sadness in his voice. “Mr. Weiss.”

Abby struggled to breathe, let alone speak. “Mr. Adler.”

Nick looked between them. “You guys know each other?”

Frank smiled; it looked a little sad. “Yeah, we knew each other from school in Boston.”

“That’s great. You’ll know more people out here.” Nick was oblivious to the obvious tension in the room. “So, Dr. Hernandez, did you want to walk Frank through the physical he needs to complete.”

This snapped Abby out of her daze. “Right. So, Mr. Adler...”

He cut her off. “Frank, please.”

“Frank, right. We need to send you to our clinic for the blood draw and then have one of our associate doctors complete a physical. Umm, I haven’t had a chance to review your chart but any medical issues we should be aware about?”

Frank could see she was trying to keep it professional, and he would respect that. “Uh, I had a sprained ankle towards the end of the season but nothing else. It healed fine during the offseason.”

“Good. Ok, well once the physical is complete, we’ll send the results to management and your team for your records.” Frank nodded as she spoke. God, how much is missed her melodic voice.

Mike cleared his throat. “This is your official contract. It's been reviewed by management and your team. Have the terms been explained to you?”

“Yes.” His response was tight.

“Perfect. So, we just need you to initial at the blue flags, your signature on the red one.” Mike watched Frank, noting the tense in his jaw, the absolute murder he could see in his eyes. But Frank only looked at Mike when he was speaking to him and tossed subtle looks to Abby. Mike’s fist clenched but he could do nothing.

Once all of the signatures were completed, Frank stood with Nick and took the publicity photos, smiling through as if his life wasn’t being run through the blender again. How long had they been together? Was she happy? Did they move out here together? Frank didn’t really want to know, he just wanted to leave and get back to Mary and Scott and his comfort place. Because seeing Abby Hernandez right in front of him was doing more damage than good.

Frank shook everyone’s hands as he made his way out. Last, of course, was Abby. “How have you been Frank?”

“I’m ok. Busy but ok,” he replied, running a hand through his hair. “You?”

“Good, I’m good... I’m ok, just getting used to my new job.”

“Well congratulations.”

“Thanks. And Mary?”

“She’s good. She’s with the nanny right now. Promise to take her to the Funko store.” He looked at his watch. “I should get going.”

“Right, right.” Abby’s heart stung at the indifference Frank showed her. After 15 years, it had boiled down to this. “I’ll let Steve know about your appointments when they are booked.”

“Great. It was nice seeing you again, Cricket.” Abby froze. Frank grimaced at the slip but didn’t correct himself. He turned and walked out the door.

Abby stared at the door Frank walked out of as Mike came back from talking with Nick. “Everything ok?”

“Yeah, I just wasn’t expecting to see him again.” Abby forced a smile to Mike. “I just need to get back to my office.”

“Ok, love.” Mike kissed her temple and head out while Abby made her way to her office. She sat at her desk, looking out the window. He looked good, so good and when they shook hands, that familiar spark had been there. But it was nothing like when she heard her old nickname. A tear slid down her cheek. A knock on the door made her wipe away tears from her face and take a deep breath. She went to open it and found Steve standing there.

“Hi Steve,” she opened the door to let him in.

“I just wanted to see if we could schedule Frank’s appointments.” He took a seat in front of her desk.

“Sure, of course.” Abby opened her scheduling app for her doctors.

“It's been a long time, Abby.”

“I know. How have you been Steve?”

“Working, getting my athletes paid. How long have you been engaged?” Abby stopped. “Your ring. Frank may have not noticed but I sure did.”

Abby looked at Steve with a sad look. “He asked me a couple of months ago.”

“Congratulations are in order then. New job, new fiancé. A whole new Abby.”

“Look, Mike... he just...”

“You don’t have to justify it to me. But you should tell him. Sooner rather than later. Because he’ll need to get over the heart break again,” Steve said matter of factly.

“He did this.” Abby replied annoyed.

“You sure about that?” Steve leveled a look that had Abby questioning her attitude. He stood up. “Anyways, it was nice to see you. You can just email me that info.”

“Does he have someone else?” Abby asked not looking at Steve.

“I don’t think I should answer but no, he’s never had anyone else after you. The only woman in his life is Mary.”

Taglist:

@patzammit @slutforchrisjamalevans @firephotogrl74 @texmexdarling @jennmurawski13-writes @before-we-get-started @tinkerbelle67 @bunnyforhim

#andy's hea #andy's shenanigans #chris evans fanfiction #frank adler #frank adler au #mlb au #dodger au #ofc abigail hernandez #sliding into home #chris evans #mike weiss #johnny storm #baseball au #frank adler smut #slow burn #chris evans au #cliffhanger queen

36 notes · View notes

atombonniebaby · 6 months

Text

I suppose this is as good a day as any to share my OCs prologue chapter! I have already done a 'War Never Changes' piece for @falloutober but it's literally the title of the chapter 👀

War Never Changes

Sanctuary Hills October 23, 2077.

Deep red leaves rustled in the crisp autumn air as the sun began to creep up over the hillside, casting a murky haze over the serene show of contemporary suburban living, America's "Homes of the Future." The residents of Sanctuary Hills lived in blissful ignorance as the world held its breath to the ever-present threat of Nuclear Devastation. Amidst the suburban sprawl, the morning sun warmed the cheeks of Nathanial Alasdair Watt, Nate to his nearest and dearest.

Nate leaned over a dusty blue cot, his eyes not quite believing that the soft and squishy bundle snoring away was his son. Months old already, how long would it be before he would be chasing after him around the cul-de-sac? With a lingering glance over Shaun, Nate slipped out of his room and stepped into the hallway, closing the door softly behind him. The house was quiet, and Nate's footsteps echoed in the empty hall, leading him to the kitchen.

"Ah, Master Nate! Good morning, sir!” Codsworth chirped, his eye stalks flitting in greeting. "Your coffee. 173.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Brewed to perfection!"

"Ah'll take yer word for it," Nate yawned, a fond smile spreading across his face as he reached for the steaming mug of coffee.

"Ah, of course, my apologies, Sir. 78.61 degrees Celcius!"

Nate snorted. "I flunked maths, son. Just say it's hot."

Codsworth let out a chuckle. "Ah, I forgot, the young miss is the brains of the operation."

"Aye, that she is. But she'll no be without a proper feedin'. Could you go rouse her for me?" Nate asked.

"Of course, Sir! Right away!" Codsworth trilled, floating away towards El's room.

"Good luck wi' that," Nate muttered, shaking his head. El liked her sleep, that one.

Nate chuckled, running a hand over his head, and frowned at the resistance. Big speech tonight. He could hardly rock up looking a scruffy mess, could he? With a sigh, he set his mug down and stretched out his back on the way to the bathroom.

"Lemme Sleep, Codsworth..."El's voice drifted through her door.

Ah, to be 19 again. Nate shook his head, smirking to himself as he turned to the closed-over bathroom door, a wide smile pulling in his cheeks when Nora's sweet voice filtered through, Shaun's favorite lullaby on her tongue. Nate would never tire of it or how her voice sent shivers down his spine.

"You're up early. How's my little man?" she asked as he stepped through the door. "I'm assuming you've been in there five times already?"

Nora, even under those horrid fluorescent bulbs, looked stunning. He caught her eye in the mirror she was brushing her hair in and gave her a wink. Nate took a few steps toward her and wrapped his arms around her waist, his lips brushing her neck. She hummed and leaned back into his embrace.

"What can I say, doll? Just like his mother, I cannae believe he's mine," Nate murmured, burying his face in her soft, icy-brown hair. "I keep thinkin' somebody's gonna pinch me, and I'll wake up from this dream."

Nora twisted in his arms, her green eyes sparkling. "You're a wonderful father, Nate. You shouldn't doubt yourself!"

"I hope so," Nate said, his ears growing hot. Nora knew him too well, and his bashful side never could stand up to her praise.

"I think Beth would agree with me. I mean, you practically raised that girl!"

Nate ducked his head and pressed a kiss to her nose. "She dotes on you, ye ken? She won't admit it, but she does."

"I like her too. I'm glad she's here. Now, care to explain why you interrupted my morning ritual?" Nora teased.

"I need some pamperin'," he raised his eyebrows. "Cannae hae this 'decorated war hero' looking like common street riff-raff, now can we?"

"Hmm," Nora smirked. "I dunno, that rugged Viking look is growing on me, Nathanial."

"Ooh, using my full name, eh?" he teased. "Am I in trouble, then, Mrs Watt?"

"You're always trouble, Nathanial Watt," Nora giggled.

"Tell the truth, doll. That's the real reason you married me, wasn't it?" Nate smirked. "That and the accent, aye?"

She rolled her eyes and gave him a playful shove away, returning to the mirror. Nate's grin lingered, his hands sliding to her waist. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head and rested his chin upon it, gazing at her reflection. She met his eyes, a warmth and tenderness reflected at him.

"I love you, lass," he murmured against her hair, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "More than I can say."

Nora didn't speak, only leaned back, melting against him, a familiar gesture that spoke volumes. Nate's arms tightened, and he closed his eyes, wishing they could stay like that forever.

"Go get your trimmer; I'll at least neaten you up a little," Nora said, her voice thick. "Then, I'll see about breakfast."

Nate pressed one last kiss to her head and drew a sharp breath. "Yes, ma'am."

"—war never changes,” Nate sighed, the steamy air heavy with the weight of his speech.

“You're gonna knock 'em dead at the Veteran's Hall tonight, hon,” Nora purred, her fingers massaging the knots from his shoulders.

"Ye think?" Nate relaxed against her touch, letting his eyes flutter shut.

"Absolutely. Now get ready and stop hogging the mirror..."

"Right," Nate snorted. He stepped away and let Nora take his place. "You might want to fix the buttons on your blouse, love."

He couldn't help a small smirk tugging on his lips as she re-buttoned her blouse, not quite meeting his gaze.

"Wipe that smug look off your face, Mr. Watt! You're the reason I never get anything done around here!" Nora teased.

Nate couldn't help bursting out laughing. "Why dae ye think I bought Codsworth?"

"Out!" Nora laughed, pushing him towards the door.

"Love ye too, darlin'." Nate gave her a mock salute and stumbled out of the bathroom.

"Miss Elspeth, breakfast was served thirty minutes ago!" Codsworth's muffled voice met him through the opposing door.

"Codsy! Bugger off!...and 'ave told ye… it's Beth!" came El's equally muffled reply.

"My, my. For such a brilliant young mind, Miss Beth, your language leaves much to be desired."

"Get tae fuck, or I'll turn ye into a toaster!" El spat back, a bit louder this time.

"By God! I don't believe General Atomics programmed me with enough patience for this!" Codsworth sighed.

"I'll handle this." Nate interrupted, opening the door.

"Good luck, that child's got the mouth of a drunkard."

"I'm weeks away from twenty ye daft bucket o' bolts!" El retorted.

Codsworth sighed, bobbing past him a little less chipper than before. Poor bugger.

Nate chuckled and shook his head. Wearing that damn onesie, she was akin to an overgrown toddler in a babygro. El glared at him, her hazel eyes flashing with a fire that reflected his own, her cheeks flushed, auburn hair still a tangled mess, reminding him exactly why he opted for a smooth dome.

"Arse. Up. Now. Or I promise you I'll cancel that comic subscription I already reluctantly pay for."

El's eyes narrowed, a defiant glint remaining, a slight smirk curving her lips. "Ye wouldnae dare."

"Try me," Nate raised a brow and folded his arms. "And to rub it in, I'll replace it with one about all the latest fashion trends, braw big frilly skirts and whatnot..."

"Fine. Ye win." El rolled her eyes, sauntering past him.

"Smart move," Nate smirked.

"Bite me!" El snapped, stomping into the now vacant bathroom.

Nate chuckled, shaking his head, and approached the kitchen, his stomach growling in anticipation.

"Breakfast is served sir," Codsworth set down a plate of eggs and toast.

"Thanks. And if ye need the afternoon off to recharge after the morning ye've had, you take it!" Nate smirked.

"A good show of humor, sir, but with a steady supply of Mr. Handy fuel, I am proud to serve!" Codsworth chirped.

"Attaboy."

"Your thoughts?" Nora's voice drifted over him, snapping his attention back to the present.

Nate blinked, glancing at his wife. She was studying him, her brows knitted. Damn. "I'm worried about her, doll. She won't admit it, but she's been having trouble sleeping again. I cannae remember the last time I saw her without dark circles under her eyes."

"She's just stressed. It's been a big year for her. Why don't you take her away for a few days? It's been a while since you two had time together," Nora suggested. "You could take a little road trip or something?"

"Aye, I'd been considering it, but I can hardly leave you with the wee one, can I?"

"I've got Codsworth to help. And besides, Shaun's not exactly a handful." Nora grinned, nudging him. "Take her. Trust me, she needs it."

Nate chewed his lip, his brows furrowed. Maybe she had a point. El had always loved his impromptu adventures.

"Okay, I'll talk to her about it—"

"Talk to me about what?" El asked, walking into the living room, her frown deepening as she looked between them. "I'm sorry! I know I've been—"

"No, stop right there! " Nate shushed her. "Ye don't go apologizing...I know you've been overloaded lately with all your projects."

El shrugged, dropping onto the couch beside him, her eyes fixed on the TV. "Yeah, I guess. It's just a lot, and I—"

"Deserve a break? Me and Nora reckon you've earned one," Nate grinned, nudging her. "So, how about we take off in a day or two? It's been a while since we've done a drive together, just you and me?"

"Wait, you're serious?" El stared at him, a smile breaking across her face, but her frown returned as she turned to Nora. "You're okay with that?"

"Are you kidding? Some peace and quiet, hell yeah, I'm okay with that," Nora barked a laugh. "And Codsworth's here to help, so I'll be fine."

"I like her, Nate. Can we keep her?" El smirked.

Nate's laughter bubbled, shaking his head. "Aye, she's a keeper, alright."

Nora gave them a fond smile, rising from the couch."Alright, you two, I'm going to help Codsworth tidy up, give you time to plan."

"Thanks, love," Nate's fingers curled hers as she pulled away, before turning his attention back to El.

"So, short-stop, any votes on where ye want tae go?"

"Laurey, Virginia—"

"The Caverns, again, lass?" Nate's eyebrow quirked.

"Come on, it's been months since we went to D.C. We could do a day trip to Laurey and then spend the rest of our time exploring the Capital!"

"Fine, but that damn mole costume is stayin' put!" Nate chuckled.

"She looked adorable in that thing. Never know, maybe she'll catch someone's eye!" Nora's laughter floated over them from the kitchen, and Nate grinned.

El blushed, her hand rubbing against the back of her head sheepishly. "I'll stick to studying, ta—"

"Quite right. I don't think there'd be many nerdy, bookworm Spelunkers out there that could put up with your pish!" He couldn't resist.

El's nose wrinkled, and her eyes narrowed. "Thanks for the vote of confidence—jackass."

Nate snorted and leaned back, his arms draped over the back of the couch, tuning into the TV.

The same usual shite.

A knocking came to the door, and Nora sighed. "It's probably that salesman. He's been trying all morning, insisting he talks to you."

"Oh, great." Nate rolled his eyes and lurched out of the sofa.

An all-smiles fella in a trenchcoat greeted him when he opened the door, stepping forward. "Good morning! Vault-Tec calling!"

"Sup, chief," he deadpanned, leaning against the doorframe.

"You can't begin to know how happy I am to finally speak with you. I've been trying for days. It's a matter of utmost urgency, I assure you," the rep explained.

Nate frowned—something about the guy's tone made him nervous.

"Alright, son, I'm here now."

"So you are, so you are,' the rep chuckled. "I'm here today to tell you that because of your family's service to our country, you have been pre-selected for entrance into the local Vault. Vault 111. I just need to verify some information. That's all! Don't want there to be any hold ups, in the unforeseen event of *ahem*...total atomic annihilation."

"But there's room for my entire family, right?"

"Of course. Of course! Minus your robot, naturally."

"Oi, Codsworth is family!" El retorted, appearing at his side, her eyes narrowed. "He's a wee gem! We can't just leave him!"

Nate's hand fell upon his sister's shoulder, squeezing it. "General Atomics promised Codsworth could survive anything, even a nuclear blast," he reminded her, her sentiment mirrored in his heart. "Go. I've got it from here."

El nodded, a defiant glint remaining in her eyes, but she stepped aside.

Nate glanced at the rep, his unease growing."All right, let's have it."

"Splendid, splendid. Let's get to it. Just need you to fill out this paperwork, and we're all done. Won't take but a moment."

The rep pulled a clipboard out of his briefcase and held it out towards him.

Nate frowned, his jaw tense, glancing down at the stack of papers. He took the clipboard and scanned the pages, his frown deepening.

"What makes me 'S.P.E.C.I.A.L?' That's a bit on the nose, is it no? And this whole damn thing seems a wee bit excessive, no offense, son."

"None taken! It's simply a matter of determining what roles you may be able to undertake in a new life underground!"

"Well, lucky for us, we have a certified vault technician in our fold. My sister just finished her Masters at C.I.T. Did a whole project around Vault safety and maintenance," Nate couldn't help the proud smile creeping into his cheeks.

"Masters? At C.I.T?" the rep's eyebrows shot up. "My, my, that's impressive."

"Aye, she got the brains of the family. I clearly got the looks," Nate joked, handing the clipboard back to the rep. "Think that's everything, chief."

"Wonderful! That's..." he skimmed over the documents, smiling. "Yes, indeed, that is everything... just gonna walk this over to the Vault! Congratulations on being prepared for the future!"

"Aye, thanks..." Nate forced a smile, his jaw still tense. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I have a wee one who needs a bit of a feed."

"Of course, have a great day, sir, ma'am!" The Vault-Tec rep tipped his hat and strolled off, the tension in the man's shoulders not lost on him.

He watched the rep go, his instincts prickling as he stepped back inside."Something aboot that didn't sit right, did it, El?"

"I didn't like it, Nattie. You don't think he's doing this because—"

"Elspeth, don't get him started," Nora interrupted, her voice strained. "It's just a precaution, that's all."

Nate swallowed his throat tight. "Maybe ye're right, doll, but just in case, we should double-check the go bags."

Shaun's wails rang through the house. Cutting through his words, Codsworth followed.

"Master Nate. Shaun has been changed, but he absolutely refuses to calm down. I think he needs some of that "paternal affection" you seem to be so good at."

"I've got 'im." Nate smiled and strode down the hall, his unease lingering. Nora's footfalls followed.

"Right, ye wee gremlin," Nate teased, sweeping a finger over Shaun's cheek. Shaun's cries grew fainter, his teary gaze fixed on Nate.

"Spin the mobile a bit. He loves that," Nora cooed, stepping up beside him.

Nate gave the mobile a gentle spin. Shaun's gaze drifted to the spinning rockets, green eyes wide, and his cries now soft whimpers. Nora brushed Nate's arm with her hand.

"Maybe we should go out later, a walk in the park?"

"And miss the World Series on TV? Not going to happen." Nate smirked. "But tomorrow, I'm all yours! I promise."

"I'll hold you to—"

"Sir? Mum? You should come and see this!" Codsworth's urgent voice drifted over them.

Nate frowned, exchanging a glance with Nora. "Codsworth?"

"I've got Shaun," Nora assured him, scooping the baby up.

Nate hurried out of the nursery, a knot forming in his gut, his blood rushing. "Codsworth? What is it, son?"

"Sir... the news..."

El was perched on the couch, her knuckles white around her backpack, its contents organized on the coffee table. "They actually did it."

"Did what, lass?" Nate frowned, sitting beside her.

“—followed by... yes, followed by flashes. Blinding flashes. Sounds of explosions..." the news anchor caught his attention. "We're... we're trying to get confirmation…But we seem to have lost contact with our affiliate stations."

"What? What is he saying?" Nora's voice drifted over them. "…Oh no.”

“...We do have... coming in... confirmed reports. I repeat, confirmed reports of nuclear detonations in New York and Pennsylvania…My God.”

The screen crackled, and the signal was lost. Nate's gaze fixed on the 'Please Stand By' screen. His mouth ran dry, a cold sweat prickling across his forehead.

"We have to get to the Vault. Now! Get all that back in the bag. I'll grab the rest." Nate blurted, his heart pounding against his ribs.

"Nattie...I'm scared."

"We're goin' tae be fine, El. We've prepared for this...You two wait for me outside!" Nate instructed, racing into their bedroom.

He yanked open the closet, his hands trembling, hauling out his and Nora's packs, followed by Shaun's. He slung them over his shoulder and hurried through the house for the front door—stopping on the threshold, glancing over his shoulder at Codsworth.

The Mr. Handy's eye stalks flitted over him, and he glided forward. "Goodbye, sir. May I say what an honor it has been to serve you and your family!"

"Ye've done us proud, son...maybe we could—"

"Now, don't you worry about me, sir! You have your family to think about. Go on."

Nate nodded, a lump forming in his throat. "Thank you, Codsworth..."

"He'll be alright, won't he?" El's voice pulled his attention.

He stepped onto the sidewalk and grabbed his sister's hand. "He'll be fine. Now c'mon, we gotta move!"

They raced down the road, Nora ahead of him, Shaun cradled against her chest. Nate swallowed hard, his hand tightening around El's. His mind raced. Vault-Tec. The rep—he knew something was up. That bastard knew this was coming!

"Nattie?" El tugged his arm, slowing.

"We're almost there, lass. Keep moving! Come on, we're nearly there—"

"We're on the list!" Nora's frantic voice greeted them, and Nate frowned as that Vault-Tec rep darted by them.

A soldier blocked their way, checking over a clipboard."Infant... Adult male... Two adult females... OK, go ahead."

Nate's heart pounded. It was real. This was really happening. They climbed the hill and clambered onto the platform, his arms circling Nora and El.

"Almost there, we're gonna be alright. I love you, all of you." Nate murmured, his pulse throbbing in his ears.

"We love you too," Nora whispered, her gaze locked on his.

The sky lit up with blinding white light, and the ground shook beneath their feet. A deafening roar filled the air. Nate's eyes widened as a mushroom cloud grew colossal in the sky. The blast waves thunder towards them, and El buried her face against his chest. He closed his eyes, bracing for impact.

"Send it down now!" a desperate voice shouted.

An orchestra of "Oh gods" and terrorized screams flooded his ears. The platform shuddered beneath them. His arms held tighter.

The blast crossed over them. The screams echoed, his breaths shortening, the pressure around his ribcage suffocating.

He held Nora, his lips pressed to her head, praying she couldn't hear his racing heartbeat.

The light faded, and the shockwave died, his ears still ringing.

The platform shuddered to a halt.

His eyes met Nora's, tears streaming down her face.

They had made it.

"Everyone, please step off the elevator and proceed up the stairs in an orderly fashion," the Vault-Tec security guard that greeted them instructed.

El clung to him as Nate made a move to follow the others, her breaths ragged and short. He glanced at Nora, Shaun sleeping soundly in her arms.

"She'll be okay. We're right behind ye," Nate murmured. "We just need a minute."

Nora nodded, her hand resting on his shoulder. "We won't be far. I'll go find out what's what."

"Be right with ye," Nate murmured, kneeling to meet El's gaze. "Hey, hey, look at me, lass. Look at me. Deep breaths. In and out. Like we practiced."

El's eyes flicked up to his, wide and fearful. She bit her lip, nodding. Her next shaky intake of breath was longer.

"Good, lass. Again. In and out."

She followed his lead, and soon enough, El's breaths steadied as her panic subsided, her grip on his loosening.

"You're a natural," Nate grinned, easing himself up.

El didn't respond and instead stood closer. His arm circled her, guiding them toward the vast cog-shaped doorway that loomed above them. Nate's heart beat faster. This was home now, for better or worse.

"It's impressive, eh? No wonder ye wouldny pipe doon about these Vaults!" Nate quipped.

El glanced at him, a faint smirk pulling in her cheeks. Nate squeezed her shoulder, their footsteps ringing as they climbed the metal stairs.

His eyes found Nora as they crossed the metal walkway. An orderly queue had formed behind her as she was collecting something up ahead.

Nora handed him a sealed bag and another for El. He eyed it, noting the '111' matching the jumpsuits some staff were wearing.

"What, do they no' come in a braw purple or maybe fluorescent green?"

El snorted at that, a wry smile curling her lips, and Nate's heart lifted a little. She was okay.

"Just follow the doctor here. He'll show you where to go," one of the scientists instructed.

"Lead the way, doc."

As Nora chatted with the doctor, El pulled away, her steps a little firmer, her gaze still far away.

Nate was drawn to the sudden bite in the air, a shiver running through him as he followed. People chatted, residents to Vault staff. Everyone seemed as edgy as he felt. They were led to a larger room filled with 'decontamination pods,' he was told as he was led towards one.

His attention pulled back to El, her belongings dropping to her feet. She stepped in front of them as one of the staff members attempted to collect them.

"I'm sorry, miss, but you cannot take your—"

Without a word, El unveiled a lanyard from around her neck and fixed them with a stern eye.

"You're a Vault-Tec intern? Very well, but be assured, vault-tec will not be held accountable if anything were to be damaged or stolen."

El nodded, her jaw set, and Nate couldn't help a smirk. Stubborn wee devil. Nate stripped to his boxers and tugged on his Vault suit, his skin prickling.

"Could ye's no have turned on the heatin'? It's colder than a polar bear's arse in here!" Nate grumbled.

El was already suited in her's when he looked up again, leaning against her pod, shoulders slumped, a blank expression set over her feature—still not back to herself yet.

"Can you hold him?" Nora asked, pulling his thoughts. Shaun curled up against her chest.

"Of course, love," Nate scooped him up, letting Nora get herself situated. He walked over to El, her fingers brushing Shaun's cheek, a weak smile curling her lips.

"Ye gonna be alright in there? I know how you get in tight spaces."

She held up her backpack, patting it fondly. Of course, she was always packed for every occasion.

"Right then, guess we'll see ye soon," Nate tried, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Okay, I can take him," Nora's hand rested on his arm, and Nate reluctantly handed Shaun over and planted a kiss against her cheek.

Nate climbed into his pod, and with a hiss, the lid descended, his breath misting the glass. His eyes locked onto Nora's, her gaze locked on him as her own pod closed, and she bounced Shaun in her arms.

"Just try to relax," the doctor reassured.

Nate nodded, pressing his hand against the glass. "Time for a whole new life."

"Resident secure. Occupant vitals: Normal," a robotic voice filled his ears.

A rush of cold flooded his pod. Nate's pulse spiked, his next breath shuddering.

"Procedure complete. In 5... 4..."

With every beat of the countdown, his vision whitened. Frost intertwined his eyelashes with every blink—everything faded.

Nate blinks away the frost that clings to his eyelashes, stretching his jaw to loosen the remainder of his beard and whiskers. It was a cold that hung as heavy as iron chains. Every breath stung his chest like swallowing broken glass as violent coughs wreck through him.

"...Critical failure in Cryogenic Array. All vault residents must vacate immediately," The computerized voice echoed through the intercom, and a hiss filled his ears.

As the pod door lifts away, Nate's still-thawing limbs do nothing to prevent him from stumbling forward. His knees crack against the slick steel floor, a haze of mist following him. He didn't dare look up, unwilling to face the truth that the nightmare was real. But there was no escaping the memories that assaulted every fiber of his being: Nora's please, Shaun's cries as they tear him from his mother's embrace. Nate's own screams—lost in the deafening Gunshot that silenced Nora and continued to echo as Shaun's heartbreaking wails faded away—the face that mets him and the words that followed:

At least we still have the backup.

"That scar-faced bastard! Why did he have tae—"

"...Critical failure in Cryogenic Array. All vault residents must vacate immediately,"

"Oh, shut up!" Nate yelled as he snapped his head back. "Can ye no see I'm havin' a moment, ye pushy cow!"

Blissful silence filled the chamber once more, and Nate breathed a sigh of relief. As if another entity had taken control of his body, he stood to his full height and ambled forward. His steps were clumsy, and fog engulfed the room as he moved toward Nora's pod. The faint glint of gold caught his eye. Her wedding band shined through the condensation. His fingers trailed over the icy glass.

Nora, his best friend, the woman he pledged his entire life to. Her rosy cheeks were now dusted blue, fear still painted in her expression. Her arms were so painfully absent—Shaun. He's just a baby, and they tore him out of her arms. Nate's knees buckled some, jolting him forward, and he braced himself, breaths coming out in rasps, his lungs constricting, the very walls closing in. His eyes opened over his wedding ring, a matching piece—he'd be dammed if he was leaving her's behind.

"C'mon! C'mon! There has tae be a release!" Nate barked, desperation bleeding into his brogue as he stepped back to take in the pod, reaching for the lever at its side.

His breath held as Nora's pod opened to him. Slowly, reverently, he slipped the ring off her finger, ignoring the spiderwebbing of frosted blood that now decorated her jumpsuit. Together, he joins their bands onto the chain around his neck, keeping them safe with his dog tags, holding them tight in his grasp. The mere sentiment of having them together offers a measure of comfort.

"I'll find who did this, and I'll get Shaun back. I promise."

With a brush of his lips against the cool metal, Nate tucks the chain securely behind his vault suit, and the fog clouding his mind subsides some. All he had to do was get El and get the hell out of this godforsaken ice box.

Shaky hands grip the lever release to El's cryopod, and he is met with an immediate sharp, jolting buzz that has him staggering back.

"Malfunction in Cryo Pod manual release override." A robotic female voice announces over the intercom.

"No-no-no! C'mon! I need tae open this damn thing!" Nate pulls the handle harder. Again, the error noise frays his nerves, not releasing. "Come on!" He presses a palm to the frost-covered glass, feeling the cold sting on his hand. "El!" Tears stream down his cheeks, warm against the cold fog surrounding him. "No. This can't-" His forehead rests against the pod. He closes his eyes tightly and sobs. “Ye cannae do this! I just need tae get El!"

His mind falls back to the terminal those scientist-looking folks were working on when they were after Shaun, how they opened Nora's pod. Nate spins on his heels and sprints forward, almost pummeling into the console as he slides to a halt. Fingers still stiff from his suspended animation, rattle the keys. Nate squints at the screen with a shaky breath, jumping through the entries as quickly as his frozen digits allow.

******** Welcome to ROBCO Industries (TM) Termlink ********

Thank you for choosing Vault-Tec!

>Cryogenic Array: Offline. Premature termination resulting in system failure. Isolated manual and remote overrides detected. Controls disabled.

>Life Support: Offline. Premature termination resulting in system failure. Isolated manual and remote overrides detected. Controls disabled.

Pod Occupant Status

POD C1: Miss Watt

>Occupant status: Deceased. Cause of Death: Asphyxiation due to Life Support failure.

********************************************************************

It takes several moments for him to comprehend the words laid bare.

Every occupant record painted the same picture: Cause of Death: Asphyxiation.

Nate collapses, his knees slamming on the steel, fingers clawing at the frost-covered ground, and a scream rips through him, a blood-curdling wail that echoes out in the empty chamber. Every cell in his body is alight, a sickening, bitter cold fire. His shoulders shake violently, and he balls his fists, pounding them to the floor until his knuckles are raw. He barely feels the biting pain as the fight seeps away, leaving him drained, tears frozen on his cheeks.

Nate doesn't move for a long moment—left alone with his thoughts and the steady Drip. Drip. Drip. of frost melting. His little sister is dead. They're both gone. It would be easy to submit to his grief, crumple over, and lose himself in the pain—but they have his son. He has to find Shaun, even if all he has left is a warped image of a man who ruined his world. A scar-faced bastard whom Nate committed to memory. His fingers curl around the chain of his dog tags, fidgeting the wedding bands between bloodied knuckles, the cold metal grounding him, and as Nate grits his teeth, steeling his heart, and sets his jaw, he stands.

A silent vow plays on his lips: For Shaun. For Nora. And for El. He would rain fire upon whoever took them from him, even if it meant tearing whatever world awaited him apart, one bullet at a time.

He vows it as he looks upon El's face. Russet frost-bitten curls drape across her forehead. A picture so peaceful she may as well be sleeping.

He vows it as his lips graze Nora's cheek before resealing the pod, committing his love's image to memory.

He vows it as his fingers trace Shaun's name, etched in ink within the tan line of his wedding band.

As the Sole Survivor of Vault 111, he has nothing left to lose and everything to fight for.

War Never Changes, and Nate was ready to wage it.

#falloutober2023 #fallout day #fallout fanfic #fallout 4 #fallout #fo4 #A little tie-in to MacCready in this one 👀#fallout maccready

15 notes · View notes

saraminia · 7 months

Text

15 questions, 15 mutuals

Thank you for tagging me @apothecarose 💞

1. Are you named after anyone?

Nope. Although my mom's called Riitta so it's kinda similar.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Yesterday when I looked at this picture.

So basically I cried about Noah and how much I love him. Seems to be a nearly daily occurrence nowadays. 😔

3. Do you have kids?

I have two. My son is 17 and my daughter is 14. And they're the best kids in the whole world.

(yes, I have their permission to post their pics freely and I'm a proud mama so why not)

4. What sports do you play/have played?

Sadly I never played a sport. (I was never into sports or exercise when I was a kid. Really not until after my daughter was born. That's when I started HIIT training and I did it really intensely for several years. Up until my mental illness put a stop to the training. I hit rock bottom with depression and could hardly even get out of bed. I've been mentally in a very good place for a few years now, but sadly haven't managed to pick up training again.)

5. Do you use sarcasm?

I mean.. yeah? Not intentionally, but I'm sure I do.

6. What's the first thing you notice about people?

I'm extremely unobservant unfortunately. I can meet someone and after five minutes not remember anything about them, especially about their appearance. But I think a really radiant and/or warm smile is something that gets my attention.

7. What’s your eye color?

Greyish green.

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

I like both, but happy endings are lovely.

9. Any talents?

Nope. None. lol

10. Where were you born?

In Finland. Same town where I'm currently living. I've been here and there and lived away from here for like fifteen years, thirteen of which in Sweden, but I returned home about eight years ago.

11. What are your hobbies?

No time for hobbies really. Gotta tumblr for several hours every day lmao. I mean, I write, but not very well. I take walks, often in nature. But mostly I just study and work.

12. Do you have any pets?

I have cats, two old ladies called Mimmi and Simba. They're both girls (despite the name) and both 11 years old. I've had them since they were six months old. They are from the same home, from two different litters, born five days apart. So different mothers, father(s) unknown, so they could be sisters. Either way they have always been together.

13. How tall are you?

164 cm which is about 5'4"

14. Favorite subject in school?

Maths and English (as a second language)

15. Dream job?

I don't think I ever had one. I am studying health care and will be a public health nurse when I'm done, but I wouldn't call that a dream job. It's just a job. I gotta do something so that's what I chose so I at least know there's always going to be work for me. But tbqh if I won the lottery, I would never work again. I'm not sure I'd even finish my studies, since I already am a nurse, it's only the specializing studies I'm still doing.

Oh man, am I supposed to tag fifteen people? Ok I'll try @ramonaflow @flowertrigger @a-noble-dragon @jesuisici33 @carolrain @maryp50 @statueinthestone @goodiecornbread @thisbuildinghasfeelings @rmd-writes @rainbowcoloredpalmtrees @jettestar @grapehyasynth @reasonandfaithinharmony @beaiola

19 notes · View notes

rain-is-cool · 3 months

Text

THANK YOU FOR THE TAG @littleeggrock !!!! I APPRECIATE IT!!!!!

1. Are you named after anyone?

Nope!! But my middle name is from my great grandma on my dad’s side!

2. When was the last time you cried?

Probably a week or so ago at 3 AM because the thoughts at that late at night be wildinnnnn (but I also was abt to cry today because my head hurts so bad, but that’s basically everyday, I get headaches a lot)

3. Do you have kids?

Yep!! I have 2 children with my platonic husband!! (Their not actually my children, it’s a bit me and my friends have going on lmao their actually not even a year younger than me 💀)

4. What sports do you play/have played?

I played lacrosse for a year-ish and I almost joined a team for soccer and volleyball but didn’t end up committing to it so I never played

5. Do you use sarcasm?

Oh definitely, I love sarcasm, I also love tone tags for that reason to because it allows people to understand me better (and help me understand them lmao)

6. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Just anything I can tell without interacting with them really, how they look, who they’re talking to, do they seem serious or joking? Should I avoid them or is it ok to approach them? Stuff like that

7. What’s your eye color?

I was told when I was younger it was hazel but I personally think it’s more brown

8. Scary movie or happy ending?

Oh DEFINITELY happy ending, I can handle scary movies for the life of me 😭😭😭

9. Talents?

I can play the ukulele somewhat decently!! :]

10. Where were you born?

Ok don’t make fun of me for this but…. Florida

(Please help I hate it here)

11. What’s your hobbies?

Gaming, Reading, Music, Collecting rocks/sticks, learning abt Greek mythology, and a whole other things that would take to long to list lol

12. Do you have any pets?

YESSS I HAVE FIVE!!!!

(I’ve had a lot more in the past to lol)

Cat #1 A gray tabby cat named Stormie (she gets locked in the closet a lot but she’s the most social out of the 3 cats)

Cat #2 A black cat named Binx (yes from hocus pocus) he’s very fluffy and fat and the only one of the cats that will maybe scratch you

Cat #3 A calico cat named Vida (as in the Spanish word for “life”) she’s very skittish but a sweetheart 💙💙💙

Dog #1 A mini Australian shepherd named Hazel, she’s very skittish but very sweet once she warms up to you

Dog #2 A idfk-even-though-I’ve-been-told-and-he-does-have-a-specific-breed named Nico, he’s still a puppy so he’s very energetic, he’s also very social :]

13. How tall are you?

Short as fuck 😭😭😭

I’m 4’11 - 5” and I get bullied because of it (in a /aff way) all the time 😭😭😭

14. Favorite subject in school?

English/Language Arts/ELA ALL THE WAY

You know how people say there’s math gays and there’s English gays? YEA IM THE ENGLISH GAY (I’m currently failing math)

15. What’s your dream job?

To be a Veterinarian, to work at a music store, or to work at Barnes & Nobels :] !!!

TAGSSSSS: @asterssunzephyr @gh0stmythz and @okaioh Hiya guys!!! How are you?? :D

#SILLY LITTLE THING #RAHHHHHH THANKS SM FOR TAGGING ME <33333

5 notes · View notes

dinitride-art · 2 years

Text

Stranger Things and Lighting (Season 2: The Snowball) - Full Analysis (Pt. 25.1)

Okay, so. This really isn’t a part of the Lighting of this analysis. But, the Rink O’ Mania disco ball has been haunting me ever since I noticed that it was positioned behind Will an ungodly amount for someone who wasn’t a main character in that scene (not Mike or El). Anyways, I’ve talked already talked about that.

So, what is this?

This is a theory post that I need to make to A. Get My Own Thoughts in Order, and B. Make What I’m Trying to Say Next Make Sense. First, before I get into The Snowball (I am analyzing this in the second half of the post, in case anyone would rather skip to that), I need to explain myself.

Mike’s Character Arc:

Mike Wheeler’s character arc is more of a dip than a circle or an arc. Season one starts with Mike at his highest, season two is going downhill, season three is rock bottom, season four is getting back up, and season five will be finding himself again.

This is related to how much he’s trying to fit into society and how much of an ‘asshole’ (Nancy��s words) he becomes. In season four, we do see Mike becoming less of an asshole, he falls short sometimes, but he’s trying. With the Hellfire Club, talking to El, and talking to Will, he’s trying to find himself again.

This dip, causes a parallel structure in the arc, season three being an outlier because it’s the bottom of the dip. However, this dip is not exclusive to Mike’s arc. It’s true for the entire series. There are a lot of parallels in Stranger Things, a lot. But there is also a pattern to those parallels.

We are only able to see the pattern emerge with what we’ve seen in season four. Because season four parallels season two.

Math and Patterns rant, you have been warned: (As a visual of what I’m saying, here’s this graph. To rant a little about patterns here, they aren’t always intended and thought out, but they are always present. Humans have many unconscious processes that use and require patterns that we don’t notice in our daily lives. Cell division, the digestive system, the nervous system: all complex processes and patterns in our bodies. So, yes, this is a sinusoidal function. It looks pretty close to y=cos(x). It’s got a max and a min, and can in fact be graphed. (which is pretty fun and funky if you ask me).

I’m not really saying that this was a conscious decision, but rather it’s a result of patters being apart of how we think and patterns being present in every aspect of life (or nearly every aspect, I don’t know, shit could be wild out there).

BUT, it does show what I’m talking about pretty well. Season one and five are parallel, as well as season two and four. Season three is rock bottom. The parallel structure is intended, the sinusoidal function perhaps not so much. But it’s still pretty neat!)

In both season two and season four:

-Max gets an extremely relevant plotline; Introduced in season two, is Vecna’s target in season four. She and Will almost trade spots in terms of a romance arc and being a target of the Upside Down.

-El has an independent plotline and is separated from the rest of the group; In season two it’s breaking away from Hopper and running away and finding Kali. In season four she kind of breaks up with Mike and goes and joins the Nina project. She finds out more about who she is and her past with the Hawkins lab.

-’I love you’; in season two Steve and Nancy break up because she doesn’t love him anymore, whether she ever really did is unclear. In season four Mike can’t tell El that he loves her up until the monologue due to outside factors. Jonathan and Will both try to help Nancy and Mike with their relationships but obviously love the person that they’re trying to help.

-Hawkins lab relevance with Kali in season 2 and Brenner in season four; the opening scene of the season in seasons two and four are about Hawkins lab and the people involved in it. Brenner’s memories of the incident in season four, and Kali’s introduction in season two.

- Mike and Will relationship development/ paired off and separated from the group. Emphasis is placed on their relationship but as a team. In season two Mike and Will were paired off and work as a team to try and stop the mind flayer and in season four they’re paired off while trying to find El.

-both have nine episodes; the episode numbers alternate by season. Seasons one, three, and five have eight episodes, while seasons two and four have nine. These further add to the parallel structure of the series/story.

The point:

Season two and season four are connected- just like how season 5 and season one are going to parallel each other (and maybe season three, although I’m not too sure on that one yet, because it’s the bottom of the arc and I’m not too confidant it will match up in this. But I’m also not 100%. So. Idk yet). This is the upswing of the series, season three was rock bottom, and now things are going to go up.

But that is not my point. My point is that the Snowball is a problem. It is in episode nine for a reason, that disco ball is there for a reason, the disco ball at Rink O’ Mania is there for a reason (other than drawing attention to Will): it’s all there because it means something.

I cannot analyze what is happening in the snowball scene (lighting aside, we’ve gone rogue- for now. It’s temporary. I’ll return to the light- lol- eventually.) without looking in depth at what happens in season two. More specifically the snowball.

So, I’m going to lay that out here. The snowball specifically happens at the end of episode nine of season two and about half or more of episode nine of season four. This is intended because of the parallel structure of the seasons.

Without knowing the themes of the Snowball in season two, the snowball in season four isn’t going to make very much sense. That being said, “forced conformity, that’s what’s killing the kids!” is from season four. But it is the entire point of the Snowball in both season four and season two.

S2:E9 - The Snowball (Pink and Blue)

Starting off here, we’ve got Mr. Clark putting up the banner. We can clearly see that ‘Snow’ is hidden and there is an emphasis placed on ‘ball’. This imagery is present in season four as well. The disco ball at Rink O’ Mania, Max’s memories of the Snowball, some other things that are relevant later (and I can’t explain fully here without analyzing up to that exact point).

Mr. Clark is wearing green and red, while the person standing and watching him is wearing blue and red/pink. The colour scheme for the Snowball appears to be blue, silver and red.

Will is wearing a blue tie.

Mike is wearing a red tie.

Lucas is wearing a pink and blue striped shirt.

Erica is wearing a blue and pink shirt.

Max is wearing green. Billy was also seen when we saw Max and was wearing blue.

Dustin is wearing blue but looks into a red mirror and has more red objects that compliment his blue.

Steve talks to Dustin, now that they’re friends and he’s trying to teach him how to talk to girls. Steve is wearing red.

The girls behind Dustin are wearing pink and blue. The balloons are white and blue (which may have changed in season four).

Steve looks past Dustin at Nancy, she’s wearing pink.

The balloons did change, they look tarnished and nearly gold instead of silver or white. (this is due somewhat to the upside down, but this memory is still set in a darker tone even when Max first arrives in it).

This shot mirrors the ones in season four, except we can’t see the emphasis on the disco ball as much here as we do there. This is also a juxtaposition of the darkness of Max’s memory. From this perspective we can also see green, red and blue as our main colours.

Looking at Nancy, we can see that she is indeed wearing a pink plaid dress and gold earrings. Her eyeshadow/eye liner is purple and her hair is nearly as curly as we see it in season four. Behind her we can see two girls in blue and pink dresses.

Dustin finds the rest of the party and is then told his hair looks weird. In the background we can see more blue, pink and red outfits.

Mike is in center frame, even though we’re mainly following Dustin. Will also takes up a lot of the frame considering it’s mainly Mike and Lucas who are joking about Dustin’s hair. Everyone in the party is important to watch in this scene.

We see more of Max’s outfit when the camera changes angle and she is wearing some red, but she stands out against the red and blue dresses that the other girls are wearing.

And again we see Mike in the center of the frame even though the scene doesn’t seem to concern him all that much.

The people in the background aren’t all wearing blue, red and pink, but the ones that are in our direct line of sight usually are.

Max is starring off where Dustin was when Lucas tries to ask her to dance.

We see Dustin watching it go well, and we see his hope start to crumble.

Despite Dustin being the one who liked Max, Will and Mike are still in center frame. We see all three of their reactions. Will looks relatively normally at them leaving, Dustin seems a but shocked but resigned, and Mike looks a little bit sad.

We see all three of them and then we focus in on Max and Lucas. Max is wearing a yellow watch, one that she is still wearing in season four. In season two Max also has green vans which change to red when we see her in season four. Green has connotations of hiding/ not being able to find the colour red just yet. That was established in season one at Will’s funeral.

After we focus on Max and Lucas we flip back over to look at Dustin in the center of the frame. We see him looking at them from a distance. We know that he’s sad because he liked Max, and she’s dancing with someone else.

(cutting it here because I now have the fear of the tumblr code instilled into me and have split this post into three)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25.1 25.2 25.3 26 27 28 29 30 (to be edited)

#byler #the lights #the snowball #i am on a time crunch folks

69 notes · View notes