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hookedonapirate · 3 years

Text

The Dirty Text Challenge

Summary: “I told you, Emma, you should try it!” Mary Margaret screeches through the phone.

Emma pulls the device away from her ear, lest she go half-deaf by the sheer volume of her sister-in-law’s voice. “And I told you, I’m not doing that,” she protests, leaning back against the wall of the corridor outside the restrooms.

“Why not? You’ll be able to see how interested he is without having to tell him how you feel to his face.”

“But what if he's not?”

“Oh Emma, do you really not know your best friend? He’s interested, trust me!”

“Has he said anything to you or David?”

“Of course not. But that doesn’t mean he’s not interested in you. It just means he’s not interested in getting clocked in the face by your brother.”

Notes: This is a birthday gift for my good friend, @onceuponaprincessworld. Thank you for always being supportive and encouraging and, well, for putting up with me :) Hope you have an awesome day, love!

Inspired by the Dirty Text Challenge on Tik Tok that was trending awhile back, where you send a dirty text to your significant other and record his reaction when he reads it. There was one video in particular that made me want to write this for CS, and it was by realkayjane. She posted a video of her best friend reading a text she sent him in a bar, and then they started dating. It very well could've been staged, or maybe not, I honestly don't know. Nevertheless, I wanted to write it, so here it is. And if you're interested to see what the text says, no worries, I've included a flashback at the end ;)

Thank you @ultraluckycatnd for being so kind and for looking it over at the last minute!

Rated: Explicit

Also Available on: AO3 FF.N

Killian’s phone vibrates from his pants pocket for the second time since he’s been at The Rabbit Hole that evening, but he continues to ignore it. What could possibly be more important than hanging out with his best friend at their favorite bar anyhow?

“Aren’t you gonna answer that?”

“It can wait,” Killian says, waving off her question and taking a swig of his rum.

“It might be important.”

Killian glances up at her from over the rim of his tumbler.

More important than being with you?

Unlikely.

His phone vibrates once more, but he still doesn’t move to retrieve it.

She cocks her brow, giving that castigating look. A look that tells him he should answer his phone.

So he sighs and reluctantly digs it out, seeing three text messages from the same person.

Unknown: Hey Killian. It’s Tina. David gave me your number. I hope you don’t mind.

He groans.

Yes, I do mind. Bloody hell, Dave, why did you have to give her my number?

Unknown: Are you free tonight?

Definitely not.

Unknown: You can come over if you want.

He’s never even been on a single date with Tina.

Killian thinks about how he will politely decline.

“Who is it? If it’s David, I swear, he better either be in jail or the hospital if he’s interrupting our evening.”

Killian’s cheeks heat with blush, and he has to suppress the smile threatening his lips.

She said our evening .

Killian scratches behind his ear, reluctant to tell her the texts are from some woman David’s trying to set him up with. “Uh, it’s… it’s no one.”

Emma grins, clearly not buying it. “Doesn’t seem like no one. You’re blushing.”

Not for the reasons you probably think.

He chuckles nervously. “Truly, it’s no one important.”

Emma cocks her head to the side.

Damn her for knowing him so well. For being able to tell when someone is lying to her. Tina is really no one important to him—he barely knows her, if at all. He spoke to her one time, and that was when David introduced her to him. They chatted for all of ten seconds. So he’s not exactly lying to Emma. But she thinks he’s blushing over the person sending him the texts. She doesn't know she is the one he is blushing over.

He's about to slip his phone into his pocket, but before he can, Emma grabs his arm with one hand and steals the device with her other one. She's so quick and smooth, he doesn’t have time to stop her.

Killian gulps as she checks his phone.

Her eyes light up with amusement when she sees the messages from Tina and reads them out loud. Then she looks up at him, raising her brow. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a girlfriend?”

Killian reaches over the table and plucks the phone from her hands with a heavy sigh. “She’s not my girlfriend. Your brother is trying to set me up with her.”

She picks up her strawberry daiquiri, knitting her brows in confusion. “Sounds like you’ve already hooked up with her.” She brings the glass to her lips, taking a sip as he watches her intently.

“We haven't even been on one date.”

She nods, lowering her drink as she swallows. “So, are you going over to her place?”

He wishes he could read minds right now because he can’t tell if she’s asking about Tina because she’s just curious or if she's asking because she’s jealous.

Definitely the first option, he thinks.

He shakes his head. “Of course not.” A small smile plays at his lips. “Why would I go to her place when I’m already with my favorite person in the entire world?”

Emma’s cheeks paint with blush as she sets her drink down and crosses her arms on the tabletop. “Because obviously you’d be getting laid.”

“Well, you know me, Emma. I’m too much of a gentleman to just go over to a woman’s home who I barely know and get my rocks off.”

She smirks and teases him playfully. “I know. So are you at least going to ask her on a date?”

He stares at Emma for a moment, trying to figure out how to properly answer her question without baring his soul to her. So he settles on a flat-out lie. “I haven’t decided yet.”

He hates this.

He hates not being able to tell his best friend he’s madly in love with her.

And he’d nearly blurted it out over an intense game of Mario Kart a few days ago.

“Fuck me!” Emma whines after losing another round against him and nearly throwing the controller across the room (she probably would have if David hadn’t plucked it from her hands).

Killian is busy trying to recover from her expletives and how her words had shot straight through him. He knows he should just keep his mouth shut, because, for one... her brother is in the room and two… well, he would very much like to take her up on that offer. No actually, he doesn’t want that, and that’s the problem. He wants so much more than that. He’s had so many fantasies about being with Emma, but they all involve things like taking her out on a proper date, holding her hand, kissing her, making love to her. So no, he doesn’t want to fuck her. He wants a future with her, one which involves being more than her best friend. Gods, he wants so much more than that. But he’s not willing to give up any less than what he already has. So, instead of revealing his true feelings, he covers them up with a playful quip. “Is that an invitation, love?”

The look she gives him makes his heartbeat quicken, one corner of her lips curving up into a shy smirk, her cheeks reddening as he feels David’s stare burning into him.

“Why? You offering?” she retorts.

Killian stares at his best friend in shock, his mouth slightly agape. “Maybe I a — ”

Before he can finish his reply, David threatens him with a deadly glare and cuts him off. “No, it’s not an invitation and no, he’s not offering,” he answers for both of them.

And that is one of the other reasons why Killian hasn’t had the guts to tell Emma how he really feels. Okay, it’s the main reason. Because not only could it destroy his friendship with her, but also his friendship with her brother.

Emma scowls at David and snatches the controller from his hands. “Who died and made you king?”

David mimics her in a whiny voice and Emma retaliates by shoving him in the arm.

“Ow!” He rubs the spot where she'd hit him, and sticks his tongue out at her. “Brat.”

She does it back. “Dork.”

Killian chuckles . He's always thouroughly entertained by their little sibling squabbles.

“One more game, Jones?” Emma asks him.

And that was that. They played another round, which she won, and neither of them spoke of the words exchanged that night.

Which makes tonight pretty awkward, considering it’s the first time Killian’s actually been alone with Emma since then. Well, if you consider sitting together in a booth at a crowded bar, alone. So to dial down the awkward tension between them, Killian keeps the drinks coming so the alcohol will ease the nerves in his stomach.

But the problem with alcohol is the effects it has.

The first one is giggliness.

Emma is adorable when she’s sober, but when she’s drunk, she is extra adorable. She can’t say three words in a row without giggling.

That effect, mixed with the second one, is bound to lead to things he’s not sure he’s prepared for. Especially not while they’re drunk.

Oversharing.

Not that they don’t already know everything there is to know about each other, but when he’s trying to keep his biggest secret from his best friend… well, that presents quite the problem when he’s drunk. At least he still has enough presence of mind to know how much to overshare.

“Must be nice to have women throwing themselves at you, Jones. I swear, if it wasn’t for my vibrator, I’d probably have cobwebs!” she exclaims over the noisy bar chatter.

Killian shudders at the images her confession is supplying him with. He’s certainly not imagining her using said vibrator. And he’s fairly certain she wouldn’t have to worry about cobwebs if she didn’t have a vibrator. Emma could have any man she wanted. He’s one of them. “I’m definitely not getting laid as often as you make it sound,” he retorts with a chuckle. “Or as much as I’d like to.”

“Please!” she snorts. “You could have your cock licked by every woman at this bar with a snap of your fingers if you wanted to.”

Testing her theory, he snaps his fingers and looks around. “Where are they, love?” Not that he has any interest to get his cock licked by anyone at this bar. Or anyone, really. Anyone except the gorgeous blonde sitting across from him with the most beautiful emerald green eyes he’s ever seen and a smile that sets his heart on fire as she bursts out laughing.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m just being honest,” he says before draining the last of his rum.

She taps her empty glass with her nails. “One more round?”

He nods and raises his hand to summon the server.

“But first, I have to pee. My bladder is about to burst.” She rises from the booth, and he follows her with his eyes as she makes her way to the restrooms.

~*~

Emma’s a bit lightheaded as she leaves the ladies' room, but not nearly as much as she’s led on. She was hoping to drop hints to Killian without repelling him. But she’s afraid she’s completely failing. How does one exactly go about telling her best friend of five years she’s completely in love with him?

She has no fucking clue.

“I told you, Emma, you should try it!” Mary Margaret screeches through the phone.

“Why not? You’ll be able to see how interested he is without having to tell him how you feel to his face.”

“But what if he's not?”

“Oh Emma, do you really not know your best friend? He’s interested, trust me!”

“Has he said anything to you or David?”

“Of course not. But that doesn’t mean he’s not interested in you. It just means he’s not interested in getting clocked in the face by your brother.”

“And if you’re wrong? Then what?”

Mary Margaret sighs. “If I’m wrong—which I’m definitely not—then you can just tell him you meant to send the text to someone else.”

“But who? I just told him I have an exclusive relationship with my vibrator.”

“Then maybe one of your past flings? I don’t know, Emma, you’ll come up with something. But I’m like one hundred and ten percent sure you won’t have to.”

Emma sighs in exasperation and defeat. “Fine, but if this ends badly, I’m only blaming you.”

She can almost hear her sister-in-law’s grin from the other line, even though she can’t see her. “Fine. If I’m wrong, I'll take full responsibility. In fact, if I’m wrong, I’ll buy you grilled cheese sandwiches every day for an entire year.”

Hmmm, that does sound appealing.“With onion rings?”

“I’ll buy you the whole freaking menu at Granny’s if you want.”

“Okay,” Emma laughs. “And if you’re right, what do you want?”

“If I’m right, I will already have everything I could possibly want.”

“And what’s that?”

“Well, besides your brother, obviously, the knowledge that you and Killian will live happily ever after, of course.”

Emma’s heart warms at her sister-in-law’s sentiment. If only love could be that simple. Just offer her heart to Killian and receive his in return. But this isn’t some fairytale or romance novel where the heroine rides off into the sunset with her handsome hero. This is real life. “Okay.” Suddenly the idea of what she’s about to do makes her heart flitter in panic. “So I’m actually doing this?”

“You’re doing this. And you won’t regret it. Now put on your big girl pants and go get your man.”

After they end the call, Emma lowers the phone from her ear and with shaky hands, pulls up her text conversations with Killian. She sucks in a deep breath and releases it slowly, her breath wobbly. Gnawing on her bottom lip, she types a text with shaky fingers, erases it, retypes it and repeats that cycle three more times before she’s satisfied with the message. At first, she didn’t want to send anything to Killian that she wouldn’t be able to defend and say it was meant for someone else. But then she thought, screw it. She can blame it on the alcohol.

For years, she’s been wanting to tell her best friend how she really feels about him, and when she finally scrounged up the courage to tell Mary Margaret, her sister-in-law suggested this hair-brained scheme she came up with after watching these trending Tik Tok videos of women sending their boyfriends or husbands dirty texts in public and recording their reactions. Since Killian isn’t her boyfriend or husband, Mary Margaret thought it would be a great idea to find out whether he likes her or not. Or rather, prove to a stubborn Emma he’s secretly in love with her.

Well, she’s about to find out. Here goes nothing...

She peers around the corner of the hallway entrance and does a quick check to make sure he didn't leave and go into the men's room or something. When she spots him across the room, still sitting at their booth, she sends off the text. Then she quickly pulls up the camera on her phone and starts recording, her heart pounding. It’s pounding so loud she can hear it in her ears over the loud music and boisterous bar chatter.

His phone lights up on the table and he sets down his tumbler to pick up the device.

Emma watches him with bated breath, hoping and praying this wasn’t a mistake. Hoping his reaction won’t be the same reaction he had when he received those texts from Tina. Emma had done her best to hide her emotions when she saw that skank’s text messages. She had to swallow her words and shove down her jealousy, but when she remembered that look of irritation written all over Killian’s face as he read those texts, she realized why he was irritated. Needless to say, she was relieved beyond belief.

Through her phone, Emma watches as Killian’s mouth falls open, his eyes big and wide as he stares at his screen.

Emma has no idea what he’s thinking right now, but she really wishes she did. Is he happy, excited, turned on? Or is he pissed off, disappointed, disgusted? She’s usually pretty good at reading her best friend, but right now it’s like trying to read a blank page.

He lifts his head and looks toward the restrooms, so she quickly retreats inside the hallway, keeping her phone in place so it’s still recording him. She presses her back against the wall, as though the opposite wall is closing in on her, and she’s trying to draw in as much air into her lungs before she’s suffocated to death.

Shit, shit, shit.

What if Mary Margaret’s plan didn’t work? What if Emma scared him away?

Cautiously and carefully, she turns her head and looks around the corner again.

To her utter horror, Killian is not in the booth.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! Why did she send him the text?

In panic mode, Emma brings her hand back and stops recording as she flattens against the wall again and contemplates shooting Killian another text saying she sent the text by mistake.

She starts typing out a message.

Emma: Sorry, that text was for someone else. Ooops, my bad.

But then she sees the text she'd sent and realizes she made it impossible to say it wasn’t meant for him because of what the text said.

Nope, she definitely can’t talk her way out of that one.

Before she can erase the message and type out how sorry she is, her phone is being slipped from her hands.

She’s about to lose her shit when she looks up and gasps as her eyes meet vivid blue ones.

Killian’s looking at her with a hungry—no, primal—stare.

And just like that, all of her oncoming anger melts away.

Emma can’t move. She can’t speak, she can’t even breathe. This man has impaired her ability to do anything other than stare back at him, waiting for him to speak. Her stomach is clenching and her heart is racing under the heaviness of his stare.

She doesn’t even give two flying fucks when he slips her phone into his pocket.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he leans into her space and murmurs in her ear. “You said I could have any woman in the bar licking my cock at a snap of my fingers...” His voice is decadent and drops an octave when he speaks again. “What if I told you, you could have one man licking your pussy at the snap of yours?”

She gulps hard and just stares at him in shock. He’s joking, right? But she’s known him for five years and can’t detect a single trace of mocking in his words.

Without breaking her challenging stare, she lifts her hand.

And snaps her fingers.

Without hesitation or any preconceived thought, Killian takes her hand in his and leads her into the ladies' room, locking the door behind them. He backs her against the sink and draws her into his arms, a wave of desire so profound sweeping through her, it leaves her trembling in his muscular arms, clinging to his body like a lifeline. When he lifts her up and sets her on the edge of the sink, their mouths find each other, their lips moving with a need that burns like a fire inside them both. She slides her arms around his neck, her lips fused to his, her tongue swirling and exploring his mouth as her breasts are pressed deliciously against his chest.

Killian holds her flush against him, his tongue mingling with hers in a sensual ballet of lips and flesh that leaves them both panting. She moans softly into his mouth as he rubs at her back, squeezing one of her ass cheeks in his free hand.

She can’t believe she’s actually kissing Killian. Her best friend. And he is every bit the kisser she knew he would be. His tongue flicks against hers so expertly and he’s groaning, his guttural sounds vibrating through her, shivers running down her spine, her skin tingling all over. Her stomach is coiled in anticipation at the thought of that same tongue on her pussy.

Oh God.

She needs that tongue on her like she needs air to breathe. As much alcohol as she’s had, the only thing fogging her mind is the lust and pleasure coursing through her veins. She’s now drunk on something else entirely. And it’s on the man who is currently breaking the kiss and leaving her a panting, breathless mess as he slides his lips over her jawline and down her neck, the scruff on his chin scratching her so deliciously.

As she’s still trying to recover from that kiss—as if she could—she’s so glad she wore a dress tonight. As he leaves a trail of kisses along her collarbone, he pulls the straps down her arms, yanks down the top of her dress and pushes her black, lacy bra cups out of the way, exposing her breasts. As he’s admiring her naked breasts in wonderment, as he's squeezing them in his firm hands, making her nipples harden, she's admiring him and blushing profusely.

Fuck.

When he caresses a hard bud with his lips, Emma moans, and when he draws the same nipple into his mouth, she runs her hands through his hair, enjoying how soft and warm his mouth is against her sensitive skin, a breath exploding between her lips. He kisses his way to her other breast, giving the same treatment. She can feel how hard he is through his jeans, and it’s making her so much wetter than she already was. To her relief, he’s grabbing her dress and hauling it up her legs, seeking access she’s definitely willing to grant him. She helps him move the hem of her dress to her stomach, exposing her black, lacy thong. He leaves bruising kisses on her lower belly and inner thighs as he slides her panties off.

When he’s on his knees and his gorgeous face is between her thighs, he looks up at her, those intense blue eyes stealing her breath as he gently slides his lips up her leg, giving her time to push him away if she desired. A completely unnecessary precaution.

She leans back, gripping the edge of the sink as she drapes one leg over his shoulder and pushes him to her.

The soft, warm air of his chuckles hits her glistening folds and sends a shiver up her spine. “Patience, love.” He presses gentle kisses to her nub, her folds, and noses her slit, breathing in slowly, taking in her unique scent. Emma’s incapable of being patient, though; she can almost feel his tongue on her as he wraps his arms around her, urging her to lean back a little more so he has full access to her.

Finally, his tongue hits her flesh, taking a thorough exploration between her folds until he finds exactly what he’s searching for. She dips her head back, hitting the back of it against the mirror, her hands clutching at the top of his head for purchase. Her eyelids fall shut, soft moans pouring from her mouth as his tongue works so skillfully on her bundle of nerves. She opens her eyes so she can watch him as he licks her good and hard, and she lifts one of her legs to the edge of the counter so she’s spread out like a feast before him. She tugs gently on his hair, urging him closer and she can tell he doesn’t mind, because he's growling and puckering his lips, drawing her clit into his soft, warm mouth, making her tremble. It’s the most erotic thing she’s ever witnessed, and she’s wondering who’s enjoying this more, him or her.

When he glances up, his eyes are boring into hers, and she can feel him smiling against her folds when he sees how wrecked she is with her best friend’s tongue between her legs. Those sparkling blue eyes are piercing through her soul and she can’t find the strength to tear her gaze from his. It’s so fucking hot watching him eating her out. Watching him take his sweet time bringing her close to the very edge before pulling away and then bringing her back. It’s like watching the waves of the ocean moving in and lapping the shoreline before ebbing away. His tongue lapping her up and then withdrawing. In and out, in and out, over and over, increasing in intensity and speed each time, until she’s a complete mess, until she’s arching her back and fisting tufts of his hair and tugging him closer, begging for him to finish her off.

“Killian… please…” she moans breathlessly, helpless against the mirror and completely at his mercy.

The alcohol certainly doesn’t help; it had made her incredibly more horny. Meaning every inch of her is more sensitive. So, Killian suckling on her clit and lapping her up as if his life depends on it is bound to push her over the edge and make her crumble into a million pieces very soon.

And he does so effortlessly.

God, he does.

“Killian!” Emma screams, hoping the loud music and chatter of the bar are drowning out her sounds of ecstasy as she falls apart. She falls so hard, she’s thankful Killian’s hands are gripping her thighs, holding her in place, because otherwise she’d be on the floor right now. Literally.

When she comes back to reality, her body is still twitching. Killian is pressing soft, wet kisses to her nub and each of her thighs, and there’s fire in his eyes as he rises and sucks her essence off his fingers.

She can taste herself on his lips when he kisses her. And she melts again, arousal shooting through her once more. But as airy as she feels, she somehow musters the strength to push him back, fumble for his belt, tug down his pants and sink to her knees.

Holy hell.

His cock is glorious.

Thick and throbbing, pointing at her, almost beckoning her forward.

“Snap your fingers,” she says, smirking up at him.

He manages a grin and doesn’t argue.

When he snaps his fingers, she wraps her hand around his stiff length and strokes him slowly, a deep, soft moan escaping her lips. He feels fucking amazing in her hand.

He draws in a sharp breath when she kisses his velvety tip. Then she leans in and licks up his entire length, making him gasp.

“Good… Gods… Emma.”

His thick shaft is glistening with her saliva, and Killian bites his lower lip as he looks at her, trying to hold back the urge to lose himself too soon. She smiles, encouraged by his palpable excitement, and wraps her wet lips around his cock. The tip of him slides easily into her mouth, and she sucks on him greedily, bobbing her head a few times before removing her hand, grabbing his hips and taking him in deeper. Killian lets out a deep, guttural groan, reaching down to cup her cheeks in his hands. Emma hums gently around him while allowing his cock to slide back and forth past her lips, not enough to escape her mouth, but enough to build up some friction.

“Fu-uck! That feels incredible, love…” he groans, his voice completely wrecked.

The sounds of his breathing grow louder with each passing minute. Her arousal builds inside her again while she takes him deep, letting his belled tip almost slip free from her mouth before taking him in again. She can’t refrain from smiling around his cock, knowing she’s subjecting him to the same torture he put her through.

Emma massages his balls in her fingers and increases her speed, taking him into her mouth deeper and faster and harder. Killian’s hands are threading through her hair and he’s groaning loudly, thrusting his hips, seeking release. And she’s finally ready to give it to him. She moans around him and takes his perfect buttcheek in her free hand, taking him roughly, letting him fuck her mouth until his hot seed is spurting down her throat and he’s gripping her hair tightly and his legs are shaking.

“Gods, Emma… that was…”

The knock on the bathroom door pulls them both back to reality. Emma quickly swallows his cum down her throat and licks her lips as she rises. They reassemble themselves quicker than they would’ve preferred. They right their clothes, tame their hair and walk out of the restroom like everything’s perfectly normal, ignoring the looks they’re getting from the female patron who’s outside the door waiting to use the restroom.

Killian and Emma are laughing as he pays their tab and they’re still giggling as they stumble out of the bar.

They take an uber to Killian’s apartment and the keys he drops on the floor is only the beginning of the trail they leave behind as they make their way to his bedroom. A jacket, one shoe, Killian’s sweater, another shoe, another jacket, her bra, her dress, her wet panties… they don’t even break the kiss to fling their clothes to the floor, and their lips are still connected when they make it to the room and fall into Killian’s bed.

Emma can’t believe that after five years she’s finally making love to this man, making love several times in several different positions, and when they’re both completely sapped, their heads are falling against the pillows and he’s kissing the back of her hand and asking her on a date.

~*~

Once they're not both in bed or out on their first official date (they wait until they go back to her place to begin any more enjoyable activities this time), Emma finally gets to watch the video of Killian’s reaction to the dirty text she’d sent him two days prior.

And what she sees fills her with so much happiness, she can’t stop smiling.

And when she uploads the video on Tik Tok, it goes viral.

~*~

Killian sighs heavily into his hands. He’s such an idiot. He needs to just man up and tell Emma how he feels. But if it were really that easy, then he would’ve done it five years ago, right?

The sound of his phone vibrating against the table drags him from his reverie and he lifts his face from his hands and picks up his phone.

It’s a text message from Emma.

Emma: I have a confession. I didn’t actually have to pee. All that talk of licking your cock made me so wet. Made it difficult to sit across from you instead of crawling underneath the table and licking your cock.

Killian groans, his cock actually twitching when he reads her text.

Fuck.

He’s completely stunned. He doesn’t even know how to react or feel about her text. Is she serious? Is she joking? Is it the alcohol?

A million questions race through his mind and when he’s finally able to peel his eyes from his phone screen, he looks across the bar toward the restrooms. He’s half expecting to find her watching him from a distance to catch his reaction but she’s nowhere in sight. He looks at his phone again and reads her text again. A slow smile creeps across his lips at the thought of Emma crawling underneath the table to suck him off.

Bloody hell.

Suddenly he feels very warm and grabs the drink menu to fan himself. Did they turn on the heat in here?

He blows out a laden breath and slips the phone into his pocket, trying to recover from how turned on he is. The thought of Emma’s sweet, pink lips wrapped around his hard, aching cock makes him painfully hard. And he’s pretty sure his arousal is written all over his face. But he also wonders what this means.

Was she sending him an invitation?

Does she want him to take action? Is she wanting him to meet her in the restroom?

He’s not sure, but he’s not about to let this opportunity slip from his fingers. Killian sets down the menu, drags a hand through his hair and gets up before he can talk himself out of it.

Fuck.

Is he actually going to the ladies’ room to get his dick sucked?

Nah, while the thought of having Emma’s mouth on his cock is awfully enticing, he has other ideas in mind.

As he approaches the hallway, he can see Emma on her phone. He suddenly becomes nervous and completely terrified.

Holy hell.

Is he actually doing this?

He keeps moving his feet, breaking through his stubborn wall of fear that’s held him back all this time. He breaks through the wall of anxiety and nerves that have weighed him down.

He takes another deep breath, steps into her space and snatches the phone from her hand, hoping and praying this isn’t a huge mistake.

If it was a mistake, then it was the best mistake he’s ever made. Because not only does he get to be with his best friend—the woman of his dreams—but her brother doesn’t completely hate him. David wasn't happy at first, but he’s slowly getting used to the idea of his best buddy dating his sister.

And Mary Margaret is overjoyed. But she's been acting very peculiar ever since he began dating Emma. Every time they meet Mary Margaret and David for lunch, the petite brunette always says without fail, “Guess what time it is?” After Emma shakes her head and rolls her eyes, Mary Margaret always has the same answer to her own question: “It’s time for you to buy your own grilled cheese sandwich and onion rings.”

Which is strange because, being the gentleman his mum raised him to be, he always foots the bill whenever he takes Emma out to eat.

What's even more puzzling is that Mary Margaret suddenly stops saying it after a year.

David's wife sure is an odd one.

Tagging: @itsfabianadocarmo @ilovemesomekillianjones @onceuponaprincessworld @teamhook @resident-of-storybrooke @searchingwardrobes @gingerchangeling @lfh1226-linda @xsajx @artistic-writer @kmomof4 @hollyethecurious @superchocovian

Sorry if I missed anyone, I’m very sleepy at the moment and have a long, early day tommorrow, so I’m posting this before I sleep.

#captain swan #cs ff #onceuponaprincessworld #dirty text challenge #cs smut #my fic

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taglegend · 3 years

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Tag Fact #3 - I’ve come to realize I’ve always been a fan artist more than I thought. so here is a timeline of influences that shaped my childhood to now. from nostalgic times, to sad changes, to great loss, to strange rises to fame and phases, to stepping stones and finally a laughing place. all the things that make up your favorite fan artist Tag.

1. Rayman (bumped into this in the year of 1999) was actually the first fandom (with crossovers) I bumped into when I was 9. although the internet wasn’t available at the time it was still fun to dwell in home amusements. I remember the storylines and the OC’s I made but they’re kind of embarrassing and it’s probably a good thing there was no internet. I’ve done fanart and comic crossovers of Rayman with Calvin and Hobbs and Nights Into Dreams, spinoffs of Sonic the Hedgehog OC’s, Yoshi with Pikachu, and the Pokemon/Digimon craze with OC’s and other Nintendo comic shorts. but the drawings and comics are long gone and disappeared in the garage in a backpack due to suspecting my sister’s dad accidentally throwing them away. years later towards the year 2018 (now 28), we decided to move to North Carolina and it was my chance to find them again. unfortunately the backpack was gone just like I suspected (my main stuff), but for some reason I found my Pokemon/Digimon fanart, a good batch of Super Mario drawings (vaguely remember doing these), my sister’s drawings and some other neighborhood kids’ drawings in a dirty box. I was partially happy I found something at least but it was the backpack I wanted the most. sometimes I regret not looking for the backpack (’cause I was too busy being a kid) but it’s alright, noone needs to see that shit anyway, ha ha. anyways, I recall being a fan of Rayman from 1999 ‘til 2002.

2. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle (bumped into this in the year of 2003) my second fandom I bumped into when I was 12 going on 13. at the time, my sister and I both liked the Sonic The Hedgehog Franchise based on the Battle remake and ended up making our own secret fanart club that consisted of only us two members. she liked Sonic (and that was her boyfriend, ha ha) and I liked Knuckles (and he was my boyfriend, ha ha) and we were crazy in love about Shadow’s backstory. we listened to the game’s soundtracks as we drew fanart and comics after school and man, those were good times. however, as we grew older towards the year of 2005, we ended up having separate rooms and I believe it played a part in disconnecting on the same interest. then one day, I asked her why she wasn’t into Sonic anymore and she replied, “Because I grew up.” I was sad after that and slowly observed that she was influenced by the emo culture and the new friends she’s made. I was the only member of our little club for a little longer...but eventually I moved on too. I still have some surviving fanart we did together but it doesn’t mean shit anymore since she turned out to be an abusive mother from the last I’ve heard of her.

3. Gorillaz (bumped into this in the year of 2006). as the Sonic years were at its end, I first heard the song “Feel Good Inc” on Music Choice and seeing the first image of them as displayed on this post (except the fan-made background doesn’t count since I can’t find the original artwork). this was my third fandom and later had proper access to the internet to the website I still currently use called DeviantArt. at first I liked 2D but eventually fell for Murdoc and developed a spiritual connection towards the character as obviously seen in my old fanart and rare photos of my devotion shrines on Valentine’s Day and his birthday every year. for the longest time since being a permanent fan from 2006-2017 (11 1/2 years) I had no knowledge that it was a political propaganda band and other realizations I don’t want to talk about. I only followed them because it was a cartoon and not the bullshit behind the musical project. the world I’ve built and support for them for all those 11 1/2 years shattered the fuck out of me and I just wanted to be left alone to find myself again, somehow. activity stopped on all my profiles, the flow of fanart stopped since I now cringe from the fan service and felt I was used for my talent. I didn’t want to be reminded of it all so I took down all my Gorillaz fanart and archived them for old followers’ nostalgia but also in the hopes they’ll be forgotten in my timeline. I ceased to exist in the fandom for huge personal reasons but it’s best to not say why. I know for sure that the fandom wonders what happened but it’s none of their business. THE END.

4. Waluigi (although I knew he’s been around since 2000 during childhood, I took deep interest once I revisited the character again in the year of December 2013). as silly as this sounds, when I revisited him again, the character was so bizarre that I ended up staying up 3 nights and 3 days in a row just looking all over the internet on everything about him and the questionable “hush-hush” absence of a backstory. despite there being no backstory he slowly gained a cult following and in many ways it’s a good thing. however, since the early 2010′s tension has been building up between Nintendo and its fans about him starring in a main game but everyone hasn’t fully gotten it in their heads that it’s not gonna happen. as long as Nintendo is in control of that, the fandom will not win, I’m sorry to say. on the other hand, if it’s going to be this way, then that’s what fanart and comic projects are for. as for me, I am doing my very best to get my comic project “Waluigi Land” going. again, I apologize if it’s taking very long to get Chapter 2 going if you’ve been keeping track but aha moments need to develop before I start permanent drawing (since concepts, character design and storyline needed improvement badly). as of right now I am still a Waluigi fan and I will not quit on him.

5. Turbo from Wreck-It-Ralph (although it debuted in 2012, I watched the movie two years later into the year 2014). for some bizarro reason, I had an unhealthy obsession with this character to the point where I dressed up as him for Halloween 2014. only 2 fanarts of him and the Turbo Twins exist on my profiles, mainly because my mind was more focused on just ‘thinking about him’ or ‘being him’ rather than drawing physical drawings. luckily, this supposed alleged fandom didn’t last long a little after Halloween so I chalk it up as a very short phase. to this day I don’t know what has gotten over me about him. the only thing I can think of now is that I think it’s because the character had yellow eyes and teeth but I don’t know. now that I think of it, that little fucker was ugly as hell and I STILL don’t know what had gotten over me. one day, my brother mentioned what that was about, and I said to him, “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

6. Undertale (although it debuted in 2015, I later took interest in it in 2016). It was all about Sans and Papyrus. I couldn’t get enough of the skeleton bros. eventually Toriel and Mettaton EX became my favorites but it took a long time to draw more of all 4 of them because I had other important things to do in my life plus I was still waiting for the next Gorillaz album to revive my imaginative juices (or so I thought). I really want to have this as one of my frequent fandoms but I just don’t have time for it anymore. it’s still in the back of my head to want to draw them but at this point I still have other better interests to be in. and besides, I’m lazy just like Sans.

7. Cuphead (June 28th, 2017 was the official day I called quits on the British-based band Gorillaz due to the bullshit behind it. since that date I was lost, had no inspiration to look forward to and no cartoon guy to make me smile...but lo and behold of the same year, I took an interest in playing the game Cuphead and man...that shit was a frightening exaggerated metaphor for being on that one drug (forgot the name though) and having sex at the same time but man that was the best fun I’ve had in years. I mean, it’s like, enemies are just so happy to murder you and that scared the shit outta me. and the facial exaggeration?....I think I should stop, ha ha. anyways, the Moldenhauers saved my ass from spiraling down, they have no clue. anyways, eventually I became a permanent fan of their work so to ease the hurt and erase my past from the G-fandom I had to re-wire my brain into a different cartoon category that’s a rather more American, so anything Toon related like Roger Rabbit, Felix the Cat or another favorite that’s a western-based cartoon makes me feel better, especially my new man .......King Dice <3 <3<3<3. however, there was something about this new fandom category I still didn’t quite understand until the date March 14th, 2020. I finally understood what it was but I feel I shouldn’t bring it up. anyways, Cuphead and anything western or rubber hose is my last stop in inspiration for the remaining years of my life. many say never say never but I believe I’ve found my laughing place and that’s all that matters.

#tag facts #influences from cartoons #likes and dislikes #thoughts i have about characters #toons #rayman #sonic the hedgehog #gorillaz #waluigi #turbo #wreck it ralph #undertale #cuphead

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ravenforce · 4 years

Text

Manhattan 4

Word Count: 3797

Pairing: Lou Miller x Fem!Reader

Warning/s: None. Except probably some minor baiting, and tooth-rotting fluff. :)

A/N: Thank you so much for everyone who likes, and follows this story. You guys are amazing. Please leave your reactions, bloody or otherwise, on the comment section. My inbox is open too if you’d like to pop by. Oh, and please note the ff:

1. If there are any grammatical mistakes I’ve still overlooked, I apologize.

2. Also, I’m sorry if this took a while. With the pandemic COVID-19 raging throughout the world, I struggled to stay in the light for a while, and with my city going on full lockdown there was so much unrest. Rest assured, I’m keeping with the strict home quarantine. I hope you guys are too. We can beat this virus if we follow the rules for now. You know the protocol, stay safe. Stay with me.

3. For requests, I haven’t yet to write, I apologize too and again. I just can’t find inspiration to write for some characters right now.

Manhattan Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

(Photo not mine. Credits to the owner)

***

Saturday - New York, New York

“What is this sorcery?” Charlie said amused as he stood beside Agatha on your open kitchen.

The two assistants were so engrossed in watching Lou interact with you that they didn’t see Debbie and Rose entering the kitchen area from the other side of the apartment.

“That, children is what you would call love,” Rose whispered dreamily yet still startled the two. Agatha blushed from being caught half gossiping.

Debbie just smiled, watching her best friend laugh so freely with you. Never did she saw Lou act in such a way with her other dalliances. She has strict rules of engagement: don’t call me, I call you; we’re not friends so they can’t be chummy with me especially in public; more importantly, they’re not my girlfriend so they can’t act like one; jealousy is a capital offence; no dates; no sleepover, Debbie recalled. Yet here is her blonde friend violating all her rules for you.

“Careful using the L-word though,” Debbie mused before sipping her mojito. “Those two can bolt.”

“Better let them figure it out,” Rose whispered before walking away to join the party in your huge industrial living room. Charlie and Agatha nodded as they watch you kick Nine’s ass on Mario Kart, and Lou looking extremely proud of you.

A few more rounds of continuously losing to you in both Mario Kart and Tekken 7, Nine threw her joycon on the couch.

“This thing is rigged!” she exclaimed before collapsing on the couch next to you. You rolled your eyes playfully at her.

“Didn’t think I’d see the day, someone would beat your ass at video games,” Daphne teased.

“You’re good, Y/N’s just simply better,” Lou added fuel to the fire, taking your attention away from Nine’s pouting. It’s not that you weren’t paying attention at her all night as she moves around gracefully, pretending to approve of the curated setup of your apartment like she wasn’t the one to help you put them together.

“Shut up,” Nine grumbled. “Your crush can be seen from outer space.”

That effectively shut the blonde up while the rest started laughing. Lou threw a pillow on Nine’s face, making everyone crack up even more.

“Alright, children. It’s way past your bedtime,” Debbie said. “Let’s go home.” Everyone groaned but started putting on their shoes and coats before thanking you for dinner and the awesome night.

Agatha and Charlie were already waiting for the lift when everyone filed out on your hallway, except for Lou who stood way too close behind you that you could feel her hips against your ass. You fought hard not to blush as images of what those powerful hips do to you flooded your mind. Lou stretched her hand out for Debbie to take the keys to the company van they used to go to your place. Debbie accepted the keys with her eyebrows cocked.

“I’m gonna stay and help clean up,” she intentionally husked out behind your ear.

“Yeah right,” Rose, Tammy, Daphne and Debbie all said at the same time before walking away laughing.

“Clean up my fucking ass,” Nine drunk mumbled before Constance and Amita dragged her away but not without wishing you have a good fuck first.

***

You nearly kicked the door closed in your haste to turn towards Lou who immediately wrapped her arms around your waist. She slowly walked you back until you’re secured against her body and the door. Your breath hitched when her hand crept down from your waist down to your ass.

“Lou,” you half-whispered, half moaned when she squeezes your backside. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” she said while peppering featherlight kisses along your jaw. “Yet.”

It’s becoming increasingly hard to focus as Lou started kissing down your neck. The last straw to your self-control was when she sucked on your pulse point. You groaned before you tugged on her soft blonde hair and pulled her face towards you. It was Lou’s turn to groan when you started kissing her with so much fervour.

She tasted like blueberries and vodka. And right at that moment, you think you could go on forever as long as she never stops kissing you. She’s simply intoxicating and extremely dangerous for your carefully constructed guard. You knew that to stop yourself from falling, you should have put a stop to your affair with the woman the moment you found out that she’s your boss. Yet here you are, still flying closer and closer to the sun.

The desire to feel her hands and her lips again overtake your need for control over all situations. How can you want anything else when Lou’s too good with you. She knew all the buttons to push to make you crave, she knew the right amount of pressure to make you squirm and shake, and she knew how you like to be touched to ensure you come undone screaming her name.

“Lou,” you moaned against her lips. You can already feel the telltale heat coiling on your belly, flow downwards and creating a huge wet patch on your Victoria Secret underwear. You swear you think Lou can smell how ready you are for her by the smirk on her face.

“Yes, love? Use your words,” she said confidently. “What do you need?”

Before you can get one word out though there’s a knock on the door.

“Y/N/N! Open up,” Tony yelled on the other side of the door.

“Fuck,” you whispered before bumping your forehead down on Lou’s shoulder.

You cursed under your breath for forgetting that your apartment is the designated nest for the Avengers in Manhattan since you’re the only one living alone. Maria, Wanda, Carol, and Nat are renting an apartment in Brooklyn while the boys are staying together in the Bronx. It extremely pleased you when your friends informed you a week prior that they all got into various programs in New York as well. Now, not so much. You forgot what a massive cock block they all are.

“I intended to but we have company,” Lou said seductively before completely untangling herself from you to open the door.

***

“Lou?” Thor asked incredulously when he saw who opened the door.

Before Lou can say another word though you decided it was the right time to push away from the door, giving away a hint on what you two were doing before their arrival.

“Hey,” you said overly enthusiastic. “Come on in.”

Lou who had one of her hand on the door, opened it wider so everyone can come through. You had to take a step back to give your friends space, making your ass connect Lou’s front again. You had to bite your lip from making a sound. Lou loved the expression on your face though that she oh so subtly grind her hips against your ass. Thankfully, your friends were more interested in the interior design of your apartment to pay you and Lou any more attention.

When everyone was inside, Lou suddenly stepped away from you and towards the door.

“You’re leaving?” You tried not to sound desperate to have her stay but you don’t expect her to sit around and wait for everyone to leave so she can finish what we started.

“I believe we’ll have to finish this another day,” she said genuinely looking apologetic. She knows that you know how much she wants you but she knows the Avengers are more likely going to spend the whole night with you anyway.

Lou turned to leave but you caught the sleeve of her shirt. You surged forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You better, or else I’ll find someone else to scratch my itch,” you whispered on her ear before you bolted back into your apartment. Leaving Lou staring at your door and grinning like an idiot. At that point, she’s not even going to deny that she has a fucking crush on you.

***

When you got inside, Maria’s waiting for you in the hallway. Everyone was busy setting up everything for your private party in the living room. You immediately tackled your best friend into a bear hug.

“Easy tiger,” she said giggling while you ignored her and murmured repeatedly how much you missed her. Even though it’s just been a couple of days since you last saw each other. When you pulled away, Maria gave you a funny look.

“What?”

“Were you and Lou house warming before we arrived?” she asked cheekily.

“No?” Maria cocked an eyebrow at you. Convincing Maria of a lie is close to trying to convince yourself.

“She offered to help clean up,” you tried one more time but it only made Maria laugh out loud. Everyone was informed that you’ll be hosting a dinner for your colleagues from the gallery that’s why they came over late. So it wasn’t technically a lie, still, Maria can see right through you.

“Right. So how come you have this,” she said before wiping her thumb across your jaw. When she put her finger up for you to see, there was a visible lipstick stain in the exact same shade that Lou’s wearing. You pursed your lips together.

“Next time you try to lie to me, make sure your face isn’t covered in evidence,” Maria teased one more time before dragging you inside your own house.

***

Monday - First Day High

Lou unconsciously frowned when she entered the conference room packed full of everyone except you and Debbie. She was so excited to come to work because she wasn’t able to talk to you the day prior since Thor and Loki decided they wanted to spend time with her before they drive back to the Bronx. Daphne immediately caught her expression.

“Don’t fret my dear, she’s joining us today,” Daphne said with a firm smirk on her face. “It’s her first team meeting after all.”

Lou rolled her eyes before plopping down on her seat on Debbie’s right. Charlie came around to give her a cup of coffee. She accepted it thankfully before engaging Amita and Rose with small talk. A few minutes later, the door opened signalling your arrival back into the room. Lou took a sip of her coffee at the same time you put down the stack of papers on the table giving her a full view of you.

She ungracefully coughed out her coffee, even spraying some of it on the table. You looked at her with concern, while everyone started laughing. She immediately wiped her mouth and the table with some napkins in an attempt to save her dignity. She’s rarely embarrassed since she always carries herself with grace.

So she held her head up high. No one can begrudge her of her reaction especially since none of them warned her - intentionally, she’s sure of it - that you’re dangerously hot in work clothes.

“Thank you, dear,” Lou heard Rose say beside her when you passed to give everyone a copy of the agenda. You smiled at the kind woman.

“You have talent on dressing yourself. Would you mind if I make some pieces for you sometime?” Rose continued, catching you off-guard. You’re literally just wearing a white button-up blouse tucked inside a black knee-high leather pencil skirt, and black heels. You don’t see any reason for a fashion designer like Rose to take an interest in making you some custom made outfits.

“Uhm, thank you, Rose,” you said softly before resuming on your task. Rose giggled excitedly and asked you to come to her office before the day ends so she could take your measurements.

“Oh no, Lou,” Nine sing-songs. Lou looked at the tech-girl with an impassive look on her face.

“Y/N’s gonna hit the runway with Rose dressing her. She’s gonna be popular soon. Are you ready to share her to the world?” Nine continued to tease, making the blonde woman frown. When you arrived behind Nine, you dropped the stack of paper in her head, instead of just handing her a one piece. Everyone giggled except Nine.

“Hey!” she complained.

“Sorry.” The smirk in your face tells her you did it intentionally. Nine grumbled softly about how she used to be your favourite. You just chuckled before looking across the table to Lou and giving her a subtle wink, which totally made her smile and all mushy inside.

***

The two-page agenda took almost all day to go over especially between discussing each point, Nine, Amita and Constance can’t stop interjecting jokes whenever they can. If you have a dollar for every time Debbie sighed or rolled her eyes, you would have collected enough for a whole months rent. Towards the latter part of the meeting, the team started discussing battle plans for the upcoming art week. The gallery is located in the art district, and the competition is tight. They needed something that’ll put the Heist in the art map of New York City.

“Any ideas?” Debbie asked, pinching the bridge of her nose. So far nothing is standing out for her.

You looked around. Everyone was deep in thought, clearly racking their brains for ideas. You raised your hand like you were in class. You feel kinda silly doing so but it caught Debbie’s attention.

“Yes, Y/N?”

“As a new gallery, The Heist isn’t carrying any artist yet, correct?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

The process of selecting an artist to sign on board with the gallery is tedious. Mostly it was a question of chemistry. The team collectively agreed that they wouldn’t carry an artist whose personality deflects from any of them as it will only create friction in the group. Everyone in the team has a purpose but more importantly when Debbie chose them, she chose them based on how well they would mix and work together and up to date, no one has proved that she chose wrong.

“Maybe it’s time to change that,” you suggested boldly.

There’s a collection of murmurs. “But most of the popular artists in town are already booked with other galleries,” Daphne mentioned.

“Who said about signing known artists?” Daphne frowned.

“We can’t sign nobody’s Y/N,” she answered. You smiled softly at your brunette boss.

“Everyone was a nobody at the start,” you started to explain. “Until someone believed in them. We can be that someone to a nobody. We can be that difference.”

For a few excruciating seconds, your heart hammered in your chest like the first time you presented one of the techs you invented in Stark Industries.

“That’s…” Debbie started. You look her directly in the eyes. “Actually brilliant.”

Everyone turned to Debbie and asked, “Really?”

“Yes. It’s wild but maybe that’s why I like it,” she said to her team then she turned again to you. “Do you have a plan?”

You grinned like an excited puppy. “Well I was thinking, we could find at least two artists’ that uses two different medium,” you explain. “The gallery’s huge enough for a painter and an installation artist.”

“Do you have artists’ in mind?” Tammy asked, starting to get on-board with the plan.

“Maybe.”

“Okay,” Debbie said. “Have your presentation ready before next weeks meeting.”

“Yes ma’am,” you answered smiling. You caught Lou looking extremely proud beside Debbie.

“Great! Now can we have lunch?” Amita asked. “My brain cells are dead.”

Debbie adjourned the meeting as soon as everyone confirmed they know their assignment for the week. You were about to head out when Debbie asked to see you in her office.

***

“I’m going straight to the point,” Debbie said as she fixes her stuff in her table. She sat down after a few seconds and looked at you. “I know you slept with Lou.”

You bit your lip to stop yourself from smiling. “I did.”

“I really don’t care if you do, again but can I count on you to keep being this professional?” she asked. “Since you’ve seen all of my friends, they’re children.”

This time, you didn’t try to stop yourself from smiling. Her concern is definitely warranted. “I promise. I also promise that whatever this is, it won’t affect my work here at the gallery.”

Debbie smiled, somehow she just knows she can trust you. So she let you go without further ado but before you can even open her door, she called for your attention again.

“Oh, Y/N.” You turned your body towards her, one hand clutching the door handle. “I’m assigning you to spearhead the artists’ acquisition for the art week. And whatever happens, please don’t have sex in my office.”

The change of topic in one sentence can almost give you a whiplash had it not been too funny that you started laughing hard.

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep, boss,” you said before pulling the door open to leave. On the way out, you almost bumped into Lou. She gave you a questioning look as you continued to giggle as you keep walking away.

***

Lou was still looking at you when Debbie spoke, “I get why you like her. She’s brilliant.”

“She is,” Lou said almost dreamily. Then she blinked her eyes to look at her best friend who’s looking at her like she knew something she doesn’t. She didn’t probe though, she’s not sure she’s ready to know the answer just yet. “Anyway, everyone left ahead for the restaurant. Are you coming?”

“I am,” Debbie answered before gathering her bag. Lunch at their favourite restaurant every Monday has become their tradition since they all moved to Manhattan and started the gallery. It has become the team’s way to decompress on a #ManicMonday.

While waiting for the lift, Debbie couldn’t help but be annoyed by the incessant ringing of Lou’s phone.

“Aren’t you gonna get that?” she asked curiously. There are only two reasons why Lou wouldn’t answer her god damn phone. First, she’s avoiding whoever is on the other line, which is always most definitely a girl had sex with. Lastly, she’s in the middle of making passionate, consensual, no-strings-attached sex with someone else.

“Nope,” Lou answered. “It’s just Therese. She wants to meet tonight.”

“She’s just Therese now?” Debbie questioned. Therese is Lou’s ex-girlfriend who she started bedding again a few months ago, adding her to the roster of women she beds on an occasional basis. “Something happened?”

Lou shrugged in time with the arrival of the elevator. She didn’t answer for a while.

“I’m just suddenly tired of all of it,” she said when they stepped off the elevator at the ground floor.

Debbie wondered for a moment what it meant until she followed Lou’s line of sight. She wasn’t surprised when she saw you eating casually at Agatha and Charlie’s table. Lou can’t stop the small smile on her face thinking Debbie wouldn’t even notice it. Oh, but Debbie did and she understood. Out of everyone in the team, Lou’s the only one who isn’t dating monogamously.

They’ve all played the field when they’re younger until they found someone worth throwing the towel in and committing themselves to. Everyone thinks that she’s looking for magic but that wasn’t the case, she was actually looking for something simple. She just wanted someone that makes her feel home. For a long time, she searched all over the world only to find what she’s looking right under her nose.

Debbie smiled watching the loving look on Lou’s face as she watches you for a heartbeat before walking directly towards the exit. Debbie didn’t mean to look when Lou whipped out her phone and started typing a message for you.

Plans tonight? I missed you yesterday.

Lou’s phone lighted with a reply while she’s reversing out of the parking lot that she couldn’t stop Debbie from reaching for it and opening her text message. She grumbled and begged and threatened the brunette not to read it but she knew it was futile.

“Ready to finish what you’ve started,” Debbie read laughing. Lou blushed from her neck to the roots of her hair.

Yes! See you tonight. Debbie texted on Lou’s behalf. She’s so happy for her best friend, she couldn’t even care that you’re younger or that you’re their employee.

Can’t wait. xx

Taglist: @kaytoopio @marvelfansince08love @marvelb00kwolf @shycucumbersandwich @subject7creed @inkstainedhandsofgold

#avengers imagine #avengers x reader #avengers x oceans 8 #avengers x oceans 8 crossover #lou miller x reader #lou miller #cate blanchett #cate blanchett x reader

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winryofresembool · 4 years

Text

Things We Lost in the Fire, ch 13

aka Caleo uni au

Fic summary: Calypso starts studying at a new university, but to her annoyance her new flatmate is a loud mouthed mechanic who also likes to sneak his dog in whenever. But as she learns to know him better, she realizes they might have more in common than what she first thought. Eventually, even the darkest secrets come out…

Chapter summary: Calypso meets Jason (domestic moments part 3)

A/N: I wrote a little longer rant on ao3 but let me just say that bless au:s. The fact that I can progress things my own way keeps me want to continue this fic.

I hope you guys enjoy, and remember that I cherish every comment I get! (Ps. some drama is coming, let’s just enjoy the fluff for now!)

Characters in this ch: Calypso, Leo. Jason, Piper

Words: 2021

Genre: romance & hurt/comfort

Warnings: none

previous chapter / next chapter / AO3

...

Calypso and Leo didn’t have time to recover from the electric moment before there was already a knock on the door. After Leo opened the door and greeted the newcomers, they soon noticed Calypso still standing near the kitchen counter with a tint of red on her face. Piper, who had already met her, just waved her hand happily as a greeting, but Jason stepped closer, offered his hand to her and said: “So, you must be Calypso. I’m Jason, the one who used to live in your room.”

“Y-yes, Leo mentioned that,” Calypso stuttered as she shook his hand. “Hi. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. And Piper you already know.” He gestured towards the brunette who nodded. “She told me about her visit. Leo, on the other hand, has been kind of vague about you.”

“Oh? The flatmate I know can be quite a loudmouth when he wants to.” Calypso looked at Leo with surprise.

“You two just met and she’s already roasting me to you…” Leo said, pretending to be embarrassed. “This is my life now.”

Jason snorted. “Maybe that’s good for Mr. Super Sized McShizzle’s ego.”

“Super Sized McShizzle? Oh my gods, the nicknames never end. Did he give that to himself?” Calypso asked, having to stifle a laughter.

“He did,” Piper confirmed and Calypso couldn’t stop herself from laughing. Even if she was doing it at his expense, Leo was happy to realize it was already the second time she laughed that day, in a short period of time. For some reason the thought made something bubble in his chest.

“OK, now that we have that established, can we move on?” Leo asked impatiently.

“No.” Piper smirked playfully, apparently interested in the current topic. “What does he call you, Calypso?”

“Sunshine. I don’t really know why, though.” Calypso shrugged. “Maybe he’s being sarcastic.”

“Aww, sarcastic or not, I think that’s cute,” Piper said. “His nickname for me is Beauty Queen. I hate that nickname, to be honest. He knows I don’t really care about how I look.”

“What about you, Jason? What’s his nickname for you?” Calypso asked, already feeling more relaxed with the guests.

“Well, sometimes he calls me Lightning Boy because I used to help around at an electronics store and once I accidentally blew a fuse there… It was easily fixed, though, but Leo thought it was funny. Sometimes he also likes to use Sparky or the nicknames my friend Percy has given me: Golden Boy and Blonde Superman. Don’t ask.” Jason rolled his eyes.

Calypso’s eyes flashed strangely when she heard the name Percy but then she probably decided that the name must have simply been a coincidence because soon she asked Jason something else. Leo was relieved to see that Calypso seemed to like both of his best friends as they kept up a light hearted conversation while setting the table for the dinner.

Once they were ready to start eating, Jason asked Calypso: “By the way, feel free to ignore my question if you think it’s too personal, but I noticed that you said ‘oh my gods’ in plural at one point. Do you have any specific reason for that?”

“I guess I kinda do,” Calypso confessed as she sat down on her seat and crossed her hands over her lap. “The thing is, I’ve never believed in just one God. I’ve done a lot of research on the Greek Mythology and… I don’t know, I like the idea that different things, say, for example weather, have different forces affecting them. Now, I’m not saying that I believe in the stories of Greek mythology to the letter - there are a lot of crazy myths out there - but when you look at the bigger picture, there’s a lot that makes sense to me. I don’t know. People always think I’m weird when I say that.”

“I don’t think that’s weird,” Jason said. “I’m interested in the old cultures as well and I’ve always wanted to do my share so that they wouldn’t be forgotten. That is one of the reasons why I wanted to become a teacher.”

“Oh! That sounds great,” Calypso said approvingly. “I’ve sometimes debated in my mind if I should become a teacher as well because a lot of history majors do but… so far I think I’m more interested in the research…”

Jason was going to say something more but Leo decided to interrupt. Even though he was happy Calypso got along with his friends, he had to admit to himself that he was a little bit jealous because his own beginning with her had been a lot bumpier than his friends’.

“Alright, nerds, that’s great and all but why don’t we start eating? The sauce supreme won’t be waiting!”

“Who are you calling nerds?” Calypso retorted back, attempting to throw her long braid over the shoulder before remembering that her hair was short now. “You must remember every single mathematical, physical and chemical formula by heart, and besides, I heard you humming the theme of Game of Thrones the other day.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Leo asked, surprised Calypso knew about his humming.

“I think it proves that you are such as much of a nerd as we are and probably even more,” Calypso teased.

“But I need those formulas to complete my job and that theme is epic… Eh, whatever. Let’s all be nerds then. Cheers!” he raised his glass of soda and took a huge sip. Jason and Piper looked at each other with amusement. The Leo they knew was very stubborn and might not have stopped the debate quite that easily. It must have been the Calypso effect.

For a while the group ate in silence, before Leo broke it again.

“Well, what do you guys think? How’s the papa Grace approved taco sauce tasting?”

“It’s good, Leo, just like the ones you made when I was living here,” Jason answered, maintaining his poker face.

“I think this has a little less spunk, this time, though,” Piper said, but after seeing Leo’s expression she added quickly: “Which is a good thing! I don’t need fluids coming out of my nose no matter what you say.”

“Make fun of me all you want, I know you like it.” Leo pouted but soon he started grinning again. “Hey, what’s you guys’ opinion on olives?”

“I like them,” Piper said and to prove her point, she took more of Calypso’s Greek salad on her plate.

“They’re OK,” Jason chorused. “Why do you ask?”

“We had a little debate…” Leo said before he had time to regret it.

“A debate?” Piper asked curiously, turning her head from Leo to Calypso.

“About olives,” Leo replied. “I said I’d eat all my olives in the salad nicely if she tasted this chili right here.” He showed her friends the half of the chili that Calypso hadn’t tasted, not caring about their horrified expressions.

“Eww, dude, I’ve once tasted those and I had to drink like 2 liters of milk after that! Why would you make her do that?” Jason asked.

“Because she wanted to,” Leo said defensively.

“Is that true, Cal?” Piper turned to her.

“Well…” it was Calypso’s turn to get embarrassed. “It kinda is. I did say I was up for the challenge.”

“Okay,” Piper said with amusement. “Then what happened?”

“She only tasted a tiny bit and I claimed that wasn’t enough for me to eat the olives,” Leo answered.

“And I started chasing him and…” Calypso started but she realized that it might be better if she didn’t continue that sentence. After all, she herself wasn’t sure what exactly had happened in that moment. “And?” Piper wanted to know.

“That’s when you guys arrived.” Leo covered for Calypso.

Piper had a feeling that there was still a bit more to the story but she knew where to put the limit so she just ended up chuckling a bit and saying: “Oh, that chasing part explains why you seemed a little out of breath when we arrived.”

Leo and Calypso looked at each other and nodded in unison.

“That sounds like something we would have wanted to witness,” Piper said, trying to stop herself from laughing out loud.

“Some of us play tag, some of us play Pokémon,” Leo decided to pay back. “We can have some fun too.”

“They play Pokémon?” Calypso looked at Leo with a funny expression. “You know what, Valdez? I used to be pretty good at it back in the day when I played it with my… um, when I played it as a kid. Maybe we should have a battle with them one day.”

Leo did notice the hesitation in Calypso’s voice when she mentioned she had played it as a kid, but decided to ask about it later. He grinned at her in response.

“Now we’re talking, Sunshine! Jason, how about you bring your Switch here next weekend and we’ll have a battle then! We can also play Mario Kart for the good ol’ nostalgia’s sake.”

“It’s a deal!” Jason agreed and Leo and he shook hands to seal the promise.

“We’re gonna have to have a strategy meeting before that,” Leo turned to Calypso again. “These two have played more so they have the advantage.”

“Oh yes, for sure,” Calypso agreed. “I didn’t know you had a Switch, though. Haven’t seen you use it.”

“I do, though. One customer broke theirs and I told them I couldn’t fix it…”

“Leonidas!” Calypso said disapprovingly.

“Relax, I’m just kidding. Gotta try to keep up my bad boy supreme image. In reality I bought it because I wanted to give Georgie a reason to come visit me more often, but between my studies and work I haven’t really had a chance to use it much.”

“You are not a bad boy supreme, you are a doting brother. I’m sure Georgie would like to spend time with you either way, though.” Calypso said as much to her as Leo’s surprise.

“Guys, as much fun as this is to listen to, your food is getting cold,” Piper pointed out as she stuffed more of her tofu tacos (Leo had made both meat and vegan options) into her mouth. The two quickly turned their attention back to their dinner while Jason and Piper casted knowing looks at each other. Leo may not have admitted it out loud but there definitely was something going on between the two. It was the way they casted shy looks at each other when they thought the other one wasn’t looking, how their faces softened when the other one said something they liked, and how they pretended to bicker but neither really wasn’t too serious with their words. Maybe they weren’t quite sure themselves what to think but Piper had a strong feeling eventually they would figure it out.

The group continued a relaxed conversation as they ate about all things possible; university, weird customers Leo ran into in his work, food, games, how Piper and Jason had met Leo, and so on. After the guests thanked for the food and said their goodbyes, Leo asked Calypso:

“So, those were my friends. What do ya think?” “I think they are great! I admit I was quite nervous at first but… they seem to be easy to hang out with.”

“Good! Um, listen,” Leo said, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. “I still have one project to finish today and I have early classes tomorrow, ugh… But I had a good time today. So thanks.”

“I had a good time too.” Calypso smiled. “Despite that chili!” she decided to remind him.

“Oh, right, sorry about that.” Leo ruffled his hair. “I won’t make you do that again. Maybe.”

“You’d better not,” Calypso said but not in a mean spirited way. “Anyway, I have some homework to do as well, so… Good night, Leo.” She smiled at him before withdrawing into her room.

“Good night, Cal.” He waved at her, noticing that one part of his brain was already looking forward to talking to her again later.

#caleo #leo valdez #calypso #heroes of olympus #percy jackson and the olympians #trials of apollo #my fics #caleo uni au #ps. oh imagine cal meeting jason in canon... oh right she can't. haha

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slipping-through-my-fingertips · 4 years

Text

Klainetober day 26

Prompt 26: Trick or Treat

Summary: McKinley is hosting a Halloween dance. Kurt needs a date.

Notes: This is another story I was already writing and I added some details to fit with the prompt for today. Really proud of this one, I hope you all enjoy it.

AO3

The first annual McKinley High Halloween Dance was next week and Kurt Hummel still didn’t have a date. It wasn’t as if he was waiting around for someone to ask him because he was fairly sure he was the only out person in the entire school, except maybe Brittany. No one seemed to have issues with her dating anyone from footballers to glee clubbers or even fellow Cheerio Santana. However, she didn’t label her relationship with Santana. Kurt suspected Santana wasn’t quite ready to give up on hooking up with boys. Whether she actually enjoyed the company of boys was up for debate. If you asked, Kurt was positive Santana was experiencing the similar fear he once had when he was deciding to confirm what all the bullies already said about him: he was gay.

If Quinn Fabray, chairwoman of the dance, got her way, Kurt would have to endure two more Halloween dances, dateless, until he graduated and got the hell out of Lima. All because she needed an excuse to wear couple costumes with her new boyfriend, Sam Evans. Which was the real reason, Kurt Hummel needed a date. The rules of the dance were simple: couple costumes only.

Before you ask why Kurt couldn’t just skip out on the dance altogether, Mr. Schue had signed the glee club up to perform. He had to go and in order to attend, he needed a date. Everyone else was paired up: Finn and Rachel, Puck and Lauren, Mike and Tina, and Artie had asked Mercedes just this morning to go with him as a friend of course. Artie was still upset that Brittany and Santana were dating. Kurt assumed he didn’t want to cause any trouble so Mercedes was Artie’s safest bet for a date. Though, Kurt wished he had asked his bestie before Artie did because that would’ve solved his issue.

Kurt felt more alone than ever. All around him were couples. As he sat in the Lima Bean, he tried to tear his eyes away from couples holding hands on top of the tables, whispering to each other while waiting in line, ordering for one another, and their adorable, little kisses on cheeks. He went back to flipping through his math notebook and continuing his test corrections, which was his way of avoiding his need to find a song for the dance to perform.

He put his headphones in and let the music of his favorite playlist take him away from Ohio. Music was his greatest escape. Except today all he could see were images of the glee club in their costumes.

Quinn and Sam were going as a Na’vi. It was going to take a lot of work to get all of that blue paint off their bodies.

Ever since their musical movie night of Grease, Rachel’s been obsessing over Olivia Newton John’s outfit and was surely going to force Finn into a T-Bird leather jacket.

Though Kurt wasn’t quite sure about Puck and Lauren’s costume, Lauren did tell him it was rather sexual, which didn’t surprise Kurt at all.

He and Lauren had struck up a decent friendship since she joined glee. It was partly because Puck already considered Kurt “his boy” and partly due to their similar wit and sense of humor. Moreso the latter.

Among those couples in his daydream, Kurt saw himself standing by the punch bowl simply observing the over-crowded dance floor and wishing he had a sweetheart to sway with him while cheesy popular Halloween music played.

He skipped the next song on his shuffle and set about getting back to his test corrections for geometry. Somebody helped themself to the seat in front of Kurt causing him to look up. There in his blazer and slightly gelled hair sat Blaine Anderson, cute as could be.

Blaine was a Warbler. The enemy, if you asked Rachel. But to Kurt, Blaine was a friend and confidant. Someone who understood him better than anyone else ever had. Kurt had met him on a failed spying mission to Dalton Academy during Girl vs. Boys week. Blaine serenaded him with Katy Perry and Kurt’s been a goner ever since.

“Hey you,” he said.

Kurt removed his headphones.

“Hi, what are you doing here?” Kurt asked. “Don’t you have rehearsal until 4?”

“It’s after 4, Kurt.” Blaine smiled.

Kurt looked at his phone and sure enough it was almost 5 o’clock. “Oh.”

“What are you working on?”

“Math,” Kurt said with a long sigh.

Blaine hummed like he understood Kurt’s frustrations with the subject.

“I could use a break honestly.”

“Great,” Blaine said,. “How’s glee? Did you have your sectionals yet?”

“Not yet, Mr. Schue won’t even tell us our competitors. Who are you competing against?” Kurt took a sip of his nonfat mocha. “Not Vocal Adrenaline, I hope.”

Blaine smiled like he had a secret. In the short time that they knew one another, Kurt was already aware that Blaine wasn’t capable of holding in secrets, especially good ones (unless they were top-secret and very serious matters, like the extent of Karofsky’s bullying). This secret had him ready to burst at the seams.

“What’s going on? Are you doing a medley of Pink songs?”

Blaine laughed. “I wish but no.”

“So, what’s this all about?” Kurt gestured to Blaine’s bouncing in his seat.

“The Warblers are up against the New Directions this year.”

“We’re competing?”

“Yes!” Blaine explained. “I know it’s kinda strange to be excited but this means I’ll get to see you and hear you sing. It’s going to be great no matter who wins.”

“Well, obviously it’s going to be us.”

Blaine rolled his eyes. “In your dreams.”

There was a slight break in conversation as Kurt gathered up his worksheets and placed them in a green folder. He wasn’t doing any more today. Not when Blaine was sitting across from him.

“How’s school going?”

Kurt had confessed so much to Blaine. Things he didn’t dare tell the New Directions or even his dad.

“Good,” Kurt said, with a small smile. “Karofsky’s suspension has turned into expulsion thanks to Coach Sue.” He lowered his voice and looked around to make sure no one was listening. “In addition to his threats on my life, he was caught in the act of kicking another student so…”

Blaine lowered his voice as well. “So, that means you’re safer right?”

“I hope so. I worried if it’ll mean the other bullies will take his place or if they’ll leave me alone altogether. Time will tell.”

Blaine tilted his head slightly to the left and scrunched his nose. “I guess that also means there’s no hope you’ll come to Dalton?”

“I’d miss McKinley too much.” Kurt shrugged. “But transferring isn’t completely off the table just yet.”

Blaine reached over and took Kurt’s hand. “I’m happy for you, y’know.”

“Thanks,” Kurt said. “In somewhat happier news, Quinn has declared a Halloween Dance.”

“That sounds fun but you said somewhat...what’s wrong with a spooky dance?”

“She has also declared it a couple costume dance.” Kurt sighed. “Everyone needs a date and yours truly has no one to ask.”

“Mercedes?”

“She’s going with Artie.”

“Huh, you guys having it on Halloween?”

“Yeah, it’s a Friday so it actually works out well.” Kurt raised his eyebrows wondering where Blaine was headed with this train of thought.

“In the evening, I assume.”

“Yeah, it’s at 7.”

“The Warblers usually do some trick or treating in the neighborhood, they like that some houses make them do tricks before giving them candy,” Blaine said with a smile, “but I can skip out this year. We should probably start brainstorming costume ideas.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll come with you, Unless, you’re too embarrassed to be seen with me,” Blaine teased.

“Definitely not,” Kurt assured him, “I’d be honored to have you come with me.”

It looked like Kurt had a date to the dance.

“And you’ll help me with my song selection.”

“Wouldn’t want it any other way,” Blaine said, “but only after you agree to be the peanut butter to my jelly?”

“I refuse to go as a sandwich,” Kurt huffed.

“The Mario to my Luigi!”

“Taken by Artie and Mercedes. Next.”

“Buzz Lightyear to my Woody?” Blaine suggested.

“As much as I love Disney–”

Blaine cut him off, “–and Pixar.”

“And Pixar,” Kurt confirmed. “No.”

“Why not? You’d look cute in a spacesuit.”

Kurt tried not to blush.

“How about Broadway legends for couple costumes?”

***

On Friday, Kurt found himself exactly where he thought he’d be: standing alone by the punch bowl. Coach Sue had made her special punch, usually reserved for proms, and was guarding it. Kurt felt safer knowing she was watching out for bullies and people, namely Puckerman, who would be trying to spike it.

One thing Kurt hadn’t accounted for in his daydreams was how good Blaine looked in red. His entire outfit clung to his body: freshly ironed red button-down, appropriately sinfully tight slacks, and a skinny blood red tie. Blaine was sitting with Tina and Mike in their zombie cheerleader and footballer costumes. Even from here, Kurt noticed black curls framing his face and the rest were held back by light gel and devil horns.

“Your alabaster complexion wasn’t enough, Porcelain,” Sue said, “you just had to dress like a heaven-sent cherub.”

“I think there was a compliment in there somewhere.” Kurt smiled.

“Your boyfriend is too preppy to be a devil,” she commented, “but you’re the only couple couple here that doesn’t make me gag.”

Before Kurt could tell her Blaine and him weren’t dating, she was already yelling at a student for coming too close to the punch bowl.

Kurt decided it was best to join Blaine at their table. He carried two plastic cups of orange punch and placed one in front of his date. Blaine smiled his thanks and continued his conversation with Mike about the best local dance studios. The Warblers wanted to brush up on some of their step dancing abilities.

When the song changed, Mike escotted Tina to the dance floor leaving Blaine and Kurt alone.

“Are you having fun?” Kurt asked.

“I am. The New Directions are great.” He took a sip of punch. “Rachel’s better in short doses, Tina’s a sweetheart, and Mike and Sam could easily be my new best friends.”

Kurt chuckled and ducked his head. Blaine moved his hand onto Kurt’s knee so he met the other boy’s eyes.

“Your friends are great, I understand why you wouldn’t want to leave them.”

“They are,” Kurt agreed. “Not that the Warblers aren’t amazing too.”

“Oh they’re a lot to get used to as well,” Blaine assured. “We tend to be...traditional.”

“The New Directions don’t follow any rules. We just are.”

“You belong here.”

Kurt shook his head. “Maybe in the eyes of the glee club. No one else wants to claim me.”

“I would,” Blaine told him.

“You would?”

Blaine nodded. “Wanna dance?”

Kurt hesitated but Blaine was standing there with his earnest grin and hand out just waiting for Kurt to grab it. How could he say no?

The boys went out onto the dance floor, joining a majority of the New Directions in their circle. Couples were paired up but everyone was still dancing together. It reminded Kurt of how they’d dance during glee breaks. Just general fun, no choreography or audience. They were teenagers enjoying each other’s company.

#klainetober #klainetober halloween fic extravaganza #halloween dance with new directions #klaine fanfic #my fics

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purplesurveys · 3 years

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1145

What were your favorite things to draw when you were a lil kid? I knew I wasn’t an artist the moment I started experimenting with pens and markers, and the only image I liked to keep - and was capable of - drawing on repeat was your usual kid’s portrait of a house with a sun and clouds lmao. I never learned how to draw anything else.

Do you think there is something with or around you, like a spirit, angel, ghost or something else? How does this make you feel? No, never.

Imagine you’re a stranger looking at yourself. What things would immediately catch your eye? Probably the way I’m scowling at stranger-me staring at me-me.

When did you feel the most confident in your life? Not sure when I’ve felt the most confident, but I typically feel so whenever I get something I’ve been desiring and working hard for, like getting a job offer or being accepted to my dream college or passing a really difficult exam.

Do you think love is needed to have good sex? For some people, no. For me, loving one another is an absolute must. < Yes, hits the nail on the head for me.

Do you think, or want to, die in the city you currently live in? I don’t think it would matter where I die, as long as it’s not from a terrible freak accident.

What is the strangest thing you have ever encountered? That time I went to Singapore and a sex toy shop was casually blatantly standing in the middle of Orchard Road for families to stroll pass. It’s not objectively strange, of course, but it was definitely a big culture shock. Putting up sex shops in the Philippines is basically a game of who can find the best spot to hide them in.

Favourite soft drink? I never drink soda, so I don’t have a favorite.

What do you like to put gravy on? Fried chicken or steak.

Have you ever gone canoeing/kayaking? Yes, in Palawan.

What is one thing you know about your family history you’re proud of? I come from a line of datus from both precolonial and colonial Philippines. The most exciting part about it is that it technically makes me a princess, or at least our local version of princesses haha. I’m also distantly related to one of the three women who sewed the first Philippine flag.

Who depends on you the most? Kimi and Cooper, surely.

Are you related to anyone famous or historical, if so who? See two questions above. Coming from my datu ancestors, my relatives also continue to serve in the local government of our family’s province until today. Not that I’m particularly proud of them or show this off whenever I want because they are all very vocal Duterte supporters and regularly engage with him and his family, so *barf*

Would you ever donate a kidney to anyone, and who? If it ever comes down to it, I’d offer one of mine to my dad, Angela, and either of her parents.

What is the main quality you think makes a great parent? They recognize when they’re wrong and know to acknowledge it and apologize.

What three things do you think of most of each day? Tasks I have to do for work for the day, tasks I have to do for the rest of the week, and financial concerns.

Does/did your high school have pop machines? No, of course not. Are there schools that are ok with selling soda? :/

Do you know anyone who’s won the lottery? Not that I know of, but then again these things are shared in secret so there’s always that chance of possibly knowing someone who won the lotto at some point.

Have you ever slept in a water bed? Never slept but I’ve played on one.

How often do you use Flickr? I haven’t visited that site since I was like 11. Not even sure it still exists.

Who is the last child that you took a photo with? I think my cousin Toffe, but it was most likely a family photo that the two of us happened to be in. I don’t have a lot of photos with my younger cousins and kids in general.

How often do you wear hats? Never. I always think about getting a bucket hat of my own but I just never go through with it.

Would you ever get a nature tattoo? I never even entertained the thought before. But considering Hayley’s albums and songs have like a million references to flowers, it sounds like a good idea now :)

Is anyone in your family sick at the moment? My paternal great-grandma was recently confined in a hospital but she’s been discharged. I have a grand-aunt who suffered a mild stroke a couple of weeks ago and is currently recovering.

Where do your siblings work, if anywhere? They are both still studying. If I had to guess, my sister would probably end up in the film, media, or advertising industry, if not a freelance artist.

Where is your favorite place to buy groceries? If I had the money for it I’d get my groceries at Marketplace, but I’m content with getting ours from SM or Robinsons for now.

Who do you generally talk to the most? Probably my immediate family and my team at work.

Is anyone saved in your phone under a nickname? Not anymore. I use nicknames on my friends more frequently on Facebook Messenger.

Whose birthday is coming up? One of my cousins’ birthday is on March 31.

Have you ever ordered from an informercial? No, never.

When, where, and why did a needle last pierce your skin? Around a month ago when I was embroidering. I usually accidentally prick myself from time to time.

Have you been to an escape room? Was it a success? Nah, not really my idea of fun. I’m a little weak at problem/riddle-solving :(

How many followers do you have on Instagram? I literally never use my Instagram except to lurk and look for influencers to potentially tap for work. The account was initially my one-photo-a-day-in-2020 dump, but I stopped in April last year and now we’re in 2021 it doesn’t even serve a purpose anymore lmao. But for some reason Bea asked for my account and still followed me (and is the only person following me), which I’m sure she already regrets.

What’s the most recent music video you watched? Thoughts? Continued the next day. Jessi’s What Type of X. Killed it as always.

Have you ever recorded a cover of a song? Never.

What makeup products are your go-tos? None.

Are you going to school this year? No, not anymore. I did that for the very last time in 2020, and I don’t see the point in going back for an MA because I feel like I’m already covered.

What is your favorite water activity? I’ve only ever tried kayaking, but that was a very pleasant memory.

What are your favorite video games? I’m not a super passionate video game fan who’s always up-to-date, but I do have a soft spot for games I bonded on with my family when I was a kid, like Grand Theft Auto (very inappropriate for a kid to be playing, I know lol), Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Mario Kart, and Smash Bros.

Do you like jello? I never got over the texture, so no.

When was the last time you gave someone "the finger?" Not sure when exactly but it happened recently, maybe a week or two ago. I suddenly thought about my ex and flung both fingers around just for myself lol.

Have you ever held a snake? Yes, I got the chance to hold and take a photo with one on my trip to Bali. I was the only willing one in the family.

Most unique place you’ve ever been to? Baker’s Hill in Palawan is what I would imagine seeing if I ever took drugs and had a trip of some sort. Most random place ever.

If you were a superhero, what color would your cape be? Continued from...I don’t even know anymore. Just know it’s been nearly a week since I first started this, lmao. Idk maybe gold.

Have you ever slept out on your porch all night? We don’t have a porch. We do have a rooftop and I’ve fallen asleep there a couple of times. I only do so when the climate is cold, though.

Do you like horror movies? Sure, but I haven’t watched any in years. Just have never been in the mood for it for a long while now.

What’s your favorite Coke product? Blech, I hate soda.

Watergun or water-balloon war? Water gun. I’ve never been hit by a water balloon but I imagine it hurts?? so I wouldn’t want to experience it if I never had to.

Do you know anyone that’s afraid of elevators? I know my sister and grandma are claustrophobic but they’re not ~deathly~ afraid of elevators.

Is there anything in your room that belongs to a boyfriend, or a friend of the opposite sex? I don’t think any of my guy friends have lent me stuff that I got to take home, so no.

Who’s your favorite Beatle? I was never a fan. I remember pretending to be, back when liking The Beatles made you look all cool and hippy and trendy... but I honest to god just couldn’t get into their music.

Have you ever texted an ex whilst drunk? How’d that go? Yeah just once, super super way back when I was still thought remaining friends with her was the way to go. It was fine, I didn’t message anything horrific and we were both chill about it the next morning.

Do you have to stand on your tip-toes to kiss your boyfriend? I don’t have a partner anymore but yeah, I used to. I think? Maybe? I barely remember anymore. I definitely did have to tilt my head up quite a bit, though.

Have you ever been tackle-hugged? I can’t remember if I’ve received one. I’m usually the one who gives them.

Have you ever rejected someone’s kiss before? I don’t think I’ve been in this situation before.

Is your mood or the overall tone of your day often affected by the dreams you had the night before? Just for like the first half hour of waking up, especially if it was a nightmare or a triggering dream. The more I wake up the more the dream fades away, and the sillier it feels that I was affected by it.

Do you think that there are any positive aspects or outcomes of suffering from a mental illness? If you have a mental illness, do you think it has changed you for the better in any way? No. Sugarcoating mental illness doesn’t sit well with me at all. I know I’ve learned to be gentle and understanding towards other people because of the emotional abuse I’ve received in my own relationships, and I absolutely hate that it’s because of mental illness. I shouldn’t have had to learn to be kind because I was treated shittily first.

What is your opinion on celebrity culture and celebrity worship? Have you ever been guilty of putting a celebrity on a pedestal? Do you think it’s somehow more acceptable/understandable to obsess over certain types of celebrities (musicians over YouTubers, say) than others? At what point do you think an obsession like that crosses the line? I sometimes think it’s silly when fandoms fight and defend their favorites as if they know them personally, but I’m heavily into my fair share of celebrities and I honestly don’t see anything wrong with it. As long as you’re not hurting anyone or doing anything stupid like stalking your favorites, you do you.

If you were to pursue a career in photography and had the opportunity and means to photograph whatever you wanted, what would most like to photograph? People.

Is there a certain type of clothing (outerwear, activewear, loungewear, etc.) that you enjoy shopping for more than others? Cute tops.

Are you ever afraid to post your ideas, artwork, photography, etc. online for fear that they will get stolen or not credited? No, because I am not even creative in the first place and can’t make any form of art to save my life.

When is the last time you did something sexual? Last night.

Who is the last person you showered with, if anyone? My ex but that would’ve been ages ago. It was super rare that we absolutely had to shower together.

What do you think when you see roadkill on the side of the road? Sad and kinda disgusted if the guts are out, but also relieved that they don’t have to suffer in pain anymore.

Have you ever had an ex that just didn’t understand that it was over? Yeah, me. Luckily I came to my senses a few months ago and have felt better and been better ever since.

Are your fingernails currently short or long? They’re unequal lengths because I’ve been either biting or picking at them over the last few weeks, but for the most part they are long enough to need to be clipped.

Would you rather have big or small dogs? Big.

What is your favorite sports drink? I don’t drink any of them, so none.

What was the last compliment you gave a guy? I told my dad the dinner he made tasted excellent.

Does your jaw ever crack, pop, or lock? I don’t think my jaw has ever made a sound before, hahaha.

Have you ever thought of how you would give your kids “the talk”? No, but I think it’s also relevant to note that I live in a very conservative country where sexual intercourse is never discussed, especially within families; and that it’s virtually unheard of to hear of people until my generation to have been given the talk. I had to find out all by myself, and I remember being very confused when we were being taught the reproductive system in fifth grade because they only taught about the organs and their functions, and never anything deeper than that.

Luckily the last conservative generation was Gen X, and younger generations have been a lot more open-minded. And if I had to guess, I’m fairly certain Millennial parents would be more willing to give their kids the talk.

Do you ever feel like you’re missing out on something? I mean, my 20s, thanks to Covid.

Do you ever write/draw on windows that are fogged up? Yes.

If you were married, and your spouse’s parents became ill, would you let them move into your home? Of course.

Have you screamed in a pillow before? Probably.

What do you like more, acoustic or electric? Electric.

Did you actually have a cookie jar? No.

What’s worse, having someone mad or disappointed in you? Disappointment is more gut-wrenching. I feel more hopeless and helpless when someone feels that way about me.

What do you bite on more, your tongue, lip, or nails? Definitely my nails. Lip-biting isn’t a habit of mine and I only ever bite my tongue accidentally.

Do you think that knowing when and how you’re going to die would ruin your life? No. I would find that comforting, actually.

Do you have a favorite bromance? From TV or a movie. J-Man and Channy’s from Friends.

Do you find flea markets and thrift stores enjoyable? Sure.

What color is your wallet? Pink, but I def have to buy a new one soon as I’m still using the one my ex gave me...

Have you ever been somebody's photography subject? No, and I would hate to be. I don’t like being in front of the camera.

Nicki Minaj fan? I like a lot of songs by her but I’m by no means a fan.

Have you ever seen the Niagara Falls? Nope but I would love to.

#survey #surveys

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cromulentbookreview · 5 years

Text

Bee. Key. Sword. Jackalope.

There is a book reviewer writing a review on a computer.

(The book reviewer is a metaphor for a failed librarian who is also a failed writer who writes reviews of other people’s books because they’ve failed at writing one of their own).

(The computer is definitely a dungeon of some sort. Or a black hole).

The reviewer writes reviews of a review-y nature considered good enough for the likes of the depths of tumblr. No one reads them.

(That last bit isn’t a metaphor, but a literal truth).

By that, I mean: The Starless Sea by Erin Morning Star Morgenstern!

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a grad student studying video games at a perpetually snow-bound university somewhere in Vermont. (Since it’s in Vermont, I figure it’s OK to imagine everyone there has a Bernie Sanders accent). One day during the bleak January term, Zachary is in the library searching for something good to read. He comes across an odd, authorless book in the stacks called Sweet Sorrows.

Quick side note: Morning Star Morgenstern writes that this particular university library in Vermont uses the Dewey Decimal System - since Sweet Sorrows has no author, it’s shelved in the U’s for “Unknown.” It’s strange that a university would use Dewey as most research and academic libraries in the United States utilize Library of Congress. At least, that’s what they taught us in library school. Hey, my MLIS is finally good for something! Anyway, I don’t know if things are done differently in Vermont or what. I do know that Melvil Dewey was a total asshole, though.

Back to The Starless Sea. Sweet Sorrows is a bit of a library mystery: a it’s only ever been scanned into the system once, when it was added to the collection. It has never been checked out. For some reason, the librarians haven’t noticed this and weeded it out of the collection. Anyway, Zachary is drawn to it so he checks it out. Once back in his dorm he starts to read it and is shocked to find that, among some disjointed fairy tales about pirates and tongueless acolytes, is a story recounting, in great detail, like, even down to details concerning his shoelaces, an incident from his own childhood. Something he’s never told anyone about, and had kind of half-forgotten. All laid out in a book that is clearly much, much older than he is.

When Zachary was a kid he found a painted door in an alleyway near his mom’s house. The door was so detailed it almost seemed real. In fact, when he reached out to touch it, the painted door had an actual doorknob. Zachary almost, but ultimately didn’t, open the door. All this is recounted in Sweet Sorrows. Zachary, of course, is freaked out and wants some answers, but the book has no copyright page or publication information in it. However, when Zachary peels off the bar code sticker (my inner librarian winced at that) he finds a clue: three symbols, a bee, a key and a sword.

One Google image search later, Zachary finds a photo of a woman at an annual, literary-themed masquerade party thrown by the Algonquin Hotel. She’s wearing a necklace with, you guessed it, a bee, a key, and a sword. It’s all Zachary has to go with, so he snags a ticket to the upcoming masquerade.

Then things get weird, but in a good way. Zachary is brought into this weird underground library/world/place that is full of stories. It sounds like an introvert’s paradise, full of books and cats and a kitchen that make anything you ask if you just send a note down on the dumbwaiter...but this place isn’t entirely safe. There are people intent on keeping others away from it. In fact, those people have a whole secret society with a headquarters and everything where they hang doorknobs everywhere.

Plus, there’s an ocean made of honey, which sounds super sticky.

I told you, things get weird.

Anyway, Zachary finds himself teaming up with a pink-haired woman called Mirabel, who was born in this underground introvert’s paradise and is determined to protect it. Then there’s the guy whose name may-or-may-not-be Dorian - a gorgeous storyteller to whom Zachary is immediately drawn, but who knows what Dorian’s actual agenda (or name) truly is?

Reading The Starless Sea is like reading a transcript of a memory of a dream you had once that may or may not have been a hallucination from that time you had a 103 degree fever from pneumonia or it could’ve been a memory of a thing you actually did, you have no idea...but all in a good way. Plus a book of strange/relevant fairy tales and myths sprinkled in between. It is definitely a bit confusing at first, but if you stick to it, all the weirdness does eventually coalesce into a cohesive story. It does make sense! Eventually.The Starless Sea is definitely one of those books that would make more sense when read twice, and probably all at once. Not over the course of like, two weeks the way I did. Since I am somehow incapable of reading a 400-or-so-page book in one sitting (how do people manage that, really? I mean, I know I’m a slow reader, but who can read a book that fast?) most of the time reading The Starless Sea I felt like Homer watching Twin Peaks.

Perhaps others might understand the story better the first go around and I just missed something - it wouldn’t surprise me, I am a bit of a moron. No, seriously, for the longest time I thought it was just a coincidence that Joe Hill looked a hell of a lot like Stephen King. It was also quite recently that I realized that Jackalopes weren’t a real thing. Which, I mean, come on, Jackalopes seem like they could be a real thing, right? I’ve lived in and traveled around the American West my whole life and I’ve seen some giant-ass jackrabbits, it definitely seems plausible that there are jackrabbits out there with antlers, namely, Jackalopes, living it up somewhere out in the high desert. That seems possible! I mean, maybe they’re just cousins to your regular old jackrabbit! I mean, have you ever seen a white-tailed jackrabbit?

They’re huge! I mean, I know the Alaskan and Arctic hares are technically larger but those live up North, I’m talking about the giant-ass bunnies I’ve seen around in the Pacific Northwest. They look a little bit like mini kangaroos!

I mean, come on! Look at this black-tailed jackrabbit/mini kangaroo!

So one of those but with antlers seems like something that could be a real thing and it’s not at all dumb to sort-of peripherally believe that they were, indeed, a real thing, they just live in the desert and the desert is the worst and it takes too long to get there...So, OK, Jackalopes are actually a myth and I didn’t figure that out until I was a grown-ass adult. But hey, in fairness to me and my brain, Jackalopes are technically based on a real thing, if you’ve ever seen a rabbit with Shope papilloma virus. So, I mean, I’m not 100% a moron, right? I mean, definitely not a Class-A Moron, maybe like a Class-D or a Class-E Moron...

Where was I before all this?

Oh. Yeah. The Starless Sea. This is still, somehow, technically a book review. Whatever, this blog promises cromulent reviews, not reviews that remain focused and on topic.

Video games play a huge role in the story, as Zachary is a graduate student studying emerging media, focusing on - you guessed it - video games. My knowledge of video games is, er, not great - I used to play with my brother’s old 1989 Game Boy when I was a kid in the early 2000s. All those hours of Tetris really did pay off.

And sometimes I did beat Super Mario Land.

Anyway, the whole novel does have a dreamy, video-game-esque quality to it - there’s a lot of wandering around, acquiring objects, going on quests, that sort of thing. The imagery Morning Star Morgenstern features throughout the book would certainly make a gorgeous, kickass video game, definitely something I’d stand over one of my gamer friend’s shoulders and watch them play. Morning Star Morgenstern is quite good at giving us a whole picture of what the world of the underground library/introvert’s paradise is like - utilizing not just descriptions of what’s there, but descriptions of all the different smells, textures and tastes - plus she manages to do it without making the writing sound clunky or interrupting the flow of the story itself. You can almost feel the stickiness that underground honey sea.

Speaking of which, what would a sea of honey smell like? I don’t imagine it would smell great. Also, sailing a wooden boat on a sea of honey sounds like a nightmare. I mean, you’d spend pretty much all your time cleaning crystallized honey out of the woodwork.

Anyway, if you were a fan of Ms. Morning Star Morgenstern’s previous novel, The Night Circus, it goes without saying that you’ll definitely love The Starless Sea as well.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Fans of The Night Circus, anyone in the mood for a weird, trippy, timey-wimey video-game-esque novel that takes a while to make sense.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR: Anyone easily confused or looking for a straightforward narrative

RATING: 4/5

RELEASE DATE: November 5, 2019

JACKALOPE:

#the starless sea #erin morgenstern #the night circus #fiction #fantasy #adult books for YA readers #bee #key #sword #crown #heart #feather #wibbly wobbly timey wimey #jackalope #weird fiction #adult fiction #lgbtq fiction

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rapchimble · 6 years

Text

Swimmer JK AU

Loud cheers broke out behind him.

His hair stuck to his face, wet from his shower.

If he closed his eyes at that very moment, he wondered, would he even hear the beat of his own heart?

Jungkook felt cold in his speedos, torso bare to the biting ice of the air. The stadium had an open roof for reasons he did not know. His teammates waited for him to receive his individual trophies - freestyle and butterfly - and join their after match pizza party in celebration of them winning the team relay event.

There were people all around him: mothers of younger swimmers fussing with infants on the pavilion, street goers admiring the lean bodies as they passed the stadium, the losing team that were still glaring at him with unmasked envy, girls who had come to cheer for him.

His heart thudded from the anxiety. Their gazes pierced into his back. He felt them on the knobs of his spine, sticking to him like gnats he could not swat away. Was he happy? He did not know.

The smell of chlorine encompassed him. The pools always smelt clean. It was the people, the mix of talc, food and frenzy that put him off. Despite being the star of the event, he knew he was but a sub-priority. Jeon Jungkook, swimming protege, body indecipherable to the water that pulled him, knew of what he was expected to accomplish. Sometimes he wished he did not know so much, but the truth, although cruel, was blatantly obvious.

People wanted him to win at something they found him incapable of losing at. Even more troubling were the shining eyes, the relief his parents had with yet another manifestation of a private school sports scholarship held secure. He hated the way he was a part of someone’s trivial checklist- Jeon Jungkook won for the team again, get pizza, encourage son to be like Jeon Jungkook.

He should be honoured, but he was just uncomfortable.

Jungkook was only seventeen. Why did he have to be so important to so many people?

He opened his eyes and shook his head as the host announced his name.

Hoseok hunched over his microphone like a pop singer, head almost reaching his thighs, yelling, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Jeon Jungkook!”

A gold medal, hollow and chill against the skin of his chest, shone on Jungkook’s chest as he descended from the stage. His hands clutched a bouquet of flowers.

It was scary how a piece of metal was all it took to fill so many people with bliss.

“Ready?” His favourite Senior, Min Yoongi, called from his place beside on the pool’s freshly mopped floor.

His Hyung was barefoot, a camera perched on his right hand and Jungkook’s digital wrist watch fisted in his left.

They were making sure he was on par with his average timing. Winter break had made them slightly lazy, which had sent Jungkook’s mother into throes of distress. It had only been a week’s rest, but his family could not afford his losing the scholarship.

“Yup.”

Jungkook was not nervous. He was always perfect. The mere fact that he had to be up to pace with himself, instead of a rival, said a lot.

Staring at the end of the pool, he waited for the Yoongi’s signal with bated breath. It was still early in the morning. Yoongi wanted a picture of Jungkook in the water for the school newspaper- as he always did- but Jungkook was too fast for the job to be very easy. They would have to settle for a few deliberately slow laps after their field run.

It had been a surprise to find Yoongi complacent to his wishes. Usually, Yoongi would balk at the idea of being outside at four am- as anyone rightly should.

Their circumstances called for him to take an exception. The nights hours were booked for the membership services the pool held and every other moment of the day was subject to scrutiny from casual bystanders.

Jeon Jungkook and Min Yoongi were both averse to the concept of casual bystanders, so they settled for the freezing hours of the morning.

A loud raspy “Go!” sounded and Jungkook fell into the water with one smooth swoop.

His body folded, his head falling past his knees to level with his toes. The pool’s lighting caught the curves of his spine, subtle hints of toned muscle dancing beneath his skin. A deep languorous breath of draughty morning air and then came the tingle, the press of the water against the ridges of his body, tracing its hollows.

Yoongi whistled from his spot on the floor, eyes wide at the talent.

Jungkook glided under the water as if he were a dancer.

He was a body of raw, pulsing talent, sharpened to a product of finesse, the embodiment of a machine, his muscles remembering how to whisper against the cold kiss of the water. An exemplar he was- unrivalled, thriving.

There was a rhythm to movement, to moving underwater, and his body knew just how to pull it.

Jungkook was lazy enough not to think, the sleepiness from the night before weighing on his shoulders. Gaming had kept him a good two hours past his bedtime. It had been worth it, he thought, as he felt the end wall approaching. His brother had actually wailed when Jungkook had surpassed his score- never mind that they had only being playing Mario Kart.

He had to be careful. Sleeping through his classes could easily get his teachers on his back- meaning another collision with an angry Mrs. Jeon.

He opened his eyes, hoping the sting of bleach on his eyes would snap him awake.

Jungkook almost recoiled in shock from the sight waiting for him. He shut his eyes and opened them again, counting fives then tens under his breath as he realised that he was not alone under the water, that he was seeing a boy beside the end wall.

The boy had pale skin and auburn hair that spun around his head like a halo. He was still dressed.

Jungkook reached forward, wanting to ask the boy what he was doing at the public school pool, wanting to flit away the idea of him hallucinating a whole human being.

The boy flinched at the ghost of his touch, recoiling away from the swimmer, eyes wide and a stunning shade of brown that was unparalleled by autumn.

The boy’s lips made voiceless shapes against the water.

‘WHO-‘

Jungkook’s felt his breath go slightly shallow.

The air hit him like a rain of bullets as he rose above the surface with a gasp, records long forgotten.

He needed some good sleep, that was all. Sleep and maybe a good three hours of the National Geographic- nothing like baby manatees to release him from this fitful boisterous mood. He hated swimming. It was driving him crazy. Jungkook wanted to go home-

“Kid!”

Yoongi looked over at him, boxy glasses perched at the tip of his nose. He had ran all the way to the opposite side of the pool when his younger friend had failed to make his appearance on due time, the pep talk prepared to spill from his lips fading as he noticed Jungkook’s horrified expression.

Harsh breaths filled the silence of the pool building. Yoongi lent Jungkook his arms, offering support as the boy pushed himself to sit at the ledge of the water, his legs balanced at his lap, hands patting away the water in a way that made Yoongi wonder if he was afraid of it.

Yoongi felt Jungkook’s heartbeat slow under his hand. The kid’s mother was probably pressuring him again.

“Are you okay?”

Jungkook wished he was. He kept his stare fixated to the tips of his feet, unblinking.

“Nevermind, “ Yoongi mumbled, hooking his hands under Jungkook’s arms to pull him up. “That’s enough for today. You’re going to take a shower- we’ll come back when you feel like it...”

Jungkook listened to his brother, grateful but deaf to the words.

It was hard to think with the flickering image of the water aflame with someone’s hair.

God please, he thought, please let me be sane.

The day had been awful, his thoughts being congested by the imminent threat of insanity that pulled at his breath, suffocating him whenever he tried to think or speak of anything else. School corridors, the feet, the faces and the chaotic spin of limbs all descended to a single faceless blob that he waded in.

At lunch, he felt Hoseok nudge his foot from under the table, both him and Yoongi staring at Jungkook with that same concerned expression, which irked the younger boy beyond all ordinary means of measure.

He could not help it. All around him, his world was bristling, the people in it crumbling as if they were but made of paper.

To his left, Namjoon excitedly filled Yoongi in on the details of his latest summer essay assignment, Yoongi taking the words in with silent appreciation, sipping at his coffee and all. He had probably stayed up the night before, Jungkook thought, irrationally angry at Yoongi for it.

At all other occasions Jeon Jungkook held his highest respects for the photographer who held his passions in secret, tinkering songs at late hours, living the life of an underground rapper- right under his parents’ noses at that!

However, as of current, he was angry. Dread pooled in his stomach, reminding him of a time when his friends would all grow up and follow their dreams, leaving him behind in their small town.

What if this was it? What if he was going to go crazy and his mother would have to throw him into rehabilitation? What if his highest peak at life would be his measly high school status of being a swimmer boy, his future being utterly dull in comparison?

Jungkook offered Hoseok a timid smile in gratitude for the chips his friend was thrusting across the table his mind caught up in another place, a song of failures running through his ears, an anxious thrum against his veins.

In Year Nine, they had studied the Great Gatsby for English Literature. Jungkook remembers his teacher’s weary smile as she read the words, ‘ one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterwards savours of anti-climax’.

Yoongi had mentioned Jungkook’s first dishevelled moment in the water to Jungkook’s older brother, Seokjin, who mentioned it at their dinner table, bringing the entire dinner meal to utter chaos.

“How could you, Mom? Look at him! He’s barely touching his food.”

Jungkook reached for a piece of chicken as his mother glanced at him, her eyes wide with worry and guilt. Glancing at the look on his mother’s face, Jungkook’s heart stopped at his throat.

“It’s not like that-“

“No more excuses, Jungkook, “ Seokjin declared crossly. “You don’t have to lie to Mom.”

His little sister, Soyeon peeked at him from under the precipitous strands of noodles hanging off her folk. At first she had been glad that the conversation had drifted away from her newly blond hair, but now, catching the worry on her brothers’ faces, the panic etched onto them, she concluded that she would have preferred herself taking the brunt of their mother’s wrath instead of all this worry.

“I just-“

“Just what, Jungkook?” His mother asked him, her voice calm but her features wrung in hurt. She had never meant for things to turn out as they had. She would never, never pressure her son into holding something bigger than him. Not her son, she told herself. She just knew in her heart that Jungkook had potential- that was all.

“I just wanted to enjoy the water. Yoongi Hyung just overreacted. It’s been a while since, I really...”

And the lies dribbled out of his tongue like honey, the others reacting to it just the way he wanted them to, eyes warm and heart open.

They tried their best to make him enjoy the water again. His mother would wait for him behind the steering wheel of their Nissan, her face glowing with the balmy sunscreen she had on. Sometimes, she would even get Seokjin or Soyeon to join them, but it was mostly the two of them, just like it had always been when Jungkook had been growing up.

Jungkook sat at the ledge of the pool, the soles of his feet already pruned against the water.

“Show us some of your stuff!” Hoseok cheered from his seat beside Yoongi on the pavilion.

Yoongi nodded solemnly, his nose the tip of his nose endearingly white.

“Do the butterfly- the wiggle worm when you make the corner!” Namjoon yelled, his mouth filled with chips.

Jungkook grinned. The cold morning wind felt icy against his cheeks. Across him was a reflection of himself in the water, all broad shouldered and thin waisted.

‘Swimmer body,’ his mother said to her guests, her hair a neat chignon at the nape of her neck. ‘My handsome, talented boy.’

The rest of them, the women with the knitting and the too loud laughter, chortled in response, oohing at Jungkook’s abashed expression. Seokjin whined about favouritism and their mother just smiled, her eyes alight with a happiness that could only be refuted with the words ‘Jungkook’ and ’Swimmer’.

Before he could overthink it, he rose to his full height, smiling at the smell of Namjoon’s Pringles, knowing how it went against pool policy.

“Here I go,” He said with his back to them. They hooted in response and he was under water.

The rhythm came to him slowly. His legs fell back and straight, his arms long and wide as he began to chant inside the confines of his head, ‘faster, faster...’

Like a miracle he swept through the water, feeling its cool touch on his skin as he made laps.

One.

The muscles of his legs and abdomen tingled with the work he was putting them through.

Two.

His eyes were open under his goggles. He could see the blue tile of the pool, the skin of his hands pale and flawless under the water as he reached for it.

Three.

His friends’ laughter had faded to become a backdrop.

There was a roaring in his ears and just like that, the boy was back.

Jungkook was closer than he had been when they first met.

He was no longer startled by the apparition, having grown used to seeing him in the town’s public pool. In fact, the boy was now almost a comfort, his halloween themed hair a pretty halo around his head, water clinging to the tips of his eyelashes.

The boy looked up at Jungkook, his arms outstretched towards him. It was strange how the boy’s clothes did not cling to him, despite them being underwater.

Jungkook gave him a light nod as he took off on another round. He had little time for gaping, his friends were waiting for him and he had class after practice.

From his place gliding on the surface of the water, buoyed by his arms and legs, it was amusing to Jungkook how adamant the other boy was underneath him. No matter how fast he went, the boy was always there, either beside him or under him, swimming with him.

Today the boy looked like he was struggling to be noticed. He waved his arms and tried to tear at Jungkook’s torso, scowling as he did.

Jungkook did not let him. There was too much to do in too little time. What did it matter that there was a ghost attempting to get him a concussion mid-swim?

All he needed to do was get his work done- without paying attention to his hallucinations.

Suddenly, he felt a light kick hit him square on the stomach.

He turned to the source in surprise, his mouth stupidly falling open in surprise. Water gorged its way into his throat. He felt himself fold in half before gently rising to the surface of the water.

A minute before his hair rose above the surface line, he was shoved back in the water.

The boy was onto him, an apparition, a demon under the water.

Jungkook closed his eyes and attempted to kick away at it. He clawed at its arms and possibly at its face but it stuck to him, unmovable even by force.

His vision darkened, his muscles slackening. He had to get some air.

He made a second futile struggle against the boy’s hold, only to for the boy to strike his forehead against Jungkook’s as if in exasperation. The boy’s hands came to lie flat against his cheeks.

‘What do you want?’ He mouthed against the water.

How was he still breathing?

The boy used his fingers to push Jungkook’s eyelids shut, moving to wrap his arms around Jungkook’s neck, a strangle hold that treaded the blurry line between love and suffocation.

With the ghost touch of the boy’s lips against the bones of his ear, he heard a voice, soft and saccharine, whisper, ‘I am Jimin.’

With the fleeting image of warm fires and sweet-stained teeth, they fell on forth to a place beyond the world they knew.

The water gurgled around them as they descended to a time that was unbidden by the smell of chlorine, the shouts from across the bleachers.

Jungkook was suddenly at his grandparent’s lake house- the same grandparents who had not spared them an inch of their money when Jungkook’s parents had come very close to rock bottom. He saw his mother on the wooden patio of the house, her legs a honey tan against the balking heat of the sun. Seokjin lay back on his elbows, half-asleep with a lollipop stuck to his mouth as his mother droned on about a story he had to read for school. Even at thirteen, Seokjin’s face drew looks.

There was an unconventional order to his face, its planes moulded high below his eyes that gleamed darkly against the light and the blue misty quality of that morning.

Jungkook saw himself stand up next to his sister who had been braiding his hair into misshapen knots.

His younger self radiated warmth. There was a scar on his cheek from when he had fought with Seokjin for the game controller a week before. His hair fell over his ears, tufts of it bouncing as he made his way across the wooden planks.

Jungkook watched himself in awe. He saw the way he clenched his eyes shut, at eight dismissive of the obvious- he couldn’t swim, his brother could barely- and indulgent of impulse.

Soyeon noticed a second too late, screaming for Seokjin as Jungkook fell in headfirst, with a giant smile on his face as he went.

Jimin fixed Jungkook with a pointed stare before tugging at his hand and making them both fall into the water. It was almost like they were chasing his younger self, Jungkook thought in amusement.

Above them Jungkook’s mother was yelling for their uncle to hurry up.

‘Are you crazy? I can’t send Seokjin inside a lake- he can barely make it to the deep side of the pool! Hurry up, Jungkook is inside, you lazy bastard-‘

Soyeon gasped. Seokjin stared at his toes, ashamed.

Jimin giggled from his place next to Jungkook on the muddy shallows of the lake. Jungkook stared at his younger self, watching how his legs made their way to hold him afloat, his hands first thrashing before coming to calming to make slow sweeps against the water.

Around them, the water was muddy from the dirt and uncontrolled growth of plants. Fish swum under and around his younger self, who kicked against the water with the familiarity of a swimmer. Sunlight shed its way through the water and Jungkook’s family would soon gape in awe at the boy who saved himself, his mother rushing to slap him on the face before hugging him flush to her chest.

“Why?” Jungkook asked, turning to Jimin with his hair sticking to his temples.

“You needed to remember.”

With that came whole summers of their time together. All practices were spent in some grand place in Switzerland or subtropical Asia. Jimin took them to pools, to lakes and even someone’s artificial waterfall, loose limbed in a manner that insisted he took all these visits, these moments of water and sunlight, in stride.

Today they were manoeuvring through a river, Jungkook in his speedos- as he always was- and Jimin his brand of stripes and tight jeans.

They were above water for once, so Jungkook could see the minor imperfections across the other boy’s figure, the scar under his ear, the scabs on his arms and legs.

He supposed it was nice, being allowed to see so much.

Over time, his performance grew into an even higher brand of grace. Jungkook was no longer simply a record-setter, he was a work of art. Photographers and journalists came to see him, captivated by the idea of a boy enigma, someone who swam like he resembled water.

He found himself needing Jimin less, the memory of that day in the lake pushing him far and wide.

However, Jungkook grew worried when he never saw Jimin after he left for college on another swimmer scholarship.

He tried everything, from calling out for Jimin under water- choking on it as he did- , to visiting local lakes and hot springs, to communing to flames about a boy in a public pool.

The other boy did not appear. He had vanished without leaving a trace. The worst part of it all was that Jungkook couldn’t ask anyone about it.

His roommate, Namjoon, worried about his health. Jungkook began to find treats left for him on his bed, tea and biscuits, then incense. When he asked Namjoon for it on one of their joint study sessions, Namjoon had simply pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, shaking his head.

“You’re always looking so worried. You rarely sleep, it’s like you’re panting for breath...” He had said one night, “Tell me how I can help you. How can I make this better for you? Please, I feel useless.”

It was on his break back in Busan that he decided to try the public pool again, and like the apparition he was, Jimin showed up again, his face alight with a smile in full bloom.

“Why me?”

“I’ve always watched you,” Jimin would say, his fingers drumming against the inside of Jungkook’s wrist.

“And that totally not creepy,” Jungkook added laughing silently.

They were at the bakehouse again, the light pressing against Jimin’s skin, the contours of his face basking in it.

Jungkook fell sideways as Jimin shoved him.

The truth was painful and clichéd.

Jungkook would know of it later.

A predecessor to his swimmer status, he would learn from a journalist, was a certain Park Jimin of the fifties. Pressured to the brim, Jungkook was told, Jimin swam like the water was a myriad wind pushing him back and forth to where he needed to be.

‘How did he pass?’ Jungkook would inquire, discomfited by how antsy the journalist had gotten at the mention of the boy’s death.

‘He-he had mental issues. Went with the water, the public pool. People didn’t visit it for ages, only going after it was retiled for renovation.’

On asking Jimin, he would find himself watching a boy in a hoodie and speedos in the back of a friend’s cab, counting the moments left in the pretence of nodding to the song’s beat. The friend’s voice sounded ominous inside the vestiges of the car, smooth and deep as he sang about heartbreak and sweethearts.

Jimin would hug his friend before they depart, his voice a whisper as he said, ‘Take care Tae.’

Jungkook saw the fading skyline, the slam of fury as his Jimin’s eyes were forced to squeeze shut, his muscles twitching as it tried to escape from the hold he had over them. The slackening, the peace, Jungkook saw it all with tears streaming down his cheeks.

He felt the ghost of Jimin’s lips against his cheek as they were pulled back to the present, “You were better, stronger than I had ever been.”

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italicwatches · 6 years

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Comic Girls - Episode 01

Oh, fuck it. I was gonna watch this sooner or later, and while I have a lot of options on the board, I really want some craft anime right now, and I’ve got a good action/slice-of-life back and forth rhythm going too. So anyways let’s watch some girls make manga and probably have plausibly deniable romantic feelings towards each other. It’s Comic Girls, episode 01! Here we GO!

-We begin, at…A crosswalk, in Fukushima, on a quiet day. A small pink-haired moeblob sits in a car, being driven along, until a cherry blossom hits her cheek. She is very pink and very moeblob. …And then she learns that her latest manga submission did badly, when the editor gives her a call. How badly, you might ask?

-She’s bottom of the pack. The readers hate the art, the plot, the writing, and think the author can’t write high school girls worth jack shit. So our moeblob, having gotten dropped off from the car, just straight up collapses. Alas, poor Kaos-sensei, who cannot write high school girls despite being a high school girl.

-I’m not entirely sure how she ends up at the steps of a shrine, with a small army of stray cats coming to comfort her. The editor can tell this girl has potential, but god, she needs such thicker skin if she is ever going to survive…And there’s only one way to get her through a crucible without her cracking.

-Hard cut to some other girl getting a similar offer. Why yes, it’s an all-female manga artist dorm. This girl, a very free and loose blonde who…I think…Is she eating three parfaits at once? So suffice it to say she thinks this possibility over long and hashe’ll do it!

-Then we have two more girls…Who are also high school aged.

-Really.

-I just…Like, you’re putting them all in their own dorm. The entire point is they’re all working professionals, or trying to break into the industry. Considering I’ve seen about three different uniforms, I’m pretty sure we’re not going to spend any time actually going to anyone’s school.

-So what purpose does making them high schoolers serve at this point?! Ohhh my god just take me back to anime about working adults in an industry. New Game was total fluff but at least it wasn’t trying to have its schoolgirl cake and eat it too.

-Sorry, sorry, back to the show. These girls are further along the path, with one just getting serialized, and the other still deep in the grind by the sounds of it. Also they’re already tenants at the dorm.

-…So the moeblob’s a secret pervert.

-Okay that’s not entirely fair. We cut to Kaos that night, and she has tons of slightly ecchi heroine figurines in her room, and is getting all “mweeheehee” about being in an all-female manga artist dorm. Now let’s peer into her mental image of what it’ll be like! Yeah she could never survive in a stylish environment like that. Let’s try again the next morning! What if they’re all super intense serious artists? She’d crack there, too. But maybe they’re all a bunch of impassioned nerd rookies like her? A bunch of rookies all getting rejection letters every day would just be depressing.

-…Aaaand she just missed her train because she was lost in her own head. Alas, poor Kaos.

-And that’s how she ends up hauling her schoolbag, with her laptop in it, and her Rintiq tablet, down the road the old fashioned way. Wait, a Rintiq? Jesus, she has a totally-not-Cintiq? Did she just splurge All The Holiday Money, or do her parents believe in her dream that much? Like, shit, I thought I was super lucky when I got my entry-level DSLR at her age, and that was like half to a third of the price and was at a time when we were making money hand over fist.

-Oh and it’s at the top of a hill, too. Or perhaps I should say, she started at the bottom of several hills. But eventually, she makes it…And sees the landlady…And has a panic. Especially when she’s seen as a small tiny grade schooler and not the serious high school girl she insists she is. And the landlady just, isn’t, hearing it. …You know, I almost made a joke at the start about our moeblob not knowing how high school girls act because she was only in middle school.

-Also it turns out that the dorm is going to get a top-to-bottom remodeling in about a year, so there’s a timer. This iteration of the dorm isn’t long for this world something something high school experience cherry blossoms SYMBOLISM

-Anyways the blonde from before is Kaos’s new roommate and she gives zero fucks. And Kaos did not expect to be sharing her room with anyone. Meet Koyume, who has already gotten out the snacks and the paper and the pencils and really what else do you need? So Kaos’s real name is Moeta Kaoruko. …I’m sticking with Kaos. You need all the help to sound cool that you can get. Oh and Kaos gets all teary-eyed.

-“I’m sorry! Do you not like donuts?” Look if this kid doesn’t like donuts I am OUT.

-No she just doesn’t know how to handle being treated like a cute little moeblob. …How are you not used to it. Look at you. You’re 3 feet tall and your hair is pink with overly elaborate cross-pattern decorations in it. There’s no way.

-Eventually things calm down and we see the core problem Kaos is facing. In short, she lacks good anatomical studies. And if she tries to use her own body…Well, 3 foot tall moeblob. Great for bubbly comedy. Bad when you’re trying to draw a stylish, gorgeous high school girl, the kind of girl who could get scouted for a modeling job. She just ended up looking like a Mario Bros. movie goomba.

-Contrast Koyume’s problem, which is that she’s great at drawing cute girls, but terrible at drawing handsome boys. And she’s a shoujo romance artist. …So that’s not great. She just has no experience with guys to draw on… I mean, there’s an easy solution to that, Koyume. It’s called yuri and it’s the hottest new trend. You take a girl, and you have her fall in love… With a girl. (Or sometimes a bear.)

-But yeah both of them got pegged hard for their limitations by their editors, and so ended up here, and Kaos’s panic has Koyume panicking and soon they’re both just holding each other and sobbing. HEY! No crying in the dorm!

-Actually they meet the two senpais from before. And cling desperately to these two who Made It. So here’s Irokawa Ruki, the purple haired one who just got her porn serialized, and Katsuki Tsubasa, who has blue hair and is an intense shonen manga artist. Did I say porn? Yeah Ruki draws ecchi and freaks out about this tiny infant baby hearing such things. Kaos is not handling being treated like a mascot very well…Which is when Ruki gets ideas of what could be done putting the kid in a costume. Terrible, terrible ideas.

-Ignore her. So what has you two freaking out? Koyume got a debut and freaked out about not getting popular enough to survive…Stop, stop right there. The goal is not to be the best, or at the top of the charts. The goal is to get to keep drawing manga. You did well enough to debut. You have enough potential that your editor thought coming here was worth doing. Buckle down, work hard, and prove them right! The only way to achieve your ideal is to draw, draw, draw, with passion and fire! I knew there was a reason to like Tsubasa. And now, off they go.

-To their room, where Ruki is all trying to convince herself not to do things to that sweet innocent moeblob, and Tsubasa’s got inking to do. But she’s also really intrigued by firing up some rookies, even if they’re technically the same age.

-And soon that first night calms, and settles. Food is prepared, Kaos gets some time in the bath, and she’s left able to slowly process her doubts…Until the landlady reveals that the kitchen opens RIGHT to the bath so she can just summon everyone to food. Kaos has a panic.

-Episode 01: “I Got the Worst Results on the Survey!?”

-Okay, cut to time for bed! Koyume is gushy about Tsubasa being so strong and manly. Again, yuri. Kaos is already thinking of how Ruki seems like everything Kaos wants to be. Experienced, cool, stylish, curvy, attractive, makes her feel funny in her girl parts…(Wait, what was that last one? Stylish. Uh huh, sure thing.)

-Also they both get to thinking about what a real serialized pro’s room might look like…And that’s how they end up going over to see Ruki and Tsubasa’s workspace. It’s…Well, I mean, it’s a room. And Tsubasa is busy working to meet her deadlines, as Ruki gets ready to give one last push, putting her hair up and stuff…Which is when our rookies remember the whole porn thing and go looking for Ruki’s stash. Ah HA, what’s this lewd cosplay school uniform?!

-Her, her actual uniform.

-And all these rabbits?! Kaos knows rabbits mate like, like rabbits! Ruki, just, just like rabbits, you guys. Koyume wants to know where’s the perverted research material for drawing perverted manga?! Kaos counters that Koyume shouldn’t judge, maybe Ruki is just such a good pervert she can draw right out of her darkest fantasies without inspiration material!

-Ruki would like out of this now please.

-In fact, Kaos bets that under those baggy clothes, Ruki is super busty! Wait how did we even…Koyume wants to find out for herself and get a feel! And that’s how she goes for Ruki’s chest and finds it surprisingly padded and Kaos starts drawing the scene in front of her for lack of other ideas. How did we even get here. But the girls are finally made to apologize…

-And Ruki’s life story comes out. She sent in a manga about cute animals aimed at hitting the kid’s market. But her drawings of the human protagonist were so unintentionally erotic that she ended up getting sent to their 18+ division instead of their sad-onion division and serialized under the pen name Big Boobies <3 Himeko. She’d quit or start over, but now she has fans looking up to her, and their heartfelt admiration make her keep pushing. Big Boobies <3 Himeko-sensei, you’re really cool!

-Of course, with all of that, Tsubasa is behind the clock, and so soon everyone’s pitching in to try and do what they can to help…And so Tsubasa gives the rookies the tones to do, a classic grunt-labor job. Except she’s so deep into the weeds that she’s not unhooking what things like “unleash the dark energy” mean for her standard approach. Good news, Koyume knows what to do. Bad knows, Kaos doesn’t.

-But it’s because Koyume has fallen in love with Tsubasa’s manly manly charm. Anyways, thus begins the raw grind to get this chapter DONE. Koyume is doing really well, and is swiftly lost in Tsubasa’s praise. While Kaos is quietly freaking out because she’s going way slower. Not only is she less experienced, but Kaos learned digitally, and so dealing with all the analog tools is a whole new process for her. Aaaand that’s how she ends up messing up the panel. Oh god, oh god, get the white ou—THAT JUST DRIPPED AT THE WRONG SPOT

-…Kid you’re freaking out. Back up. Back up and breathe. Kaos falls into despair…But okay, this can all be fixed. Tsubasa just gets FULL SERIOUS, which also lets out a little bit of her old chuuni side. When she needs to totally concentrate, she inevitably ends up in cosplay of the characters. Whether that means we’ll be seeing more costumes, or if eyepatch and cape is just her Concentration Outfit, remains to be seen.

-Either way, Koyume is incredibly attracted to this serious stern look, as Tsubasa quickly fixes the lifework and gives Kaos a quick pick-me-up for her hard efforts. Koyume wants that kind of praiiiiise. …Oh god look at the clock. It’s time to get EVEN MORE SERIOUS!

-How do you get more serious than cosplay? First, by wielding the legendary three-pen style, like Manganora Zoro-sensei. Then, by TAKING OFF THE COSPLAY! Wait but then…

-Alright back to the grind. Kaos pushes hard, and is also starting to see…Just how far she might come if she stays here with these pros…Also she makes another mistake and Tsubasa has to fix it. Apologize when the chapter’s submitted, not before!

-And eventually, eventually, with the sun ready to rise, it’s DONE. Tsubasa flips through, confirms, and promptly lays down on the ground to collapse into unconsciousness. There’s a ton of passionate, intensity and yet kindness in this girl…It’s no wonder she’s able to draw shonen manga like she does…While Kaos here is just, so nervous, and awkward, and full of doubt, and she’ll never have any friends…

-Stop, stop right there. The dark inner thoughts are coming out. Also Koyume already considers you a friend. Ruki just needs more time to get to know Kaos, and Tsubasa is mumbling stuff about comrades in her sleep. The point is, you’ve got people on your side, rookie.

-Eventually, everyone’s just done, strewn out around the floor and trying to catch a few precious hours of sleep…

-Until that afternoon, when Kaos can confirm to her editor that she’s making new friends and feels like she’s making real progress! That’s good, that’s good. …What’s not good is your latest manuscript which is just not up to snuff to be put into the magazine as a one-off. Sorry kid.

-Credits!

…That got more dense than planned. And I didn’t even spend time detailing processes! We’ll see if things loosen up now that I’m not having to introduce everyone next time, in episode TWO of Comic Girls. Wait for it!

#where I watch #recap #anime #comic girls

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thewritingsofalex · 6 years

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The House of Aria

In the summer of 1998, when I had just turned thirteen, I made my first friend and learned how to tell someone no. I remember that summer clearly. The sun was always out and the temperature was always in the hundreds, which meant my mother delegated all of her errands to me. Never wanting to disappoint, I always said yes and hurried on my way. Every moment of that summer remains etched into my memory; every errand I ran for my mother, every day spent inside of a decrepit house, and every conversation I had with her.

On May 23rd, I ran an errand for my mother like usual. She complained of the heat and the humidity and refused to leave the house. I busied myself that first day of summer break replaying Super Mario World, however my mother quickly decided I would be the one to run her errand.

“You wouldn’t want your poor mother to get heatstroke, now would you Billy?” she would say. “Who would take care of you then?”

Not wanting to disappoint her, I took the money and left. It was a routine run to the market two streets over, the perks of a small town, but there was a new cashier that didn’t understand my… habits. See, normally it was Debby that rang me out. I never had to say anything, never had to make small talk, just had to grab the change and leave with whatever. Instead, I had this new girl Christine.

“Next in line,” she said. She sounded like she spoke straight through her nose. I quickly placed the single box of spaghetti noodles on the conveyor and watched as her pink fingernails grabbed the box and scanned it. I placed the money on the counter and waited for my change. My heart was pounding and I was starting to sweat, though it was not from the heat. I wiped my brow and adjusted my thick, rectangular glasses. My stomach was queasy from this sudden change in routine.

“Paper or plastic?” She asked, though it sounded more like a demand. I felt my mouth go dry and nothing came from my slightly ajar mouth. She asked again, more annoyance in her voice. By now I was visibly shaking as she set the change back on the counter. Before she could say more, I grabbed the change, grabbed the box, and sprinted out of the store. I must’ve looked like a maniac running across the street and into the thicket with a box of spaghetti noodles jingling in the afternoon heat.

I stopped to puke only once this time, a marked improvement from similar situations. When I regained my composure, I realized I had stopped next to the old house on 6th Street, two streets over from mine. This was the closest I had ever been to it. My mother had told me never to go near it, and never wanting to disappoint her, I did as I was told. Now, looking at it from just a few feet away, I could see why she wouldn’t want me hanging around.

It was old, older than me and probably even my mom. The white paint was chipping off, the windows on this side of the house were cracked and shattered, and the walls were covered in vines. I gathered myself and began to leave, only to hear a series of creaks coming from within the house. I don’t know why, but it peaked my curiosity. Sure, my stomach felt like someone was beating an egg inside it, but I couldn’t stop walking forward. Clutching the box of spaghetti noodles in my hands, I peeked into the closest window.

Inside was a girl, a young girl, around the same age as me from the looks of it. It wasn’t so much that she was inside an abandoned house, but that she looked simultaneously out of place and right where she belonged. Her image contrasted against the decaying background so strangely, yet she looked so comfortable and natural there. Her brown dress twirled around as she danced to music I couldn’t hear no matter how hard I strained my ears. I watched for a few moments longer before I crept away, knowing my mom would be expecting me back.

That night, after we ate our spaghetti in silence, I tried asking my mom about the house on 6th street.

“Hey mom, you know that old house at the end of 6th Street, the abandoned one?” I asked, watching her eyes never leave the latest episode of Friends.

“Yeah huh,” she said.

“Do you know if someone bought that house?” I had asked. She looked at me for once, which caught me off guard frankly.

“Not that I know of, and you remember to keep clear of that place, you got it? Strange things happened there. Now run along and go play your games, mommy is watching her show,” she said. I did as I was told and dropped the conversation.

I remember the following day I woke up with a sense of discomfort. I felt strangely jittery, as if I had a secret and I had no one to share it with, mostly because I didn’t. I sat down in front of my Super Nintendo, as I had done every Sunday morning, and tried to game away the sensation. Mother was at work and I was home alone, like usual. I could hear the children outside playing and laughing and kicking their summer break off with a bang. Me? I sat alone in my room, a blanket covering my window as me and my only companion Mario attempted to save the Mushroom Kingdom again. By three o’clock, I had had enough of this unshareable secret.

Ten minutes later, I’m standing outside the abandoned house on 6th street. I made sure to be at an angle so that the closest neighbor, one vacant lot away, wouldn’t see what I was up to. My body shook from the anticipation as my chest burned. I had this creeping desire to claw at my chest and throat until it went away, even if it meant sinking my nails into my skin and drawing blood.

I peeked into the window next to the door, noting the lack of life inside. No sign of the strange girl. The last thing I wanted while satisfying my curiosity was running into another person. I didn’t think my stomach would be able to handle much more.

I pushed on the door and watched it slowly open. I stepped inside and tried to process what I was viewing. The house looked spotless, brand new even. The walls were painted a beige, the staircase in front of me in perfect condition, the walls were adorned with pictures of a family which included the girl I had seen just yesterday, and the house was filled with the sounds of classical music and the smell of freshly baked cookies.

At this point, I turned around and quickly walked back out the door, shutting it behind me and proceeding to throw up off the side of the porch. I firmly believed I had just walked into a stranger’s home, that I had somehow imagined everything I had seen from the window.

After wiping my mouth, I looked back into the window. It was still a broken and decrepit house. I moved my head around, making sure it wasn’t some picture plastered on the frame. Hell, I even stuck my hand through a spot void of glass and moved it around. This house was one hundred percent abandoned. When I went through the doors again, the house was anything but.

The same girl from yesterday was sitting before me on the staircase. She had a big smile, like he was the first person she’d seen in years. My mouth went dry and my heart pounded and my stomach tightened. Her skin was a pale shade, and her eyes were this dark brown, so dark I couldn’t distinguish between the pupil and the iris. They silently watched me. She quickly got up and held out her hand for me to shake.

“My name is Aria!” She said, though I sensed a beat of forced enthusiasm. “It’s been so long since I’ve had any visitors! Daddy hates it when I have friends over.”

I was dumbstruck. I didn’t know what to do. All I could do was hold out my hand and shake hers gently. I could feel my stomach rising and I fought to hold it down with all my might.

“I’m Billy,” I said.

“It’s been so long since I had a friend to hang out with,” Aria said. “Daddy hates it when I have friends over, especially when he isn’t home!”

She looked at me, expectantly, I had this burning sensation creep into my chest and neck again. I wanted to claw at it until it went away.

“Weren’t you outside my window yesterday?” She asked. I hesitated, but nodded in response. “Well Billy, it isn’t polite to puke and leave!” Her laugh made my head spin. My face burned and I could feel that particular churning beginning to take hold again.

“It’s okay, I puke when I don’t feel good too,” she said, a smile on her face that made my churning go away.

“You do?” I asked.

“Mhm! That’s why daddy hates it when I have visitors. He says they make me sick,” Aria said, her eyebrows crinkled together and her mouth frowning. “What does he know, right?”

I laughed awkwardly and nodded, hoping my response would please her. It seemed like it had, for she smiled and laughed as well.

“All I want is to have a friend to play with,” She said, “and you seem like the perfect person.”

That was the first time anyone had legitimately asked me to be their friend. Granted, I had just met this girl and new very little about her, but I wasn’t about to let a potential friend slip away from me so easily. I nodded.

“Sure, I’ll be your friend!” I said, my smile stretching across my face. The sweating, the tremors, the beating heart; it all eased a bit hearing that. I could hear the church bells from downtown ringing to signal it was four o’clock.

“I have to go, my mom will be home any minute now,” I said, turning to leave.

“Come back tomorrow!” Aria said.

The next day, I did just that. A knock or two and the door would open. Inside I would go, and inside I would stay for the next two hours. It was the first real conversation I had with her on that staircase, though I specifically remember we rarely talked about her.

“Where do you live, Billy?” Aria asked.

“Two streets over,” I said. “Do you live here with just your dad?”

“Do you live with your parents?” She asked, ignoring my question.

“My mom,” I said. “She makes me run her errands when she doesn’t want to.”

“Aw, that’s awful,” she said. I remember thinking it wasn’t that awful, but I didn’t protest and we went quiet for a few moments.

“Hey Aria, isn’t this house, you know, abandoned?” I asked. I could never read the emotions in her eyes. They remained that near black and never showed a hint of emotion. With a weird rigidity in her face, she responded.

“Of course not, I live here as you can see,” She said, laughing as if it was a stupid question. Maybe it was, but this house was definitely abandoned. That’s what the windows told me.

She taught me a simple melody on the piano in the living room. Aria had me sit down and she pointed to the keys to press. It sounded amazingly out of tune, but she seemed unphased by it all. It was strange, but we were smiling and laughing, and my chest and throat didn’t burn. I felt like I had made an actual friend for once in my life, all of my quirks included. She seemed just as excited as I was.

This continued for the next couple of weeks. I would run errands for my mom when she was gone, go and visit Aria for at least an hour or two, then made it home before my mother did. We would talk about my life, and I would bring board games (though she insisted I move the pieces for her), and I would do my best to talk about her life as well.

“How come I never see your dad?” I asked one day.

“Cause he always works,” she said in response.

That was as far as I would get. She never gave more than that.

“Why do you always do what your mom tells you to?” she asked.

“I dunno, I don’t like disappointing her,” I said. It was true. “She’s all I have, so I want her to be happy.”

“She treats you like her servant, she has all these rules, and the only one you’ve broken is coming to see me,” Aria said, pointing out my flawed logic of following her orders to a T. “Tell her no, be your own person.”

Aria was good at that, at least, from what she said. Ever since day one, whenever she was about to break a rule, she would announce it to me.

“Hey Billy, daddy says I’m not allowed to have a friend over, but I do!”

“Hey Billy, daddy says I can’t eat cookies for lunch, but I did!”

“Hey Billy, daddy says not to play his records, but I’m doing it anyway!”

She was the antithesis to me, and yet a reflect of me at the same time. She followed only one of the rules her dad created and she ached for being social where I followed most of my mother’s rules and preferred isolation. Our only similarities were our habit of puking when we didn’t feel good, and our habit of remaining indoors.

June 17th was the first day I followed Aria’s advice. My mother left a note out for me explaining that she wanted me to clean the dishes, sweep the kitchen, then run over to the Stephens’s house down the street and pick up her box set of Beverly Hills, 90210. I did none of those things. Instead, I hung out with Aria all day. My chest burned, and yet I felt so light.

“There you go! Just keep telling her no!” She said, giving me a small pep talk so that a new pattern of behavior could form. And it did. Each day, I got a little more bold and a little more reckless. Aria fed me ideas on how to rebel against my mother and how to rebel against my own desire to please. I didn’t question the strange girl in the abandoned house with an impossible interior.

June 21st was the first day I verbally told my mother no.

“Billy, do the dishes while mommy vacuums,” my mom said, giving me an order.

“No,” I said after a literal minute of standing silent. My mom looked up at me, her eyes wide fit to burst. I think the shock of it all kept her silent. She shook her head and went to vacuuming like she planned. I think that lack of immediate discipline fueled my desire to rebel.

The day after, I noticed Aria looked as if she was a tinge darker than before, like a miniscule amount of color filled her body. I ignored it of course and we continued our conversation for that day.

“And then I just told her no!” I said, my chest fluttering and my body feeling light.

“Hah! Serves her right!” Aria said, slapping her leg and adjusted the same brown dress she wore.

“Yeah, I’m my own person,” I said, slapping my leg to emulate her.

“The next time she tells you what to do, tell her to fuck off!” Aria said. My eyes widened a bit as I had rarely heard cussing. I was at that age where it was still a taboo only used by adults and high schoolers.

“Yeah, that’ll show her,” I said even though my chest and throat burned.

And so I did.

Two weeks later, when my mom had asked me why I hadn’t been doing my chores and running errands like she asked, I told her to get off my back.

“Excuse me? What was that young man?” My mom asked, her brows scrunching together and her voice a harsh tone I rarely heard.

“I said go fuck yourself!” I said, my voice filling the room. My mom’s mouth was hanging open, unable to believe that her son, the one who could barely talk to strangers, let alone cuss, had become so bold.

“That’s it, get your ass over here,” She said, her voice hard like metal. I don’t know why, but my teeth grit together and I heard Aria’s voice repeating all the advice she had given me. When my mother grabbed me to spanked me, I pushed her. Hard. I can’t forget the fear in my mom’s eyes as she lay on the floor, staring up at her only child. We didn’t speak the rest of the night.

I told Aria what I did the following day and she laughed so hard. She thought it was hilarious that I pushed my mom, like it was the ultimate act of rebellion. She looked almost normal now; her iris’ no longer indistinguishable from her pupils, her skin a healthy and radiant tone. By this point, I noticed how pale I as becoming. I was pale before, but this was new. Aria said not to worry about it, so I didn’t.

I began to realize that my desire to please had only amplified, and that it was directed solely towards Aria. I wanted to make her laugh and smile, and my acts of rebellion fueled her laughter. But, I was curious about why she wanted to rebel so much.

“Why do you break all your dad’s rules?” I asked that same day.

“Because I never got to have friends. Because he kept me away from everyone cause he said they’d make me sick. Do you know how much it hurts to watch everyone have fun from the window while you’re stuck alone in a house that your daddy never lets you leave?” She asked. I nodded in response, relating to some degree how isolating life could be.

“It’s the one rule I can’t break, so I break every other rule so he knows how much I hurt. Rebelling gives me power in my life,” She said. “You’re hurting and powerless, so I want you to break all the rules too.”

It was weird rationale, but I didn’t question it. Up to that point, I never questioned anything she did or told me, nor did I question what little information I had on her.

On July 12th, I started getting sick, most likely an infection. My body was weak, I had a cough, and I was looking paler every day. By July 16th, I looked like I was a cancer patient I was so thin and pale. My mom demanded I go to the hospital with her, but considering how I listened to every word Aria said, I ignored her. When she pressed the issue, I slapped her. Then I left.

Aria was as radiant as she had ever been. Her hair was silky and her skin was nicely tanned and I could no longer see her bones. I smiled as the door closed behind me, Life resting in my hands. She motioned towards the staircase and we sat down on the creaking wood. I opened the box and set the pieces out. I put every piece in its place when I noticed Aria moving pieces on her own. I stopped and stared, this being the first time I had ever seen her physically move something.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Aria said while she started her first turn. I laughed in response and waited for my turn. A coughing fit hit me as I started my turn and Aria smiled.

“Here, let me do it for you, since you’re so weak,” She said, running through my turn for me just as I had done for her every day before. “You know what you should do next?”

I looked at her, waiting for a response and keeping myself from throwing up. I remember thinking that maybe I should have stayed home and listened to my mom. She wasn’t exactly nagging me, she was making sure I didn’t die. And I slapped her. I felt doubt for the first time since May 23rd. I felt remorse. I felt sick.

“You should pull the ultimate act of rebellion, like I did with my dad,” She said. “You should make her shut up, for good.”

I remained silent for a few moments, decoding what she meant by making her shut up, for good. Then I looked at her and I noticed how alive she looked. Then I looked at myself and noticed how dead I looked. I looked at the game of Life in front of us and realized that she’s been playing this game the entire time, only I was the piece she was moving around.

“No,” I said, staring into her bright brown eyes. “No, I won’t.”

That was the first time I told her no, the first time I rejected her advice.

“Excuse me?” Aria said, her eyes narrowing and her voice scratching my ears. “You can’t tell me no, you’re too far gone now. You gotta finish what you started.”

“No,” I said. “I look like I’m dying, yet you look more alive than I‘ve ever seen. All of that started when I started taking your advice.”

She looked, then she smiled, but she never admitted.

“Take my advice, Billy,” she said as more of command, “Do it.”

I looked into her dead eyes and I shook my head.22

“I’m not stupid, Aria,” I said. “You got sick, and you never got better. You blame your dad for trapping you here when you were alive, and you blame him for trapping you here now.”

Her eyes narrowed and her teeth pressed together.

“But I am not you, and my mom isn’t your dad. I will not follow in your footsteps.”

I looked at her, one last time, then turned towards the door. I gripped the handle and I opened the door. I hesitated, wondering for a brief second if I was making a mistake. I’m ashamed I hesitated. But in that moment, I looked back and I saw an abandoned and decrepit interior, and I knew I had made the right choice.

In the months following, my mother and I tried to make up for our actions. My mother recognized how she treated me as more of an object, a servant, and I recognized how abusive I had become. It wasn’t an easy process, but a few months of seeing a therapist together helped us to communicate. The burning in my chest and throat never came back, and neither did the creeping advice of Aria. I never did tell her where I spent all my time that summer, but I have a feeling she figured it out during those therapy sessions. I don’t think she knew much about the abandoned house on 6th street, but I think she knew of rumours, rumours she still hasn’t told me.

I pieced together what happened on 6th street with the assistance of the library’s database of news articles. I found her face, and her father’s, both found dead. Aria died of an infection due to a weakened immune system, and her father supposedly fell down the stairs and died at the foot of the staircase where Aria and I had spoken every day. ‘You should pull the ultimate act of rebellion, like I did with my dad,’ rang in my head. I don’t know which is worse, Aria shoving her father down those stairs before or after she died that night.

I only saw that face in the newspaper one more time on May 23rd, 2000. After years of red tape and auctioning and many other issues, the abandoned house on 6th street was set for demolition. I, along with my mother, were one of the few to gather and witness the spectacle of demolition. From our safe location a good bit away, I could see a face peering out from the front window I had stuck my hand through those two years prior. Her eyes were near black, her skin was pale white, and her body was frail and weak; a reflection of myself in my darkest times. She didn’t smile, she didn’t wave, but she acknowledged my presence. As the first of the controlled fire began and the house of Aria went up in flames and her window became vacant, I felt her advice trying to creep into the back of my mind. I shook my head, I turned to my mother, and hugged her tight, reminding her how much I loved her.

Hey guys, thank you for reading. This is my third and final short story for my fiction class and I finished up critiques a few days before. I may go back and fix up these stories to hammer out the critiques given, but time will tell if I do!

#short story #fiction #ghost #childhood #anotherkindofstory #writing #assignment

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synatria-studios · 4 years

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Let's Talk About Platformers

Hey, it’s Aria Tempest here! Lead Artist and co-creator of SynAtria! Since we’re making a platformer game, I wanted to go through and talk about some games in the platformer genre that you may have overlooked or maybe you’re hoping to get into platformers but you aren’t sure where to start.

Most people when they think of platformers probably think of Mario games so I won’t be putting any in the list, though Mario Galaxy was one of my first favorites, Mario Sunshine is a classic, Super Paper Mario is a great casual time, and Mario Odyssey is perfection in the genre. I think everyone’s definition of platformer is a little different. I’ve seen people call Portal 2 a platformer and I’m not sure I’d agree since it’s mostly puzzles where you occasionally get to do a really cool jump or two.

I consider a game a platformer if the main bulk of the gameplay is platforming. It can have some puzzle or action elements but not more than the jumpy bits! Anyways let's get started with the list!

Shovel Knight

This game is incredible, probably the best 2D platformer to date. If you haven’t played it you should and if you have played it then have you played the other campaigns? There are 4 campaigns total, Shovel of Hope (The main storyline), Plague of Shadows, Specter of Torment, and King of Cards. You can also do two player mode with a friend (or just anyone you can get to play with you I guess). Also have you tried changing things about the characters? There are loads of secret codes you can put in for various effects (like moon jump mode and giant mode) or you can just change character pronouns and genders. I often turn Shovel Knight into a girl for some cute WLW (women-loving women) gameplay and then I often make everyone else a girl too just to see their changed character models. You can make the pronouns gender neutral as well, which is something that I think is really important to put in games with gender options.

So for context, my experience with the game is having beaten Shovel of Hope several times, Plague of Shadows one time, Specter of Torment one time, but I’ve only played a small amount of King of Cards. So obviously I haven’t played the new card mini game or the new fighting game Shovel Knight Showdown.

The gameplay is based around which character/campaign you pick and in my opinion the easiest characters to pick up and play in order are Shovel Knight, Plague Knight, Specter Knight, and King Knight. Playing Shovel Knight is an easy and fun breeze though not without its challenge. Learning how to play feels new and natural at the same time. I’m not sure I’d say that for the rest of them. It took some time for me to get proficient with the other playable characters, especially King Knight, who frustrated me to learn. The game is a 2D platformer done perfectly. Jump, attack, get new items and abilities, and several different play styles. Also something that isn’t often seen done well in 2D platformers, they managed to do branching paths without it feeling metroidvania-like (like you need a map) and they were able to throw in several types of collectibles, some of which are well hidden!

I should mention the death system. Anytime you die 25% of your total money is dropped where you died even if you’re in mid air. You then respawn at the start of the level or a checkpoint. If you can get back to your money then no big deal, not even a loss. However if you can’t get back (die on the way over) then you’ll continue to lose money and each previous money bag will disappear. It’s a pretty good and simple system, not too punishing. Though it’s embarrassing to finally get back to your money only to die right in front of it, just leaving piles of money bags in the same location over and over. Some people commonly compare this to the death system in Dark Souls in which when you die your collected souls are left in that location and you have to retrieve them before dying again. While I get the comparison, that’s really where the similarities start and end.

As far as the level design, it’s genius. Each level has a great flow to it and has incredibly different feelings. Most levels have their own mechanics and enemies that need to be learned how to overcome. Everything feels very meticulously planned out to the point that you’ll probably be just running around having a great time without even thinking about it. If you’re a level design lover like me, I recommend watching this video on one of the levels on Shovel Knight if you want to get a feel for how they designed the whole level to flow together perfectly. ❀

As far as collectibles, each campaign has a unique item that you collect throughout it. In Shovel Knight the item is a music sheet that you can turn in for rewards and extra dialogue. I think it’s important in games for collectibles to feel like more than just a number. They should give extra story, items, or maybe images you access in the main menu instead of just giving out a single achievement and nothing else. I like achievements and achievement hunting but I think it’s best when a game does more than that to reward it’s player, which Shovel Knight does well.

The soundtrack is perfect and they know it. They even have songs as collectible rewards that you give to a bard like character that gives extra info about the game and songs with each music sheet turned in. Jake Kaufman did the music excellently and I can only assume the bard like character is based on him. The songs feel memorable, catchy, exciting, and retro. They're retro in the way that someone today who loves retro game music may have taken that love and made something brand new and exciting for the current time, not in the way that it sounds exactly like it just comes straight from an old game which I think plays in its favor.

The look of the game is beautiful, the backgrounds and movements look lovely and it’s a pixel art game that’s clearly been made with lots of attention to detail. Sticking to a retro feeling, they did the game with just the color palette that an NES could do and only added a few additional colors where needed. The thought process going into giving this game the right feeling and look is incredible.

One of my only regrets in life is not having known about this game’s kickstarter. For the ones who pledged enough, they get their face in a specific part of the game. Every time I get there though I always say hi to two specific portraits, one being Matt from BestFriendsPlay and my favorite one being Arin from GameGrumps. If you haven’t seen them yet I recommend trying to find them. The first time I played I scoured the area for Arin’s portrait like a treasure hunt.

For the story, it’s not that big but I loved it; I felt so invested. There’s a segment at the end of certain levels where you have to catch the girl you love and it immediately gets my heart pumping. I was all in on rescuing her from second one. People often complain about games in which a female needs rescuing, often games in which her only personality trait is being easy to kidnap. This game steers away from that, with the girl being gone, you can feel the loss and desperation to get her back from the cutscenes and you can see her as a person outside of just being someone who is kidnapped. She has friends, a life, and even a personality! (Oh my)It does a great job at establishing the two character’s strong love and bond. As for the other campaigns, Plague Knight never had me tearing up (unlike Shovel Knight), though I did adore it. However I felt that Specter Knight’s campaign was really lacking. Though maybe that’s because I’m a romantic loser and there wasn’t any romance in that one. Did anyone else feel less invested in the Specter Knight storyline? Also for those who have played it, what did you think of King Knight’s storyline?

Overall it’s an incredibly fun game that everyone should give a try if they like the genre, though just note that the story isn’t huge but it makes up for it in every other way it could.

A Hat in Time

Super cute and friendly feeling, I remember seeing gifs of the main character blowing kisses at enemies and knew I had to try it out. This game excels at giving you happy feelings, with fun dialogue as well.

Story wise it has a lot of fun elements and lots of different characters. Each world has its own character types, and while they’re all fun and interesting, they don’t feel very connected to each other. That aside, the main character is a silent protagonist type, but plays it very well using noises and expressions that in the end give her as much personality as anyone else. You aren’t going to feel super emotionally invested in the plot and characters, but you’ll have an excellent time.

With collectibles there are so many different types. There are yarn balls, which give new abilities (hats) when enough are found. Relics, sort of a multi piece collectible, you need to find a few of a certain type to make one, like for making the burger, you’ll need the top and bottom of it. Once you put them together it unlocks a bonus level, which is reminiscent of the secret levels in Mario Sunshine, with a focus just on platforming with no story, as you just kind of jump around random cubes in space. I could not love segments like this more. ♡ Finally there are rift tokens, which you can use to get random cosmetic options, such as different looks for your hats, different color palettes for your character, or music remixes. I loved these because I’m a sucker for character customization, and will frequently change my appearance several times in a sitting. I’m the type of person that plays Animal Crossing for 1 hour and changes my look three times during it to match my current mood. I definitely want to add character customization to lots of games we’ll make, I think it adds a fun element to it.

The gameplay is bouncy and energetic, and the levels are great at having separate paths with secrets in them that, even when long to explore, feel really easy to go right back to where you were at the start of the path. Several times I was impressed at the perfect wrap arounds since some games you look for a secret and get lost or just have to back track with nothing other than maybe a respawned enemy or two. You have different powers tied to whichever hat you have on and I find things like this to be very fun in 3D platformers, though I will say that some of the hats don’t feel as useful as others and you won’t put it on often. (Looking at you, sprint hat. Why do you have so many cute customization options if you’re just going to suck?)

So for this one I’d recommend it because it takes a lot of classic older 3D platformer feelings but does them with a fresh feeling. It’s less trying to figure out the genre than it is showing why the genre is amazing.

Cave Story

This game impresses me time and time again and I think I’m addicted to buying it on every platform I can. This game was made by one man in his free time over five years and it was free to play for quite some time; surprising given it’s quality. I’m glad that they started selling it though because they deserve the money for this excellent game.

The gameplay isn’t too complex. Mostly platforming challenges and instead of close range attacks like most platformers, you actually have several different types of guns. You can get several weapon types throughout the game, then you collect these little yellow triangles (I always called them Doritos) to level up each weapon. Each weapon’s level cap is low, but each level up gives a better version of it. Taking damage will level down your gun however, but getting it back in shape isn’t too hard. The only thing to keep in mind is if you want to level up a gun you aren’t currently using, then every time you see the Doritos you have to switch guns to whichever one you want to level, pick up the Doritos, then switch back. Not hard to get into the habit of, but a bit of a pain.

As for the story it blends with the gameplay very well. The world, characters, and story all feel very interconnected. I think it’s important for games to not feel like THE CUT SCENE SECTION and THE COMBAT SECTION. The world feels real and the characters are easy to start caring for. It’s one of those games that can make you laugh or tear up, and as you play you’ll feel yourself become the character and want to know more about the people around you and the world itself. Most games throw you in and tell you who your character likes and implies that you’re invested in the world around you from even before the start. While I don’t mind that approach at all, it’s interesting to see it done like Cave Story where you’re a stranger in the world with no memories or attachments and you feel yourself make them as your character does. It lets you really look at the world through your character’s eyes.

Some cool features of Cave Story + specifically includes different difficulty settings, multiple versions of the soundtrack to choose from (all with their own beautiful and unique feeling. I like playing with the Cave Story + one or remastered, but if you want to hear it all badass sounding then Ridiculon covers that), a really fun Local Co-op where you can play out the whole game with a friend, and you can change the graphics between the original graphics and the remastered ones whenever you want in the settings. I personally love when games implement this. The first time I saw it was Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and when I realized that I could go between new and old graphics even while in game just by pressing a button. Man, I wasn’t even playing that game anymore, I was just walking around looking at grass textures and switching it back and forth like a madman.

Also this game can get challenging towards the end, and if you want the best ending, you’ll probably have to look up what to do ahead of time, because none of what’s needed to be done will be something you do naturally in my opinion.

Overall it’s fantastic and if you can take a bit of challenge it should really draw you in.

DLC Quest

This game is small, short, but very fun, especially if you’re familiar with common gaming tropes.

The writing, characters, and story, are all based around common tropes in gaming, poking fun at them but exploring them in new ways, much like the movie Cabin In the Woods in the horror genre. The writing is very clever and funny. At one point there’s an area with a sign that says “Allan please add world” which is a reference to the game Hitman: Blood Money where the description of an item reads “Allan please add details” and has been referenced in many other games. The game writing knows itself well, to the point where several characters point out being part of a game, or make it clear which pointless NPC role they’re clearly meant to fill.

In the gameplay it’s basic jumping and platforming without much attacking, though there is one important detail. You don’t have access to most gameplay elements until you pay with coins in the game, poking fun at something I hate, DLC microtransactions type of stuff. At the start you can’t even move left or pause the game without paying coins first. It turns the game into an interesting experiment, that while it was done well, I wish was longer.

Level design isn’t amazing however. Falling could make you have to redo way too much platforming and I’d get lost on multiple occasions. Though I am known for getting lost in games easier than most, most of the other games on this list don’t come anywhere near this issue.

I recommend giving this game a try. It’s an interesting look at gaming and a fun time, but it obviously isn’t going to blow you away or anything.

Ori and the Blind Forest

A beautiful game where everything looks and sounds amazing. The first few minutes might make you cry, but after that you probably won’t care as much, very similar to my experience with the movie Up.

The story isn’t important though, because it shines in it’s gameplay and art. I will say one way the story suffers is if you’re in a scene you actually really care about the plot and as you move your character you feel like you’re in it and you’re trying to make it through and figure out what happens next, then you die over and over. Every time it sends you back, that obviously gives the story scene less and less impact and by the time you see the ending of the scene you don’t even care, you just want to save so you won’t have to go through that section again.

The gameplay is amazing but challenging. Mostly based around jumping (it even has double and triple jumps yay~), wall jumping (kind of similar but sadly isn’t present in most games), and attacks. Your character feels fairly weak and though they get stronger this is not a game you can just run through without thought. The save system in the game is based on how many points you have and it takes some points to save so you have to pick your save locations wisely. This is one of those games where you could end up doing a platforming challenge that takes a few seconds to do but you keep dying on it so then you have to redo that few seconds 50 times over. Then I’ll immediately crawl over to a save spot, happy that I did one small feat in this big scary world. Throughout the game you gain different very fun and helpful abilities and there’s also a skill tree which is rare for platformers. Put in points you get while playing into one of the three branches to continue expanding on each one. When you start the game and look at the tree, all ready to be filled out, you’re probably going to find something to get excited to save up for. Try not to focus on only one branch though unless you know what you’re doing.

I recommend this for gamers who would like more of a challenge. If you liked Super Meat Boy you’ll like this, though I found Ori to be less punishing. Finding collectibles and exploring the world is so much fun and if you can handle throwing your tiny, cute, and frail body into spikes constantly then you’ll have a great time. This and Cave Story are good when you really want to just have some platforming challenges without overly thinking about story and other elements.

Grow Home

A shorter game (especially if you don’t plan on getting all the collectibles) but with a really nice feeling to it. The story is very basic (well honestly almost non-existent) but it doesn’t really need one. You go around as a cute little robot, jumping and climbing to collect things.

As far as the climbing goes, it almost reminds me of playing Girp as a young teen. Most of the gameplay consists of holding two buttons back and forth to climb around the world. The fact that climbing is done mainly with two buttons back and forth (similar to Donkey Kong King of Swing) can mean it can hurt your fingers after a while, so keep that in mind.

There are tons of collectibles throughout the world but the world is relatively small and the types of collectibles are limited. Besides scanning individual new objects and creatures, the only form of collectibles are glowing blue crystals found throughout the world. It sounds same-y but you still feel excited every time you spot a new one and once you see it, the next thought is how do I get to it??? The answer to that while usually simple, can take some time but you generally feel satisfied and have fun exploring as you go. For most of the game you locate the crystals through sound so if while playing the game you put on a youtube video, I’d keep the volume low. Also keep in mind, your little robot character moves around like they’re drunk. Wobbling all over the place even while jumping. It can make it more of a challenge but it’s cute to watch and fun to move around.

Do you know that feeling when you’re rock climbing, you’re high up, you see the rock climbing wall above you stick straight out, then you look down and feel absolutely terrified? This game gave me that feeling several times, which I did not know was possible, but my body almost felt scared that I was actually going to fall. I’ve never had a game give me that feeling, and you might think well that’s terrifying, why would I even want that, Aria? Because reader, it was exciting and really put me in the game. It made me feel like I really grabbed that crystal! Also, I hate actual rock climbing so I recommend a version where you can’t actually fall in real life.

Something to note is there really isn’t any music. Most of all the noises are ambient sounds and occasional cute robo noises. Personally I watched a youtube video while I played.

Since it’s small and relaxing though, I’d say it’s worth giving a go, though I wouldn’t get it if you need something fast paced or with story. Patience is the key in this one.

Psychonauts

Finally Psychonauts. While this list has no order, Psychonauts isn’t just my favorite platformer or collect-a-thon, it’s my favorite game of all time. It embodies a lot of what I’d like to put into games, from writing, to gameplay elements, to level design.

The story is wild to explain but as you play it doesn’t feel weird at all somehow. You’re a psychic who wants to go to psychic summer camp so you run away from your home at the circus to go there and you get to know the other campers, hope your parent’s don’t try to take you home, solve conspiracies, and try to become a psychic soldier aka a Psychonaut!

The gameplay and story connect pretty well and the story is very engaging. The game is known for its amazing writing and it often took me by surprise. Also you know how NPCs or filler characters often are boring and aren’t much to think about? That is not the case with this game, each character no matter how small intrigues me and gets me thinking about their life. Several characters will sometimes say random dark things when they think you aren’t in earshot and I’m still to this day thinking about Dogen or Crystal and Clem. Also if you want some excellent dialogue, the first level, Basic Braining, has a section where you’re in a plane. My advice? Don’t exit the plane. Sit there and listen to what Vernon has to say. He goes on for longer than you’d expect, it’s amazing and I still think about what he says to this day. Though he does start looping at one point so then I just leave him there while he’s still talking. This is a game where more likely than not you’ll get engaged and pulled in by the characters, the plot, and the world.

Can I talk about the art? Please, I’m begging. I adore it. It’s so weird and unique to itself. It doesn’t seem to be trying to be anything but it’s own thing and in the PS2 era this came out in when I was a kid, it blew my mind. I recently even drew myself in the style of this game, just as a challenge since my own art varies so much from it. I think most art styles vary from it. Here’s my attempt at it. How’d I do?

Next I have to mention the powers, I love games with different abilities in them and this game has quite a few. They’re very fun to use in battle, but I recommend also testing them all out on NPCS as well. Try setting a camper on fire with pyrokinesis, or use clairvoyance to see how your teacher actually views you. Clairvoyance is my favorite but after that, Levitation is the best. It creates such a fun way to explore and move around the world.

In games like these I love collectibles and I think it’s super important to make the game in a way where it’s fun to traverse the world and with this one I love it so much that one of the ways I treat myself after a hard day is doing a 100% completion playthrough of this game. Sadly there’s only 1 form of customization in the game but it is fun. You can change the color of your levitation ball. I used to do pink to be cute but there’s a later level that feels dark and gives me the creeps so I always use white in that level like it’s a glowing nightlight to protect me.

This game has the best level design I’ve ever seen. Each level has different themes and feelings in it and plays differently. Each level is supposed to represent the mind of a different character and they capture it amazingly. Every little object and detail in each world feels like the character that you’re in the brain of. Then after a level the camp is a perfect hubworld, comforting to be in but also has occasional changes or cutscenes that you can trigger by finding them at specific times making the hub world itself feel alive and evolving. For a great secret location I recommend looking for the hidden room in Milla’s brain. I call it the nightmare room and I love it. Also which level is y’all’s favorite? Mine is the Milkman one, not just due to the humor and theming but I find it the most fun to jump around and explore and with the way the world twists and turns around it provides a completely unique experience. They’re all great though! (except for Sashas)

This game has my favorite collectible system. Tons of different types and different rewards for different types and it lets you revisit old levels to get ones you missed. The game even shows which levels and even which section you’re missing things in. They have collectibles in the hub world too! Also The collectibles feel like they’re all fun concepts in the world, unlike a meaningless item. The collectibles are memory vaults (which give you backstory to whoever’s brain you’re in), emotional baggage (Such a cute concept. You have to find a bag and a tag for it that match each other, then the bag will stop crying and you’ll get a cutscene of the bag and tag happily reuniting!), Cobwebs (You’ll see them throughout brains and they can be turned in for Psi Cards), Psi cards (You’ll see them in the hub world), Psi Cores (Use one core with 9 cards to make a Psi Challenge Marker which levels you up. Leveling up can upgrade your powers!), Scavenger Hunt Items (Turn them all in for level ups), and Figments (figments of the imagination, colored cute drawings that you’ll see all over brains. They’re a bit transparent though so finding them all can be a challenge).

This game is fun to 100% but I’ll give a piece of advice and a warning. My advice is in the first level, when there’s a punching game, try playing it more times. Keep going, dude. My warning is that it’s fun to find everything (except for the fairy figment in Napoleon’s mind) but there’s one segment in Milla’s mind called The Race that is absolutely awful for collecting in. It might make you nauseous or give you a headache. The section was designed to run through it fast but when I replay it to look for figments, I have to go slow and methodical which I find makes the colors more nauseating at that speed. It’s hard to go backwards in it as well and it’s hard to even see the figments due to the color choices in this section. Fair warning. Also don’t worry about beating the game before collecting everything. At one point there’s a save called POINT OF NO RETURN that lets you know that it’s time to backtrack if you missed anything.

Overall I recommend this one most of all for it’s clever use of writing, level design, and collectibles. If you want a good impression of some feelings that’d I’d want to implement in SynAtria’s games, it’s this one for sure.

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If you want to know more about our games, check out Wintercearig, or support us on Patreon to see the latest info on the platformer we’re working on!

If you want more art content from me, I can be found on many social media platforms so here’s my LinkTree if you want any of those links ❀

Thank you for reading! Let me know in the comments your opinions on these and what some of your favorites are!

#platformers #listicle #video games

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narrownarrative · 6 years

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Rain to Rivers

Rain to Rivers; Writing My Life (3)

Honey yellows walls, too bright green plants, and marred wooden floors confine too much emotion. Clustered forest sits still, as if in mocking, right outside a stained glass window; the image just slightly warped like my own comprehension of the situation I fell into by jumping. The muggy, hot air intensified the shortness of breath I was experiencing, the heaviness of my limbs held me captive with insecurity. The light was infinite until it hit me, in which the divine became blasphemous. My mother’s questioning eyes and insistent probes made me feel like I was drowning in ambivalence. All I could think were curses and anxiety yet I stood resilient, but not ready to speak of such vulnerability. She did not respond as I had imagined, just two hours ago, instead her words picked me up as if a child, but instead of holding me close as a mother, they became a monster and ate my hope whole. The day I first thought about telling my parents I am pansexual was the day I came out. In retrospect, I probably should have thought it through a bit more, I didn't even know my family’s thoughts on LGBT rights, nor did I know that I did not need to share this secret. But I did it anyways; I had figured that, like most things in my life, waiting for the right time would mean waiting forever. Despite the extensive, raw nights I spent illuminated by the blue hues of online blogs and forums whispering alluring reassurance; it was okay to be me as I was born to be. Time spent surrounded by the comfort of knowing yourself in your own minuet entirety and the serenity of absolution. The first sentence my father said to me tore my haven of certainty to shreds and released the imprisoned demons of diffidence.

“All right but you know this is just a phase”.

I did not blame him for this but myself for believing it was all right to hope. Bitter, frustration swelling in my unsettled stomach could not overpower the empty tears threatening to spill out and uncover my pain. I did not run and I did not hide, instead I sat there in coarse emotion and continued our game of Mario Kart. However, when the harsh light of day faded and I was once again alone, I allowed myself to ponder on my doubt. I retreated to my haven of certainty. Blazing with righteous anger, proclaiming the ability to rebuild my internal city walls of defense, through silence and wit; announcing my willingness to forgive, through education and gentle hesitant smiles. I would not let the wild fires of doubt continue to burn in the metropolis of certitude I had carefully crafted years before. I let tears turn fire to smoke and my body's quaking to become wind in the sky, blowing away the shroud of doubt settled around the beautiful temples built in magnitude there. In the weeks to come I allowed myself the much-needed strength of happiness and let go of the overbearing burden of opinion. Soon I opened the gates and let the fountains flow with sparkling, endless love. The time spent rebuilding absolution back to its marvelous amenities I had learned something new. My declaration was regretful, and I knew it was because anything that made me feel this hopeless could not be a product of my merciful God but instead absences of beautiful love. Their love, not mine, were lacking. The tears shed that night was no longer of out of fear but relief. The relief of survival, of nothingness, of hope. My remorseful decision however was not to accept myself as I am but to share my most fragile burden with those who could not understand, before I took the time to carefully mold their knowledge. The burning that had settled in my heart and water drowning my lungs, crippling my confidence was no matter of importance. To have pain rained upon you the best thing to do is let it flow into the rivers of love, where it will intertwine and become experience rather than pain. All I did in the beautiful city after this was grow glorious gardens of romanticized roses, blooming words and vines of metaphors. But when I didn't water these intricate lies with the harsh reality of truth, they blended to overcome my city. There was no reason to continue watering these gardens when it rained liquid pain everyday, when they were flooded and the words meanings became obscured by the same misunderstandings that created the rainy season in the first place. I did what I could. I fell to my knees to the same merciful God I knew made me in this way and I cried for salvation. God gave me his act of love in the form of his essence, of hope. I was given divine assurance that I am created in his image, perfected by his hand, crafted to love. And no one, not even my striking mother and patient father, could take that away.

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texanredrose · 7 years

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I Need A Hero

Yang Xiao Long lived for the thrill.

When she was younger, she’d be the one climbing trees and jumping from cliffs by her house into the water below. The rush invigorated her, made her feel alive and fierce, and while their mother had always gently chided her about being so reckless, she also praised the little blonde with pigtails for being so fearless.

When she got into her teens, she took just as many risks, because that was right about when her powers became noticeable. She rode her motorcycle a bit too fast and she ran with the bad crowd, the sort their mother would’ve warned her against were she still alive. But for every broken bone, for every punch across her jaw or kick to her gut, she got stronger, until she could start an inferno with the snap of her fingers. Keeping the liquid fire running through her in check came second nature but those moments when she could let loose were far and few between, and she usually used a bonfire or something similar to cover just how she expressed her passion for life. It wasn’t exactly the honest way to go about it but it was the safest.

Luckily, her younger sister didn’t seem to posses the same penchant for the dangerous as she did, her latent super speed only rivaled by her sheer brilliance in the engineering field, but she certainly had a noble streak to rival Yang’s recklessness. So, when Ruby decided to don a ridiculous mask and cowl, to fight the bad guys in the most direct method possible, it seemed only natural for her big sister to step in and help out.

They operated independently but with close communication; she always knew where her sister was and vice versa. If they caught wind of something big going down, they’d time their arrivals so it appeared like they’d stumbled upon the scene independently, even joked with each other like strangers would, or coworkers who didn’t actually spend much time working side-by-side. The news didn’t seem onto them and the local police force, although publicly critical of their methods, didn’t seem too interested in unmasked the super powered, masked vigilantes in their city. As a result, Vale had become relatively safe from petty crime but something of a hotbed for those with something to prove.

On the upside, the majority of their frequent fliers were the theatrical sort, more than willing to take hostages and wait a few hours for their ‘arch nemesis’ to show up rather than straight up endangering innocent people. But there were a few who had enough screws loose that she found herself sincerely concerned about if she could live with the consequences of being late, even once, when they were involved.

That’s what had her running along a rooftop at o’ dark thirty on a Monday, gathering up the fire in her veins and exploding upwards as she jumped to the next one, the rain sliding across her visor hardly impeding her sight in the slightest. On the other side of town, they’d learned about a weapons shipment to supply one of their longest running acquaintances- a man who’d once been a hero and had turned towards ruthless methods of exacting his twisted version of ‘justice’.

“Flying high, Eagle?”

“Heading to roost, Owl,” she said, trying to keep the grim excitement from her voice. They’d devised the codenames- entirely unrelated to their public images or secret identities- as a method of ensuring that, were their channel ever compromised, nothing important would be relayed. At least, nothing anyone but themselves could understand, anyway. “Got the birdseed?”

“Three bags. What about you? Any nickels?”

“Oh, I got plenty.” They’d timed it out so Ruby would arrive first this time, scope out the area before she ever got close. Honestly, she was running a bit ahead of schedule, already crossing over the city’s main thoroughfare when she should be just hitting the rooftops of the south side. “Thing’s’ll be shiny tonight.”

“No doubt.” Ruby grunted, though a smile could be heard in her voice. “I’ll let you know when I get back to the cage.”

“Sounds good.” She reached up and deactivated her mic, finding the button built into the underside of her helmet with practiced ease. Honestly, she felt more like a turtle with all the armor, but the gauntlets, chest piece, and greaves had saved her a few times, not to mention the knee pads. After the first time someone had broken one of her kneecaps with a metal bat, she’d learned that ‘pain is gain’ just wasn’t a feasible plan all the time. The whole ensemble- from the track suit she wore beneath the armor to the individual pieces- was a deep, dark blue, very far removed from her typical color choices, and she’d recently incorporated a lighter blue trim around the edges after the last time she’d been quite nearly blown up. The whole get up gave her normally muscular and curvaceous silhouette a blocky, stout build, and she’d stood in front of cutouts of her alter ego without anyone thinking twice about it.

In other words: the perfect disguise.

As she landed on the next rooftop, Yang skidded to a halt. Out of habit, she’d glanced over to the rooftop of the city’s police department, the main building downtown that housed the highest brass. Although they strictly maintained their public discouragement of the vigilantes’ activities, every now and again Ruby or Yang would find someone standing on the roof with an old fashioned lamp burning overhead. Archaic, but it got the point across; whatever was going on, the masked duo were the police’s best shot at cracking the case, and they weren’t above admitting they needed that glimmer of hope.

She looked across to the next building, biting her lip beneath her disguise. Ahead of schedule and nearly to her destination but with some time to spare, she could at least swing by and see what the cops wanted. Knowing her luck, it would be something equally big, and the sisters would have to wrap up their night as quickly as possible to start recon on the next big takedown. She just hoped it wasn’t another cartel; they always carried way too many guns for her to be entirely comfortable relying on her sister’s speed and sleek, bulletproof armor to keep her safe.

Yang squatted low and jumped high into the air, venting heat from her body through the contours her sister had designed to act as thrusters of sorts, allowing her to cushion her fall as super heated air worked against gravity. Ruby liked to joke that she was full of more hot air than most blimps, so she should be able to float by all accounts, but that was usually countered with a friendly reminder that, no matter how fast she was, the younger sister could never beat her at Mario Kart. For some reason, that remained a sore spot, even into their twenties.

As she lightly landed on the top of the roof access, lilac eyes fell on the particular officer waiting for her and she had to bite back a curse.

A crisp pair of slacks and a dark blue overcoat with a white shirt beneath, hair like moonlight pulled into a tight bun while her bangs fell over her right eye, arms crossed and blue eyes staring off into the distance- Detective Winter Schnee was a woman not to be trifled with, in any sense of the word. She typically worked homicides but had been tasked with ‘tracking down’ the vigilantes when murders suddenly decreased in the city, the average person absolutely terrified of finding themselves on the receiving end of the sisters’ particular brands of justice. A straight laced police officer with a short but stellar record and a former stint in the military, had the woman been provided the ample tools and resources, she probably would’ve had both sisters in cuffs by the end of the first month. She could be intense, a cool persona and a colder voice making it seem like she embodied her namesake but she had a... playful side, too, though it came out very rarely. Her younger sister, Weiss, had joined the police force as well, but an incident shortly before Ruby and Yang arrived in the city had dashed any hopes of her following Winter’s footsteps. Their paths had crossed initially at the physical therapy center Ruby worked at, the better job part of the reason they moved to Vale in the first place. The sisters had stuck together after their father died much like Winter and Weiss had after being disowned by theirs.

Well, technically, Weiss got disowned, and Winter disinherited herself immediately after; the Schnees had a long standing history in Atlas as public servants and though the current generation had chosen to live in a different kingdom, the transgression of being injured on the job seemed too high to be forgiven.

Yang had heard the whole story a time or two over the months. At first, they were just casual acquaintances, exchanging small talk in the lobby while she waited for Ruby to go on her lunch break and Winter waited for her sister’s physical therapy to end. The first time she met the woman outside the clinic, it was as a masked vigilante delivering a drug dealer to the proper authorities. Since then, it seemed the more she saw the woman when they both were ‘off the clock’, the more she’d see her on it as well. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, that probably constituted a dire concern she’d need to worry about if she wanted to keep her identity hidden...

But Yang lived for the thrill and she rather liked the woman’s company.

“So what’s the story, Flat Foot?” She hopped down, landing a few feet away from Winter and turning around slowly, as if bored. Some part of her hated putting on the facade of someone disenchanted and occasionally hostile towards police officers, but it was all part of separating the two identities. “Who’s ass do I have to save now?”

“You act as if you don’t enjoy it,” the detective replied, brows furrowing briefly before the woman sighed. “Must you insist on doing this little dance every time?”

“Only when Vale’s finest can’t live up to the title.” Yang frowned, noting how it seemed like nothing she said elicited a reaction. Usually she’d get a tightening of Winter’s lips, a twitch in her brow, sometimes even a small huff that seemed to be picked up from her sister as opposed to the other way around. She’d gotten used to hostility and annoyance hidden behind practiced poise, not this... almost stone like countenance. “Seriously, what’s going on? You’re usually more chatty than this.”

The detective watched her, unable to see past the visor. She couldn’t see how Yang’s brows knit together in confusion, how her lips tugged into a small frown- it was starting to feel more and more alien to stand there, looking up into cool blue eyes, and pretend she disliked the woman and the organization she represented. If her previous recklessness hadn’t saddled her with a rap sheet, she would’ve taken the obvious route and joined the police force herself- and encouraged Ruby to do the same- rather than run around at all hours of the day and night, beating up drug dealers and megalomaniacs in the streets of Vale. She’d done it to herself and now she had to live with it, even the bad parts, so she tried to think up something else to get Winter to spill whatever information she had.

Ultimately, Yang was beaten to the punch, for once.

“You’re going after Fang, aren’t you?” The detective pushed off the wall she leaned against, making her superior height all the more noticeable, but she didn’t try to strike an intimidating pose. She’d seen Winter grill potential suspects with exacting questions and a sharp gaze before yet now she seemed more... reserved, almost muted. “We’ve heard talk about an especially large shipment coming in soon, but none of our informants are willing to give us more than that.”

“I’ve heard the rumors, too.” Rolling her shoulders, the vigilante feigned disinterest as best she could, thankful the disguise helped conceal her true feelings on the matter. “I’m sure it’s nothing. And if it is, we’ll take care of it.”

Winter pushed out a breath through her nose, agitation showing through. “Because nothing can bring down the mighty Steam and Aurora, is that it?”

As far as monikers went, they weren’t ideal by any stretch of the imagination, but they’d agreed anything that sounded appropriately cool would probably come back to them somehow. Especially given her thorough appreciation of puns.

“I can take care of myself.” Crossing her arms over her chest, Yang did her best to sound unconcerned as she continued. “Everyone else should just stand clear. I’ll take care of Fang, if he shows up.” They’d done this song and dance a few times and, though it never got any easier. Typically, she wouldn’t be concerned about whether or not her words came off as exceptionally rude- she did what she wanted and she had fun; people could keep their opinions to themselves- but she’d actually liked the straight laced detective. Not just for being a break from the rest of the force, who would gladly turn over their entire jobs to the vigilantes if possible, but for being a very staunch and sincere friend ever since they met. “Do you have anything for me or not? I got your job to be doing, ya know.”

“As a matter of fact, I do,” she said, reaching into her coat and pulling out a single flower- freshly picked, by the looks of it, from the park down on Fifth.

Yang’s eyes widened. A yellow snapdragon. Her favorite.

They were walking through the park earlier that day, having run into each other and opting to grab lunch together. She’d looked over and seen some growing, excitedly confessed they were plentiful and wild back home but she hadn’t seen them in the city yet, and Winter had smiled in the enigmatic way that she did. Something had lurked in her eyes then, something that went unvoiced no matter how much she gently prodded, and now she had the answer as to why.

“If you would truly rather handle this yourself, I suppose there’s nothing we can do to stop you.” The detective brushed her fingers along the petals. “But... I would like to request you be careful. As much as you can, at any rate.”

Taking a look around, letting the helmet do the work her eyes couldn’t to ensure the coast was clear, Yang took a step forward and reached up to deactivate the face plate portion of the helmet, lowering her voice in the process. “How long have you known?”

“Truthfully? I didn’t, until just now.” The woman let out a quick sigh of relief before her expression turned dark. “Now, tell me the truth. Is Fang’s shipment tonight?”

The vigilante debated for all of a second before relenting. “Yeah, it’s tonight. The abandoned docks on the northwest side of the city.” She reached out, putting a hand on the other woman’s shoulder. “But you can’t bring out the big guns this time, Winter. Whatever he’s got, it’s bad, and we can’t tip him off.”

“What if we stood by a few blocks away?” Winter gestured to the building below them. “No helicopters, as many plain, street vehicles as we have-”

“It’s too risky.” Yang shook her head. “It would put too many people in danger.”

“So you and Aurora are going to pick this fight on your own?” The detective blinked, then tilted her head, and it was obvious she’d put the pieces together. “This is reckless.”

“This is me,” she replied, glancing away briefly. “I know you don’t approve but this is how I’m going to deal with it. All goes well and I’ll be delivering Fang to you in the morning.”

“Hey, Eagle, landed a while ago.” Ruby’s voice sounded tense in her ear. “Birdbath’s a little full.”

That meant that things were already not going well.

“And if it doesn’t?” Winter’s voice had a harsh edge, the same one she used when reprimanding a fellow officer or putting a stop to her sister’s self deprecating comments about herself. “You know very well that Fang’s dangerous; he will not hesitate to kill either of you.”

“We know.” She winced at the slip- though, seeing as no surprise registered in the woman’s face, she supposed it wasn’t nearly as telling- and continued slowly, surreptitiously flicking off her microphone for the moment. “I know the risks. But there’s no other option. Fang must be stopped and there’s a very short list of people who can do it.”

“Eagle?”

With a cringe, Yang reached up and flicked her mic back on. “I’m here, Owl, just... I’ll be there soon.”

The detective took a deep breath and released it slowly, looking down at the snapdragon in her hand. Tucking it carefully back into her coat, she pulled at her lapel and straightened it out, composing herself. “There’s no point in trying to talk you out of this.”

She looked up, noting the helpless pain in blue eyes while silencing her mic. “I’ll be fine. Promise.”

“You’d better be.” Winter paused, then darted forward, kissing the end of her nose. “For good luck.”

Yang couldn’t help the dumb little smile that came to her lips. “Uh... thanks...” She reached up, preparing to turn on her mic and slide the face portion back into place but hesitated. “Hey... you free some time this week?”

“I... should be off on Thursday.” The corners of her mouth lifted and a touch of coyness infected her tone. “Why do you ask?”

“Well... maybe we can grab dinner together?” With the press of a button slipping her mask back into place, the vigilante spread her hands. “I mean, dating a superhero, not a bad gig, right?”

Winter chuckled. “Very well. Dinner, Thursday. Now, try not to get yourself killed.”

“Ten-four, Flat Foot.” Hitting the mic, she turned and started running, jumping from the top of the precinct building to the next and venting a little heat to boost her. “Sorry, Owl, got a bit distracted.”

“Well, tonight’s really not the night for that.” Ruby sounded slightly frustrated. “There’s... a lot more pigeons here than we thought.”

Yang winced, landing on the next building a bit harder than she intended and immediately translating that energy into her next jump. “Well, then, guess we’re going to have to be hawks.”

“I’m... not sure if pigeons are hunted by hawks.”

“Tonight they are!” Yang suddenly felt lighter than she had in a long, long while. Having someone in on the secret was one thing but having a date on top of it was another. “I’ve got about five nickles and some change.”

“Got it!” Her good mood seemed to bolster her sister’s confidence.

It was going to be a good night.

Winter watches as Steam disappeared into the night, following the woman’s silhouette as long as she could before reading into her pocket and pulling out her scroll, dialing a number by heart.

“Did you get the location?” He sister didn’t bother with a greeting, worry pulling her voice tight.

“Yes. Northwest, abandoned docks.” Making her decision, she turned towards the roof access door. “And I’m coming with you.”

“What? Winter, no, that’s ridiculous.”

“It wasn’t an option.”

“You don’t even have any powers!”

“Let me worry about that,” she said, pulling the door open and descending the stairs two or three at a time. “Meet me by the coffee shop in twenty minutes.”

A moment of silence, and then: “Fine.”

As she replaced the device, she reached into her coat and felt the petals of the snapdragon. The detective once again felt thrilled her hunch proved true, partially to obtain the information her sister and girlfriend wanted.

But, if she was honest with herself, it was mainly because she really didn’t want to choose between the bright blonde whom she’d become rather fond of and the brash barbarian she’s become fixated with recently. Knowing they were the same person meant she could enjoy both sides of the woman’s personality, provided Fang didn’t manage to kill her tonight.

“Detective Schnee?” The officer in charge of the department’s armory raised a brow as she burst through the door without sparing a glance around the room, zeroing in on them instantly. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m calling in a favor,” she said, gesturing towards the cages with heavy padlocks and thick metal surrounding them. “What do you have my size?”

They laughed, pulling a large keyring from their hip and flicking through the keys. “You know, I always had a feeling someone would step across that line someday.” They shook their head. “I’d feel sorry for whoever pissed you off, but I’m sure it’s a long time coming.”

“It may very well be,” she said, more to herself as she hoped back up would arrive before Yang- and Ruby, who probably arrived first- were in too bad of shape.

“You’ll have to tell me all about the thrilling conclusion.” The officer paused. “But, uh, not too many details. I’d rather not testify against you.”

#Elderburn #Elderburn Week #Day 2: Superhero AU #TRR writes

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kenobiwaned · 7 years

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7, 9,10, 13 and 16 for the salty meme, please :)

Is there anything you used to like but can’t stand now?

Plot twists and deviation from existing Plot Exposition. Plot twists can be fun and keep your audience on their toes but when you have to twist and bend your characters/continuity into severely OOC forms to do it then you’ve devolved from ‘plot twist’ into ‘meaningless shockvalue’.Gotham (particularly in S1) sometimes does offer a descent plot twist that works within it’s characterization and narrative. The best example, Oswald playing both Falcone and Maroni in the Gang War (as we found out via Penguin’s Umbrella), was brilliant. Harvey Bullock originally aspiring to be a white knight of Gotham early in his career was another. As was Jerome Valeska turning out to be baby!Joker at the end of The Blind Fortuneteller. …And I’ll hand it to S3, Carmine Falcone helping to orchestrate Peter Gordon’s death worked really well (for me at least). As did the twist with Oswald turning Ed into his own personal frozen butterfly. Unfortunately, the bad plot twists have started to far outweigh the good plot twists on the show. Just to name a few:-Jim Gordon secretly wanting to kill (despite all evidence to the contrary).

- Mario’s deep dark secret being jealousy when he’s known Lee for like six months or something. As opposed to, oh I don’t know, struggling to live under (or above) the Falcone name? Honestly, a secret urge to kill had the potential to fit Mario and his family history a hell of a lot better than it fit Jim.

- Butch Gilzean secretly being Cyrus Gold. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that we get to keep Drew Powell….but there are people who have known Butch since childhood (Jimmy Saviano) and he has family that share his name (his nephew Sonny) who have never mentioned the name change from Gold to Gilzean. I suppose they could make it work but it takes some hand-waving.

- The mess with the Galavan family and the monks and how the Court of Owls would just stand by and let (probable) members of their organization annihilate each other, losing resources the court could have made use of.

- Isabella’s physical appearance, introduction, and death. Honestly, all of Isabella’s plot is one giant, senseless twist.

- The executioner/Barnes being okay with the spread of the Tetch Virus when a bunch of innocent people were bound to get killed by those infected by said virus. Yes, he’s out to punish the guilty but part of his reasoning for doing it is because he wants “the innocents to thank him”.

-Falcone withdrawing the hit on Jim (the S3 hit) just because Lee asked him to.

- Of course, the worst plot twist of all is Alfred’s apparent love of quiche. I could literally be here all night writing bad plot twists. I’m very aware that I barely made a dent here but you get the picture.

Most disliked character(s)? Why?

Don Falcone. I was having a conversation with @mymycorrhizae about this here and I’m just going to copy and paste my reasoning: “The main reason I can’t hate Jim is because of his family. Or in this case, the lack of family and the way Jim’s image of family has been so abused. We need some flashbacks or exposition about Jim’s life after his father’s death like yesterday (this is one of the many problems that I have with Gotham’s writing). We don’t know much about Jim’s family, other than the fact that he over-idealized the memory of his father, which isn’t surprising given the manner of his death.What we do find is always revealed in a terrible manner. First by Carmine Falcone, who came along in the pilot episode to tarnish Jim’s father in the worst possible way for the most self-serving of reasons. Season One Jim, who hadn’t turned into a complete asshole yet, definitely didn’t deserve that-especially when you consider that Falcone helped orchestrate Peter Gordon’s murder. In retrospect, it’s nauseating to think of the way Carmine called Jim “son” and tried to cozy up to him like a father figure.

As a side note, I feel sorry for Mario but I really can’t dredge up an ounce of sympathy for Falcone for this reason and for Liza (I’m always going to hate Falcone for Liza).” As I said, do think that this is a genuinely good plot twist, one that fits in well with the snake-oil salesman approach that Falcone has always taken with Jim. Going back and watching the S1 scenes between the two of them is a genuinely repugnant, but oddly compelling experience. And Jim…well, I have my issues with Jim but one of the few things that he’s consistently cared about has been his father’s memory and it’s painful to think of how Falcone perverted that memory.

The same way it hurts to think of how Ed abused the corpse of Oswald’s dad, effectively spitting on the genuine devotion that Oswald displayed for his parents. Jim may not be the best person but there are some things that just aren’t okay.

Most disliked arc? Why?

The Dulmacher arc was pretty pointless but at least we got some very solid characterization for Fish, so I suppose it gets a pass. So I’m going to go with the most recent because it ties in to my answer for the next question. The whole Jim secretly wants to kill thing, as we’ve talked about before, it makes no sense. The events of the Red Queen and the trip into his psyche showed us that Jim wasn’t interested in killing. Instead we saw a Jim that was feeling depressed, terribly guilty, and was desperately trying to live up his childhood idealization of his deceased father.

Unpopular opinion about XXX character?

1. This is more rarely discussed than unpopular but I do think that Jim still struggles with suicidal tendencies. Not as badly as he was at the beginning of this season but I believe that they’re still there. Barbara was right when she told Lee that Jim was “death obsessed” but it’s not other peoples deaths that he obsesses over most.

2. Barabara also called him a “sadist” but actually I think it’s the opposite, sadism requires forethought and intent that doesn’t really fit Jim’s actions. “Masochism” on the other hand…. I think Jim displays a certain level of purposeful masochism. (I’m not really talking about Sadism or Masochism in sexual terms, btw.)

If you could change anything in the show, what would you change?

Tying into the two previous questions: I would have only hinted at Jim’s suicidal tendencies in the earlier Tetch arc and not given it (supposed) resolution so early in the season. Then in the final episode, when Jim was infected with the virus, I would have changed his (ridiculously OOC) desire to kill others into a struggle with his desire to kill himself. It may not have had the exciting fight scenes or all the hoopla that we got in the finale but there would have been a lot more in terms of emotional resonance. Jim coming to terms with his guilt and grief and finding genuine meaning and purpose in his desire to help Gotham City himself with the assistance of others (Harvey, Bruce, Lucius) and maybe a little self-realization that he might always struggle with his demons but the name of the game is progress not perfection. Don’t we all want to see Jim make some genuine progress, rather than the post S1 perpetual plunge that sets him ten steps back for his single step forward?

#gotham #gotham: meta #my meta #replies #sunlitroom

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