#the ants down there always both weirded me out and fascinated me to no end | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

luytenae · 3 years

Text

Back with the kisses!

Hiya! I know it's been a while, but, good news! Have some sappy JKRM beach episode

Kiss number 26: as an apology

“Are you ready, hun?”

The doctor asked while he went down the checklist. Organized as he was, he insisted on checking every item that was lying by the sofa right in front of him, in order to make sure they wouldn’t forget to bring anything important. It was finally August, and Jakurai’s summer holidays had just started. And, with that, their summer trip.

“Ngh-- Almost! Oof!--”

Replied the younger one, as he tried to close a small suitcase by sitting on top of it. Jakurai, intrigued by his partner’s frustrated noises, went to see what was going on in their bedroom. As soon as he stepped inside, he found the designer struggling with his luggage.

“What on earth could you be possibly packing, Ramuda-kun? We’re going to stay at the hotel for a week, not a month.”

The doctor said that mockingly, but Ramuda stopped right on the spot, looking at him as if he just asked the most stupid of questions. How dare he question his fashion needs?

“And? You never know when you will need fancy clothes! What if I need more shirts because I get mine dirty? Or--!”

Jakurai sighed, drawing a half-smile on his face. This was their usual procedure, after all. Ramuda insisted on packing –excessively– extra clothing, and he had the task of making him see he didn’t need that many.

“You never cease to amaze me.”

After a quick rearrangement and a couple of pouty faces, Jakurai made the pink-haired man realize it was alright to leave behind a three-piece suit –which he wouldn’t have needed anyway– as well as, at least, 7 extra shirts and tees. No need to say that it took them a little while, because Ramuda was stubborn and refused to leave without the garments, but the doctor managed to convince him. He just knew too well how to deal with him at this point.

“It’s good to be ready ‘just in case’, but that was… exaggerated”

Once everything was settled, Jakurai checked his mental list again, trying to recall if something was missing. Meanwhile, Ramuda fastened his sandals and waited at the entrance, swinging his feet back and forth playfully.

“Good thing we’re driving there, cuz if we had to take a train, we’d have probs missed it by now”

The taller man raised an eyebrow as a response, turning to face him.

“Says the one who made us lose our time because he couldn’t decide whether he should bring a blue or yellow sweatshirt on August”

“But!-“

“A sweatshirt. August.”

Ramuda puffed, unwilling to recognize his defeat. The doctor gave him a small pat on the head, offering him his suitcase as a truce.

“Let’s go, then. Our holiday awaits, doesn’t it?”

The younger’s gloomy face suddenly lit up, and it only took the designer a small jump to stand on his feet again. He waited with their luggage outside –since he was already wearing shoes– while the doctor checked every door and window. He knew they had asked their teammates to keep an eye on their apartment just in case, but he couldn’t help but double-check before leaving.

“C’mon, Jaku! It’s gonna be night by the time we arrive!”

It was undeniable that the younger man was excited. Sure, he had the liberty to have his holidays whenever he felt like –benefits of self-employment–, but going on vacation together felt… different. It felt better, just like the old Kuujaku Posse days. It wasn’t their first trip together, he knew that. The designer could never forget their training camp, after all. However, he was beyond excited: it was their first trip to the beach since he got the mastectomy. Ramuda couldn’t wait, and Jakurai was also looking forward to it.

As soon as they got everything in the car and were ready to go, the doctor started driving to their destination: Oarai Sun Beach. They were in for a ride that would be two hours long, which the designer was planning to spend between snacks and Instagram stories while his partner drove. Besides that, Ramuda had a self-imposed duty in every single one of their road trips, and that was to take pictures of the scenery and, more importantly, of his boyfriend. Jakurai wasn’t the only one fascinated by his partner; and the younger man loved to see how every single scenery and light managed to boost up his partner’s mature beauty.

The hours went by, and before they could realize it, they were already reaching their destination. The pink-haired man screamed enthusiastically as he saw the sea through the window, losing interest even on the snacks he was eagerly devouring merely 30 seconds ago. After 20 minutes or so, they arrived at the hotel, did the check-in, and rushed to the beach. Jakurai would have loved to take his time, but his partner’s actions didn’t seem to agree with his ideas.

Energetic as always, Ramuda rushed towards the sea as soon as he saw it from the seafront promenade, without caring about the sun cream nor leaving his tee somewhere that wasn’t the sand after launching it. That took Jakurai by surprise –although he should have seen that coming–, quickly finding himself running after his partner, as if he was running after a dog who had something in his mouth that he wasn’t supposed to have.

“AMEMURA-KUN! CAREFUL! THE BODY MUST ACCLIMATE SLOWLY! –“

The designer laughed at the top of his lungs, ignoring his partner’s yelling. Having fun was his top priority right now.

“Oh, shoo! Don’t be such a party pooper! The water’s warm!”

The doctor stopped at the shore, sighing. The younger man was already splashing around in the water, and there was nothing he could do against that. Oh well, at least he was happy.

“You could have waited until I had prepared everything here… Or until you had cream on”

He complained again, as he picked up the t-shirt from the sand, shaking it a little before folding and putting it inside the bag. While the designer was swimming around, the doctor started to set up their beach umbrella, as well as two chairs and a small fridge. He watched Ramuda having the time of his life, now free from the burden of having to wear swimming t-shirts and a binder under it. He could see his boyfriend jump, swim and run in the beach with a liberty he hadn’t had before; and, for him, that was enough to make the trip worth it.

The taller man took his time with the sun cream, and he headed to the water only after being sure it was absorbed. The pink-haired man didn’t hesitate to approach him, sporting a pink and white striped short swim trunk, decorated with lollipops. It was part of his new summer collection, as well as Jakurai’s: his had a light-grey and white plaid pattern and was knee-length. Although it wasn’t as colourful as Ramuda’s, it still had his touch, since it had little lilac plum blossoms around, as well as lilac laces.

Spontaneous as ever, the smaller man jumped into the doctor’s back, taking his chance to braid his hair and make said braid into a low bun. He left a kiss on his partner’s shoulder before jumping back into the water, splashing around once again.

“I wonder how many ways of braiding my hair you know”

Ramuda laughed cheerfully, swimming by Jakurai’s side as he entered the water.

“I’ve always liked to do your hair! So there’s nooo absolute way I’ll ever stop doing so!”

Jakurai stopped walking as soon as the water reached his waist, took a deep breath and submerged for a couple of seconds. Ramuda clapped and followed him to do the same, only to find out that, while that depth was acceptable for Jakurai, it covered his chest and almost his neck. The doctor tried to suppress a laugh at the scenery of his partner floating because of his short height, but in the end, the effort was in vain.

“What’s so funny?! Not everyone’s a damn tower, you know!”

Jakurai laughed again, picking the designer up and letting him sit on his shoulders.

“Then, how does it feel to be one, then?”

The pouts and complains quickly were changed by laughter, as he held tight onto his head, watching his surroundings from his privileged seat.

“It feels… weird! But it’s also funny! It’s like I could crush everyone under my feet like widdle ants!”

They both laughed at the designer’s comparisons, and after a couple of minutes, he took the freedom to launch himself back into the water from his shoulders, swimming somewhere where he could reach without problem –or, at least, stand–. Pitying him, Jakurai followed his partner and stood by his side once he found the perfect depth for himself: now the water was at Ramuda’s waist level, and barely reached Jakurai’s hip.

“That’s on you for being so tall, you know”

The doctor sighed, shaking his head.

“And there’s nothing I can do about that either, my little one”

Ramuda splashed him in response, cracking a laugh. Accompanied by that laugh, the doctor saw behind his blue eyes that he had mischief planned. Whatever it could be, he had no idea.

Like a shark ready to attack its victim, the younger man kept watching his partner closely. The doctor realized his gaze upon him, and although he was ready to counteract, he didn’t pay too much attention to it. He thought that, perhaps, Ramuda would get tired of waiting and would eventually forget whatever he had in mind ready to mess with him. However, he was wrong in thinking that, and he definitely should not have let his guard down. It is not as if he had ever had his guard up around Ramuda, after all.

As soon as the designer noticed him trying to go out of the water, he ambushed. His plan was to run towards him and throw him back into the water. Still, it was quickly thwarted by Jakurai’s height; since he just kind of stumbled against his legs on an attempt to sink him.

“OH, C’MON!”

Jakurai watched him bump against him, raising an eyebrow with curiosity. Ramuda crossed his arms with frustration, sitting in the water by his side.

“Was that your attempt at… sinking me?”

“Yes! And it didn’t work!”

The lilac-haired man laughed playfully, ruffling the younger’s wet hair.

“I’m sure you can do better than that”

Obviously, Ramuda took that personally. He got up and sat back in the shore, arming himself with patience. There, he waited until the doctor tried to leave the water again, and prepared his attack once more: this time, he charged against Jakurai’s knee pits and successfully made him fall into the water. What he didn’t plan, though, was that he would fall with him too, making a splashing mess that could have ended in broken bones if it weren’t for the doctor’s quick reflexes.

“What were you thinking now, Amemura-kun? You could have hurt yourself! What if I had fallen on top of you? Did you think we could have gotten serious bruises, or even worse?”

The designer quivered at his partner’s angry tone, lowering his head while he was being scolded. He just wanted to joke around, but ended up taking it so seriously that he didn’t really think it through. The fact that surprised the designer was that Jakurai wasn’t concerned at all about himself, but rather about him.

“I’m… I’m sorry…”

He replied in a quiet voice, looking at Jakurai with honest puppy eyes. The doctor tried to hold his ground, but Ramuda did know well his weaknesses. He clicked his tongue, sitting on the shore and placing his boyfriend on his lap.

“Are you alright? Does it hurt somewhere?”

The designer climbed onto his lap, hugging him and leaving a shy kiss on the taller-man’s lips. Jakurai replied tenderly, pressing him against himself in an embrace, as he realized it was Ramuda’s silent apology.

“Next time you’re tempted to do such a thing, at least do it where the water covers me”

Ramuda nodded, and said gesture earned him another kiss as a way of settling things up.

#hypnosis mic #hypmic #ヒプノシスマイク #jakurai jinguji #hypnosis mic jakurai #ramuda amemura #hypnosis mic ramuda #jakuramu #jakurai x ramuda #trans character

34 notes · View notes

bunnys-beetlejuice-blog · 3 years

Text

gently rings a little bell in your ear My fic updated with two new chapters when you weren't paying attention! but now i am tilting your chin up with the point of my sword, forcing you to look. its very villainous and cool. this is part three of an increasingly convoluted story, part one can be found all the way over here but if you just want the high school romance stuff and don't care about found family, that's fine, i guess, but like, what's your deal

The weekend is a welcome relief from everything at school. He’s tired of feeling like shit, so Saturday, annoyingly bright and early, he startles Lydia awake by flopping on her bed. It causes her to bounce, and she groans, pulling the dark purple blanket further over her head. “Beetlejuice…” “I was thinkin’, today we should spend th’ whole day outdoors, in th’ park or somethin’,” he grins, and she lifts the blanket just barely, to glare at him. “You only want to play outside because all your stuff was taken away,” comes her accusation, and she’s not exactly wrong, but he just wiggles a hand under her blanket and gives her nose a poke. “Let’s go get lost, somewhere. Come on, Lyds, please?” She tries to hit him with a pillow but her grip is tired from sleep, and all she manages to do is shove the thing at him.

Twenty minutes later, she’s dressed and ready, bouncing on the balls of her feet, as he mulls over which button up to wear, the highlighter yellow with purple bugs, or the dark green with orange bones. They’re two equally ugly shirts that kind of give him a headache to look at, and both are favorites. “I can’t believe you woke me up at eight so I could stand around watching you go through your wardrobe.” “This is important.” He settles on the bugs, finally, and pulls it on before turning to Lydia, but she’s gone. He blinks, and sticks his head out his door, in time to headbutt her as she comes back in. Both siblings reel back and hold their heads. “Beetlejuice…” she groans. “Lyd-eee-uhhh,” he mimics her. She huffs and throws what she’d gone to her room to retrieve at him. He catches it, then stares. It’s his hoodie, his ruined one from that disastrous Halloween. He can still see that faded dark copper stain in some places, but it's better than it was. Also, the holes slashed in the arms have been very sloppily stitched with a thick, black embroidery thread. He looks back at his sister. “You seemed like you were having a hard week,” Lydia says, shuffling her feet. “I never sewed anything before, I’m sorry it looks kind of messy, and I tried really hard to get the bloodstains out...” He slips his familiar stripes back on and feels much more at ease. “It’s cool,” he tells her. ��I like messy.” He holds open his arms and she falls into them, pressing her face against his stomach. It's a nice moment, and for once, he doesn’t feel inclined to ruin it, just pats his little sister’s head. “Love you.” “Love you too.”

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Charles, ever an early riser, is surprised to see his children in the kitchen this bright eyed and bushy tailed on a Saturday. He’s pouring two coffees, one for himself and one for Emily, who is sitting at the table, head propped up on her hand, and still functionally asleep, when Betelgeuse and Lydia come bounding in to raid the fridge. “And what are you two getting up to today?” he asks, and the siblings pause to look at him. “Goin’ to th’ park.” “You think so?” Betelgeuse’s shoulder slump. “Seriously? You take all my stuff away an’ now I can’t even go out?” “You’re still in trouble. Why should you be allowed to go out and have fun?” “Cause that wasn’t specified!” Betelgeuse tries, and then turns to Emily. “Ma, tell him!” Emily mutters in her sleep, and Charles wordlessly sets the coffee down in front of her. The smell hits her nose, and robotically, she lifts the drink to her lips, eyes never opening. “Let BJ go do stuff,” she manages, maybe not as eloquent as she normally speaks, her voice gruff from sleep. Betelgeuse grins up at Charles. His father sips his own coffee, and then pats his son’s head. “Home before dark. No fire, no demon nonsense, no taking drugs from strangers.” “Home at midnight, commit arson, summon Satan, enjoy stranger candy. I gotcha.” Both his children receive a kiss on the head before stuffing Lydia’s little black coffin bag with snacks, and heading out.

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````

It’s a big city, and there’s not a loss of things to do, especially with his powers, and there’s no adult supervision today. They find a café and enjoy a big breakfast, then he turns them invisible and they sneak away before the check comes, only reappearing a block later, Lydia grinning wildly. “Food tastes better stolen!” she says, and he pats her head. “There’s my little criminal.” They sneak into a movie, next, some horror thing Lydia had wanted to see that even Emily, the fun parent, had said she was too little for. It’s absolutely a gore fest, but not especially good, and they throw popcorn at the screen and cheer whenever the killer scores another victim.

“I think you’d die early in a slasher,” she says after, scattering their uneaten popcorn on the pavement in front of the theatre. She gets the attention of a whole flock of pigeons, which land and begin pecking at the kernels. “What’s your logic, there?” “You die on screen early and then the twist is you faked your death and were the killer.” “Ohh, classic. I love it.” “I’m a total final girl,” Lydia turns the half empty bucket upside down, much to the joy of the starving sky rats. “And then at the end, it’s like, I knew you were the killer the whole time, and I was just acting. Cause we’re in it together. You know, partners in crime.” He picks her up, slings her over his shoulder. “Always.”

He takes them to Central Park, next, holding her hand behind the theatre and apparating, accidentally, up a tree. She gasps and clings to him, and he digs his claws into the bark of the tree to steady them. “No worries, no worries. I just gotta..” They appear on the ground below, and Lydia looks dizzy. “Feels weird when you do that,” she tells him. “Like riding a rollercoaster, except your limbs are all asleep. But.. Kinda not that, at the same time.” It feels normal to him, but he regularly eats tin cans, so what does he know about normal to begin with?

Lydia takes her camera from her coffin bag, and readies it. It’s a little instamatic she got for her birthday, a few months ago, and she’s going through film like crazy, taking some pretty shitty pictures. He’s not that blunt to her face, though. It’s not like he was a rockstar on the ukulele when he first started, and she’s got a lot of enthusiasm for taking photos. He’s not going to be the one to squash that for her.

Also, he’ll bite off the hand of whoever tries.

“You think this can take pictures underwater?” she asks, aiming her camera at a random woman jogging by. The jogger makes a face, which seems to be what Lydia expects, because she snaps the picture as the woman continues on her way, and the little photo pops out the bottom. Lydia gives it an aggressive shake.

“I’m gonna guess no. Besides, it’s too cold for you to take a swim.” “So let’s go somewhere warmer. I’m thinking Hawaii.” “Good idea, genius, an’ how do you think we’re getting there?” “You can teleport us.”

He actually has to stop and think about that. “I don’t think I could do it in one straight shot,” he says at last. Lydia has moved to a different kind of voyeurism, because she’s on her stomach on the grass, following the movement of a trail of ants with her lens. “I’d probably have to do little distances, an’ get tired and need a nap in th’ middle.”

“Maybe through a mirror? Like Sam?” She adjusts the optic, an entirely useless motion, because this camera doesn’t have any kind of zoom feature. But she’s seen people do it in nature documentaries. “Never done mirror travel before.” He mulls that over. “I’ll practice when I get home, an’ see if I can even pull you through.” “You’re not allowed to go to Hawaii without me,” she gets what she considers her perfect shot, and then stands, brushing off her dark red dress. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

They go bone hunting next, Lydia’s camera still at the ready, his keen nose leading the way. It’s easy to find owl pellets, and she breaks one open with her bare hands, as he teases her.

“Ew ew ew, Lydia gross, you’re touching it!” he pitches up his gruff voice to sound like a tweenage girl, and she rolls her eyes. “No skull in this one,” she frowns, wiping her hands on his hoodie.

“Maybe there’s a bodiless mouse head around here, livin’ it’s best life.” She looks doubtful.

Another, different smell hits his sensitive nose, just then. It’s death, new and fresh. His pupils dilate, and he follows it, her trailing after him, assuming he’s on the scent of more animal bones. What they find instead is an old man propped against a tree. He’s still warm, but the color is draining from his face, and rapidly. He doesn’t look hurt, he’s not bleeding. It’s like he sat down for a rest and died.

Lydia doesn’t get it, not right away. Death is a funny punchline in an overly gorey movie. She’s never seen the real thing, before. “Should we wake him up? It’s cold to be sleeping here.” He lifts the man’s arm, and it flops bonelessly back down. Her eyes go wide. “I doubt he’s gettin’ back up, kiddo.” She lifts her camera and takes a picture.

“Hello?” He hears a voice, and turns. The old man is standing next to himself. He looks back at Lydia, but she’s staring in fascination at the corpse, so he leaves her to it. “Hey,” he nods to the man, who looks relieved. “Can you call my grandson? My phone battery died,” he says, not seeming to understand the position he’s in. Betelgeuse tilts his head to the side. “You’re dead,” he says, a bit unkindly, and Lydia, who has been kneeling by the body, poking it, looks up at him. “I am?” “Wh- No, not you, Lyds, th’ stiff.” He gestures to the ghost, who has seemed to notice “himself” laying there. Lydia looks at her brother, confused. “There’s no one there.” “Sure there is. You just can’t see ghosts.”

“That’s me,” the old man says, not that anyone’s listening to him. “Should we tell someone about this?” Lydia asks him, and Betelgeuse shrugs. “Why? Someone will find th’ body eventually. You know. When it starts smellin’ like shit.” “I don’t want to leave him out here.” “Please, don’t leave me out here!” “I wouldn’t want to be left out here.” “Lucky for you, you’re never gonna die. You even try it an’ I’ll shove your soul back down your throat, if I have to.”

He smells the netherworld, and grabs Lydia, pulling her back, in time for another ghost to appear. A guide. The guide doesn’t even take a moment to look around, just instantly busies herself with getting the newly dead situated, and Betelgeuse picks Lydia up and carries her away. “That’s so sad,” she says, taking one last picture of the body from atop his shoulder. “I guess.”

They find the next official looking person they see, someone cleaning up trash, who doesn’t believe them, clearly, until he sees one of the photos Lydia took. The deathly pallor of the old man convinces him to go looking. Thirty minutes later, that part of the park is crawling with breathers, and the two of them are stuck on a bench, being talked to by cops. It’s a whole, boring process, and it’s drawing a big crowd. “Told ya, we shoulda minded our business,” Betelgeuse nudges his sister. Lydia is looking overwhelmed. Neither sibling ever gets this much attention. There’s even a news crew, though he can’t imagine what for. It’s just one old dead guy, and it’s not even a murder. Someone with a microphone tries to approach them, and he turns their mic into a black and white striped snake, forcing them to fling it away from themselves in a panic, and then he grabs Lydia.

They blink from existence and appear a ways away, and Lydia’s clutching his hand harder than she needs to. “Hey, come on.” His grating voice is soft, for her, as he kneels to her level, and she throws her arms around his neck. “How are you so calm? Doesn’t it make you sad?” she asks, softly, and he gives her an extra squeeze. “Happens to all breathers, Lyds. But it’s not somethin’ I gotta worry about, ever. So… no, not really.”

“Will you be sad when I die?”

He scoops her up, holding his little sister in his arms, and stands, her still clinging around his neck. “When you die at a hundred and twenty,” he tells her, carrying her along the path. “Wherever in the netherworld you end up, I’ll go too. Won’t even have time to be sad, me an’ you’ll be too busy causin’ trouble, even then.” She seems satisfied with that answer, and he doesn’t mind carrying her, so they enjoy the autumn leaves like that, her in his arms, as he follows the winding pathways of the park.

They don’t tell Charles and Emily, when they finally do get home, the sun just barely still peaking over the horizon. It doesn’t seem like a good idea, and Lydia doesn’t especially want to talk about it anymore. She pins her new photos up on the twine strung between the tall bedposts in her room. There’s a couple nice ones, and she lets him eat the ones she decides she hates. “Does it count as part of being grounded if you watch my tv?” she asks, and he grins. “Let’s find out.” She pops in Coraline, which he has to assume she’s got fucking memorized at this point, but they also talk through most of it. By the time the tasty looking bug furniture is on screen, her eyelids are drooping. “I dunno why they make her eatin’ bugs so evil. I wanna try beetles from Zanzibar,” he complains, and she just snorts in response “I’ll get you some fancy beetles, for your birthday.” “Kay. Sounds good.” She falls asleep on him a minute later, and he waives a hand, snuffing the lights, but lets the movie finish playing as he settles next to her, and sleeps.

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````` That next week is boring, but normal. Adam’s in the library every day, despite his earlier insistence that he had better things to do. Betelgeuse honestly just wheels the cart along and lets Adam shelf the books, now, which the nerd seems to unironically enjoy. He’s all smiles as he gets to put things away neatly. It’s embarrassing how endearing and cute Betelgeuse finds that. It’s Tuesday, Barbara isn’t there that day, at least, not right at that moment, so Adam is babbling about her. “Barbara and I aren’t really performers,” he’s telling Betelgeuse, returning a stack of history books to their proper places on the shelves. “But we thought it would be fun to try theatre together, and then we really enjoyed it, so we’ve been in the last two productions. She can really sing, she does this high note, and it’s-” “Angelic, I bet.” Both boys give a stupid, love sick sigh. Adam pauses, and nods, and then studies the other teen. “So.. You.. You like her?” “Yeah,” he says easily. “But that doesn’t mean anythin’.” “What do you mean?” “I mean,” he clarifies, flopping across the cart, stomach first, and laying on it, staring down at Adam, who is crouching to reshelf some more books. “That despite me being a hot piece of ass, I’m probably not her type. I imagine she goes more for…” he studies Adam, trying to think of a nice word for boring, plain and vanilla. “More stable guys,” he lands on. “Like you. I bet she even likes how cute your butt looks in your khakis. I know I do.” Adam flushes. “You think so?” “It’s a good butt.” He nods, and Adam goes redder. “I meant, you think Barbara.. Might like me?” “Well, don’t push your luck, or nothin’, but you probably got a better chance with her.”

“You’re not entirely unlikable,” Adam offers. Betelgeuse lets out a guffaw that’s too loud, because someone in the next aisle over shushes him. “You already forget what I told you Friday?” he rests his head on his hand, tone condescending. “I know no one wants me around.”

“You’re setting yourself up for failure, with that attitude.”

“You think so, huh? Think I just need to hold hands round th’ campfire and sing kumbaya with all you breathers? I don’t think anyone would even take my hand. Probably couldn't get away from me fast enough.” There’s a pause. He doesn’t realize what he’s said until Adam is repeating it. “Breathers?”

He doesn’t get a chance to reply, because he feels a push on the cart, and turns to see Barbara, hands on the handle. “You’ve completely given up even trying, haven’t you?” she says, and he thinks she means about the books, and smiles. “No point. Adam’ll just do it for me.” “I mean with talking to people. With making friends.” His smile falls quickly into a scowl, and he runs a hand through his wild mess of green hair. “Lay off me, Babs. I’m bein’ friendly right now, aren’t I?”

“Sure, it’s plenty friendly, letting Adam do your work. But you don’t try, and then you get your feelings hurt when no one does it for you.” That’s not laying off, and it’s irritating him. “You can’t imagine anyone being nice to you, so you’re rude and push everyone away the first chance you get, in case what? In case you make a friend? Kevin probably needs you, right now,” she presses, physically too, making the cart he’s still lying across lurch forward. “I told you what happened to his dad, and you just said he wasn’t even your friend, when everyone knows you spent the last few months holding hands and making googoo eyes at him, and only talking to each other.”

“S’none of your business,” he tugs at his hair, pulling a tuft down to watch the color. Still green. He’s okay, but he keeps it there, in front of his eyes, focusing on it and not having to look at Barbara. “I’m making it my business. What are you so afraid of? What’s with the barrier? I saw you with your sister, you’re normal and nice, to her. So it’s other people you’re afraid of?” “M’not,” he growls out, standing up off the cart. “Afraid of anythin’.”

“You are,” she says, letting go of the cart and stomping to stand in front of him. She’s got him cornered, his back pressed to the bookshelf behind him. He keeps his eyes on that green tuft, biting his bottom lip. “You’re afraid of rejection, so you don’t talk, or you’re a jerk to people. You’re so afraid of other people, you make yourself sit alone every day, even when there’s an empty seat next to someone else.”

“No one wants me around!”

God, that hurts. He can see purple forming in the tip of his hair.

“You think I haven’t tried?” he rasps at her, letting his hair go, and finally looking directly at her. “You think I like sittin’ alone, bein’ the weird kid in every class, not havin’ anyone to talk to? It sucks!” he hears himself being shushed again, and he expends a burst of power in that direction, knocking books off the shelves to hit the person who can’t mind their own business. The sudden noise makes both Adam and Barbara jump. “You ever noticed that anytime I’ve tried, people can’t get th’ hell away from me fast enough? I’m tired of bein’ alone, but every time I try, somethin’ goes to shit, or I'm ignored! So maybe it is easier to just be a jerk an’ not worry about gettin’ hurt, than to keep tryin’ and ache all th’ time.”

It’s the most honest he’s ever been, out loud. Barbara clenches her fists, but doesn’t say anything. He sees Adam push his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.

Lunch isn’t even close to over, and he’s just made more work for himself by knocking those books off the shelf, but he doesn’t care. He grabs his backpack from the cart and pushes past the two of them, and he storms out, forcing the library door to slam, even though it’s a soft close door. It feels more final, that way.

He spends the rest of lunch invisible, to avoid any more trouble with adults, and slumps into his customary seat in the back of every class, for the rest of the day. No one talks to him. He doesn’t try to talk to anyone. It’s a system, it works. Stupid Barbara. What does she even know? Like she can somehow understand anything he’s going through. She’s pretty, and cool, and has a ton of friends, he thinks, absolutely bitter. She doesn’t get it.

He trudges to the drama room after school, and pushes open the door with his shoulder. The seats are in a circle, again, and he chooses a random one, pointedly, away from Adam and Barbara, between two other people. He sits there, silent, and after a moment, the two kids both move seats. How miserably predictable. Come on, he wills himself. No purple, no red. Just stay green. You can go home and freak the fuck out, but just stay green, he begs his hair.

He wipes his nose hard with his hoodie sleeve, and focuses on that, on the texture of the fabric and the way he rubs hard enough for it to hurt. Pain is as close to relief as he can get. Then the chairs next to him are scooted closer, and he blinks, and realizes that Adam and Barbara have settled on either side of him. He doesn’t.. Get it. He can’t understand, but then both of them reach a hand out, and take one of his, and give it a squeeze. It’s grounding. He takes a breath he doesn’t need, and then a couple more, shaky and painful, and he gives their hands a squeeze back, like he’s making sure they’re real. They are.

When the club starts, he tries, very sincerely, to focus on what’s being said, and not the bright hot feeling blooming like a flower in his chest. Read the rest here!!

#beetlejuice the musical #beetlejuice au #beetlejuice fanfiction #adam maitland #barbara maitland #emily deetz #lydia deetz #beetlejuice broadway

13 notes · View notes

savannah-lim · 4 years

Text

You Gotta Be Squidding Me || Savannah & Winn

TIMING: Present LOCATION: Savannah’s office SUMMARY: Savannah meets with Winn to discuss Agent Sterling’s death and gets more truth than she bargained for. CONTENT WARNINGS: Discussion of murder and body horror

Savannah had no idea how she was supposed to put any of this in a report. Dr. Kavanagh had directed her to a gentleman called Winn Woods because she remembered she had seen something in a dream. Great. Excellent detective work, Agent. That doesn’t sound crazy at all. At this point though, Savannah was prepared to try just about anything. The Bureau had supplied her with a small rented office downtown so she at least didn’t have to interview people in a messy hotel room or keep going to the police station. She preferred not to have people looking over her shoulder. The buzz from the door told her Mr. Woods had arrived. Right on time. At least he was punctual. “Come in, have a seat. Would you like coffee or tea or anything?” she asked, closing the door after him.

It was one of those White Crests days where everything felt ominous — gray clouds overhead and a weird chill in the air, both typically foreign to August. Winn’s nightmares the night previous had been plagued with visions of the abomination, of the twisted corpse of Sterling ambling towards him, an inevitable end to what little of his life he’d managed to salvage. It was a wonder he’d managed to sleep. Since that day Sterling had washed up, Ulfric had done his level best to keep the body concealed. But ‘missing’ wasn’t much better than ‘dead’ — especially not where a federal agent was concerned. They’d both known it’d come back to bite them. And while Winn was a fine actor, one gift his mother had left him, there was no masking his unease. Human. Javier Sterling had been so painfully (pitifully?) human — until he hadn’t. Winn would tear his throat out again, spare him the indignity of his body, warped as it was. But that wasn’t the question, was it? “Coffee’s fine,” Winn said, noncommittal. It would give him time to think through a game plan. Smalltalk. He could do smalltalk. “How have you been liking White Crest, Agent Lim?”

“Coffee it is,” Savannah said, brewing a fresh pot. “Although the government doesn’t exactly offer generous funding for amenities, so I can’t promise anything about the quality.” She poured herself a coffee as well. Though she maintained a casual air about her, Savannah was already assessing the young man. His nerves were obvious, but that wasn’t necessarily an indication of guilt. If someone wasn’t nervous about being interviewed by a federal agent, there was something wrong with them. “I like it very well. It’s bizarre, which I find frustrating but also oddly comforting. I’m intrigued by things that are unusual. Something Agent Sterling had in common with me, I’m led to believe.” She handed Winn his coffee. “Did you know him well?”

“I think the first coffee I had was on the Hill. Representatives bring their own coffee, or suffer whatever their interns thought sounded good at the Trader Joe’s on Pennsylvania Ave.” Winn cocked his head. “Don’t know how much time you spent at y’all’s headquarters, or if you’ve always been on-assignment?” He took a sip from his coffee, ignoring the heat dancing across his tongue. Still too hot, but the pain helped to ground him in the moment. He’d dealt with government folks for most of his life. Could Agent Lim be discreet? It wasn’t as if the FBI was known for being bold and brash, not when subtlety could better pave the way to an answer. Winn wished, in that moment, that he had been close to Agent Sterling. Agent Lim’s hints that he’d been investigating the unusual… Could always tackle it the White Crest way, right? “Unusual?” Winn asked, more chipper than was probably wise. “Honestly, I barely knew him. Pointed him in the direction of a shop on Amity, but that was really the last time I ‘spoke’ to him.” Do not joke about Natalia killing Javier. Do not joke about Natalia killing Javier. “I can’t remember ever meeting him in-person, though.” Technically, not a lie.

"The Hill?" Savannah repeated, unsure if she was impressed or actively cringing. "Interesting. You didn't strike me as the political type." He'd struck her as a sort of empty-headed party boy, but then, there were plenty of those in politics too. "I did my training at Quantico, and spent most of my career operating around the New England area." She picked up her own coffee, sipping it. "But this isn't about me. Unless you just want to be impressed by my credentials. I might not have them much longer if I can't solve this case." And the more she looked into it, the more unsolvable it seemed. Winn's name had literally been given to her by someone who said she'd seen it in a dream. "That's interesting," she nodded, "because an anonymous source told me you might know something about his disappearance."

“Representative Delacour. Or former? Figure she’s still up there; I try not to keep up with politics. I wasn’t up there often, just enough to figure out that there was better coffee in the world.” Winn shrugged, another sip from his own cup. Talking about his mother wasn’t his favorite recreational activity, so he was more than happy to drop the subject. He tried not to flinch at Agent Lim’s suggestion, a frown flickering across his face for just a second. Getting a federal agent involved in whatever was happening in White Crest, getting a human involved in all of this. Was that fair? No. It wasn’t. But less fair was keeping her in the dark, letting her wander into getting herself killed. Or, worse, the same thing happening to her that had happened to her former co-worker. Winn tried to think of how a hunter would describe what happened to Javier, Adam’s talk of mutations and infections coming to mind. Winn couldn’t even be sure that was what it was, but something about it rang true. Javier had changed so suddenly… “How much do you know about Cordyceps, Agent Lim?” Winn said, slowly, not letting even an ounce of fear slip into his voice.

“Well, we’ve got that in common,” Savannah scoffed. She knew just enough to make informed decisions at the voting booth, but when it came down to every single representative, Savannah was pretty clueless. Winn could have made up any name and she wouldn’t have known any better. She narrowed her eyes curiously, wondering where exactly he was going with this. “Cordyceps? Isn’t it a virus or something that affects insects? The thing that makes stuff grow out of their ugly little insect heads?” Fascinating, no doubt, but she had no idea what that had to do with her case. Javier Sterling wasn’t a caterpillar.

Winn wrinkled his nose at the reminder of what the fungus did to wasps, ants, and others. Planet Earth had been a staple of insomnia-fueled nights over the last half-decade, so Winn knew the metaphor didn’t stretch all the way out. There hadn’t been anything (yet?) to suggest Winn or Ulfric had been infected by Javier. “Fungus, but yeah. They take over the host body and direct it towards a purpose. For Cordyceps, that means gettin’ up somewhere high and poofin’ its spores as far as they can go.” Winn still had more questions than answers, but… Shit, would it be nice to have someone to bounce shit off of. It wasn’t like he was good for anything more than a helpful sniff or slashin’ someone’s throat. “Damn, almost wish you could read my mind. Would make explainin’ this easier.” He drummed his fingers along the arm of the chair. “Agent Lim, I need you to take everything I’m about to say at face value, alright? I won’t lie, not if I can help it, but I’m gonna sound like I’m off my rocker. If you’re not gonna believe me, this ain’t goin’ anywhere productive.”

“Fungus. Right.” Savannah focused on him, eyeing him as he spoke, determined to figure out exactly where this conversation was going. It wasn’t often someone took the lead on her interrogations, but she figured the more talking he did, the more he might slip up and tell her something useful. God, nobody had given her anything useful in weeks… “Alright, I guess now I don’t need to watch National Geographic when I go home.” She chewed the inside of her lip. “People say that sort of thing when they’re about to say something nonsensical,” she sighed. “But nothing in this case has made sense so far, so I suppose let’s start with ridiculous and work backwards.” She gestured vaguely with her hand for him to go ahead.

Winn almost laughed at the suggestion of nonsensicality. C’mon, Agent Lim. All he was askin’ was for her to believe her co-worker turned into a squid-man hybrid, and spit out a wackadoo language, before tryin’ to kill the werewolf sittin’ in front of her! It all made perfect sense. He groaned, leaning back in the chair. If it wasn’t so close to the new moon… But naw, no werewolfing it up. “I can do ridiculous,” he said, confident. “Javier Sterling washed up one morning while I was fishin’. Took me a minute to realize it was him, ‘cause somethin’ had happened to him. See, your boy had been infected with a— with a virus, if you like. I don’t rightly know what it was, but I can tell you what I saw. Not a fungus, but somethin’ from the ocean. I’d call it a growth, but then I’d have to rationalize the tentacle that wrapped around my arm. And nothing,” Winn wet his lips, “about this is rational.” Winn paused. “I’m not done, but figure that’s a lot to take in. Take, uh, take your time. It only gets weirder.”

“Fishing.” Savannah scoffed. “Yeah, okay, go on. My co-worker washed up on shore and had a… a what? A weird fungal infection from the ocean? Are you saying it was a natural death?” What exactly was he confessing to? It didn’t make any sense. But then she remembered— “Was there a red-headed man with you?” she asked. “Covered in tattoos? Big beard?” She’d seen it in her dream too. Maybe what Regan had said wasn’t so crazy after all. Except that it was, and this whole thing was absurd. Her superiors were going to laugh her reports right out of the office if she tried to go back to them with this.

Winn squinted at the perfect recitation of Ulfric’s description. There hadn’t been anyone around that day. As far as Winn knew, only one person even knew of what had happened to Javier Sterling, outside of Ulfric and Winn themselves. There were few explanations and Winn was eager to narrow them down. “Yes,” he said, evenly. “I’m keepin’ his name out of this.” No need to bring in Ulfric. ‘Sides, Ulf was out of town, last he heard. One phone call, and one of them could tell him to stay out of town. Winn had dealt the killing blow, even if Ulfric had made sure that Javier wouldn’t get up. “An anonymous source, huh? That sure is unusual,” he said, tone almost acerbic. “How much do you know, Agent Lim?” Whether she’d intended it or not, Winn’s hackles were raised, and he was just barely stifling the low growl in the bottom of his throat.

Savannah scribbled down a jumble of notes. Not that she’d have any difficulty remembering this, of course. “I’m not at liberty to reveal my sources,” she said. “And if I tell you what I know, I can’t be sure that whatever you tell me is genuine knowledge that you came to independently.” She sighed. “Would it help if I say I saw it in a dream? Would that be more or less asinine than whatever you wanted to tell me?” She was losing her damn marbles, and she might be about to be threatened by a frat boy. “I hardly know anything, okay? Is that what you want to hear? That’s why I’m asking.”

A long, long exhale of breath. “A dream?” Winn echoed, urging himself to calm the fuck down. “Naw, that sounds about par for the course… for White Crest, anyway.” Okay, Winner. Rewind. Back to square one. “Like I said, really, I’m happy to help. But so long as you’re withholdin’ your sources — and I get it, I do — I’m goin’ to keep back the name of our ginger friend.” She hardly knew anything. That was good and bad. Technically, Winn could lie his ass off. If he wasn’t a man of his word, he’d take that as an easy out. Funny thing ‘bout bein’ a counselor? It was easier to console folks, to let ‘em know it was alright to feel their own emotions than it was for Winn to get across his point, sometimes. So, an answer. “Agent Javier Sterling is dead,” he said, evenly. “He was dyin’ when he washed up, but I don’t know what got a hold of him. We were tryin’ to help him, and he attacked my friend. I moved quickly, because otherwise my friend would have died. I cut Sterling’s throat open. My friend grabbed a knife and gutted him. It was, I hope, less painful than what the infection would have done to him.” A pause. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Fine,” Savannah sighed. “Don’t tell me who the red-headed man is. I don’t care.” That wasn’t entirely true, but she was primarily concerned with finding out what had happened to Javier. The names of everyone else involved could come later. She froze momentarily when he announced Javier’s death. It wasn’t exactly a surprise. She’d suspected it from the get-go, but there was something chilling about the confirmation. “Right, dying from, um… ocean fungus?” She didn’t mean to sound so cavalier, but the whole thing was so hard to believe. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she’d have dismissed him out of hand. Her eyes widened and she stood up from her chair at his confession. Her body was stiff, her gaze trained upon him, as if he would disappear like a thief in the night if she so much as broke eye contact. “Did you just tell me— you killed Agent Sterling?” Savannah stared at this man, dumbfounded. “I think I’m supposed to arrest you for manslaughter,” she said, but somehow, she didn’t. She didn’t even move.

“Oh. The fungus was a metaphor. Probably more like an ocean… demon? Honestly, I was real close to dyin’ last month, so I haven’t had time to do any ‘investigating.’” Winn swung his legs up under him, crossed, and cocked his head. His body was loose. There’d be plenty of time for him to agonize over his decisions in whichever afterlife he ended up in, but this one? No. “I mean no disrespect here, Agent Lim, but d’you really think those charges’d hold up? C’mon, you’re smarter than that.” Winn hummed, taking another sip of his coffee. “I wouldn’t be convicted by any human court. The marks on Agent Sterling’s neck,” Winn raised his hand, eyeing it with faux-disinterest, “were made by claws, for one. I was actin’ in self-defense, like I said, for the other — which is, unless Maine’s laws are weird as fuck, I’m pretty sure’ll get me out without gettin’ charged. And for a third, I’d argue,” Winn sighed, “that I’m not the one who killed Agent Javier Sterling. I killed a monster using his body for somethin’. For what, I really don’t know.” Winn’s gaze turned hard. “And none of that’s goin’ to matter, ‘cause no one would believe a word either of us said.”

Savannah didn’t believe in ocean demons. Why would she? Ocean cordyceps had been hard enough to wrap her head around. This nice, respectful young man had just confessed to her as if it was just another damn August afternoon. Nothing to see here, folks. White Crest was the most bizarre place she’d ever experienced. “No, no, I don’t think they’d hold up. Where’s the evidence? Is there a body? A murder weapon? Or did you dispose of all that too?” She scoffed. Maybe she could get him on destruction of evidence, of covering up Javier’s death, but even that was a long shot. Yes, it would be her word against his, but since her story made no damn sense either, it was going to be tough to do anything at all. “I don’t know if I even believe you,” she said firmly, like that would give her some kind of one-up on him. “There is no such thing as people-possessing ocean monsters,” she said. This whole town seemed as if it was playing one huge joke on her. She folded her arms across her chest. “Take me to his body.”

Winn was quiet while Savannah ran through her litany of questions. There were only so many ways to bust open a mind, let someone know the world was much, much bigger than they imagined. Unfortunately for Agent Lim, Winn hadn’t had to explain himself — or the supernatural world at large — to a garden variety human in, uh, ever. But leading with Javier’s death had been the only option, right? Otherwise, what, shift in front of her? Naw, too dangerous, and he didn’t have spare clothes on him. “Thing about the truth? You don’t have to believe me. As for a body? Doubt it’s there, anymore. Enough flesh-eating things in our rivers that the corpse was destined to get snacked on. But, look, I get it. Evidence.” As much as he loathed to admit it, another journey through his memories could be the easiest solution here. It’d take time, time that Agent Lim didn’t necessarily have. “I want answers, same as you. But it might take some doin’, and it’s gonna require you to trust me. Trust that I want to—” fight? destroy? “—bring to justice whatever hurt Agent Sterling. I said before, I won’t lie to you. And I might be able to give you something to work with. Teamwork’d be better than workin’ against each other, right?” Winn stood, holding out his hand.

Savannah's head was spinning. There was so much sincerity in the man before her. He was just honest, kind even. She wanted to scream, as if yelling would make all this go away, somehow make it easier to digest. She could yell over and over that this wasn't true, but she somehow felt the reality of it, no matter what kind of scepticism she might have wanted to win out, somehow she just knew that Winn was telling the truth. "You know this is the fucking weirdest buddy cop duo ever," she sighed, but extended her hand to his. "I'm going to need a drink."

#paras #with: winn

8 notes · View notes

mobius-prime · 4 years

Text

209. Sonic the Hedgehog #141

Return to Angel Island (Part 4): Ultimate Hero

Writer: Karl Bollers Pencils: Jon Gray Colors: Jason Jensen

So things are… bad. Hunter is back and has a shiny new weapon to boot, which appears to vaporize anyone in his path. Sonic gives Knuckles a ride back to the echidna refugee camp at high speed, with Knuckles still doubting his ability to even be able to help without his Chaos powers, while the refugees flee Hunter's attacks. Remington tries to insist that he wants to remain behind to protect the Master Emerald at all costs, but Archimedes tries to dissuade him, instead trying to convince everyone to fall back to the emerald's chamber to defend it more directly. Finitevus isn't interested in Archimedes' pleas, but they're interrupted by the approach of Hunter.

No, Remington! I was honestly so upset by this, as Remington is one of my favorite recurring characters of the comic. Finitevus doesn't look too concerned, though… Archimedes meets Lara-Le, Wynmacher, and Saffron in the Master Emerald's chamber, informing them of the fate of the two outside, and they get ready to defend the emerald with their lives - but just as Hunter breaches the door, Sonic and Knuckles show up to help with the defense. Hunter throws some kind of fast-moving mechanical ball towards Sonic to keep him occupied and out of the way, and Knuckles charges in only to be once more overcome with agony from his proximity to the Master Emerald. Outside in the main cavern, the other heroes return from Dingo City only to be horrified at the devastation they see in the camp. Lien-Da becomes enraged, blaming Locke for "foisting the emerald" upon the Dark Legion, but Julie-Su has finally had enough and gets in her half-sister's face, yelling that she willingly chose to accept the emerald because she wanted the power it would bring her. You go, Julie-Su!

And right there we have the true reason behind all her hatred and vitriol. Of course these things always come down to daddy issues. Still, it's the first time we've ever really seen any true emotion from Lien-Da, apart from her usual scheming and power grabs, and it adds a depth to her character that she's been lacking thus far. Back in the Hidden Palace, Lara-Le rushes to Knuckles' side as he slumps to the ground, and Hunter approaches gleefully, raising his weapon for a death blow. However, a sudden pink light engulfs Knuckles, who rises into the air and begins to crackle with energy. He's overjoyed, announcing himself to the room not as Knuckles, but as… Super Knuckles! That's right, his Chaos powers have returned, and he's ready to stop Hunter's rampage, grabbing him and bursting through the roof of the palace.

Oh yeah - Knuckles straight up kills Hunter. It's one of the very few times we actually see one of the heroes of this comic intentionally end someone's life - but I think in this case, considering what kind of person he is and what he's done, killing Hunter is entirely justified for the greater good. As he descends back down to earth, the surviving echidnas all begin chanting "Avatar!" while the remaining dingoes retreat in a blind panic. Lien-Da is furious to see her hold over the refugees slipping, but Knuckles and his friends are clearly excited to see his Chaos powers return, with Archimedes revealing that he was certain that all Knuckles needed to reawaken them was to remain in close proximity to the Master Emerald long enough for it to power him back up. However, I'm actually not so on board with him regaining his powers. I really liked the dynamic of Knuckles losing the very thing that made him so special, and having to start from basics once again, learning how to fight without a superpowered edge. We've seen several different stories where Sonic lost his own super speed, but always got it back in the end - how interesting would it be to see a story where the hero never recovered their powers? And Knuckles, given his backstory, is the perfect candidate for such a plot - he never asked for his abilities, and they clearly brought him great pain and trauma as they developed. This would be an amazing direction to take his character arc, with Knuckles torn between the life he's always known, and the chance to start anew. After all, while he developed his latent Chaos powers without having a say in the matter, and despite the pain they often brought him, he did become accustomed to the effect they had on his life in a way, learning to control them to some degree and finding out more and more about why he had them. But the circumstances of his birth also ensured that he wouldn't have any real say in his own destiny, and this was always clearly troubling to him. Removing his powers for good would have put him in a fascinating position where on the one hand he would obviously be upset at losing such a great source of power, one which he's been told is his birthright, but on the other the loss of this power would leave him much freer to decide his own path from here, rejecting the path others have set out for him and discovering who "Knuckles" could be without others trying to define who he was for him. I don't know, I just think there's a huge missed opportunity here to explore more in depth who Knuckles could ultimately end up being without his Chaos powers being his most defining feature.

But alas, Knuckles has his powers back once more, and he's fulfilled the prophecy of the Ancient Walkers to boot. Eggman contacts the heroes via hologram once more, claiming that now that he knows where the Master Emerald is hidden he'll be there straightaway to steal it, but Sonic merely crushes the communicator and Locke enlists the help of the Legion once more to move the Master Emerald someplace else. Knuckles asks after Remington, but Archimedes sadly informs him that he and Finitevus were both casualties of Hunter's rampage. Lien-Da curtly tells Knuckles there's no time to mourn friends right now… and then quietly, when no one can hear her, adds "…or family." Wait, what? So, this is something that has actually been hinted at here and there for a while now, but so vaguely that one might not pick up on the hints unless they were already in the know. Remington's father is actually Kragok, which would make Lien-Da his aunt! This was never outright confirmed in any canon material until the Sonic Comic Encyclopedia many years from now, but I figured I'd go ahead and explain it right here, since, well, Remington ain't around these parts anymore. But yeah, that's why Lien-Da has always acted slightly weird around Remington. Anyway, Knuckles begins to say goodbye to his father, but Locke sharply asks him what he's intending now, seeming very upset at the idea of Knuckles leaving.

I love this. It's about freaking time we finally saw some serious conflict between Knuckles and Locke. For too long Knuckles has always dutifully followed whatever his father told him to do, but now, with a year away from the island under his belt to give him some real perspective, for the first time he's standing up for what he believes in instead of just doing whatever the Brotherhood wants, and Locke is clearly feeling threatened by this display of independence. To be fair, I can see Locke's point, as the island is clearly still quite devastated by Eggman's occupation and they could use someone like Knuckles to help them clean up, but still, I do think Knuckles has the right idea, as taking down Eggman for good seems like a better idea than just cleaning up after him - pulling up the weed by the roots, you know? Knuckles does seem quite sad as his father stalks away and vanishes through a warp ring, but he merely says his goodbyes to his mother and Wynmacher before joining Sonic and the others to head back to Knothole. For now, the day is saved, and everything seems fine and dandy - but what's this? It seems something quite disturbing is happening in Eggman's main base…

This. Is. Horrific. Say hello to the Egg Grapes, everybody, because this isn't the last time we'll be seeing them! We can see that apparently, these things have three functions: "Energy Drain," "Mind Eraser," and "Toxic Infusion," none of which are explained but all of which sound terrifying. We also get to look at some of the poor unfortunate souls trapped inside the pods. A few are just background characters from previous issues, but others are far more heartwrenching. We can see the three other surviving fire ants, minus Archimedes, meaning Archimedes is likely the last of the council now. We can also see, of course, Remington in front there, which again just makes me sad as I love Remington. However, perhaps the worst one is hidden in the back: Simon. As in, Simon, Julie-Su's adoptive father. Floren-Ca is also in there somewhere, just not shown on panel, which means that without even being aware of it, Julie-Su has now become a true orphan. It's incredibly tragic, as she'd just begun to get to know her own family after being separated from them for so long, but the island was invaded shortly afterward, and a year later, they're just… gone, being tortured to death inside one of Eggman's awful experimental devices without Julie-Su ever getting a chance to say goodbye. This is, I think, the moment where I realized just how truly terrifying comic Eggman is. Anime Eggman is hardly a threat at all, very much the type of villain who's more invested in their fights with their heroic nemesis than in actually taking over the world. And Eggman from the games, while he is genuine about his plans for world domination, has never actually committed mass murder, at least that we've seen. Sure, he's used small innocent animals as living batteries, but never actually mass tortured half the populace of an entire island just for the hell of it. This is where the comic begins to get truly dark, as we realize just what a terrifying megalomaniac we're facing here. No more silly jokes, no more half-assed villainy - Eggman is a monster, and the Freedom Fighters have to take him down for good lest he destroy the entire world.

Mobius 25 Years Later: Scenario

Writer: Ken Penders Pencils: Steven Butler Colors: Jason Jensen

Oh, but, y'know, we could also just jump forward into a boring future where everything is fine apart from reality beginning to tear itself apart. Granted, this issue's story actually has more real plot than the rest of the entries put together, though also granted, that isn't much. We're finally going to address that whole "collapse of spacetime" thing, as Knuckles leads Sonic to Rotor and Cobar's hidden laboratory to discuss the issue. Cobar is shocked that Knuckles knew the location of his lab, and Knuckles casually mentions that he likes keeping tabs on Lien-Da's favorite scientist wait excuse me what?! So all this time, Cobar has been in Lien-Da's employ, and we just never heard about it until now? Why are you so mistrustful of Lien-Da and yet totally trust the word of her favorite scientist when it comes to all this world-ending stuff? Ugh, I feel like I've spent far too much time and energy pointing out the many, many plot holes of this arc, so we're just going to move on like everything is fine. Rotor and Cobar explain the whole shebang to Sonic, while we get a short and useless scene of Julie-Su and Sally being unable to sleep and reiterating once again their worries for their husbands, and when we flip back to Sonic he's shocked to hear that he's the cause behind the acceleration of entropy on Mobius!

He tries to argue that it might have been the Dark Legion or someone else who had done a lot of zone-hopping in the past, but the two scientists insist that their experiments show that it was his fault. I really don't see how arguing over fault is going to help, especially when Sonic had literally no idea that actions he took when he was fifteen were going to someday contribute to the end of the world twenty-five years after the fact, but eh, again, we never claimed this story made any sense. Knuckles and Sonic leave, with Knuckles telling Rotor and Cobar to find a solution and fast, and as soon as they're gone a panel slides open in the wall to reveal who else but Lien-Da, who has listened in on the whole thing and is very curious about why exactly Cobar has been hiding all of this from her. Hmm, suspicious! Do you think we're finally about to get an answer about what treacherous deeds Lien-Da has been planning this whole time? Ah, c'mon, this is a Penders story, of course not!

#nala reads archie sonic preboot #archie sonic #archie sonic preboot #sonic the hedgehog #sth 141 #writer: karl bollers #writer: ken penders #pencils: jon gray #pencils: steven butler #colors: jason jensen

2 notes · View notes

cutereylochan · 5 years

Photo

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟏𝟎 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐊𝐞𝐲/ 𝐑𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

1. 𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹 ( 𝒫𝑒𝑔𝑔𝓎 𝒞𝒶𝓇𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓍 𝒟𝑜𝓉𝓉𝒾𝑒 𝒰𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹 )

►Dottie’s fascination and interest for Peggy to me is definitely a dangerous woman in love with a tough and independent kind of woman without a doubt. The way Dottie looks at Peggy every time they interact, is absolutely beautiful. Yeah she may be psychotic but god I wanna see more scenes of Dottie teaming up with Peggy. Dottie’s a Catwoman to her Batm-- I mean Batwoman’s Peggy.

2. 𝑒𝒹𝒶𝓃𝒶 (𝐸𝒹𝓌𝒾𝓃 𝒥𝒶𝓇𝓋𝒾𝓈 𝓍 𝒜𝓃𝒶 𝒥𝒶𝓇𝓋𝒾𝓈)

►The relationship between Edwin Jarvis and his wife is so sweet and precious that I can’t get enough of their adorableness between them as husband and wife. I mean who doesn’t hate them being together as a married couple.

3. 𝒾𝓇𝑜𝓃𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒 (𝒯𝑜𝓃𝓎 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓀 𝓍 𝒮𝓉𝑒𝓅𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒮𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒)

►Ever since Doctor Strange came out, I’ve always wanted to see Stephen S. teaming up with Tony Stark in battle. And it did at the Infinity war, the chemistry between Stephen and Tony is undeniably amazing and them being together is seriously a love/hate relationship from the way they argue then the next both agreed in each other’s decisions.

4. 𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓁𝑒𝓃 (𝒮𝓉𝑒𝓋𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝓍 𝐻𝑒𝓁𝑒𝓃 𝒞𝒽𝑜)

►This pairing is definitely to me, the rarest of the mcu pairings that deserves to be in the spotlight. They only had a few interactions during the events of AoU though I can’t help but secretly love it when Steve was the only Avenger here who saves Helen not once but twice, one at the Avengers tower when an iron legion was about to kill Helen but was quickly saved by Steve with the help of Thor then second at the U-GIN facility where Steve rescues Helen again, tending her wounds. I mean c’mon, wouldn’t it be kind of sweet if these two are together as a couple? A love story between a soldier and a doctor? I honestly think in my opinion they would’ve been a cute pairing though it is unlikely to most of the Steve R. stans and others loving Helen being a sweet mama to Vision from which I somehow found it a bit weird.

5. 𝒸𝓁𝒶𝓊𝓇𝒶 (𝒞𝓁𝒾𝓃𝓉 𝐵𝒶𝓇𝓉𝑜𝓃 𝓍 𝐿𝒶𝓊𝓇𝒶 𝐵𝒶𝓇𝓉𝑜𝓃)

►They are the couple that no one ever expected. It is revealed in Avengers: Age of Ultron that Clint has been married to Laura for his whole career with SHIELD. They live on a farm and have three children together. I know a lot of people didn’t like their relationship because we never saw it develop on screen. I really enjoyed it. I love that Clint is able to have a normal and stable life outside of SHIELD and the Avengers. He has a family to give him a reason to fight and to come home at the end of missions. Laura is very supportive of Clint’s role as an Avenger. She tells him the team needs him to keep them down to earth. I think they are the normal pairing that they MCU needed.

6. 𝒷𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉𝓎 (𝐵𝓇𝓊𝒸𝑒 𝐵𝒶𝓃𝓃𝑒𝓇 𝓍 𝐵𝑒𝓉𝓉𝓎 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝓈)

►Bruce and Betty were really good together. I love that Betty loved Bruce even after discovering that he was the Hulk. I love that she wasn’t afraid of him and that she was ready to run with him where ever he wanted to go. She even turned her back on her father after his actions forced Bruce to have to go on the run. Both of them deserve to be together as one of the MCU couples. I really wish the MCU would have brought Betty back as Bruce’s love interest. She was the only woman he ever had a true connection with.

7. 𝒪'𝓀𝒶𝒷𝒾 (𝒪'𝓀𝑜𝓎𝑒 𝓍 𝒲'𝓀𝒶𝒷𝒾)

►O’koye and W’kabi’s relationship is one of the things that I am horribly invested and how two reticent people who are so in love with wakanda they dedicate their lives to it. Yes, they both have different opinions when it comes to protecting their country yet they both love each other no matter how much they had their differences. However, It’s just highly likely they won’t ever be the same again after the events of the movie. All because of W’Kabi’s shortsightedness. Though I honestly got sweetened from the way they say “my love” to one another.

8. 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓃 (𝒟𝒶𝓇𝒸𝓎 𝐿𝑒𝓌𝒾𝓈 𝓍 𝐼𝒶𝓃 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒷𝓎)

►Their relationship at first is professional, kind of like a student helping another student out for their project of some sort. But during the battle of the dark elves in London where Ian unexpectedly saves Darcy then both had a random “My Hero” moment together and kissed. I gotta admit they’re kind of cute together. I mean, a romantic relationship between a very sweet boy and a very impulsive girl reminds me of a high school anime with a genre of romantic drama.

9. 𝒿𝒶𝑔𝑔𝒾𝑒 (𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝒫𝒶𝓍𝓉𝑜𝓃 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝑔𝑔𝒾𝑒 𝐿𝒶𝓃𝑔)

►Jim and Maggie’s relationship is one of the most amazing things I have seen in Ant-man and the Wasp when it comes to their relationship with Scott Lang. Maggie and Scott treat each other respectfully as you would another adult and parental figure. She accepted him still being part of Maggie’s family despite her having remarried. These are not two people harping on each other and trying to find flaws and faults. No, the two people who care about each other and trust each other and have each other’s backs. Jim and Scott on the other hand, had a frenemy rocky relationship in the first film but then got along very well as a family together with Maggie and Cassie. How many movies would have gone the route of ex-husband and ex-wife still fighting and being angry or controlling or jealous? When is the last time mainstream movies have allowed two divorced people to simply just be amicable and supportive? Jim and Maggie to me are the relationship goals when it comes to making a truce with their exes and be friends with them.

10. 𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒻𝓊𝓇𝓎 (𝑀𝒶𝓇𝒾𝒶 𝑅𝒶𝓂𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊 𝓍 𝒩𝒾𝒸𝓀 𝐹𝓊𝓇𝓎)

►The two only a few interactions with Carol but I can’t help love them being together as buddies. Both giving each other fist bumps after successfully eliminating one of Yon-Rogg’s cronies. I don’t consider them as a couple but wouldn’t be interesting if they are?

𝙃𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨:

► 𝓘𝓻𝓸𝓷𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓰 (𝒟𝒶𝓃𝓃𝓎 𝑅𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓍 𝒞𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒲𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝐼𝓇𝑜𝓃 𝐹𝒾𝓈𝓉)

► 𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓼𝓸𝓷 (𝒮𝒶𝓂 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓈𝑜𝓃 𝓍 𝑀𝒶𝓇𝒾𝒶 𝐻𝒾𝓁𝓁)

► 𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓵𝔂 (𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝒷𝑒𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝓍 𝒜𝓁𝑜𝓎𝓈𝒾𝓊𝓈 𝒮𝒶𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇𝓁𝓎 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝒜𝑔𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝒞𝒶𝓇𝓉𝑒𝓇)

► 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓲𝔃 (𝒫𝑒𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒫𝒶𝓇𝓀𝑒𝓇 𝓍 𝐿𝒾𝓏 𝒯𝑜𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝒮𝓅𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓂𝒶𝓃: 𝐻𝑜𝓂𝑒𝒸𝑜𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑔)

75 notes · View notes

cilliansaccent · 4 years

Text

The Peaky Designer - Cillian Fanfic, Chapter 2

Hello, welcome back. Below is the next instalment of my fanfiction!

Please leave a like or any comments below on ways to improve, please be kind but you are welcome to be critical! I’m open to ideas and fixing up mistakes. Also, sharing would be amazing!!

Note, PLEASE READ:

I will not be including Cillian’s family as it’s kinda weird since he has children lmao. Just a mention of his parents and a previous lover.

I will indicate in a chapter if there is smut in the beginning and before the actual scene!!

I will add trigger warnings if there is any!!

There is a variety of levels of swearing during a chapter, I will not hold back, everyone swears.

The timestamp for the Fic is now 2016 and onwards!!

——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——-

Background: Gabrijela Babic is a Croatian girl from Sydney, Australia. She is born in the year 1991 on the 24th of December. She studies a Fashion degree in a University with a major in Game Design as well. Her teacher in the fashion designer class managed to nail an Internship on the set of Peaky Blinders with the shows very own Costume Designer, Allison McCosh. There, she travels to London for under a year to learn how to be one, working alongside the actors as well the man she admires, Cillian Murphy. But, her platonic feelings for the man begins to grow into something more, and she wonders whether she should pursue them or let him go for fear of her strict parents and her three older brothers…

Characters:

Swantje Paulina as Gabrijela Babic (swalina on Instagram)

Cillian Murphy

Word Count: 5,265

!!Warnings!!: Small scene of sexual harassment after Gab leaves to go to the toilet when shes at the pub.

Date: March 2016

Chapter Name: Dinner and a Gig

Brief Chapter Outline: Second day in, Gabrijela spends the afternoon with Cillian, getting to know each other better before he treats her to a lovely dinner and then to a gig of a local band Cillian attends for a buddy of his...

——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——-

The theme song of Game of Thrones blared in some faraway land. Gabrijela was sound asleep, wearing nothing but a singlet and lacy panties.

She let out a sound when it finally stopped but it wasn't long when it started up again. She finally rolled on to her back and grabbed her phone on the bedside table. She hadn’t made it under the covers last night, she simply collapsed on top and fell asleep after she had dinner and wrote in her diary and updating her family again.

“What?” She groaned, answering the phone.

“Its Cillian,” the Irish accent made her skin prick and she sat up.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so rude.” She rubbed her eyes.

“No worries. Did I wake you up?” He asked, there was a smile in his tone.

“Noooo, I was getting up anyway. Let me open the door and you can come up.” She got up and pressed the button which unlocks the main door. “My door is unlocked so just come in.” She said.

“See you then,” and he hung up.

She was still groggy and sleepy as she rubbed her eyes again and knelt on the floor. She pulled out the drawers under the bed and looked for an outfit for today. It had rained overnight and it still was, it was cold.

Cillian walked in, “I hope you have this locked when you--” He stopped when he saw Gabrijela on the floor, “Oh! Gab!” He covered his eyes, a slight blush spreading across his cheeks.

“Yeah? Oh right,” She laughed and grabbed a pair of blue jeans and a white knitted halter neck sweater. “Sorry. I forgot.” She scurried into the bathroom. “If you want tea or coffee, just boil the water.” She called out as she changed.

“Sure. Did you want tea?” He asked.

“Yeah! Just black tea with honey.” She said. She brushed her long, blond hair and braid it back. She washed her face and applied makeup, she looked dead and had bags under her eyes. So not a good look, she thought, making a face in the mirror.

“It’s midday, by the way,” Cillian said after a bit.

“Whoops.” She smiled as she came out. She looked fresher and felt fresher.

Cillian was dressed quite casual, black jeans with boots, a white shirt and a denim jacket. The harsh haircut made it seem so at odds, she smiled more at the thought.

“What are you smiling about? Tea is ready.” He handed her the spotty cup.

She took it, “The way you're dressed, and that haircut. So strange. But definitely not in a bad way.” She quickly said.

“You’re not the first one to say that.” He laughed, drinking his tea.

“Oh? I hope it didn't offend you.” Her brows rose.

“No, no. I just don't prefer to talk about work or much about my acting.” He admitted, taking a seat on the couch.

"Oh okay, that's fine." She said as she came over and sat beside him, facing him.

"So, it's really midday huh?" She played with the end of her braid.

"Yeah." He showed her the time on his iPhone, "I knew you'd fallen asleep and wake up later."

"Oh yeah, not because I had said I hadn't slept on the plane." She stuck up her nose, drinking her tea.

"Definitely not because of that." He agreed, that same cheeky smile returned on his handsome face.

It was so easy to play around with him despite meeting him just a little over twenty-four hours. She loved the playfulness, and always would be drawn to people who were able to tag along.

"I think we should head off, nighttime falls quickly here so I want to use as much of the day as possible," Cillian said as he finished his tea.

"Yeah, alright." Gabrijela got up and he cleaned up the cups while she pulled on her suede cream jacket.

Boots on, she grabbed her bag and her phone, and together they headed out. She locked up and down the stairs, they went.

They took the walk down the road together, a cool wind made her pull her jacket closer. It had stopped raining by now.

"In the coming months, it's going to rain like, almost every day," Cillian said, his hands in his jacket pockets.

"Well, lucky for me I brought my winter stuff. I'll have to buy an umbrella that's all." She said.

"Yeah, that's much needed. Always have one on hand to." Cillian nodded.

"Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind." She paused and took some photos of the area, "So pretty." She whispered as she checks her phone.

"Can I see?" He peered over her shoulder.

She showed him the photos, "I love taking photos. I brought my Canon camera with me, kinda an amateur photographer." She said shyly.

"Huh, you might need to show me sometime. I saw a photo there, sorry to pry... Is that your family?"

She flicked back on her phone to show him a group photo on a birthday a month back. It showed her parents, her three older brothers with their wives and their kids.

"I'm an aunty to five kids." Gabrijela grinned, "This is Ante and his wife Louise and their five-year-old son, Caleb, and three-year-old daughter, Sasha. Ante is the eldest, then the middle boy is Dominik with his wife, Leah and their one-year-old son, Luca. And the youngest boy, Leo and his wife Tatiana and their one-year-old daughter, Tijana."

"Wow, you got a big family. Names are fancy, what nationality are you?" He asked as they continued to walk.

"Croatia. Both parents born there and as well as my brothers and myself. We lived there till the year two thousand and one before we all moved to Brisbane until two thousand and ten then moved to Sydney since my Dad had to move for his work." She explained.

"Huh, that's a big move. Did your brothers meet their wives in Croatia or...?" He was curious and fascinated.

"Ante met Louise in Croatia, they dated forever until they married about eight years ago. Dominik and Leo found their girlies in Sydney." She told him, then continued, "Dom married four years ago and Leo three years ago."

"And you are the only girl, yeah?" Cillian asked they paused at a set of lights.

"Yep. The baby of the family, it's tough." She said a little tentatively.

"How'd the parents feel about you coming here?" He noticed she didn't really want to elaborate on that subject.

"Not happy. But I'm hoping it's only fear for me being here by myself rather than their eternal disappointment in me." She said with a trace of bitterness to her tone.

Cillian looked over at her, seeing the cloudy look she had on her freckled face. He nodded, "But you look out for yourself, you do what you enjoy. Life is short, and you shouldn't let the opinions of others bring you down." He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah. I know that" She looked up at him, "But, my whole life felt like I just kept disappointing them no matter what I tried to do. They didn't, especially my mum, want me to pursue a fashion designer career. More with business and that crap. That's not me. I want to create, make things, design. That's why I've also picked up a major in game design." She gulped as they walked across the road, they came to a shopping strip after the walk.

"Come on, this doesn't seem to be a happy subject. Look, there's a lot of boutiques here, a lot of famous people had once wandered the streets here." He said, changing the subject for her.

She was grateful for the change and walked along the strip, looking through the windows.

As they walked, he pointed out things of interest for her. She took photos of the buildings or the interesting architecture and even got him to snap a photo of her next to the red phone box.

She wanted to ask him to join but thought otherwise, feeling a little embarrassed to ask.

She weaved in and out of stores and he happily tagged along inside, not minding the feminine clothing that surrounded him. He even went as so far picking things out for her and they had a good laugh when she politely said it wasn't her style.

After she bought some stuff and even snuck in lingerie or two, they headed towards Buckingham Palace and the park nearby.

It began to rain once they reached there, and using her brand new umbrella they huddled very close under it as it was quite small.

She giggled as they paused under a large tree, "So much for coming this far." She said.

"You never know with London weather." He said, grinning.

He smelled really good, like cinnamon and a hint of wood fire and luxury.

They stood under the tree, and he had moved an arm around her to make more space for them both.

She leaned into his body a little, his warmth transferred to her and she thanked him mentally for it.

The rain let up, sprinkling now. "Should we go get coffee instead of standing here?" She asked in a timid voice.

"That might be a good idea. I know one just around the block."

They hurried across the road together, dodging puddles and mud. They scurried into the little coffee shop where she ordered an almond cappuccino and he had a black coffee.

There wasn't any space in the shop so they stood outside under the awning, shoulder to shoulder, clutching their take away cups.

Gabrijela giggled softly, she was cold but the warmth of the cup made it sort of bearable.

Once they drank that, they came to the edge of the road but a car drove way to fast.

Water splashed everywhere on them both, Gab taking the brunt of it. They turned to each other and looked at each other, then burst out into laughter.

"Oh my god," She whined but had a big grin, "We definitely have to head home." She said.

"Indeed! Before we catch a cold." He hailed a taxi and they got in with the bags that were still dry. "At least I got a new shirt in here, I can put that on." He mused.

"Lucky. I'll have to get this all cleaned up." She pouted. "I love this jumper."

They arrived back to her apartment and they headed inside. She set her bags on the bed and went through the dresser to find some fresh set of clothing for tonight.

"May I pick you up around six instead?" He asked.

"Sure, but that leaves us one hour to get ready now. You might as well stay." She said as she held her clothing in her arms.

"I know. But I'll head home quickly, change and come right back." He said, she noted the slight nerves in his posture, especially in his eyes. Why was he nervous?

"Okay. I'll be ready by then." She said.

He departed and she had a shower, reapplied her makeup and pulled on her new outfit for tonight. It was a black, blue and red checkered mini skirt with a white button-up blouse and a red coat that came just to her knees. She had thigh-high boots and left out her wavy hair.

The bell rang and she let him up again, unlocking the door and he stepped in.

Cillian was dressed very well. Black jeans with a nice pair of loafers, a white button-up shirt that was tucked in with a casual suit jacket on top. His cologne was rich and smelled good.

She beamed, she spotted purple socks he wore, "Flashy." She mused, "You look good. And you smell just as nice."

He looked at her, eyes darting up and down and his expression was bright and cheery, "You look... lovely." He said with almost a stutter as if he couldn't find the right words. That small intimate smile returned.

She bit her lip and looked away, her cheeks heating, "Thank you." Her stomach was doing flips but in a good way. This man was really seeping into her heart, intoxicating her with his lovely smiles and cute accent.

"Should we go? I-I'm ready." Gabrijela said she picked up her crossbody bag.

"Lets." He held the door open for her, and place his hand on the small of her back as he guided her out.

The pair left the building and drove off somewhere else in London. The area was named Covent Garden, he found some restaurant called the Ivy Market Grill.

It had stopped raining thankfully, as Cillian had to park quite far from the place. "The only problem here is the shit parking." He cursed as he found a spot and parked.

"So I've heard." She said as she got out of the car. "So why here?" She asked him as they walked along the footpath.

"Its a bit pricey but the food is good, or so my friends have told me." He said, "Atmosphere is nice, comfy. The whole place is designed almost authentically, too. Wanted to bring you to a place which makes authentic food." He explained.

"Okay. Sounds lovely." Gabrijela was eager to try some good food, she loved her food, and if it was local, even better.

They arrived at the restaurant, and once inside she felt like she was taken back some decades. It was mostly brown, green, rust and cream colours, mixed with odd patterns and round lights. There was a large bar and the place was almost packed.

Cillian spoke to a waiter and they were taken upstairs to the terrace, which was covered and was seated next to the railing that overlooked the piazza below.

"It's really nice." She nodded, it was cosy and light, especially upstairs.

"It is, it is. I hope the food is just as good." He said.

The waiter came by after a bit and Cillian ordered a glass of red wine, she did the same, she liked red.

"You're a red girl, huh?" Cillian sat back in the chair. He ordered a bottle instead.

"Yeah, I don't mind it. I like having it with dinner mostly. White... Hmm, I like Moscato, I'm a sweet person. When I go out though with my friends, its either vodka or tequila, or a mix of both and various other killing kinda spirit." She laughed softly.

"That's alright, at least you like a wide range of drinks. I stick to my red wines or some good local ale." He replied, "You said you go out? Where to?"

"Uh, well in Sydney, mostly night clubs or do a classic pub run with my best friend and her mate. I'm a single gal, so I'm hoping to find a man who is willing to uh, date me or something. I get dates but uh... It ends up in bed and no more after that." She blushed a little.

"Really? You seem like a really smart and talented girl. Who wouldn't want to date you?" He asked, clearly shocked with his raised brows.

The bottle came and the waiter poured them a glass each, she took a sip of hers, "I guess Sydney boys don't like a smart girl. Only for a good fuck for a couple of times." She sighed, "I'm over that, those friends with benefits. I'm twenty-five, and most of my friends are getting married soon, three of them are next year. One already has two kids." She twirled the glass on the table, "Guys I meet are immature, or like I said want to just get laid, they don't want anything serious. I want something serious. But it seems like a turn-off." She whispered.

"Well, if you want my honest opinion, I don't think its a turn-off. It's nice to hear a girl like you who wants something for herself. You want kids eventually?" She nodded, "Marriage?" She nodded again. "I can say the same for myself."

She almost choked on her drink, "Ah, yeah. Yeah." She hastily wiped her mouth.

"I-I mean, not with you- I-I mean unless- Ah- Fuck, sorry. Fuck." He let out a nervous and embarrassing laugh.

"It's okay." She laughed, reaching over suddenly and took his hand, squeezing it. "No offence." She winked at him and it seemed to calm him down.

A waiter came over finally and took their orders. It seemed to calm the air between them. Whatever it was. Her heart had skipped a beat when he spoked about how her needs and wants wasn't a turn-off. Was that a turn-on for him? She kicked herself mentally for thinking such an absurd thing. He was so way out of her league, and her parents would definitely not approve.

Besides, she was here on an internship, not to find a guy.

But she looked up and met those pretty baby blue eyes, and she could see something appear in them. Something.

"So," she finally said after some seconds that passed once the waiter left, "Music. You were in a band. What do you like to listen to?"

"Uhm, just to name a few, Daft Punk occasionally, Blur, or Nils Frahm when I need something to chill out to." He said. "I got some old records that I still listen to, helps me get into a good mindset when I need to act."

"Cool. I'm pretty easy, I listen to whatever sounds good I guess? I love a bit of everything except like heavy metal or country. If you check out my Spotify its a mixture of music, old classic pop and rock, or today's music. Even got a Croatian playlist too." She shrugged.

"Top favourite band?" He asked, "Or two."

She thought for a bit, "Imagine Dragons and... Fuck, I don't know. I love a lot of bands. My top song is Live it Up by Mental As Anything and Born to Be Yours by Imagine Dragons. Even Radioactive, god, I could put that on so loud and I'd be so far away from this world." She sighed, smiling.

"In what way?" Curiosity laced his voice.

"I read a lot of fantasy books, young adult, paranormal romance. I like to envision myself in those worlds as the heroine, fighting monsters and... stuff like that." She blushed. "I daydream a lot, writing is another thing I do. Whenever I get the chance."

"Brilliance of a creative person, so music helps you dream?" He seemed very intrigued, fascinated. And truly interested in what she had to say.

So she continued, surprisingly, "Yeah. Sometimes the lyrics don't need to help me, but mostly the tune. So, like alternative, indie rock. I like that stuff, gets my mind rolling." She said, her eyes glittering with joy. He didn't seem afraid either, he spoke wildly and passionately about how music also affected him in ways that let him experience highs and lows.

When their food came, it didn't stop their conversation. They chatted about music, about the changes in genres and all that.

It connected them very well, and she felt so unafraid for the first time to open up about her likes. She was over the moon that he didn't judge her, he asked questions, genuine questions of herself.

Even went into their dislikes, and they clicked through that.

Their dinner was over and he was quick to pay despite her trying to offer money.

"Keep it," He said as they walked out of the restaurant. He held her coat and helped her put it on. "Buy something for yourself. Tonight is on me." He kept his arm around her shoulders as he guided her down the street.

"Where we going now?" She asked, sliding an arm around his waist. It was more comfortable to walk like that, not because she wanted to. Or maybe she did.

"There's a pub here that has live music. Alternative rock. Haven't heard of the band before but thought it would be fun to go." He said as the pub neared.

There was a shit ton of people, they all piled outside and drinking. Music spilled out in the night. It was a very good beat.

"Ladies first." He said and gestured with a hand for her to go first. She did, and his hand found that spot on her back.

Once inside the pub, it was fairly large and people were seated in booths or tables or gathered around the bar.

She saw a bunch of people wave from a booth, "There. Come on." He took her arm instead and they pushed through the throng of people.

"Hey, mate! Glad you could come!" A man rose up from the booth, shaking hands with Cillian. "Oh man, my friend is so stoked you could be here tonight. It means so much." The guy was grinning wide.

Cillian smiled, "Yeah, man. No worries. You talked him up so much, so he better be good." He teased.

"Definitely! Ah, and who's this pretty lady?" The man turned to Gabrijela.

She could see him and his buddies were a little tipsy but she gave them a lovely smile either way. "Hi," She shook hands.

"Gabrijela, she's come all the way from Sydney! To work with me and the rest of the cast." Cillian explained.

"Oh! Lucky girl. I'm Joel by the way. Don't worry, Cillian 'ere is a fantastic man. He'll look after you splendid." Joel winked at her, picking up the subtle hint.

She frowned a little but she was ushered to sit. She sat at the end opposite Cillian to some other man whose name was Lawrence.

"I'm gonna get drinks, what do you want?" Cillian asked her as he knelt beside her.

"Surprise me." She leaned in to speak into his ear.

He nodded and stood up and disappeared in the crowd.

"So," Joel leaned on the table, "How long are you stayin' in London?"

"About a year. It's the length of my Internship with a month of free time in December." She explained.

"Oh yeah? Neat. How you feeling? Are you by yourself?" Lawrence jumped into the conversation. He was uncomfortably close to her, especially his hand.

"Uh... I'm feeling okay. Nervous." She said, not answering his last question. The situation made her on edge. She had been in this scene before. Cillian, she thought, where the fuck are you?

"You looking for something here?" Leo hummed, giving her a once over.

"No." She said, standing her ground. "I'm here for my studies. Nothing more." She gave him a pointed look.

"I'm just asking, Miss. Usually, you girls are after more than just a job. I work for a taxi company that--"

"Listen here, mate." She leaned over, slapping the business card out of his hand. She knew what kinda taxi driver this sick prick was, "I'm not here to fuck with men or women. I'm here to work, to get experience in a fashion career. And you fucker give me shit like this? You're sick." She spat.

She'd walk, but Cillian had come over looking cheery as always. He looked at Gabrijela, seeing her posture of her crossed legs and arms.

"Hey, we good here?" He asked as he set the wine glass in front of her and one for himself, and two beer glasses in front of his friends.

"Yeah, mate. It's fine. Hey look they're about to get on stage." Joel nodded to the band setting up now after the first one finished.

As the band fixed their gear, she felt a nudge under the table. She looked and Cillian mouth 'Are you okay?'

She nodded, giving him a smile but it didn't reach her eyes. Cillian frowned sitting back before Joel sucked him into a conversation.

Lawrence on the other hand, wanted to talk to her, "Is this your first time overseas?"

"No," She said blandly, sipping her wine as she faced the rugged man.

"Where did you go? If this isn't your first time." Lawrence continued.

"Europe with family. I'm here-" She stopped herself.

"By yourself? That's brave." He purred.

Fuck.

"Yeah. Very." She looked away, the band began to play.

The night went on and Lawrence seemed to leave her alone and she began to feel a little better. The boys talked about work and whatever, and she listened to the band playing.

They were pretty good and she bopped to it, even taped some of it as a memory.

Then she spotted a photo booth, and a smile broke out, "Cillian." She said, bringing his attention to her. "There's a photo booth. Can we go to it?" She asked.

"With me?" He asked.

"Yeah, I love those things." She stood, holding out her hand for him.

"Alright. We'll be back." He said to Joel and Lawrence.

The pair went to the photo booth, and she paid for it. They took six photos together, silly poses and some serious or smiling ones. They looked at the photos and both laughed, there was one for her and one for him.

"I'm gonna cherish this." She said to him, hugging him suddenly.

He was taken aback but hugged her back, "Same here." He said.

"I'm gonna head to the ladies room, I'll be right back." She said to him and pulled away to go to the toilet.

Cillian returned to the table, tucking the photo into his pocket, "Where'd your girlie go?" Joel asked.

"Ladies room," Cillian replied lightly before they went back to the conversation.

Lawrence took a moment before he got up and went towards the toilet.

Gabrijela was just walking out when she ran right into Lawrence.

"Woah!" He gripped her arms.

"Let go." She growled and pushed his arms away.

"Damn girl. You are a feisty one." He smirked, cornering her.

"You fucker. Let me through." She tried to get past him but he had her pinned.

"Why you acting like this? Shouldn't you be happy? Getting the attention yeah?" He purred. His breath reeked.

"Get off me!" She cried, but the music was so loud, and the area was dark that no one really paid attention.

"Come on girl, I know you like this-"

No. She definitely wasn't. Before his hands could yank up her skirt or jumper, she brought her knee between his legs.

He gasped and fell to his knees, clutching himself.

Gabrijela picked up her bag and tried to fix her jumper, tears began to fall down as she rushed through the crowd.

When she reached the table she grabbed her unfinished wine and threw it on Joel.

"Fuck you." She snapped, "How dare you. How dare you!"

Cillian shot to his feet, "Hey! What's wrong? Gab?" He grabbed her arms.

"Let me go!" She shook herself free from him. "That old pervert sent his cocksucker on me! He had his hands on me!" She was infuriated, humiliated in a way and frightened.

She turned from Cillian and pushed through the crowd, and stumbled out of the pub as tears fell down her cheeks more freely now.

She stormed down the street, she needed to get home, have a shower.

"Gabrijela!" She could hear Cillian's voice call for her. "Gab! Wait!"

He caught up to her and got her to stop by standing in front of her, "Gab, hey. Look at me, hey." His voice was gentle and soft.

She couldn't look up, but his fingers took her chin and he tilted her face up, "What happened? Talk to me," He was seriously concerned and worried.

She sniffled, she explained what happened and had clung to his arms. "I-I'm sorry I-"

"No. You're not at fault. I'm sorry, I should've picked it up sooner. God, I'm so sorry," He pulled her into his body, and she wrapped her arms around him.

He stroked her back slowly and she found it comforting. "Let's go home, yeah?"

"Yeah." She nodded and pulled away slightly. He kept his arm around her shoulder as they walked back to the car.

He put on some gentle music and it eased her all the way back to the apartment.

They silently walked up the stairs and he came in with her. She sat on her bed, sighing heavily. She tried to take off her boots but she couldn't.

"Let me help." He came over and knelt in front of her. His fingers brushed her skin and watched him closely as he peeled off her boots. He set them aside and then helped her out of her jacket and hung it up for her.

She flopped back on the bed, eyes shut.

"Will you be okay? By yourself?" He asked her as he sat beside her.

"I..." She opened her eyes, looking at him. Her heart melted at the sight. She didn't think she ever saw a man so worried like he did right there. She smiled a little, "I... Stay. Please." she sat up slowly, leaning closer to him.

"Okay. I'll sleep on the couch-"

"No. Could..." she sucked in a breath, "Hold me? Please? U-Unless that's too much since we-"

"Of course. Doesn't bother me." He reached up and brushed a knuckle along her cheekbone. "Get changed into something more comfortable though." He added.

She nodded and got off the bed, she grabbed her singlet and the silky booty shorts she had and changed in the bathroom. She cleaned up her face and combed her hair before she stepped out.

Cillian had kicked off his shoes and his jacket and was simply in his shirt and his boxers.

"Someone's comfortable." She said with a smile.

"Ah, I mean- I can put my jeans-" He stuttered and reached for them.

"No," she rushed to him, taking his hands, "No, I was only kidding. It's fine."

"I'm wearing underwear under them." He offered.

She snorted, and then laughed, "It's fine. Really. Do I look any better?" She huffed.

He looked her up and down quickly and his cheeks went a shade of pink. He didn't answer her.

He got into the bed first and she went to the other side.

Once they were in and comfortable, he held open his arm, "Come here." He said softly.

She accepted the offer and rolled into his side, her hand resting on his chest, her head on his shoulder.

His arm came around her, his other arm was bent under his head.

"I'm sorry for tonight how it ended. I had hoped it went better." Cillian said softly.

"It's okay, Cilly. Dinner was wonderful, made perfect because of you." She looked up at him. "I will remember that most."

He looked at her, and sighed softly, "Okay, but I will make it up to you."

"Don't-"

"Shush," He said and she raised a brow, "I want to okay? Please. This was on me, and I should've been more aware."

It was her turn to sigh, but she gave in, "Okay. Okay. Make it up to me." She whispered.

They held each other gaze before he blinked and laid his head back, "Get some sleep. Tomorrow... who knows. We'll see." He said.

She nodded and shifted a little, her leg brushed along his. "Goodnight." She murmured.

"Goodnight." He replied he pressed a kiss to her head. His fingers slowly moved up and down her side, it made her body relax.

She listened to his heartbeat, letting it lull her into a dreamless sleep. Cillian held her the whole time, even after he fell asleep.

#cillian murphy #peaky blinders #thomas shelby #fanfiction

17 notes · View notes

comicteaparty · 4 years

Text

December 18th-December 24th, 2019 Reader Favorites Archive

The archive for the Reader Favorites chat that occurred from December 18th, 2019 to December 24th, 2019. The chat focused on the following question:

What tropes and/or clichés are you perfectly fine with seeing in the webcomics you read?

Deo101

Like all of the cutesy cheesy relationship tropes. I love them all and I always will! Plenty more, but I find myself getting caught up in the relationship tropes the most. Specifically friends to lovers, but I also really like the found family trope. I know there are more tropes that I love but I can't think of them off the top of my head, so I'll probably just agree with others as the week goes on

indogswetrust

pass me the slow burn romance please thaaaanks

Deo101

that one too. Also hurt/comfort. Pump those into my VEINS they are my lifeblood... I shamelessly put every trope I want into my work so I can't judge other people for doing the same

indogswetrust

i’m trash

I’ve become more sssssophisticated as I’ve gotten older but I know what I like in a webcomic.

And it’s Adorable Behavior (tm)

Deo101

I've gotten less sophosticated. I thought I got more sophisticated but turns out I just got less shameful about the things i like

indogswetrust

Haha

I mean I used to really be fixated on comedy and now I’m more okay with things being ambiguous and complex? Ingress is a good example. I might have put it down two years ago but now I wanna see where Spicer and Toivo’s journey takes them

Fixated isn’t the exact word. whatever

Deo101

No I get you! Realizing you like more than just one thing and expanding your horizons is really important!

Cap’n Lee (Flowerlark Studios)

I love the enemies-to-lovers trope. Any time a pair of characters goes from ‘I hate your guts’ to ‘take me now’ I’m loving it. That is, so long as one of them wasn’t being outright abusive during their ‘hate’ phase.

indogswetrust

Man that’s a delicate balance but also

Deo101

^ Fully agree. I just get a little too anxious about the "enemies" side of thing and worry they wont fully grow into lovers I guess! But if it's done well, Its an especially good one

carcarchu

i second the enemies-to-lovers thing i will never get enough of that trope

LadyLazuli (Phantomarine)

thirded

if I even smell a hint of it in a story, provided it's not overtly violent or abusive or otherwise horrible... I am hooked

kayotics

Fourthed... it’s a good trope

keii4ii

Now I feel like the odd one out for being neutral toward that trope. I definitely enjoy good examples of it, but otherwise completely neutral?

Evolving relationships is a good thing in general though, and enemies to lovers does fall in that category.

keii4ii

I have a soft spot for long lost superadvanced civilizations being unearthed. While it doesn't guarantee I'll fall in love with the story, it WILL grab my attention and at least get me to check it out.

renieplayerone

I dont really have any strong opinions on any tropes, but theres a really good channel on youtube that goes through and critiques tropes. I find it really useful for writing. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDb22nlVXGgcljcdyDk80bBDXGyeZjZ5e

keii4ii

(Please don't let my weirdness ruin anyone's enjoyment of the trope though, lol. I'm all for celebrating what you like! was just genuinely wondering if I'm the only one who's neutral about it!)

keii4ii

Also not an overarching story trope, but more like a type of a scene... I really like this thing (if this is a trope please tell me what it's called XD) A, B, C are friends. A and B are bffs. C is not as close. B talks to C about this while A is away. This is an honest conversation, not a malicious one. B learns to see A in a way they hadn't before, and it strengthens the B-A friendship. I'm not likely to start reading a story just because I know it contains this scene. But if a story I already like has this scene, it is likely to be my favorite scene!(edited)

I guess part of the reason why I like it so much is, it shows that the relationship (the B-A one in this case) is not insular. It's a real relationship between real people, who also have relationships outside of it, and the relationships have an influence on each other.

(And that's a lot of "relationship"s in a paragraph...)

eli [a winged tale]

Positive relationships and healthy navigations between relationship and life problems are my jam The enemies to lovers trope can be gripping because you get an additional conflict on top of tension. I thought the novel Red White & Royal Blue did a good job at that. Grant Snyder did a trope bingo for murakami and I thought it was fun to do the same for my works in progress. For reference: the murakami one https://www.google.com/amp/s/news.avclub.com/here-s-how-to-play-haruki-murakami-bingo-as-you-read-hi-1798271345/amp

keii4ii

omg

I NEED TO MAKE THIS for me/ comics I read

I mean I don't have a whole lot of stories, but it would be interesting to see what kind of common items get checked off across mine + my favorite comics combined

Capitania do Azar

wow I've been thinking about it a lot and I'm having a very hard time selecting the tropes I like best... I'm more of a "I know what I don't like and taking that aside I like being surprised"

Cronaj

All I can say is... Red Oni, Blue Oni (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RedOniBlueOni). This trope is seriously so good. My favorite thing about this trope is that the "Red Oni," or the hot-headed one, and the "Blue Oni," the cold or level-headed one, can be either friends or enemies. So it makes for a beautiful dynamic no matter what type of story it is. Buddy cops, competitors in the workplace, brothers, enemies, the straight man and the fool, you name it. Typically these characters are foils of each other, and their differencesbalways make for exceedingly fun interactions. Another favorite trope of mine, which I don't really know the name of, is where the seemingly hot/handsome guy is actually a dork who has no idea what he's doing. Everyone in the story thinks he's done everything, but really he's just a dopey, niave possibly shy and definitely clumsy virgin. But the social awkwardness only makes him inexplicably more appealing to the other lead. Cute

Ah! Another trope I have to add because it's basically my crack: Androids Are People, Too (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AndroidsArePeopleToo). I have loved this trope since before Detroit: Become Human, but the game certainly rekindled my love for it. Very genre-specific, but AI fascinate me to no end, whether it's in the real world, or in Sci-Fi.

eli [a winged tale]

Haha Cronaj are you me? Contrasting characters and robots who have feelings can get me hooked straight away

indogswetrust

lemme tell y’all about a trope I’ve noticed: the crazy lesbian. Like, The Favorite and Killing Eve and that Netflix movie about the violinists. Whoof. I am so tired of that

Cronaj

Hahahaha! I dunno maybe. I also have a protagonist in one of my novels named Eli.

eli [a winged tale]

The cute nerd who is fumbling but appeared to have it all together may lean towards the Mary Sue for me but if there is a true flaw (Tm) then I’m down

indogswetrust

I feel like gay men characters have been getting humanized and happy endings and that’s awesome! But lesbians have not been getting the same treatment.

bumbling and romantically inept nerds fuel me

eli [a winged tale]

What do you mean about the lesbian part, indogswetrust? I’m curious to know of the differences as I’m currently writing both

Cronaj

@eli [a winged tale] YES. I'm not gonna lie, I have definitely used more than one of these tropes XD And one of them may or may not be the fumbling hottie...

eli [a winged tale]

I wanted to link my trope bingo but thought it went against the pinned rules I can DM it to you if you’re interested and I’d love to play everyone else’s bingos

Cronaj

Oh hell yes. Lesgooooooo!

I have never made a trope bingo, but I really should

indogswetrust

Like, Love, Simon or Call Me By Your Name show gay men as people slowly falling in love and it’s tender and kind. But The Favorite literally has animal abuse in it and women sleeping with each other for power. I walked out of the theater. Same for Killing Eve, it’s about a spy and a murderer. High intrigue and drama but it’s obviously a toxic relationship from the premise

eli [a winged tale]

Oh no! You should check out Their Story by Tan Jiu)

It’s formatted like a webcomic as well though formally called manhua. It does the slow burn romance, humanizing aspect very well. I’m not well versed in the mainstream portrayal but certainly on the indie side, people are stepping up and writing very positive and healthy lesbian stories

indogswetrust

The indie side is great. Even “The Sea In You” (a webcomic) is frickin adorable

It just grinds my beans about mainstream portrayal

eli [a winged tale]

Loving the sea in you!

RebelVampire

A trope I will never get sick of is https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses , especially if https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ReallyRoyaltyReveal this is what happens in the story. I just...I really love royalty. I can't help it. I love the pointless traditions, the fancy dresses, the palaces, etc.. And even if that's not part of it, I still like it when some rando girl realizes that she's a princess and now has to deal with that idea that she has subjects she has to protect or something. Bonus points if she's a magical girl. I even like it when it's a reverse situation where it's an evil princess. I will never tire of princesses ever because the concept is always fascinating to me no matter which way its spun.

eli [a winged tale]

I love the fanciness of it all. All those lovely eye candy designs

Cronaj

Same... I have also used the Really Royalty Reveal, like..... Several times

eli [a winged tale]

The royal reveal when done well can be so powerful and validating

Kelsey (Kurio)

I have a queen ant character but no princesses yet

Eightfish

ooh are we talking about tropes we like? I really like mind reading/ mind control. But consensual. It's feels like the theme of trust taken to the extreme, where a character has such belief in someone they'd trust their mind / body to them. But I've only really seen it in some kid's books I liked (Young Wizards, Animorphs), and the only webcomic I've seen with this idea is my own, and I haven't even gotten to that part yet. Anyone have any recommendations? Ooh or a tvtropes link?

Erin Ptah (BICP 🎄 Leif & Thorn)

It comes up in the Murderbot Diaries -- the main character is a construct, basically a really-advanced android, and there are times when it lets a more-powerful AI pilot its body to handle an emergency that's unfolding too fast for it to keep up with on its own.

Eightfish

I looked it up and I do like the themes of androids' humanity. And it's a series of novellae, which, wow, that's very rare. Not sure I've ever seen that before. Do you recommend the book as a whole?(edited)

Erin Ptah (BICP 🎄 Leif & Thorn)

I recommend the whole series, yes!

#ctparchive #comics #webcomics #indie comics #comic chat #comic discussion #comic tea party #ctp #reader favorites

1 note · View note

kierongillen · 6 years

Text

Writer Notes: the Wicked + the Divine 37

Spoilers, obv.

It's a strange job, writing. You think you know something, and you do, and then you realise it's something else. Or rather, something else as well.

While I'd advise against hard categories, there's certainly types of writers. When I was on a panel with Hickman, I believe he described me as god. Which amused me. He was saying that I'm the sort of writer who works like a Christian god, knowing the place and positioning of every leaf, every tree beam, every mote of dust. I see writing as a sprawling machine. I'm the Watchmaker.

This isn't quite the same thing as being a complete planner, but my decisions are deliberate. I'm not someone who doesn't generally know why he's doing something.

Writers who lean more improvisational talk often about looking back and realising what their theme was, or what they were mining and not aware of. I rarely get that. Or rather, it happens so rarely, that I tend to remember almost every occasion I get that perspective. Frankly, more common is making a decision for a reason, forgetting why, and then reverse engineering my own thought process years down the line and realising why past-me made what I felt was the only reasonable decision.

Which isn't to say that's everything. I know what I'm doing for a plan, but there's also the magic of ideas. What hits me, what feels right, places I want to go, and then only realise along the way exactly what part of me is having a conversation with me. This is normally stuff that I'm hiding from myself a little. This is stuff I have trouble admitting. This isn't just stuff that is bad about myself – there's lots of stuff which is bad about myself which I'm explicitly interrogating – but stuff I may not want to deal with until down the path. There's been a few of them. Not many, but a few.

Which makes this issue strange, as it's ended up being both.

It's an issue which was mainly conceived of before the first issue was drawn, set up entirely in issue 3, and has been thought about and talked about internally since (both internally team WicDiv and internally in my own head).

And then, only when the issue drops, do I realise what part of myself I've been mining for a character all along, while consciously thinking I was keeping her at arm’s reach, because I'm petrified of her. It's actually a realisation that's made me alter some things in my daily cycle, as I recognise the place they're from, and why it's bad for me.

As I said, writing is an interesting job. I don't consciously do it for these reasons... but I must do, at least on some level. "What is wrong with us?" is at the heart of most my work, which translates to "What is wrong with me?"

Of course, this is also not exactly necessarily relevant for you, and not the primary thrust of any of this, but it's there, and as these are writer notes, you're going to get some of it. Weird issue.

Preamble over.

Jamie/Matt's Cover: Foreshadowing the darkness section of the issue. We like doing a minimalistic one now and again.

Erica Henderson: This is just an amazing cover. After Squirrel Girl, you'd have an idea what an Erica cover would be, and it wouldn't be this wonderful homage to the the Caravaggio picture. Having a Gentle Annie cover this late is a good thing as well. In love with this.

IFC

The "Ananke. Or Ananke?" was a cut and paste error. We're just relieved it happens now, as I was petrified of typoing an Ananke when I meant Minerva or vice versa for the whole run.

Page 3-14

I suspect by now the past/present structure is pretty clear. We change it up considerably, with what they're showing. Issue 34 was the (majority) of the structure Ananke is working under. 35 is an example of what she does when things go right. 36 is showing the scale of what she did, and a taste of the tactics and so on. 37 is showing what happens when it goes wrong. I suspect by actively saying this in the notes, this is where a certain stripe of reader will try and work out what the other two bits of information are, but relax, we're nearly there and we'll tell you soon enough.

I had drafts of this when the past sequence was longer, but I cut it to the bone. After last issue, I wanted to spend the majority of the issue in the present day. If I could do it in 2 pages, that'd give me 18 pages for the present day.

In my longer drafts, I played with having the opening being 2 pages – so the falling apart starts on a page turn – and the reincarnation was over two pages, so featured a more active freak out that the sensory deprivation is over. Even with space, I'd have likely lost it – scrambling and that kind of panic in comics eats up panels, and isn't always effective. Cutting it to the three panels, showing the highly naturalistic magical appearance, and a single panel of the semi-comatose Minerva, clearly having been through hell.

(I'm going with Minerva as a name, as it's the name we know her by.)

A few words about what Matt did in colours – this just makes me want to go on holiday. Just weird and sad and horrible. Also, a note about "freaking out not always working in comics"? An expression like that does at the bottom of the page.

And then we have the black pages.

So, we're trying to show complete sensory deprivation for ninety years. How do you do it? I've seen people do deprivation comics, and they do it with a panel. For obvious reasons, because by definition nothing happens. In a standard comics world, we would do something like drop a CAP at the start of the page when she's back...

CAP: I SPENT THE LAST 90 YEARS IN NOTHINGNESS.

And then perhaps, if we really wanted to hand hold, on panel 2 add a...

CAP: THEN I WAS BACK.

But we're not a normal comic. Can we try and to show not tell? Try and get people to have the sense of what that actually is, and force a confrontation of the reality of it (or at least a fraction of the reality of it). Of course we can. As I joke in the back, if we were feeling really fancy, we'd have done 90 black pages.

As the issue was crammed with more interstitials than usual, there was no way this could possibly fit inside a normal sized issue. So we upped the issue size and, equally obviously, kept the price the same, because we're not complete shits.

Now, we're aware that some people won't get it. Some people may not have realised, despite the fact we've done it all the way through, that we've never done less than 20 pages of comics. We've often done more.

We actually put more of a tell than we normally would, in that we mention in the backmatter about how this actually cost us more money than usual, which we ate. Our general go-to motivation is to try and give people stuff they're not expecting, make them think about the form (and structure in life) from every possible angle. Yes, we're over four years into the comic, and we're still pushing stuff where we can.

There was a lot more here (as in, about a thousand words) but I'll spare you – fundamentally, I was fascinated that even with me trying to leave more space for the readers in this final year, we still do those little pushes, which is a symptom of a streak of control-freakery. Thinking about that and my feelings around it finally made me have the realisation I mentioned above – specifically, a “Oh – I know what part of me goes into Morrigan.” All the characters in WicDiv are me, I say. She was an exception. I felt I was mining a lot of things with her, but not necessary myself. I was always scared of her, but she was me all along. Deleting the above is in part about recognising my own control-freakery. I'm increasingly suspicious about these Writer Notes. Yes, they're about sharing and talking and craft, but I'm also aware it's at least in part about not wanting to let go. I have to get over that. I'll be surprised if I do Writer Notes like this for any future project.

So yeah. That was a journey.

Re: Page of blackness. Would I go back and not do it? Of course. I think it's a neat idea, and fun. It's the emotional mess that is me that I worry about.

NOTHING TO BE SCARED OF is a lift from Adam Ant's ‘Prince Charming’ (whose video take on Cinderella is actually 100% a WicDiv origin sequence, which makes me think of the edited Disney Cinderella gif with the exploding head. Cinderella is very WicDiv.

Anyway – a lift from ‘Prince Charming’, but perverted and turned very literal. Minerva is evidently afraid of a literal nothing.

16-17

As I said last time, I decided to concentrate on Baph's confession (and Laura's reveal) last issue, so I had moved a bunch of plot beats from there to here. I knew I had 18 pages, so more space to work. I obviously played with the idea of doing the Cassandra arrest this issue, but realised I could do the reveal from Baph's text at the end of last issue, to give an actual minor cliffhanger. As such, this means that we have to explain what happened here. How to do that?

Well, obviously we could do it with just Baph and Persephone chatting, but that seems like dead pages. I had the idea of doing it from the outside, to move the focus away from the pantheon out into the world. We don't get many moments of perspective any more (though I suspect they'll come back hard in the last arc) so this was useful.

It's also another example of particularly pointed glaring at fan behaviour. There is a lot of casual cruelty here.

The scene they describe is literally Cassandra's Cassandra moment. We see a little footage of this next issue.

I originally wanted this sequence to be at Elephant & Castle, as its curling mess of tunnels struck me as a good pace for such a confrontation. There's no escalators though, which creates a few limits, and I realised it'd likely be better to return to Highbury & Islington.

You'll also note the other thing this sequence does – which is orientate the reader with the layout of the station. When Morrigan and Baphomet actually fight, they go the opposite direction to where these two walk. It's a fairly common action film trick – travel through the setting so you know where stuff is, and then blow it up.

I love the pinky purple shirt here. Nice call, Matt. If I wore colours, you could dress me.

18-19

This issue, despite the space, is cut really tight. I look at this and wonder if I'd have cut it a different way to get more pages to use later.

Back to the Underground, limited backgrounds, handy when you're heading towards a visual showcase like the last half of the issue, both in terms of workload, and also to create a dark visual which is then exploded.

"Can everyone stop dying? It's getting really fucking depressing" has been in the Baph dialogue file ever since issue 1, I think. "How to get ahead in show business" was one of the titles I played with for the end of issue 33's interstitial, but went with Talking Heads. Clearly, it's a very Baph line.

The Fancy Pager, as seen back in Imperial Phase II when Dio gave it him.

It's good to see these two talking. It's very strong moves by Jamie, with lots of tiny nods. The "why I like him" sequence is very human.

20-21

This is one I feel I could have cut to a page if I really wanted to, but when Minerva is only lightly in play this issue, giving her more screen time seemed worthwhile. Space = Meaning remember. Plus it means showing more of the heads as well. See what I mean? I could have cut it, sure, but I know why I didn't.

Like the lighting here as well. Matt does great stuff.

I'll say this – Minerva has been a delight to write this arc. I mean, horrible as well. I'm amazed at her casual villainy, and how she turns a scene. I realised early in the arc this is basically me flexing the Kid Loki muscles, in a different kind of workout.

Another text-based scene. I'm thinking about how we use text messages so much in this book. Hmm.

The last expression with the needle is golden.

22-23-24

And the gears start turning on this awful machine.

Second panel is a little like the "Morrigan merges from behind shot from issue 5 and issue 12". I'd have made it a 1:1 copy of it, but it's a space-jealous approach.

Persephone removed, leaving us with Baphomet and Morrigan.

From now on is an odd one. It's what I can only think of as a set-piece. A series of beats we've been chewing over and moving around and talking about forever. The road is set in issue three. In anything like this, it's complicated. When I talk about WicDiv becoming messier as it heads into its final year, it's things like this.

Want to talk about structure? I don't normally do this, but it strikes me as a useful focus.

As far as I can see, the rest of the issue is primarily wrestling with three main plot threads, to different degrees. There's more, but I think they're the main ones.

Firstly, and probably least, is Baphomet. It's a little early to explicitly name his hamartia, but throughout Baphomet's failings are primarily responses to his feelings around death, and as a sub-set to that, his relationship to violence. He's killed accidentally. We've seen him try to kill repeatedly. Is Baphomet actually capable of cold-blooded murder?

Secondly, there's Morrigan. I think Dionysus nailed Morrigan back in Imperial Phase. Dio wants the best for people. Morrigan thinks she knows what's best for people. When people do not skew to her narrative, she turns frustrated, angry and uses increasingly immoral and abusive tactics to make people obey her. People make her so angry, because if only they would play their part, and do exactly what she says, it'd be better for everyone. She sees herself as the good person who knows what makes people happy. In the most basic terms, she's a control freak who has a story she wants everyone to conform to.

Thirdly, there's Baphomet and Morrigan's relationship. Which is more complicated than I could put into a paragraph, but is mainly about the two lines of their bullshit intersecting. It can be compelling. At a distance, it looks like a gothic romance. That's what Morrigan thinks it is. That's what Morrigan needs it to be. She's the heroine. Baph's the hero. He just keeps on fucking up his lines. Morrigan does not understand or agree that her relationship is abusive, and does not understand that she's using Baph as a narcissistic prop to satisfy her own needs.

While it's important for all of them, I think only one of these three threads climaxes here.

Anyway – this sets up. We slow down, and Baphomet actually realises what's happening. Baphomet, on some level, believes he deserves his treatment, as much as he chafes and pulls away. When he sees what Morrigan is capable of doing to someone else, he gets a moment of clarity.

Badb, the symbol of all of Morrigan's frustrations when her self-image is questioned, arrives.

God, Page 24, depresses me. It's such a stark page by Jamie and Matt. Everything slows down. Big panels. Big expressions.

25-30

When we originally conceived this, I thought it may be actually the whole issue, and do this, juxtaposed with a whole look at their relationship. In the end, I didn't have space, and likely didn't like it either. It'd have ended up juxtaposing more violence with sex, which I find distasteful and cheap.

Instead, it's written in a Marvel Method structure. I write the fight sequence and the flashbacks in parallel – there's a suggested solution to it, which Jamie went another direction on. I think it was basically a column on the right.

The original draft had more panels, and went on further in the flashback to the morning after. We then played with doing more periods – I had a version where it'd run through the entire length of Baph and Morri's relationship (I even put the whole thing in a document). But, as I was writing that, I realised the best solution was to just crop to the initial meeting in a shitty university club.

Yes, there was dialogue to this exchange. I may find a home for it before the end of WicDiv.

I mean – that's something odd about writing. For something like this, you generate so much stuff to even find what's going to go on the page. Fraction was talking about this in the latest Image+, in terms of the stuff that doesn't go on the page. Chrissy occasionally talks about comic writing having a lot to do with poetry, in terms of being about intensifying meaning into as small a space as possible.

Jamie and Matt do astounding things in this sequence. It's a fight sequence, and in genre comics, fight sequences take the place that songs do in musicals. Jamie chooses his moments, and Matt finds a way to navigate between the dancing timelines. Things like the third panel on 25, with the uncanny greens of Morrigan and Baph's red bisecting the panel says a lot. The divisions between the two in Jamie's art is also fascinating.

Christ – the mess of people in the first panel, and what happens to bodies when they get in the way.

I had a draft where Baph making this a nod to Sandman more explicit, but cut it.

In the flashback sequence, Cam saying something and Morrigan wincing, and me not needing to say that clearly Cam is making a crap joke is pleasing. It obviously is Jamie, but it also speaks to the characters. You know exactly how the first flirtation would go.

Jamie asked me "Does the fight have to be on an escalator?" and I basically said no, but... escalators are liminal spaces between the underworld and the surface world. They just seem loaded. And just as importantly, it's a place I just haven't seen nearly as much action as I'd like in genre comics. It's a space that many city people cross daily, and so will be familiar with, and so will perhaps think about as they go about. Jamie got it. Thanks, Jamie.

Morrigan as crow-beast is horrible.

Various people have asked what the notes are. It's ‘Welcome To The Black Parade’. I think I wrote ‘I'm Not Okay (I Promise)’ in the script. I think Jamie did it as you can get the notes right with ‘Black Parade’, which is a good call. The ‘I'm not okay’ was a callback to issue seven, but MCR generally is good.

Top of page 28 is another one for Matt – just how he works the long horizontal space.

End of Page 29 – Baphomet has his moment. He could end this now. And he finds he can't.

I don't know about you, but – for all his posture – I don't think Baphomet can kill anyone, and certainly not Morrigan. You can compare and contrast with Baal, if you wish. They're very much the bookends of certain forms of performed masculinity.

I wrote this as an impaling kind of move – but due to the panel shape, you can't show that, and capture the expression simultaneously. Instead, Jamie frames it as a swing, which does the same job.

30 – Baphomet may not be able to, but Morrigan certainly can.

This is horrible too, though Matt's colouring makes it a little more distancing. I suspect if I did have an extra page, I'd have used it here, to both make Baph's death clearer, and spend more space on Morrigan's realisation of what she's done.

This works, but I suspect for the trade I may change this interstitial to Baphomet. Baphomet's symbol is a skull here, but a little more stressing would likely help.

Title here is an early Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds single.

32-34

Persephone's captions are back – the stumble through an underworld path to find them made me think of the scene in issue seven, so the howl of the Morrigan, then comedy, now something else, is nodded to.

I love how Jamie and Matt have moved the mood from supernatural to hard disaster movie realism instantly. This is a tonal snap. The bodies, the people lying down. This is really horrible.

I suspect "Tragedy gives ‘clusterfuck’ ideas above its station" is one of my harder nods towards intent.

And back to Marian, the heroine of her gothic novel, confronted with undeniable evidence that she's a murdering monster who absolutely was driven by her own selfish desires. She denies it anyway, finding a way to persuade herself it's not true.

No, she's the hero. She's going to bring Baphomet back at the cost of her own life. That must prove she's the good person, right?

Morrigan is continuing her abuse the only way she can, while preserving her all-important idea that she was the good person.

So, of the three stories I mention, the one which climaxes is Morrigan's solo plot. She rode her own story off the edge of a cliff rather than face the reality of what she has done. The other two, and the other ones, carry on, especially Baph and Morri's relationship. Baph has to live with this.

When I was first explaining this to C, it had the desired effect. I then talked about my actual concern with it – that Marian's too convincing. Some people will take it as a "She loved him really" beat, and could then be taken as Abusers Love Their Victims Really. C got it, but noted, it's just too good to not do. I agree. I think it's one of the best scenes in WicDiv, and I had to hit it as hard as we could, and then go on to deal with the aftermath of it.

See you next issue.

#WicDiv #the wicked and the divine #writer notes

164 notes · View notes

anistarrose · 6 years

Text

untitled silly WWTD fic

Another @whatwouldteslado inspired fic, this one much less serious and featuring Ford yeeting a gnome. Roughly 700 words, no warnings.

(Set in an AU assuming WWTD has a good end (at the very minimum, Stan and Ford talk out all their issues and Bill is no longer a threat) and also is a parallel timeline where the words “yeet,” “lit,” and “big mood” have entered popular usage by the year 2012 — maybe Fiddleford got a good ending, and single-handedly set the entire Internet forward a few years.)

“Grunkle Ford, there’s something in our kitchen!” Mabel yelled. “It’s like a cute weird little man!”

Ford immediately dropped the magnet gun he was showing his nephew and dashed in, Dipper hot on his heels. Stan grunted an acknowledgement of the situation, but didn’t look up from the deck of cards he was shuffling (and undoubtedly also stacking).

Sure enough, there was a small gnome gnawing on the hard candy Mabel had left on the counter last night. Mabel didn’t actually seem to mind that her candy was getting destroyed — she was too fascinated with the creature itself.

“Can we keep him, Grunkle Ford?” she pleaded.

“Yeah!” Dipper agreed. “Let’s capture him, for science!”

“Absolutely not,” Ford told them. The kids’ reactions were understandable on account of having not seen any live anomalies before, but another week or so in Gravity Falls and they’d grow just as tired of the gnomes as everyone else. “Gnomes are a pest no better than rats or ants. I should have reminded you to wrap up your sweets to avoid attracting them in here.”

He pulled on a glove, picked the gnome up with that hand, and set to work opening the kitchen window with the other, ignoring the protests of both the gnome and his niblings.

“But — but it’s a supernatural creature!” Dipper said. “What if we never see another —”

“This town is home to a thousand other anomalies,” Ford replied. “And I’d love to show them all to you, after we get rid of this one.”

“He’s magical, though! You’re really just going to toss him out the window?” Mabel asked.

“Yes,” Ford told her. “I am.” He hurled the gnome with as much force as he could. “Yeet!”

For a moment, he was met with stunned silence.

Then Dipper finally asked: “Grunkle Ford, why did you say yeet?”

“Well, it’s a word for when you want to throw something, isn’t it? I would have drop-kicked it, but I’m not as young as I used to be —”

“It’s fake slang some strangers convinced him to start using back in the eighties,” Stan yelled from the other room. “If he says that again, or lit, or large mood, just ignore him.”

“But… but those all are real slang,” Mabel said. “Except maybe large mood — I think that’s supposed to be big mood, but if Ford wants to say large I think he should be able to.”

“What,” Stan muttered. It wasn’t a question, just a flat expression of shock.

“None of those were around in the eighties, though!” Dipper said. “They’re all modern Internet things! Not stuff people your age ever say — no offense.”

“Wait, really?” A faint memory resurfaced in Ford’s mind, of a number of grey faces insisting that the year was 2018.

“We would never lie about yeet,” Mabel assured him, and Dipper nodded in agreement.

“Stan, can I talk to you alone for a moment?” Ford asked, and Stan shrugged.

“I guess?”

“Alright, we’ll be right back, kids.”

Once they were out of earshot of the younger twins, Ford continued:

“A number of the people following our blog claimed to have been from the twenty-first century. Do you think there might be any truth to that?”

“Dunno why you’re askin’ me, you’re the one with the PhD in time travel.”

“I have a PhD in physics. There’s no such thing as a PhD in time travel — at least, not yet, which means that in the future I could retroactively… you know what, I’m not going down that rabbit hole right now. The point is, you always offered a valuable alternative perspective when trying to get the truth out of those anons, which is why I’m asking your opinion.”

“So you’re complimenting me? Well, in that case, I guess it’s possible that…” Stan paused, no doubt noticing Ford nearly jump as he had a realization.

“Okay, Ford, I know that look. What brilliant dumbass idea did you just get?”

“I think,” Ford mused, “that come 2018, I’m going to see if I can send any messages to a certain blog.”

#yeet #wwtd #whatwouldteslado #gravity falls #stanford pines #stanley pines #dipper pines #mabel pines #rosalia writes fic #a time paradox that puts some sunny day to shame

53 notes · View notes

v01d-anc3 · 6 years

Text

001

Austin leaned forward in his chair, completely intrigued by the show that he was finally able to watch. Hoodie was on a hunt with EJ. Most of the Proxies were out, actually... Austin was yet to get an assignment. He didn't get along well with the other proxies, so that meant he didn't have a partner yet. And it was quite obvious Slenderman didn't trust him as much as he trusted Masky. In fact, Austin felt like sometimes Slender regretted collecting him for a proxy.

Austin narrowed his eyes at the screen. The show was called Over the Garden Wall. It was a short series, but from what he had seen, it was very interesting. He quite liked the robin.

Austin jumped when Toby rolled onto the couch next to him. Toby didn't stay on the couch long before he fell off, but he still somehow ended up in one of those 'draw me like one of your French girls' poses.

"Whatchya w-watchin, Void?" Toby asked, yellow goggles glued to the screen. his voice 'ticked' when he spoke, making it sound like he stammered.

"Nothing..." Austin mumbled. He didn't mind the nickname he had donned since arriving at the mansion, but he did find it kind of annoying when people said that others should a-void him. He didn't object, though.

"N-nothing? Looks more l-like a kids show" Toby sat up and kept watching the screen. "Is this D-Disney?"

"I... I don't think so?" Austin frowned.

"Dang. D-did you know Sl-Slender appeared in o-one of the shows from D-Disney?" Toby looked up at Austin, looking like he was trying to break his neck. Toby tapped his knees continuously.

"No?... Which show?" Austin frowned, curious. Toby had finally pulled Austin's attention away from the screen.

"G-Gravity Falls. Good sh-show, that one. Very w-weird"

"... I see... I'll look into it"

"There's D-Doritos in it" Toby's cloth mask shifted, indicating he was grinning.

"... Don't know why I'd need to know that, but thanks?"

"No pr-problem! Also, c-came over here to t-tell you that we have to g-go shopping later"

"What? Why us?"

"I c-could ask the same th-thing, but it's a tr-trial thing. M-Masky is c-coming, too, to 'k-keep an eye on us'. Don't kn-know what that m-means"

"Oh, no, I have no idea" Austin rolled his eyes, but it didn't look like he did much because his eyes were pitch black now. Austin knew the shenanigans that Toby got up to sometimes. They were almost as bad as when Jeff gets arrested at times.

"I know! I'm a r-responsible person, you're t-too stupid to try and l-leave, and we're both d-dedicated people! Also we get h-hungry, too!"

Austin frowned at that, but didn't say anything. He pretended that Toby's stuttering made him think he said that, but truly he hadn't. He tried not to think too much into it.

"So, d-d-did you finally g-get rid of Jeff?" Toby asked. The show finished. Austin sighed. He had missed the end of it because Toby refused to stop talking.

"I don't know. He wasn't in my room when I woke up. Or... maybe he was under my bed, I dunno" Austin hummed in thought. Jeff was a tactical killer when he wanted to be, and he watches his victims for about a week before he kills them, to look at sleeping patterns. Apparently they fascinated Jeff, so he studied them. Jeff watched Austin sleep on most nights. Well, whenever he did manage to sleep. It was hard to sleep when a man with a grin slit from ear to ear was staring at you with unblinking eyes through the moonlight that squeezed through the gaps in the shutters. Slenderman had tried to stop Jeff from doing it, but eventually gave up when Jeff chewed/stabbed a hole through the wall from EJ's room to Austin's. EJ didn't even wake up from the commotion apparently. He did see Jeff crawl through the hole sometimes, though.

It kinda freaked Austin out.

"Huh. W-weird. Maybe h-he's out or s-something?" Toby frowned.

"Probably out killing unfortunate people" Austin shrugged, grabbing the remote and turning off the TV. "When do we have to go? Do we have a shopping list?"

"L-leaving w-when Masky g-gets back f-from the p-patrol with B-Ben" Toby shrugged, sitting up.

"So... roughly 5?"

"Maybe. M-maybe not. Never know t-till he's at th-the door"

"Which... is always 5 on the dot, whether his partner is with him or not"

"What, really?! I-I never noticed" Toby frowned.

"Well, you do get a tiny bit distracted a lot of the time when he gets back..." Austin reminded Toby.

"Th-that makes sense" Toby nodded. "Here c-can get boring a-a lot"

"Definitely"

"We sh-should go hunting a-again soon!!~" Toby giggled.

Austin sighed. Jeff and Toby were always trying to get Austin to 'hunt'. Hunting as in get out of the mansion and kill people at night. Austin admitted, he did enjoy it at least a little bit, but he felt guilty, which was, of course, normal.

"I... I guess it wouldn't hurt..." Austin mumbled softly.

"You turned s-soft again!!" Toby announced.

Austin was about to assure Toby that he had no way of getting any softer when the door opened. Ben Drowned walked in and to the couch. "Move over"

Austin shuffled over a bit for Ben to sit in his spot - the one closest to the TV - and Ben flopped down.

"UGH I hate going on patrol" Ben groaned.

"We all have to do it eventually" Masky said calmly. He then turned to Austin and Toby. "Ready?"

Austin realized he didn't have his shoes on, and quickly jumped up. "I have to put shoes on, I'll be quick"

Masky nodded once. Toby jumped up, already wearing a pair of Volley's, as Austin ran upstairs to his room. He entered his room. Austin stopped when he saw Jeff climbing through his window.

"How did you...???" Austin frowned, wondering how on Earth did Jeff get to the second story window.

Jeff fell on his face. "Ow"

Austin rolled his eyes and helped Jeff up. Jeff smiled at him, of course, then sauntered out of the room. Austin didn't question it and grabbed his black combat boots. He pulled them on then ran back downstairs. Masky was looking at his watch and Toby was bouncing up and down, seeming unable to get the ants out of his pants. Austin walked outside with the others following. The door closed and the long trek to the town began.

The walk was quiet for Austin. The other two were sending chatter between each other, but Austin was zoned out for most of the way there, except for when Toby accidentally bumped into him. Other than that, Austin remained quiet. Mostly trying to ignore the visions and voices he saw at times. Austin remembered he forgot to take his medication this morning.

When they got to town, it was dark and not many people were out. The walk seemed to have taken longer because Toby got stuck in a tree.

Masky handed Austin something, jarring him out of thought. Austin took whatever it was and looked at it.

It was a human looking mask and a hat.

"Put them on" Masky instructed.

Austin frowned but didn't object, sliding the mask on and donning the hat. The mask almost immediately made Austin sweat and feel stuffy.

"Keep your hands in your pocket and hunch over when a human comes around" Masky said, taking off his mask for the first time in front of Austin. Austin was surprised. "We don't want any attention drawn to us. We are just grown men going shopping. If anyone asks, we're flat mates. Don't look at camera's or they'll notice something off"

Austin nodded. His face felt itchy.

They walked into a small supermarket, and immediately Toby headed to the milk isle. Almost as soon as he left, he darted into the next aisle, holding a milk carton. Toby had grabbed a basket in the progress and was grabbing the usual items, like milk, bread, sugar and whatnot. Masky gestured for Austin to follow him. He did so as they walked to the meat section. Masky read a shopping list, chewing on his lip. Austin couldn't help but stare at Masky. Masky looked human without his mask on. That was a first.

"Camera's, Austin. Don't look suspicious" Masky mumbled softly.

"R-right, sorry" Austin looked away and pretended to look at things.

"Don't talk" Masky instructed.

Austin nodded in response and picked up some tomato sauce, reading the labels.

"We need some of that. Don't put it back" Masky announced.

Austin nodded. He held it quietly, looking for something else to do. Toby ran down the aisle, holding 2 loaves of bread and the basket, already full of stuff that was needed for living, including soaps and and Pop Tarts. Once Masky was done with what he was doing - collecting a small pile of meats for meals - they headed to the biscuit aisle. Toby started picking up more Pop Tarts, but Masky stopped him. He then tried grabbing Oreos, but Masky stopped him yet again, letting out a sigh.

"We don't need every single box, Toby"

"We don't have enough!"

"Yes we do"

"THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH" Toby complained loudly. A woman down the aisle looked over for a moment, before returning to grabbing a box of tea and leaving in a hurry. Masky grabbed a box of Maree's, some ANZAC biscuits and choc chip cookies before leaving the aisle in silence. Toby groaned and followed. Austin also followed.

They headed to the self serve cash register and Toby and Masky each took turns in scanning things in order to make it quicker. Austin shoved the items into bags and took as many as he could carry when they were done. They all left the supermarket and headed outside. It was even darker and colder than before. They headed down the street, back toward the forest, but stopped at the gas station.

"Toby, leave the bags out here. I want to get some smokes, and you can grab a drink" Masky turned to Austin. "You're in charge of the bags. If anyone steals anything, you will be blamed. What drink do you want?"

Austin frowned but then nodded. "A lemonade will do, thank you"

Masky nodded, placing the bags he had beside Austin. Toby dropped his, and they both headed inside.

Austin felt a little sketchy, especially since he was in a dark corner of the place. He couldn't help but feel proud, though. Masky had put Austin in charge of something, so therefore he was at least a little trustworthy. Austin planned to keep it that way. No one would steal tonight, anyway. They didn't have much of worth.

Yet Austin was wrong.

Austin jumped in alarm as someone slammed into him, shoving him against the wall and pinning him under their weight. They covered Austin's masks mouth with a gloved hand and held a gun to the side of his head.

"Keep yer mouth shut, boy, and hand over the cash" the man growled lowly.

Austin didn't have any cash. All he had was his phone, which hung in his pocket heavily. Austin felt a rush of adrenaline in his body, specifically his head. He panicked a bit, mostly because of the fact that the voice in his head was trying to convince him to let them take over.

"Stop stallin and hand it over!!"

Austin heard rustling, and knew the man had a comrade messing with the bags.

Austin had it then. Time to unleash his inner demon.

Austin closed his eyes and relaxed his muscles. As soon as he did, he was tossed back into the void.

And out came the true darker side of himself. Aka The Static.

They opened their eyes and a faint static sound was heard, their eyes now that static look.

"Shoot me" they grinned under the mask.

"What?" the attacker grunted.

"Shoot me. Right in the head. I dare you. I bet you don't have the guts. Is it even loaded, good sir? You haven't even cocked the gun" they chuckle slightly.

"How are you even talking?!" the guy snapped.

"I am inside everyone's head, Johnathan"

The man, Johnathan, gasped. He took a step back in shock. This gave the Static enough time to go completely rouge.

They punched the guy straight in the gut, causing him to double over, then they kneed him in the face. The guy groaned and cocked the gun, then aimed and shot directly between the inhabited eyes of Austin.

The guy going through the bags slumped to the ground. Johnathan backed up, staring at his now dead friend, then at the Static.

"H-how did you..." Johnathan stammered before the Static grabbed a pole lying conveniently on the ground. Johnathan cocked the gun then aimed and shot again, missing the Static's shoulder and somehow getting shot instead. Johnathan screamed in pain and dropped the gun. The Static was on him in a split second and cracked the pole over Johnathan's head. Johnathan slumped to the floor.

The Static then dropped the pole, grabbing the gun. 4 more bullets.

"This seems like a fun one to play with..." he mumbled.

He then turned and aimed the gun right at Masky as he and Toby walked out of the service station.

//Hey guys! Feedback is much appreciated!!

#Creepypasta #CP #Proxy #Proxies #Void #Slenderman #Slender #Masky #Ticci Toby #CPOC #OC #Robbery #Assignment #Trial #Voidance

10 notes · View notes

austinpanda · 4 years

Text

Dad Letter 091320

13 September, 2020

Dear Dad--

I saw an article in the Washington Post about how the football season kind of “snuck up on us,” that it’s arrived, but no one was spending every moment anticipating it, like normal, because we all have so much other shit to worry about right now. (Weird thing to write a whole article about, but I guess it’s more about seasonal milestones and how they’re importance lessens in times of crisis...I guess.) Anyway, I’ve found that whenever there’s a football game on, no matter college or professional, no matter what network is showing the game, if I look around long enough, I can find a live video stream of the game, and watch it. It’s tricky and a bit perilous, but it works. So I tuned into last night’s UT game briefly!

I thought the game started at 8:00 Texas time, which is 9:00 Bangor time, but it actually started an hour earlier, so by the time I tuned in, there were about 10 minutes left in the second quarter, and UT was up 35 to 0. I don’t remember who the other team was because I’d never heard of them. [I have consulted the internet, the opponents were the UTEP Miners, whoever the fuck that is, and the final score was 59 to 3, in favor of UT.] That was not exactly a nail-biter, was it?

We continue to experience a good deal of nothing much here in Old Town, Maine, and we love it! We arrived here on September 29 of last year, so we’re coming up on one year here in Maine. And fall is definitely setting in--more trees are turning, and more morning temps in the 30s. I believe the hummingbirds have stopped showing up, so I’ll clean the feeders and store them away soon for next spring. I love, love, love having actual seasons! It’s like living in a Charlie Brown cartoon. I’m still adjusting to living in a place where it’s not uncomfortable to just sit outside, even at the height of summer. It makes me feel more comfortable in my skin.

That gave me an idea a while back, something I’d like to try. We have something of a “yard” here at the trailer. Really it’s just the space next to our trailer that serves as our driveway, and the back third of it is grass. This is where we have our bird feeders, and birdbath. This is where we throw the raw peanuts for the squirrels and bluejays and chipmunks. It’s a pretty little rectangle of grass, even with the kerosene tank nearby. And there’s an electrical outlet on that side of the trailer. And the trailer is white, because everything in this damn state is white. What if I got one of those digital projectors, and we sat in camp chairs or patio chairs, or just a blanket on the grass, and I showed movies on the side of the trailer? There are no fire ants here. We could watch movies under the stars. I even have that popcorn machine that I got before the end times began; I can make movie theater popcorn. I could turn our yard into a mini drive-in theater.

Couple of things interfere with this plan in the short term. First, it won’t be long before it’s prohibitively cold outside, although folks here can be pretty hardy. (Or is it hearty? I looked it up; they both seem to work.) We can try to be hardy/hearty. I’d purchase or build a little fire pit, if we weren’t right next to the kerosene tank, and if it weren’t prohibited by our lease. We can work around that. Another problem is that digital projectors can be affordable and crappy, or they can be many hundreds of dollars, and maybe you’ll get something that will last, and produce a bright, crisp, image. So this part might have to wait until either I’m working again, or another federal stimulus occurs, or I get run over by a Lexus. But I like the idea. I love the idea of projecting Star Wars, or Apocalypse Now, or Close Encounters on the side of the trailer, and watching it with friends. Doesn’t that sound like a hoot?

Apropos of nothing, we have an ugly blue jay that shows up here every few days! (And he just showed up, which is why I’m thinking about it.) Normally, blue jays are beautiful, and this one has the typical blue and black & white body, but its head looks like it got stuck in the garbage disposal. All its head feathers are permanently fucked up, so instead of having a nice pointy majestic crest, like blue jays and cardinals always do, this one has a stubbly little bald head, like a furry black tootsie pop. He’s so distinctive, and coming by with such regularity that I’m going to have to get a picture of him, and we’re going to have to give him a name.

I’m watching Hamilton again, and I do hope you can get a chance to watch it some day. It’s the American Revolution set to really catchy music; I think you’d appreciate all the historical humor. One of my favorite things about it is King George III. He comes out a few times over the course of the story to provide comic relief. When the rebellion begins, he sings a song about the Americans called “You’ll Be Back,” and says:

And when push comes to shove

I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love

Later, when George Washington steps down to relinquish power to John Adams, King George III comes back and sings a song called, “I Know Him,” where he says:

They say

George Washington’s yielding his power and stepping away

Is that true?

I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do

I’ve always found that last line hilarious, coming from King George III, who went crazy, but couldn’t just quit being king, because that’s not something a king could do.

I just realized the little church down the street has begun its online service! It seems to be a United Methodist Church (Do we like them…?) and the preacher is (gasp) a woman! I’m not listening right now because they’re singing a hymn, and even though the lyrics are being displayed on a TV behind her, I’d prefer to make up my own, and that would just be hilarious and disrespectful, so I’ve got the volume on low. I’ll tune back in when she starts talking again. Welcome to church in 2020, right?

I’ll have more fascinating news next week! We’re getting to the scene where Col. Laurens and Major General Charles Lee duel. All my love to you both!

0 notes

momkiddies-blog · 5 years

Photo

Latest Post On https://momandkids.fun/2019/03/11/short-nonfiction-books-for-reluctant-struggling-wiggly-readers/

Short Nonfiction Books for Reluctant, Struggling, & Wiggly Readers

Struggling readers, reluctant readers, and wiggly readers all benefit from exposure to short nonfiction books. Primarily because in these books, they can jump around in their reading sequence. That means that kids can read whatever strikes their fancy in any order that they wish.

For those wiggly readers, they can take breaks in nonfiction without losing comprehension momentum.

Because reading nonfiction is a different kind of comprehension experience for the reader. Which means it’s essential that we give kids plenty of nonfiction reading practice.

Whenever I assessed my students in comprehension, almost always, their fiction comprehension was an entire year or two higher than their nonfiction comprehension. That’s because most kids read WAY more fiction than nonfiction.

Give these short nonfiction books a try with your students and children. Have fun with it! Let them read to you the parts that they find most interesting. You’re going to learn a lot.

Tips for Nonfiction Book Selection

Get books with great photographs. Seriously. If the book has photographs, it’s much more engaging to readers. Plus, a book with borders, different colors, and colorful backgrounds appeal to young readers.

Watch text to picture ratio. If there is a ton of text crammed into a page, it’s not appealing to read. Look for books with not too many words all crammed together. Look for text boxes and blank space on the page. That’s less intimidating and way more exciting to read.

Pick something your child is interested in. I only read non-fiction books in which I’m interested in. I just cannot motivate to read the history books my husband enjoys. Same for your kids, right?

Teach features of non-fiction It’s often helpful to teach kids about the features of non-fiction books. Unlike fiction novels, non-fiction books don’t have to be read cover to cover. Teach kids about:

– Table of Contents

– Glossary

– Index

– Titles and headings

– Bold words

– Captions

– Charts and diagrams

Start with that and let me know how it goes!

Nonfiction Books for Reluctant Readers

The World’s Best Jokes for Kids Volume 1 by Lisa Swerling & Ralph Lazar Each of these jokes is illustrated with I really love because it gives struggling or new readers extra picture support for decoding and comprehension. This series (volume 2 is here) shares jokes that will make your kids laugh, groan, and share with all their friends. Jokes like:

Why are pirates called pirates? Because they arrrrrrr.

Why was the dog feeling sorry for himself? Because his life was so ruff.

HAHAHA!

The Official DC Super Hero Joke Book by Michael Robin, Sarah Parvis, and Noah Smith Just in time for this summer’s DC and Marvel movies, comes a joke book to keep kids laughing and reading. If your kids are like mine, they’ll read them all aloud TO YOU. I apologize in advance. 🙂 But reading is good — and so is groaning, chortling, and giggling! Here’s a Flash joke to give you the gist: “Why does The Flash love watching science documentaries? He finds them fast-inating.”

2019 Almanac It might take a kid 100 hours to read this book. Or more. (YAY!!) The beauty of it, besides the dense content of fascinating facts, is that kids can skip around to what interests them to read at that moment. As you expect from National Geographic Kids, the layout, colors, and photographs are fantastic making the information jump out at the reader. This is a great gift for kids who love nonfiction books of facts. Or any kid actually.

Kids universally love these weird and random facts but that’s not the only awesome thing about Weird But True books…The book is so fun and interesting, it is a completely different reading experience. Why? Because there are lots of colorful photographs plus just a one sentence fact. It’s perfect to entice even the most reluctant of reader don’t you think? And, you can pick it up in the middle and don’t have to remember what happened earlier. So it doesn’t matter about what fact you read prior to learning that rats can’t burp and birds don’t sweat. It allows for a short reading experience with breaks for cartwheels.

Weird but True 8 Do your kids love the Weird But True! books as much as mine? This new edition contains 300 all-new wild and wacky facts and pictures. Want to hear a few?

The 1904 World’s Fair featured a life-sized elephant made of almonds.

Moonbow = a nighttime rainbow

Scientists found sharks living in an underwater volcano.

Octopuses have blue blood and nine brains.

From National Geographic Kids, this book is dense, colorful, and info-packed. It’s almost too busy for my tastes but I’m old — kids like this style. I like the writing a lot — it’s kid-appropriate while sticking to the basics of each myth. Because know that much of the Greek myths aren’t always g or pg (think violence and sex) so I really appreciate the lack of TMI in this book!

Other Weird But True Books:

Totally Wacky Facts About History by Cari Meister This reminds me of the Strange But True books only about history and from a different publisher. And, I LOVE IT! This little book makes history interesting to kids — it’s filled with colorful photos and illustrations and yes, wacky facts. Here are a few to get you started:

Early Chinese spies flew on large kites to gather information about their enemies.

Ancient Romans were the first to record seeing UFOs.

Napoleon suffered from ailurophobia. that means he was afraid of cats.

Crazy cool, right? It makes you want to know more!

5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) 3 If you like LOTS of facts, packed together for your detailed reading pleasure, you’ll like this gigantic book about cool topics such as bubble gum and ice cream to the outer space and the North Pole! Great for curious kids who love to be the trivia expert in the family.

Gorgeous photos and interesting facts make this one of those books you can easily flip through to find the photos and interesting facts about young animals that you want to read. Plus, the cuteness factor is off the charts.

Will the fossilized dino poop entice you to read this book? It just might help you turn the pages to learn more about dinosaurs. The book is well-organized and informative with full color, glossy pages and kid-friendly layouts making it a good choice for elementary school dinosaur fans.

Bet You Didn’t Know: Fascinating, Far-out, Fun-tastic Facts by National Geographic This is like the Weird But True books only not as short. You’ll look at full color, incredible photographs and read cool facts and stats about tons of things — hearts, sea creatures, chocolate, and Halloween. It’s un-put-downable! Like did you know this– “The FDA allows up to 8 insect parts in the average chocolate bar“? Or that “Some giant jellyfish have tentacles that could stretch one-third the length of a football field.” Also, “Chiroptophobia is the fear of bats.” Don’t you think your kids would like this?

100 Things to Be When You Grow Up by National Geographic Some kids change their mind every few weeks about what job they want to do when they grow up — but imagine what they would do if they only knew ALL the possible jobs! Because I don’t think even grown-ups know about some of these 100 jobs. This book shares the details about 100 really cool jobs along with gorgeous photographs (of course). And, it’s all presented in a very kid-friendly way. (Of course.) I’m giving this book to both my kids because I think they’ll be excited to learn about these unusual jobs: pet food taster, perfumer, crossword puzzle writer, ice sculptor, and movie trailer editor. Wouldn’t your kids?

Get schooled with this fascinating book about animals. It focuses on the how and why these animals move as well as cool facts. For example, did you know the gnu moves in a zigzag pattern when in danger and kicks up a dust storm when it spars? Ultimately, this is great for reluctant and struggling readers as well as all kids who would love reading bite-sized facts about animals.

Each section of information begins with a question like “How do you find fossils” then answers the question asked using text, photographs, and informational inserts. Dinosaur fans will be excited to learn just how scientists find, store, study, and figure out more about the dinosaurs they study — all from the bones. Ultimately, clear information with enticing photographs makes this an excellent choice for dinosaur and science enthusiasts.

The World’s Strangest Predators Top 40 Weird and Wonderful Carnivorous Critters Do you know about predators? You might be surprised to learn that #40 on the list is the short-tailed shrew — a tiny terror with venom glands who is a predator to frogs and mice. Learn more about weird predators in this unique book that includes the Tasmanian devil, tentacled snake (so gross), pirate spider, and #1 — the honey badger! And to think I thought honey badgers only ate honey.

Worlds Strangest Creepy-Crawlies Top 40 Weird and Wonderful Hair-Raising Bugs Big, bold text and huge color photographs catch your attention immediately starting with #40, the elephant beetle and ending with #1, the exploding ant. Huh!? Yes. An ant from Malaysia explodes and dies — yikes — making it #1 for strangest creepy crawly. Each featured bug gets a 1- or 2-page spread including important facts, a habitat map, photographs, and ratings on the “strangeometer” for creepiness, superpowers, bug beauty, and fight factor. Irresistible!

Welcome!

Download my “Can’t Put ‘Em Down” book lists for your kids ages 3 – 13.

Also, I’ll send you a bonus “23 Reasons to Read” printable poster!

/* Layout */ .ck_form /* divider image */ background: #fff url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; overflow: hidden; color: #666; font-size: 16px; border-top: solid 20px #3071b0; border-top-color: #f57b20; border-bottom: solid 10px #3d3d3d; border-bottom-color: #934a13; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); -moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); box-shadow: 0px 0px 5px rgba(0,0,0,.3); clear: both; margin: 20px 0px; .ck_form, .ck_form * -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; #ck_subscribe_form clear: both; /* Element Queries — uses JS */ .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields width: 50%; float: left; padding: 5%; .ck_form.ck_horizontal .ck_form_content border-bottom: none; .ck_form.ck_vertical background: #fff; .ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; .ck_vertical .ck_form_content border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; overflow: hidden; /* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */ @media all and (max-width: 499px) .ck_form background: #fff; .ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields padding: 10%; width: 100%; float: none; .ck_form_content border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa; /* Content */ .ck_form_content h3 margin: 0px 0px 15px; font-size: 24px; padding: 0px; .ck_form_content p font-size: 14px; .ck_image float: left; margin-right: 5px; /* Form fields */ .ck_errorArea display: none; #ck_success_msg padding: 10px 10px 0px; border: solid 1px #ddd; background: #eee; .ck_label font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; .ck_form input[type="text"], .ck_form input[type="email"] font-size: 14px; padding: 10px 8px; width: 100%; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */ -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ background-color: #f8f7f7; /* layer fill content */ margin-bottom: 5px; height: auto; .ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus outline: none; border-color: #aaa; .ck_checkbox padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px; display: block; clear: both; .ck_checkbox input.optIn margin-left: -20px; margin-top: 0; .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt margin-left: 4px; .ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p display: inline; .ck_form .ck_subscribe_button width: 100%; color: #fff; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 10px 0px; font-size: 18px; background: #936fb1; -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */ cursor: pointer; border: none; text-shadow: none; .ck_form .ck_guarantee color: #626262; font-size: 12px; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0px; display: block; .ck_form .ck_powered_by display: block; color: #aaa; .ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover display: block; color: #444; .ck_converted_content display: none; padding: 5%; background: #fff; /* v6 */ .ck_form_v6 #ck_success_msg padding: 0px 10px; @media all and (max-width: 403px) .ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link top: 30px; @media all and (min-width: 404px) and (max-width: 499px) .ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link top: 57px; .ck_form_container.ck_modal position: fixed; z-index: 1000; display: none; top: 100px; .ck_form_container.ck_modal .ck_form margin: 0px; .ck_close_link position: absolute; top: -5px; right: -5px; width: 30px; height: 30px; background:#fff; color: #777; -webkit-border-radius: 15px; -moz-border-radius: 15px; border-radius: 15px; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 0px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); -moz-box-shadow: 0px 0px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); box-shadow: 0px 0px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.2); text-align: center; line-height: 30px; cursor: pointer; .ck_form_container.ck_modal width: 350px; .ck_form_container.ck_modal .ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields padding-top: 3%; padding-bottom: 3%; #ck_overlay position: fixed; z-index:1000; top: 0px; left: 0px; height:100%; width:100%; background: #000; display: none; .form-container height: 650px; width: 360px; .optinbuttons list-style: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 40px 50px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; margin: 0px 0px 40px; @media screen and ( max-height: 900px ) .ck_modal top: 10px !important; @media screen and ( max-height: 600px ) .ck_modal overflow: auto; height: 100%; position: fixed; top: 0px !important; left: 0px !important; right: 0px !important; bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; width: 100% !important; .ck_modal .ck_close_link top: 10px; right: 10px; .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 height: 100%; left: 0; overflow: auto; top: 0 !important; width: 100% !important; .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 .ck_form left: 50%; margin: 25px 0 25px -350px; position: absolute; width: 700px; #ck_overlay z-index: 10000; .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 .ck_close_link background: transparent; border: 1px solid #eee; border-radius: 30px; -webkit-box-shadow: none; box-shadow: none; color: #ffffff; font-size: 19px; height: 40px; line-height: 40px; opacity: 0.6; right: 10px; top: 10px; -webkit-transition: all 200ms ease; transition: all 200ms ease; width: 40px; z-index: 12000; .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 .ck_close_link:hover background: #ffffff; border-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; opacity: 1; -webkit-transition: all 200ms ease; transition: all 200ms ease; .ck_modal_open overflow: hidden; @media all and (max-width: 800px) .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 .ck_form margin-left: -180px; width: 360px; @media all and (min-width: 500px) .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 .ck_close_link position: fixed; @media all and (max-width: 499px) .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 .ck_form left: 0; margin-left: 0; width: 100%; .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 .ck_close_link border: 0; color: #000000; font-size: 18px; height: 30px; line-height: 30px; right: 10px; top: 35px; width: 30px; @media all and (max-width: 403px) .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 .ck_form margin: 0; .ck_modal.ck_form_v6 .ck_close_link right: 5px; top: 5px;

#Books #Books & Toys #Education #Elementary #Imagination Soup #nonfiction #nonfiction books #Picture Books #reluctant readers #struggling readers #Child Development

0 notes

cheekyharold · 7 years

Text

Dear Harry

Dear Harry,

If you’re reading this, it means I’ve already gone. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve left but I’m sure you’ll try to contact me whenever you manage to read this letter. I want you to know two things before I continue: First, I love you. I think I always will, but this is what we both need. Second, you did nothing wrong. It’s just the way our lives are.

I’m sorry you had to find out this way. I know it’s not right nor fair to you to be writing a letter instead of doing this face-to-face. I figure this is the only way I’ll be able to get everything I need to say out in the open. I think this is what we both need, at least for now. I can’t predict the future – I thought I could, and I thought I saw you at the end of it, but I can’t see that anymore. Maybe when some time passes, or if our paths manage to cross again, maybe then things will work more in our favor.

I should probably start from the beginning.

Of course I knew who you were, despite me saying otherwise at the start. I think that’s what drew you into me initially. You felt like you could be yourself with me, instead of what everyone perceived you to be. I was working at that coffee shop in Kensington when you rushed in. It was after our morning rush so there was no one in the shop but you and I; Elizabeth was in the manager’s office creating the next week’s schedule while Div was in the back cleaning dishes. I was wiping down tables when you came running in, out of breath, asking for the back entrance. When I told you we didn’t have any, you looked like you might bolt out again. Some selfish, teenage part of me desperately needed to you to stay. I think our conversation went something like this:

“Can I help you find something instead?”

Your eyes only looked around wildly, but I could hear the girlish screams nearing. I tried to act calm but I remembered seeing your eyes for the first time in the flesh and thinking to myself, They’re even brighter in person.

You shook your head and began heading to the front door again.

“How about a free banana raisin muffin? Our cook made too many so we’ve been giving out the last few for free.”

“No, but thank you.”

“I insist. We have a table around the corner, away from the windows. It’ll be nice and quiet. No one will bother you. I promise.”

I think you probably thought that taking that offer would A.) hide you from whatever hoard of girls was stalking you and B.) if you waited long enough and they couldn’t find any evidence of you, they would just go away and you could go on in peace. The whole muffin bit was a lie, of course. Div didn’t make any more than usual and they were not for free, but Elizabeth took it out of my paycheck. What’s a whole £2 anyways?

I showed you your seat and brought you the muffin and left you alone, just like I said. In my mind, I was screaming at the fact that I had gotten Harry Styles alone in my shop. No one would ever believe me, of course, unless I had photographic proof. But when I looked around the corner and saw you taking the largest bites I had seen anyone take, you looked content – not like you had been moments earlier. I didn’t want to disrupt that, so instead, I took a quick snapshot in my mind to remember for the rest of my life.

I saw those girls – the ones you had been running from – racing down the street, their heads looking every which way and down every alley to see where you’d gone. With your twig legs, I had no idea how you’d outrun them to get here in enough time for that whole exchange to go down without anyone seeing you. Maybe it was fate. Or karma.

“What do you do?” you suddenly asked. I almost jumped and screamed at the sound of your voice. It had been so silent that your voice scared me half to death. Maybe more than half.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you’re an American working in a café in London. You have to be doing something else to be here. Do you have family here?”

I shook my head. “No, no family.” I kept telling myself to stop smiling before you thought I was some escaped mental patient. “I’m a student, actually.”

“Student?” You looked surprised. “Where at?”

“City University of London, near Northampton Square.”

You nodded. “What are you studying?”

“I’m getting my master’s in creative writing and publishing.

“Master’s!” you exclaimed. “You must be pretty smart, then.”

I had never felt hotter than at that moment. My face, I knew, was flushed red and I could feel my armpits getting warmer and warmer. I remembered thinking, god I hope I don’t smell.

But I just laughed nervously and replied, “Smart? Absolutely not. Maybe if I was getting it in something like computer science or engineering. Not so much creative writing.

“Well, they accepted you and that has to mean something.” You wiped your mouth on the napkin I gave you and peered around the corner. The girls were long gone and I knew you were looking to leave. I could feel my heart dropping. Then you nodded and put the hood of your jacket back up, slid the sunglasses over your eyes, and left.

The moment was so short, but I guess it made some sort of impression on you because you came back two days later, at the same time when there were a lull and no customers, and slipped me your number. Stupidly, I just remember thinking, British phone numbers are so weird.

So that was our beginning. One whole year ago. How is it possible that one year feels so astonishingly short yet so dreadfully long? The year we shared together felt like a lifetime smashed into one second. One the one hand, I want to go back in time and live it all again, every second of it. On the other, I want to erase everything from my mind. All the good, all the bad, all the fucked up shit

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to swear, but I wrote in pen and I’ve come too far to rewrite this now.

Everything was so happy in the beginning. My flatmates didn’t believe me until pictures of us on our second date began spreading around on all those sites. To this day, I remember what the headlines would say. Of course, I looked at them. I’ve never been in any headline in my life.

“Blonde American Girl Steals H. Styles”

“New Girl In Harry’s Life? And She’s American?”

I really didn’t get the fascination with the fact that I was an American. Living in the UK, I often forgot until I would say something and I realized I didn’t speak like everyone around me. My tongue felt foreign to me sometimes.

I think the weirdest thing then was that all those publications about us had my information – my name, where I had come from, my birthday… I think that was the scariest thing about all this. I’d heard of celebrities talking all the time about their lack of privacy but I always figured, “Well, you signed up for this job and that’s just one of the side effects.” But I didn’t really sign up for all of this. I signed up for you, which carried along all of that.

In the beginning, it really didn’t bother me. But when it started to get more and more personal, like things about my past that I rarely told anyone, that’s when it began to cross a line. I still didn’t doubt my intentions of dating you, but I think that’s when a small bell began ringing in the back of my mind to be careful.

When that story broke out about my dad’s affair, that’s when I began to change things in my life. I took a step back from us, and you recognized that right away and did everything in your power to make things better. I think I knew I loved you then. You put my priorities above yours, even going so far as to cancel a radio interview to stay with me and help me cope. Even though the affair was over a year before the news broke, the whole world didn’t need to know it. Some of my closest friends didn’t even know it, and now it as out there for billions of people to read.

I deleted my social media, I went out less – only to class or work and back to my flat – I even had my flatmates be the ones to grocery shop for me. I couldn’t leave the flat without everyone staring at me, knowing that I was the girl in the papers. I felt like an ant under a microscope, slowly being roasted alive by the sun.

You were so kind in the beginning. You prioritized us over your work. I prioritized us over my own work. My grades began to suffer because I would either be with you and ignoring work or skipping class because I couldn’t handle the whispers and staring. You began getting negative press, which eventually dragged me into the mud, saying I was bewitching you into ignoring your fans and stealing you away from the world to keep you to myself. If only everyone knew that we just wanted some peace and quiet.

But then something changed, and I think I know why. Suddenly, things flipped for you. Instead of spending more time with me, you were slowly drifting away. I couldn’t blame you. Your life was demanding. You had a second album to finish and a tour to produce. But a part of me felt like you were losing interest in me, and that terrified me because I loved you with everything I had inside of me. You didn’t say it yet, so therefore I was too afraid to tell you. What if you thought I was saying it only for the fact that you were you? How could I tell you that none of the money or fame mattered to me without sounding too much like a tool in some sappy romantic movie? This wasn’t a movie. This was my life. A life that we simultaneously destroyed.

When you did say it – those three, little words – I felt like, for the first time in a long time, things might actually be okay. Now I just wonder if you said it just because you felt the need to. Stupidly, I thought this meant you would be spending more time with me. Instead, you would spend days, sometimes weeks, away and nearly as long before returning any of my calls or texts. You would blame something like bad reception or a dead battery but I knew. I knew that your life was getting more and more demanding and you just saw me as something on the side you felt the need to keep around. Did you really love me? Or did you just feel obligated to say it? Actually – don’t tell me the answer. But I do want you to think about the answer for any future girlfriend or wife you will inevitably have.

The first red flag in my mind that told me that maybe you and I weren’t meant to be was when I invited you to my graduation from City. We’d been talking about it for months and you said you’d do anything to be there. You knew how important it was to me for you to be there. At that point, I felt like you were my family. And, since neither of my parents would be able to attend because of the cost, you promised that you would be there.

I don’t know how many times I texted and called you the days leading up to the graduation. You didn’t respond to a single one. So I walked across that stage, accepted my new diploma, and had no one there to congratulate me or take my picture shaking hands. I never felt so alone. When I got back to my flat, I checked online and saw you were photographed eating dinner in Rome. Did you know that I cried for two days after that? No, of course not, because I never told you. I wanted to seem like I was okay with the fact that you had a busy life and that I’d be here waiting for you when you got back from whatever country you were in.

When you did get back, you asked me to move in with you, I’m guessing as some sort of apology. Again, stupidly, I thought this meant that the worst was over. You knew you had done wrong and were trying to make up for it. So I moved in with you, renewed my visa because I was still pulling a few shifts at the coffee shop while searching for a job as an editor’s assistant. I got interviews and when I attended them, I got the feeling they were only hiring me for the sole purpose that I was your girlfriend. Every single one asked about you. Every. Single. One. The few that offered me jobs I had to turn down because it didn’t feel right taking a position I knew I wasn’t qualified for. And nine out of ten times when I would get to your flat – our flat, it was supposed to be – you were never home

So this is why I think this decision is best for us. You are just beginning on your solo career and I see nothing but the stars for you. You’re the best at what you do, and all those years in One Direction have taught you how to do everything just the way it needs to be done. In a similar way, I need to focus on my career and I can’t do that with your shadow looming over me in everything I do. I need to find and make my own shadow.

I’m going back home. I can only hope that they don’t know as much about me dating you as London did. Or maybe it’s all around the world and it’s hopeless for me to try and look. Maybe instead of being an assistant, I can be a writer and publish a novel. Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll both be on press tours and bump into each other again.

I haven’t seen or heard from you in three days, so I don’t know when you’ll be back. I bet you didn’t even know that today was our anniversary.

Goodbye, Harry. I wish you the best.

13 notes · View notes

jackymedan · 7 years

Text

Tagged by @thisisteal

RULES: Tell your followers 11 random facts about yourself, and tag 11 people in return! Tag backs are allowed, but you mustn’t repeat any of the facts you mentioned previously! The facts can be absolutely anything! Whatever springs to mind!

If I had been a boy at birth my name would have been Robin.. since that didn’t happen I was named Miranda after a random girl who was an assistent at a dutch game show about animals (whenever someone scored a point they’d get a little monkey plushie and she’d be the one who brought them to the contestants.. or so I’ve heard.. I have seen the show in question since it continued to exist into my early childhood but I think Miranda might have been replaced by that point so idk if I’ve ever actually seen my namesake)

I’ve been a vegetarian for a little over 10 years now

I’ve never drunk a single glass of alcohol in my life (I’m 26, the legal drinking age used to be 16 here, they changed it to 18 when I was in my 20s) and I intend to keep it that way.. it has just never appealed to me in any way (same goes for smoking and drugs etc.) and it smells gross (especially beer and wine).. also being drunk honestly doesn’t sound appealing to me either.. the only context I tolerate drunk people is in fanfic tbh..

The only time I’ve been abroad longer than a day and spent the night there was when I went to Paris for 4 days with my best friend back in the summer of 2015.. before that I had only left my country once on a school trip to Germany for one afternoon.. I’ve never been on or near and airplane and am scared af of the entire concept of flying (I was actually supposed to go to Greece for a week as a mandatory school trip too, but I managed to convince the dean to let me stay at home because they would be flying and I was NOT going on that plane.. also having psoriasis and being vegetarian and some other issues I had made me not want to go either)

I’ve only owned a smartphone for less than 2 years.. before that I hated/avoided anything with a touch screen (with the exception of the original nintendo ds) and stubbornly held on to my basic af nokia phone (which I still own and use as alarm clock sometimes).. I kind of hate how fast technology changes and evolves in general.. I don’t deal well with change and it all goes way too fast for me to adapt, so I usually hide under a rock hissing at the New Scary Things for at least 3 years..

I have a weird fascination with the 1960s (and a little bit of the 70s as well).. the fashion, interior design, tv shows, movies, music, pop culture etc. of that time just really appeals to me.. it’s kind of like I was born a couple of centuries too late (see also the point above)

as a kid I had some really weird/fucked up delusions going on that really kind of fucked me up for a while and resulted in my parents not allowing me to watch dragonball z anymore for a while because for instance I was worried something/someone with the same power as captain ginyu had taken over control of my mom and my mom was now in the body of either a cat or an ant I’m not sure which one it was.. also I thought that if I passed a pole or a street lantern or something like that on a different side than someone else I was with we’d both end up on seperate/different dimensions? ??????? I had issues..

I’ve always grown up around cats, we used to have 2 cats that were literally older than me, so I’ve hardly ever lived in a cat-free house (only for a short while after the last of our original 3 cats had died and before we got a new one).. otoh we only got a dog (my mom wanted one) maybe 6 years ago idk.. and even though it’s a small one that doesn’t really know very well how to dog, it was really weird for me in the beginning.. I’m fine with that particular dog now but I get kind of anxious by large overenthusiastic dogs especially if they’re wet and running towards me.. I don’t like to be trampled over :\\

I legit kind of like spiders and they p much only scare me when they show up somewhere unexpected so it’s just the initial shock response to something being there, but then I calm down when I see it’s just a spider.. and then I get a jar and put it outside.. (granted this would probably be different if I didn’t live in the netherlands since there literally aren’t any spiders here that can seriously harm/kill a human being.. or at least not naturally out in the wild)

I’ve lived in the same house in the same city/town my entire life.. I’ve also had the same room and bed my entire life (the room did get expanded at some point and I’ve moved things around but I’ve had this colour paint on my wall since childhood.. it was supposed to be a jungle-themed room which is why there’s a painting of a toucan in a tree next to my bed)

I have adhd inattentive type and asd, both of which I wasn’t diagnosed with until after I became an adult, the latter only a few months ago (apparently I was too quiet and non-disruptive as a child for people to even consider I could have those things)

#lalalameme #long post #11 facts is a lot holy shit #basically: tl;dr I have issues with change and had a pretty uneventful life so far which I don't even mind #I don't really crave excitement/taking risks/doing spontaneous things very much #I mostly live in the past where I at least know what to expect and don't have to worry about any sudden surprises #many people would probably find me boring lol idc #I could also have mentioned that I can't even remember when the last time was that I swam #like.. been in a pool.. or even owned a swimming suit..#it's very likely the answer is longer than 10 years #I don't even know if I can still swim lol I hope you don't unlearn that

2 notes · View notes

averagemagicalgirl · 6 years

Text

Monthly Media: May

Last month I shared my first ever Monthly Media post on my WordPress blog so I thought this month I’d share to both!

MOVIES

I really wanted to see Infinity War which meant sitting down for some well deserved MCU entertainment. Note: I was VERY behind when this month started.

Spiderman: Homecoming ~ Coming from a place of never liking Spiderman I found this movie to be enjoyable, well paced, and interesting. I wish it had included more "backstory" but I think we all know how Spiderman came to be at this point. Looking forward to more character development in the future. Peter Parker is a treasure and needs to be protected at all costs.

Black Panther ~ Straight up loved this movie. I can see why a lot of people on my various social media feeds went crazy for it. A pure joy to watch and would definitely want to watch again/own in the future.

Thor Ragnarok ~ Thor has always been my favorite Avenger from this first movie. Despite his flaws he seems to be a genuinely good person who just wants to do the best he can. I laughed through this entire movie, everything was connected and nuanced in such a way that the comedy came from organic situations, none of it seemed contrived. I watched this at my friends house at least twice more.

Civil War ~ Rewatched to try and catch up a bit for Infinity War. Not my favorite movie in the MCU but tolerable. The problem is that everyone wants to be right or wrong about Captain America or Ironman that I think they miss the main message of "Life is never black and white", and therefore make the movie somewhat enjoyable for those of us who can see and appreciate the grey spaces between issues.

Ant Man ~ I like Scott Lang. He seems like an ok dude. I am looking forward to the "Ant Man and Wasp" movie that will be coming out shortly so this seemed like a good one to watch.

Infinity War ~ I HAVE LOTS OF FEELINGS. Lots of threads, little resolution, feelings everywhere. I know that a lot of people still haven't seen the movie so I'll be brief: I would recommend seeing it in a theater if you can BUT I wouldn't see it a second time until the 4th movie was ready to come out. That being said I am now also looking forward to several movies coming out in the next few years.

The Greatest Showman ~ Watched it 3 time, memorized all the songs, will buy it in the near future and turn up the volume so I can sing along without bothering anyone. The Honest Trailers dudes at YouTube did a pretty accurate job with this one. I watched it before the movie and found myself less moved by the actual story line and more by the secondary characters themselves. That being said, still loved it.

The Hobbit ~ I actually only watched the first one and not the extended edition when I was visiting my friend. Wish we'd watched the other two or at least the other edition but I still really enjoyed the movie as I did when I first saw it come out. It was nice to go back to Middle Earth even for a brief time and it reminded me that I really should download The Hobbit to my kindle to read it again since all my books are still packed away from my move.

Psych: The Movie ~ Overall disappointed. I was expecting something little more than an hour and a half-ish long episode. I'd like to watch it after finishing the series though, I think that might change my mind. Nothing against the characters or the actors, they were just the same with a little more years on them but I think the writing wasn't as good as it could have been.

TELEVISION

The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Seasons 1-3) ~ This was a rewatch for my friend and I because she'd introduced me to Kimmy and her gaggle of pals a couple years ago. After watching the first two seasons together I watched the third one on my own last year. I'm looking forward to season 4 because last season was disappointing in a lot of ways narrative wise but I thought overall it was a great setup to what has already been announced as the last season. Sustainably I feel like that was the best choice. Had things worked out a bit differently in Season 2, this last season could have been the end. Anything beyond 4 would be a mistake in any case.

New Girl (Somewhere around Season 2) ~ I've been watching New Girl on and off for a while and I lost track of where I was so I just picked up where my friend had left off. Still find it cute in a lot of ways but I'm NOT thrilled about Nick and Jessica being together. Maybe my feelings will change, they literally just got together from what I saw but I feel like she could do so much better...fingers crossed though. Nick has a lot of potential as a character and as a person so hopefully Jessica can help bring that out in him.

Galavant (Seasons 1&2) ~ 4th time through watching it. Still love it. The characters have GREAT growth through 2 seasons and it all feels equal throughout the cast, even among the minor characters. The music is a treasure that I will sing forever. Favorite character continues to be Madalena with a dash of Cook/Jester thrown in. It's a great feel good show with lots of action and romance.

History's Greatest Hoaxes (Season 1) ~ I love all sorts of weird conspiracy theory/hoaxy stuff so this was naturally right up my alley and I binged the whole season in one day. It was quite fascinating all together and they did a good job of balancing those who were defending the so-called "hoax" and those that advocated for the reality of the situation.

BOOKS

As I mentioned a few times above I went to see a friend this month for a couple of weeks, I was planning to try and get some quiet reading time with her boys as part of their "summer routine". It didn't really turn out that way so I'm still stuck on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Lost World". I did however, get to read a lot of different children's books and have realized they're a little more sassy than when I was a child. Some of my favorites included: "Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus", "The Book without Pictures", "Dragons Love Tacos 1 & 2", "The Interrupting Chicken", & "Robo-Sauce"

I also read a story to my 7-year-old Nephew as part of his homeschooling curriculum called "The Toga Detectives" by Henry Winterfield. As a story book to read out loud to a child it was incredibly awkward. I often found myself shortening things so that the narrative sounded smoother than it actually was. I think part of the issue was that the books listed publish date was in 1953 and translated from the original German. That being said as a book for take-home reading in a classroom setting to then assign vocabulary words from I found it to be exceptional. There were a lot of great words to pull from in each chapter and the story really picks up after chapters 5/6. My nephew begged me to keep reading in certain points because it had gotten so exciting.

IN PROGRESS

GAMES ~ Pokemon Soul Silver (I need something but it's day specific and I keep missing it), Pokemon X, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (I LITERALLY JUST STARTED THIS YESTERDAY I AM STOKED)

TELEVISION ~ Just started watching the Netflix Lost in Space series so we'll see how that goes...

#media #movies #mcu #spoilers #maybe #television #opinion #thor ragnarok #black panther #civil war #ant man #kimmy schmidt #new girl #hobbit #children's books #infinity war #galavant #psych the movie

0 notes