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imkindaintopans · 2 years

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HIRAETH CHAPTER 1

i’ll be honest, this is just a random idea while reading mark of athena.

so here i am, writing an au fanfiction series in the percy jackson universe. May Uncle Rick bless thee fanfic and you too! hope you like it.

bunch of ocs, like a bunch

-procrastinating author

summary (without spoiling): An introduction to one of our ocs... that’s it. I’m sorry I really can’t say anything more for now, forgive me readers

pairing: percy jackson x oc

warnings: my 1st fanfiction here and also some angsty stuff (ex. cheating, greek stuffs and a bit of death? can’t spoil sorry.)

series: prophecy (advices to read this before proceeding)

Earth’s Son

G E O

He closes his eyes shut. Trying to ignore the noises around him, Geo hid behind a pillar. He was getting tired of the celebration repeated every day. Humans, offering the food they farmed themselves, the water they stored for the heat and the money they need, only to prove their existence on the temples they built on their own. Praying and kneeling to stones. It was pitiful.

‘The Light has shone to the Gods!’

He can’t help but to chuckle at the mortal praises. Really, it is ridiculous. “What are you smiling at, Uncle?” A sudden messenger popped beside him. Geo only glared, “Stop calling me your uncle, Hermes.”

The young god smiled in return. “But you are my father’s brother, Uncle Geo.”

He peeked at the worshipper below them, “I thought you don’t like attending such parties.” Geo sighed as he started walking away, Hermes immediately followed after him. “Where are you going now?”

“Away.”

“Why?”

Geo stopped. He stared at the boy that’s tailing him. Hermes only stared back out of confusion, before realizing the answer after a minute, “I-Is it... B-Because of me?” His voice sadly shrunken as he ceased following Geo.

Geo, being guilted by the sudden pouting, shook his head slowly. “No. It’s not because of you- Well. Not because of ONLY you.”

“I don’t get it.”

“... Since you’re here, that means that Zeus will follow next, am I right? Or Is he here already?”

“Zeus? Yes, Father will-“ Hermes looked at Geo with eyes widening, “Oh. I forgot. You two are still in quarrel.”

Nodding once, Geo continued to leave.

He recalled what happened the last time he saw the God of the Sky,

"Punishing him was unnecessary." His eyes finally looked directly to the figure in of him, “N-No. Punishing him with this- It’s... This is isn’t right.”

Zeus responded as he stood, he was always taller than Geo- a physique he always feared. "You are right. Perhaps it is too merciful. Maybe changing-"

"Did you even hear me?" Geo snapped. "I said this isn’t right! That means that you’re- You’re not right. Prometheus gave them fire. Fire! I cannot understand why-" He stopped, trying to form his thoughts. Humanity is a painting, nothing but a picture being trapped in a canvas. Displayed only to be looked at and to be waited until it rot and be faded for so long.

Though it troubled him to see these petty beings being played at. He isn't one to involve himself in their matters. Geo never cared for paintings, that was meant for another God's talent not his.

He handed to himself his truth- That these creatures weren't the painters. They do not hold the brush to their end. Even to their minds, they cannot comprehend that they are only created, only to be used to fill in desires. A pitiful and lifeless portrait,

... Yet they always appear to be moving.

Perhaps these characters are reaching to escape their frames, trying to continue the masterpiece themselves. Quite rather rebellious choices from them, he would say. But still-

Is it wrong that Geo admired that about them?

Maybe...

"Prometheus can seek foresight and avoid this future." Maybe a different point of view will give him an answer.

"Yet challenging the fates, he took that risk and still helped them. Isn't that enough to convince you? Let humankind grow on their own, they weren't created to only obey your enjoyment. Why give them life if you'll only strangle them out of it?" Despite backing away for a second, he regained composure. He stared back to the God, only to be met by an amused smile. It irked him.

This is a god. Specifically one that shared a part of himself as they both have the same mother-

Mother. What a word.

It disgusts him, having to carry the fact that he's one of... These 'Gods'. These so-called figures, hollow pieces of marbles and stones that present images of perfection that lies are full of disappointment. These charlatans of faith.

"My brother, you seem too inclined with the mortals. Perhaps you want to follow the Titan's footsteps and accompany him into enchainment."

The air around them became colder. Geo felt it again, that fear. He was looking up to the God in front of him. He tensed up, hiding his attempt to gulp as he stopped himself from saying anymore.

He caught his reflection on a silver platter in front of him. It was placed on a long table, surrounded by feast of foods yet it had nothing upon it. It was just a used dirty, silver plate. Showing a murky face too familiar of his,

He had enough. The realization struck him. He wasn't one of them, he never was and he never will be. He didn't want to waste his purpose to walk behind these false gods. He is his own. Not anyone's.

Trying to fight the coldness, he closed his eyes. Silently breathes. He can’t do anything for now, and he shouldn’t. Throwing more words to this argument isn’t worth of his time. He calmly bowed his head and apologizes to Zeus, something that he knows is too forced to be even accepted.

“I apologize for raising my voice.”

He heard the God’s obnoxious laugh. He waited it to subside only to listen to his gritted farewell, “How funny, you are- It seems that the mind of yours is getting thicker. You should stop its growth before it gets over your head... Be careful next time, brother.”

Bullshit. If he could, he could just-

“Uncle!”

Geo stopped his tracks to meet the panting Hermes. “Hermes. Didn’t I told you to stop calling me-”

“Uncle. Yeah, I k-know. Could you just wait? I want to go with you.”

Raising an eyebrow, he turned his attention. “Don’t you rather stay with the celebration? They might miss you.”

The young messenger gasped dramatically, “No way! I only came here because Art told me that you’re here, Uncle- Geo. I meant. Also... It’s getting boring staying there. Mortals keep shouting that ‘The Light has shone to the Gods!’, when they’re only blocking the sun and standing too picturesque to look good.”

Following his bit long complaining, “Pfft.” Geo let out a subtle laugh. Surprised, Hermes only smiled at his uncle.

“Fine... Come with me. But please avoid talking too much, it getting more annoying lately.” He walked first.

“Of course!” He ran after, “Have I already told you about what happened to Daphne? I heard Apollo tried to court her again.”

“... No. What happened?”

“He deserved it. Daphne punched him. Really, really hard...”

Geo only nod along. Despite the stubbornness, he still can’t help but to listen to his nephew.

He woke up.

Stumbling, he got up. He could feel the grass around him. His eyesight is still blurry, but there isn’t any injury he could that could have caused. Maybe he’s just dizzy. He closes his eyes to regain something, though it lays no importance.

Geo knew that Zeus would never kill him, even after what he did, he couldn't. That bastard still has some mercy left for the young titan.

He ordered for him to be forgotten, he is no longer their brother or a god, not that he was in the first place. His name shall not be mentioned as well, even to the smallest temple or prayer. Could you imagine what would happen if he did something worse? What if he completely destroyed his statue- That'd be fun. Why didn't he think of that?

He laughed as he opened his eyes. He was somewhat regretting this decision. Was he too radical in his actions? Yes. Yes he was.

The Gods gave him a chance to live- a normal and quiet life ‘underneath’ Olympus. He smiled at the thought, "Is this what you want, Mother?"

“Aren’t I lucky?” He stared. There’s a cliff. Dark and rocky, “I could jump there if you just signed so."

After completing his staring contest with the peddle beside his foot, he leaned to the nearest tree to watch the scenery in front of him. Across the cliff, a bunch of trees and meadows waved back at him. It was peaceful,

Hermes's right. This world is quite strange.

If he could see him now, he surely would make fun of him being too sentimental.

... Will he visit me one day? How long will I wait?

I’m afraid that I am destined to stay here. Alone.

For I cannot leave Earth... As I am her Son.

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henriettasyarn · 2 months

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The Scientific Method Turning Thirty:

Chapter One - Part One of Three, by @henriettasyarn

Have you ever felt something and then immediately felt like you weren’t allowed to feel that way? Or that, for some reason, that feeling was only reserved for people who “have actually been through something?” I just did this, for probably the one millionth time in my life, and for the first time I told myself, “No, this feeling is valid, you are allowed to have this feeling. This feeling is relevant. This feeling is real.”

I don’t know if this moment of self-actualization was a result of my first brain-spotting therapy session yesterday or if the sticker on my fridge that reads, “your feelings are valid,” finally stuck, if you will. It could also be the result of one of the other ten variables I’ve thrown into my life since the impending doom of my thirtieth birthday took over my consciousness (and subconsciousness). Just as we were told in 9th grade biology, you can’t isolate the variable if you have no control, and you can’t analyze your hypothesis without dispersing your variables among individual samples — how the hell am I supposed to know what’s working? What is my control, my baseline? Is there even such a thing as a human baseline?

Yesterday, my very experienced, yet very new to me, therapist had the [dis]pleasure of listening to a summary of my relationship with my husband since we moved in together in February of 2016 (today is December 1, 2023). That summary focused on the multiple degrees we’ve finished and started since we met and the multiple jobs Adam has started and finished since we met. It was a preface to the brain-spotting therapy, in which you are to dial in on a specific anxiety, trauma, phobia, or otherwise thought-controlling parasite, and find its locale in the back of your brain by staring at a little tiny white ball as it slowly moves around your face on X, Y, and Z axes. When asked which anxiety I wanted to focus on for my first session, I chose the “safe” one. I chose my relationship. I only went back 8 years and I was scared of divulging any further because I’m still unsure if any of my childhood struggles qualify as legitimate. But, anxiety and fear and guilt and resentment compound overtime. The “me” I am with Adam is the me that’s evolved from my childhood.

I know very little about my parents’ relationship. They met in college, they got married in college, they finished college, they had my brother, my dad went back to college, they had me, and then three years later they got divorced. From my mom’s perspective, my dad was not helping her enough with the kids and the house. He was always forgetting to take out the trash and he kept going back to school to get more degrees. He was your average, undiagnosed, ADHD adult. From my dad’s perspective, he was blindsided. He had no idea she was unhappy until the divorce papers were served. As I type this, I’m realizing how much my marriage has been influenced by theirs; a marriage about which I know exactly seven facts. I might harbor some resentment towards them for not trying hard enough. I might give Adam too many chances to get it together because I am horribly afraid of making the same mistakes my parents did. And here I am again, not committing to my feelings: adding qualifiers just in case they’re wrong or invalid. I do resent my parents for not trying harder to stay together for my brother and me. I am actively compensating for this childhood disappointment in my own marriage.

My mother-in-law, Lena, loves to say the words, “well, you’re stuck with us.” She reminds me that I’m stuck with her/her family at extremely random times, without pattern or reason. It’s her go-to remark after anything happens to which she assumes I might have an adverse reaction. I hate it. Firstly, I am never stuck. I am free. I wake up every day and choose to love Adam. That choice is not a requirement of me by God or anyone; it is derived of my own free-will. Secondly, my choice to love my husband has nothing to do with her or her family. Right now, I feel myself getting worked up and cozying up to cruelty. I’m going to let it ride, this is a journey of self-discovery, after all. I don’t understand my husband’s family. They believe in and worship a false god and their god sucks. Their god is hateful. Their god haunts my husband. Their god has told them to believe that prayer alone can heal a broken bone and that fake, aggrandizing, displays of emotion are the key to salvation. Their god has told them that a woman’s only path to salvation is through childbirth. It is a false god. The disdain that the matriarch, nicknamed “Sprinkles”, has for me oozes out of every orifice of her body. I have ruined her perfect record of great-grandchildren. Adam, her only childless grandchild, married a woman who “isn’t even going to share her breasts.” The quote is there because she actually fucking said that at my sister-in-law’s second wedding.

Sprinkles is not the problem. Lena is not the problem. Hell, the false god isn’t even the problem. The problem is the masking. Recently, I was at a funeral for a coworker of mine. In his eulogy, the Pastor remarked on how David was the same David to every one he met. Whether he was at church, with family and friends or with co-workers, you always had the same David. The “takeaway” that the Pastor was angling towards was to encourage us, his family, friends, coworkers and fellow parishioners, to be more like David by being our true, authentic selves, no matter the circumstances. It’s a common theme for eulogists, motivational speakers and TikTokers everywhere — just be you and if they don’t love you for you, they aren’t worth keeping around anyways. In opposition to this age-old lesson on authenticity was Adam’s pentecostal upbringing.

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emmenaychwrites · 4 months

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Chapter One

Introduction - 14 Years Ago

Charlie:

A piece of paper landed at my feet in the middle of my geometry class. Math was my worst subject, so any distraction was unwelcome. I leaned down to casually pick it up and unfold the paper which was folded origami style into a hexagon. The note read:

I really like the back of your head.

I scrunch my eyebrows together and went to turn around when Mr. Oyer called on me to answer the question. The question I was not listening to, and I think if I had been listening, I wouldn’t have known the answer either.

“Sorry, what was the question?” I asked, rolling my eyes at the snickering kids around me.

“Ms. Greene, you would do well to pay attention. Last I checked you weren’t exactly passing this class.” I sunk down in my seat and sighed heavily cursing whoever threw that stupid paper at me.

Benji:

Mr. Oyer is a jerk, but Eli knew the risk weighed by throwing a note to Charlie. She was way too polite to ignore it. I grimaced as he tore her a new one in front of everyone then proceeded to inform us all of her grade. I watched as her freckled, pale cheeks burned red. I glared over at Eli who was pretending to sit like a perfect student. They were both jerks. Why was I friends with him again? Ah, yes, our parents.

The bell rang and I started to walk up to Charlie, but Eli cut me off while she tried to run out of the class. I can’t blame her for wanting to.

“Sorry for getting you in trouble, freckles.” She narrowed her green eyes at him and suddenly, I found myself wanting to stick around for this assault. I watched her square up her maybe 5 foot frame to his, arms crossed at her chest. Her long, curly, red hair fell partially in her face and she looked like she was going to kill him.

“So, you are responsible for the entire class knowing I am failing. Gee, thanks. Glad to know you enjoy the back of my head because it’s the only thing you’ll ever see. Oh, and don’t ever call me freckles again.”

She huffed out pulling her backpack over her shoulders. Eli’s friends whistled and he lifted one side of his lips up into a half smile. He yelled after her after she bolted.

“Challenge Accepted!!!”

Eli and I were friends. Close friends but ever since High School started, it was like he became the coolest guy on the planet and only ever talked to me when it was necessary. I stuck to my computer friend group, and he stuck with the jocks. We saw each other when our families got together and that was that.

I caught up to Charlotte in the hall where she looked like she was about to cry.

“I’m really sorry about Eli. He can be a jerk sometimes.”

Her lips stayed in a straight line, as she nodded.

“Look, I am really good at math, so I’d love to help you if you need it.”

There it was. The smile. Her front teeth had the smallest gap between them that I wished would never be fixed with braces.

“That would mean a lot. Benjamin, right?”

“Benji.”

Chapter One: Charlie

Present Day:

The sound of laughter and clinking glasses still flowed through the sliding glass door. It was my husband’s 30th birthday party. I should have been inside but the crisp air and quiet spoke to my anxiety and I let myself have a break. I wasn’t great at hosting or being at parties – or really being a wife. I planned this because we couldn’t make our “dirty thirty” trip to Las Vegas so the thought that this was already a consolation prize pulled at my brain even if my husband was the single most understanding man on the planet.

I turn around and face the glass door, smiling – seeing Elijah so in his element. His bright blue eyes could light up any conversation and his bold laughter was enough to pull someone clean out of depression. His dirty blonde hair grew out of the Justin Bieber phase around Junior Year and ever since he has kept the length just above his shoulders. He worked out and you could tell but he wasn’t overly muscular. Just enough to stay fit and make me catch my breath when his shirt came off. Every person in the room was so engaged in whatever story he was telling, and I wished that I could feel as comfortable in my skin as he does in his. I face out toward the night sky again taking a few more deep breaths before telling myself it was time to go back in. The night sky here was beautiful – even with the glow of the Portland skyline you could see the stars. The night sky and the ocean were my escapes.

The muffled sounds grew loud and quiet again indicating someone was joining me in my solitude. “It’s unseasonably warm, you know?” I hear a familiar voice say. I turn to see Benjamin, smiling at me while handing me a shawl. I reached for it.

“It’s freezing out here.”

“You think anything under 60 degrees is freezing.”

I smile as he joins me in my stargazing. Benji was an inherited friend from Eli. They have known each other since they were in diapers, and I have known him since our sophomore year of high school. Most days though, I feel like Benji, and I are closer friends than he and Eli ever were. History be damned.

“It’s not that I think it’s freezing,” I say wrapping the shawl around my purple sparkly party dress, “it’s that if it’s going to be this cold, it better involve snow.” He laughs knowing damn well that if it were to snow, I would stay bundled up by the fire and refuse to do anything else.

“I can’t believe she actually came tonight,” I finally exhaled. He looked back at the party then to the night sky.

“Well, you did invite her.” That’s fair. I did invite her. Her being my husband’s hellion of a sister. On the surface, Sadie was passionate, kind, crunchy, and a downright saint. Only a few of us know her true colors – lies, deception, judgment on anyone, cutting me out of anything that involves her family despite the fact that Eli and I have been together for 14 years, married for 5 – the list goes on. The most recent knife she threw reminded me that while it was cute, I threw this surprise party with all his favorite treats, games, and humans. His dream had always been a “dirty thirty” in Vegas.

“She never comes to anything I invite her to. I thought for sure she would be off torturing some innocent animal or sacrificing an infant.” Benji laughed knowing exactly how awful Sadie could be. They dated for some time during high school until she decided that he just wasn’t the right look for her. Benji was, for lack of a better word, a little nerdy. He worked in IT, was about 5’10’’, thick dark hair, glasses, and wasn’t exactly a fashion icon. Tonight, he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a sport coat. It wasn’t for lack of trying, he just truly thought that’s what black tie meant. I never understood their relationship.

“No, I think that was last Saturday when the moon was full.” He countered. I laughed then took a deep breath, knowing I had gone way too long from the party.

“Did you bring the mysterious Eliza tonight?” I asked, poking Benji in his side with my elbow. A soft smile appeared on his face.

“No, she was a little busy doing literally anything else. I think that might be fading.”

I look up at him and sigh. He was attractive, smart, and had more money than he knew what to do with. It was a true shame that no one had scooped him up though it could be thanks to his awkward personality and tendency to spend a little too much time on his computer.

“You’ll get them next time my friend. Shall we?” I ask motioning to the door.

“After you ma ’lady!” he says as he opens the door and guides me in with a hand placed on the small of my back. The smell of tequila and fish filled my sinus cavity.

“You know, sushi sounded like such an amazing idea before I realized what it smells like.” I say to Benji as I look around for my husband. “I’m going to go make the rounds so I can say I enjoy socializing on my dating app.”

He makes a silly face at me and disappears into the crowd. I smile and then I’m alone again. Well, not really. I’m never alone. Just feels that way. I start to make my way to the kitchen to prepare the caterer to bring out the cake. I make it four feet before I am stopped by Kaitlyn and Brittany.

“CHAR CHAR!” Kaitlyn bellows.

I take a deep breath and squash down the urge to roll my eyes and run in the opposite direction. “Kaitlyn… Brittany. Always a pleasure.” They both drape themselves on me and the scent of liquor and expensive perfume fills my nostrils.

“Where have you been, you little sugar plum?!”

I fake a laugh. “Oh around, but you know it’s hard to find me when you have really only seen the bar.”

They both cackle in unison. Kaitlyn and Brittany are a package deal. The wives club that I never cared to be a part of. Our husbands are all realtors and own one of the most successful offices in the city.

Both Peter and Steven are incredibly smart men, and I honestly don’t know how they spend a second with these women.

“Well maybe if you weren’t hiding out on the patio all night you would have heard that poor Celia got an absolute botched nose job.”

I look at them both genuinely wondering how I got reeled into this conversation when I have never had an ounce of interest in anything they have ever had to say.

“Wow, how would I have gone on with my life?”

The sarcasm is dripping from every word, but they are too drunk to notice. Come to think of it, I don't think I have ever seen them sober.

“If you’ll excuse me.”

I weave through them as I hear them continue to maniacally laugh at poor Celia. In a few years, it will be them. Forever keeping up with the times. That’s the struggle when you have nothing else going for you. That’s all they were ever going to be, the women that stood beside the real estate titans of the Pacific Northwest. I smile to myself. I have poured my heart and soul into what I love – writing. I am a senior Editor with a publishing firm downtown. I spend my days escaping into everyone else’s lives and I love it. There is something about reading – it feels like a window to the author’s soul. I arrive in the kitchen seeing that the cake is being covered with no more than 30 candles. It looks perfect. I inspect the last pieces of it as I feel hands around my waist.

“Charlotte…”

I feel breath on my neck, and I turn to see my husband.

“You have put together the most beautiful night.” He says between kisses down my neck.

“YOU aren’t supposed to be here mister. This is a surprise!” I chastise as my skin warms and my stomach tightens.

“Don’t tell me what to do on my birthday.”

He smiles as he turns me around and plants a kiss on my lips. I feel his hands coming up my back as he presses into me.

“Later Birthday Boy.”

He finally backs away and kisses my cheek. The scent of bourbon and vanilla he leaves is intoxicating. I watch him sway out of the kitchen feeling everyone’s eyes on me. I know how lucky I am, Elijah is one of the best humans I have ever met in my life. He is driven, passionate, kind, and the best lover. I wouldn’t say our marriage is perfect but there’s no one else I would rather do this thing called life with. I inspected the cake one last time and let everyone know it’s time. The Happy Birthday song seeps through the halls of our beautiful apartment and I see Eli’s eyes light up, pretending that he didn’t just see everything that was waltzing toward him now. This is it. This is as good as it gets, right? I join in the song and make my way to him.

12 Years Ago:

The flickering light above me was threatening to send me into a mental breakdown. The deadline for the newspaper was looming over me and I had worked my ass off to make it to the editor in chief position. The final issue was glaring at me. Laughing at me. Blank. A blank front page. What exactly did I do to deserve this? I feel a breeze followed by the faint scent of cherry blossoms and peaches. Penny.

“You do realize there is an entire celebration happening below, right?” She was referring to the final senior prank being pulled off. I groaned and put my head on the desk.

“I am fully aware, and I would like nothing more than to spend my Saturday night taping bubble wrap to every surface I can find but I’m panicking. My entire newspaper career is ending, and this is what I have to show for it.” I don’t lift my head, but I motion my hands toward my computer screen. Penelope sighs.

“You have busted your ass for this damn paper your entire time here! You have barely enjoyed your senior year, Charlie.” She grabbed my face and put her forehead to mine. “Want to make out?”

I laughed and pulled away.

“No, Pen – I think I am good!”

Penny and I have been friends since the 4th grade when we came to school with the same Lizzie McGuire trapper keeper. 6 feet of beautiful olive toned skin, flawless curves and the most beautiful long dark hair I have ever seen. I am convinced that she didn’t have the awkward stage that everyone else did. When I got braces to fix my ugly gap, she got boobs. Hilarious, confident, and so freaking talented. I loved her ability to pull me out of any funk.

“Do you think we can use the senior prank as a front-page story?”

I rolled my eyes and sank into my chair further. There was just no way I was going to get this stupid issue out. It had to be big and somehow bubble wrapping the school didn’t feel big enough. Plus, plausible deniability and all that jazz. As I am groaning and sliding off of my chair and onto the floor, I hear the door open, and Penny laughs giddily.

“Whoever it is, go away and let me wither away with my career in peace.

“Ah come on now, Charlie. That seems really dramatic!” Eli closes the door behind him and winks at Penelope.

I pull my cardigan over my head.

“Eli – it’s not dramatic. It’s just not football or basketball or BOOBS so it’s not that important.”

I peek out from under the cardigan to catch a glance between Pen and Eli. I roll my eyes. They both breezed through things while I had to work my butt off for it.

“Charlie. Get your ASS up!”

A new voice. Benji. Finally, someone who could help me. I shot off of the ground and it was my best Gollum voice.

“Did you bring me a STORY?! A precious story?!”

He purses his lips at me and rolls his eyes. Of course, he brought me a story. That’s why he was my second in command. I squeal. I get right to work on it.

#chapterone #writer #book #writers of tumblr #secondchanceromance #love #lovers #read #reading

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novel-narratives · 6 months

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#books #jane austen #bookworm #reading #classic movies #audiobooks #book review #novelnarratives #chapterone #vintagemovieclub #author #writer #fiction #novel writing #nonfiction #truecrimecommunity

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itwasrealtome · 8 months

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Uncharted Love — Part One

— A New Kickoff

•••

Chapter One

WillowBrook Library

"I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end."

—From Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

•••

—Willowbrook, here we come!

Carter maneuvered the car skillfully, attempting to find the perfect spot in front of the bustling library.

The beige building towered four stories above them, hardly as impressive as the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. or the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg. Still, the site seemed to offer locals a wide range of knowledge and a few ways to get lost.

Glancing at his co-pilot, the young man couldn't help but notice her distant expression as she hummed along to the song playing on the speaker. He was aware of the change of scenery this was for her and couldn't help feeling worried for her. Coming here felt like the best thing to do, but maybe— maybe, they were both wrong.

—Hey, Ellie, everything's okay? Carter asked, his concern evident in his voice.

The car finally came to a halt, allowing Ellie to step out of it and take a few steps back. With a pensive look on her face, she paused for a moment, her head tilting slightly to the right — a familiar habit of hers.

After what felt like hours, she walked back up to the second-hand vehicle, finally addressing a glance to the driver.

—You know what, Carter? For a first attempt, you've done pretty good.

Carter's brows furrowed slightly.

—Good? I don't want good, Ellie. I want great, he replied, a hint of determination in his voice.

With a playful spark in her eyes, the blonde grabbed her belongings from the truck and playfully tapped the back of the car.

—Can't always have what we want, Tee'. C'mon, grab your stuff or we'll be late, she urged, her impatience growing.

Carter snorted, realizing he needed to keep up with his friend's energy. He quickly retrieved his bags and boxes and joined her, both of his arms loaded with stuff. The blonde didn't even bother, finding her way to the entrance without so much as a frown in his direction.

Together, they walked to the library, their footsteps echoing with anticipation.

As they took their first steps inside the building, the familiar scent of books filled their nostrils, instantly invoking a sense of comfort and adventure. The interior was a labyrinth of bookshelves, each aisle leading to a different world waiting to be explored. The soft murmur of hushed-conversations and the occasional page-turning created a serene atmosphere.

Ellie could not help but feel a sense of wonder as she glanced around, her eyes scanning the rows upon rows of books. It was as if she could feel the knowledge and stories contained within each volume, waiting to be discovered.

The library, though not in grand size, held a charm of its own, beckoning them to embark on a literary journey. In a matter of time, Carter lost sight of his friend, who had vanished down the aisles. He set his belongings down in a corner, taking refuge on one of the beanbags available to users.

What was the point of standing around if he had to wait hours after a bookworm?

While he kept himself busy on his smartphone, Ellie paced the rows, her interest growing with every book she set eyes on. She'd always had a knack for getting lost in places like this, intoxicated by the smell of paper and stunned by the number of words floating around her.

As a child, her mother always joked that she'd end up leaving her there, in their favorite bookshop, and that she'd pick her up a few hours later. In the end, the young child would always emerge with a stack of books, a welcome escape from her hectic daily routine.

Her fingers delicately traced the spines, in search of a literary treasure she might dive into. Driven by curiosity, she had often abandoned detective novels and thrillers for other genres. Literature classics had been part of her daily routine as a student, while psychological and sociological studies and romance novels had found their way onto her bookshelf by chance. Today, her heart was beating again for a classic in the detective genre.

Her thumb slid over the weathered writing. Despite wear and tear, it was still possible to detect the name of the author, Thomas Harris.

Ellie couldn't help remembering her previous readings. She had devoured every word of the Hannibal Lecter series, taking her books everywhere she went, notes scribbling down every page. Now, she wanted more. More investigations, more fear, more terrifying incarnations of evil. She needed to give herself that.

—Looking for an adrenaline rush?

Lost in her thoughts, Ellie startled as the voice broke the silence behind her. Book in hand, she pivoted on the back of her heels, a lock of her blond hair falling in front of her eyes. She couldn't help smiling slightly at her interlocutor's embarrassed expression. Being the reason behind a heart attack was therefore not in this woman's plans.

—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.

At five-foot-five, Ellie had to slightly lower her gaze to meet the woman's hazel eyes, being at least one at two heads taller than her. She took the time to pay attention to the way her mid-length brown hair framed her face and how her smile gave her features a more approachable and sympathetic look. The blonde's silence meant nothing. She always needed time before talking to stranger.

—No problem, really. I tend to forget reality a bit quickly in places like this.

—It's a good thing, actually, we needed someone like you here, Ellie!

A laugh escaped the younger woman as she realized the situation. She quickly extended her hand in the brunette's direction, clasping the one already intended for her. Unlike her own, the hand of what was to be her new colleague was warm and welcoming. She could only feel annoyed by the cold emerging from her fingers.

—Now, I guess, it's my turn to apologize. Ellie instantly bit her lips, nervous. It's a pleasure to finally meet you...

—Johanna Adams. I'm the cultural manager, we spoke by e-mail.

—Oh, right. Well, it's great to finally put a face to the name.

As they got to know each other better, Ellie finally lost sight of the books she was so interested in. Instead, following her new guide towards what seemed to have become her friend's new hiding place.

Carter was slumped on the beanbag, his head bopping to the electric rhythm his headphones sent deep into his eardrums. Next to him was all his bags and boxes, trying to compete with the good old Leaning Tower of Pisa. For nothing in the world would he have noticed Ellie's return, or even Johanna's presence.

Unable to resist any longer, Ellie kicked him in the calf. The young man immediately opened his eyes, his hand instinctively protecting the affected area. He glanced accusingly at the blonde, a pinching remark on the tip of his tongue. With a simple clear throat, she told him to be quiet. They didn't need to show their true selves right from the start.

Arms folded against her chest, Ellie nodded at her new acquaintance. The brunette didn't seem impressed by the behavior of the two newcomers, letting out a smile as Carter scrambled to his feet and apologized. The flush on his cheeks was just one more reason to tease him afterwards.

Amused, Ellie made the presentations, her hands behind her back, waddling on the back of her heels. As she had done before, Johanna explained to the blond that their supervisor, Samuel Hawkins, had been unable to welcome them and show them around, so she volunteered to replace him.

—We'll start with a tour of the building, then I'll let you guys settle in at your desks.

If the young woman seemed to have lost her way in the aisles on the ground floor, she was not at the end of her surprises. The cultural manager led them through the floors, slaloming between the various literary collections. There was something for everyone, from the very young to the very old, from culinary enthusiasts to fans of the classics. Yet, while the two women turned their attention to the tour, Carter seemed to have eyes only for their guide.

He took care to slow his pace, following a little further, his gaze also a little lower than it should have been. Every word about the library didn't even reach his mind, failing to make any sense compared to the woman's silhouette.

On the stairs, his feet became entangled, causing him to lose his balance. He caught himself on the banister, clutching Ellie's arm with his other hand. She gave him a curious look, not yet fully acclimatized to his awkwardness. As discreetly as possible, he nodded to Johanna, a look of adoration on his face.

As much as they both knew how to appreciate a woman's beauty under normal circumstances, this was neither the time nor the place. It was Ellie's turn to grab his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

—Keep it together, Carter, she whispered, a scowl on her face. We're here to explore the library, not get distracted by our guide.

—Oh, c'mon El'. You can't tell me otherwise.

—Yes, I can. Now jus–

Someone cleared their throat, surprising both of them through their disagreement. Ellie held the blond's gaze, her eyes reflecting an unbearable seriousness and coldness.

—Just, behave.

Carter didn't need to be told twice. As much as Ellie often backed him in his nonsense, she had her own limits — him, had a hard time imposing some on himself.

—Is everything all right?

The two novices looked up at Johanna, a few steps above them. The blonde was the first to climb the few steps of difference, a fine smile returning on her lips even though her eyes didn't reflect it. She made up an excuse, not wanting to cause any trouble on their first day.

The older woman was overtook by Ellie, stuck on her step, a sympathetic look for Carter. As he climbed the last few steps, Johanna finally moved forward, leading them to the office part of the building.

It was certainly bigger than either of them could have imagined. As the door marked "Personnel Access Only" closed behind them, a long corridor appeared. The bay windows ran along one side of the wall, allowing the room to receive the sun's light and warmth. On her right, Ellie noted the location of the secretarial and manager's offices. Passing by, they respectfully greeted those present, quickly fleeing on Johanna's heels.

—Welcome to our little anthill, the brunette turned around, clasping her hands. This is where we work when we're not stationed on the floors below. Over there is my office, and here are your desks.

Stuck on the doorstep, the two friends took their time to assimilate all the information. It was a classic first day. The kind where people keep throwing all kinds of information at you, not caring if you've learned your lesson, or not.

Ellie felt dizzy in front of the immensity of the room. She had tried several times to imagine what her workspace would look like, but nothing her mind had created resembled reality.

The desks were cleverly laid out, with the various departments grouped side by side. In this way, she wasn't surprised to find hers opposite Carter's. They were supposed to work together, hand in hand, to implement each of the projects they had already discussed many times.

Nor was she surprised to note that the most senior positions were entitled to their own offices. They formed an L-shape along two sections of wall, barely separated from the rest of the room by glass. Among them, Ellie easily found the one with the name J.Adams on the door. From a distance, it looked organized, almost cozy. A vague resemblance to the person to whom the coin belonged.

—I'm gonna love this place!

Carter was the first to place his belongings on the desk bearing his name. He dropped into the wheelchair, spinning around several times, a bright smile on his face.

—Easy there, tiger, you'll get dizzy.

He stopped abruptly, a charming smile on his lips, his mouth acting before his brain.

—Oh, I know lots of other ways to get dizzy.

Ellie wished she could've palmed her face at that specific moment. She made a mental note about her friend needing a bit more lessons on flirting. Once again, she broke the silence, this time with a sincere smile.

—Thank you for showing us around, Johanna. We're both very happy to be working with all of you and look forward to adding our own touch to WillowBrook Library.

—You're very welcome, Ellie, smiled warmly the brunette. I have a feeling you'll bring something special to this place. If you ever need guidance or have questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Ellie nodded gratefully. She watched the cultural manager carefully make her way to her desk, before taking her own seat.

Opposite her, the blond had already spread out his trinkets and invaded every mini-meter of space. She couldn't help feeling amused by the simple process. Carter had always been a boy whose mind needed space and was overflowing in every sense of the word.

Here, he expressed this by exhibiting a mini Star Wars figurine, several Polaroid photos and several of his favorite chocolate bars. In a way, it was very cute indeed.

By comparison, her desk seemed empty. Her bag was filled with what she considered to be basic necessities: her old university pencil case, her laptop, a half-read book and her water bottle. Even if she'd wanted to, she'd be hard-pressed to find anything else in her loft. The boxes were still stacked and the scotch was struggling to come undone – or was it the ties of the past?

Taking the first step with this job meant giving herself yet another chance in life for Ellie. And as she sank a little further into her seat, her gaze falling directly on Johanna's silhouette over Carter's shoulder, she knew she had to try. WillowBrook Library was the perfect place for a fresh start.

—WillowBrook, here we come.

XXX

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@womenlovingwomen-imagines @emskisworld @sammi1642 @marvelandotheruniversesloveradhd @wittygutsy

#UnchartedLove #Chapterone #Willowbrookstory #sapphic novel #elliewalker #newkickoff #wlwnovel #wattpad

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endermen-impasta · 10 months

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Chapter One out now guys :D

https://www.wattpad.com/1362323060?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_published&wp_page=create_on_publish&wp_uname=storiesfromthebrain&wp_originator=NhBe1cCUcVDo%2FaWzh%2FS9D40d5Gmf3gyvjvwacqxWQxm13xYvbReqE7gNILlf2uObtl2BOHfyyFuOZrUWOPF7wEEet6KQjEWzh6bEz3dT8va3%2FKxTvjBuQnUr46wbNZJq

Enjoy my people :D

#rottmnt #rottmntoc #rottmntau #separated au #maybe?#chapterone #words are fun

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airshipsofaruna · 10 months

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#airshipsofaruna #webcomic #actone #chapterone #pirates #comic #airships #ocart #comicart #comicpage #airships of aruna

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reggae-vibes-com · 11 months

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Some Dub Stories - Chapter One

#Review |SOME DUB STORIES - CHAPTER ONE| A comprehensive and multi-disciplinary project from the French 4-piece electro/dub group. #SomeDubStories #ChapterOne #Dub #Reggae #OutNow #ReggaeReview #AlpineRecords #TakeItEasyRecords Read the full article

#ChapterOne #Electro/dub #SomeDubStories

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cohesiveenergysolutionz · 1 year

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Chapter One

A TZzzzzttt of Class

Eskom remains South Africa's sole electricity provider; which under the Competition Act of 20... is unlawful. However, no competitors have ever challenged the status quo. Until now.

So, how Eskom-provided electricity works is as follows:

♧ There is a large nuclear or other power station or power plant, within a large city's inner sanctum. This power station sometimes services multiple cities and towns, even a whole province.

♧ From this central power station, power is transported via thick, copper cable lines all the way to a town's sub-station (which is often unmanned and is not the power plants of the cities).

♧ Another sub-station can be found in a central location within residential areas or 'the suburbs'.

♧ The last sub-station between the power plant and the home or business in which it is made use of, is the street power box; which is usually found on a corner and has no fenced off boundaries. From this box, the electricity is sent to the home or business' electricity power box. This, in the circuitry of Eskom-provided electricity, would be a switch or circuit-breaker; albeit, only when it is switched off. However, because these parts of the circuit, up to the power station have no switches, unlimited power can be siphoned off the grid.

Single Phase Power - This is electricity meant for home use. Eskom supplies home consumers with single phase electricity. Small firms (with 5 office employees in total) and even massive skyscraper-housed firms (with 2300 office employees) would both be using single phase power. This means that the surge of power in wattage is limited and can also be identified by a certain thickness of copper cabling needed to carry or conduct or "move" a constant stream of electricity.

Three Phase Power - This is the kind of electricity consumer you would be, if you had a wood workshop, for example, in which you used multiple power tools as well as the usual office and kitchen equipment. Often, when one wants to open a business; either at home or at a bought or leased premises, one would have to enquire whether the zoning of that erf is residential or three phase. If residential, one would have to first put an ad in the local newspaper announcing your intention to make an application to change the zoning. You would have to host a meeting at a venue at which any stakeholders could come and voice their agreement or concerns with your proposed application. Unfortunately, if you have even just one person in disagreement, you will not be permitted to continue the application; which is lodged at your nearest Civic Centre.

The reason for this; perhaps not obvious at the time; is that three phase power costs about 6 times more per unit than residential or one phase electricity; and even if the rest of your street does not need three phase power, they end up paying for it. This is because the power box on your corner, that services the whole street needs to be upgraded to three phase. Probably, for that reason, you have to hand deliver notices of your intention to lodge an application; as well as a notice and details of your meeting, regarding the proposed re-zoning of that street; at every house number in that street.

Once the zoning is three phase, it is difficult to get it re-zoned back to residential; if not impossible; probably due to the infrastructure and street box upgrade because three phase power requires thicker copper cables; all the way to your power box. And all the way back to Eskom or your local Power Plant.

The benefit to installing three phase power is that electricity doesn't trip and heavy machinery and devices can be used; with abandon; and without a weak electrical power source that is not equipped to handle such a high rate of power consumerage.

Quite often, people living in the suburbs, never check the municipal zoning of their street and as a result, end up buying/renting a house that is zoned under a three phase electricity supply or semi-industrial zoning. This can significantly lower your home, the street and the suburb's real estate value. Non-consumers of three phase have been known to be crippled, financially, by the rate charged for the unnecessary cost of an oversupply of Eskom's three phase electricity.

Other types of businesses that make use of three phase power are:

◇ Laundrettes

◇ Specialist medical facilities

◇ Metal Workshops

◇ Small Factories

◇ Food Processing outfits that need freezing and refrigeration

◇ Auto repair shops

◇ Scrapyards

◇ Lodges and spas

◇ Showrooms

Wherever a lot of copper wiring is found in a machine, device or tool, it's a good indication that the devicemakes use of large quantities of electricity. The less copper, the cheaper it is to run; electricity-wise.

Any item, which has a heating element or a cooling fan, is also, more likely than not, consuming a lot of electricity. Any items that vibrate, rotate, oscillate or provide a force of motion (like electric scooters) or hairdryers also consume a substantial amount of power as opposed to manual or semi-manual (for example, with batteries) devices.

Tumble-dryers, heaters, electric blankets, hair irons, ovens and lawnmowers as well as air-conditioners are all high energy consuming appliances that DO trip residential zone power boxes; when used with too many plug points in use, simultaneously. Electric gates, water pumps used for water features, Jacuzzis and swimming pools are also high consumers of electricity.

#ATZZzztttOfClass #ChapterOne #Eskom #loadshedding #zoning #threephasepower #residentialzoning #powerboxes #electricityconsumerism #CohesiveEskomSolutionz #GreenPower #CleanGreen

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