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songmingisthighs · 1 year

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introduction pt. i | pt. ii | pt. iii

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ch. lxviii - kyungmin

wooyoung × reader, ??? × reader

buy me coffee ?

in a school filled with the affluent, it would only make sense for birds of a feather to flock. but what if your new status doesn't immediately buy you a way into said flock? what if instead, it bought you sure rejection? to the rich and powerful, having different masks is a must. despite some people knowing your true self and your secrets

Just as you were about to leave the house, you paused and just stood still. It'll be the first time you stepped back into Wooyoung's house after the... debacle. You were tempted to cancel or offer to give Kyungmin your notes but you don't think you'd be okay making the poor kid disappointed. Wooyoung might be an asshat in disguise or... asshat in public and a sweetheart in disguise? However it is, Kyungmin is and always has been the sweetest little boy who adores you and that made you feel special. I mean, is there any other 7-year-old who happily inquire about your interests despite being scared shitless of the visuals in on the screen?

So you suck your unwillingness to risk meeting Wooyoung for Kyungmin. You can do this, you can be selfless. That boy has been like a little brother to you and what kind of a shit sibling would you be if you bailed for petty reasons?

"What the fuck are you doing by the door?"

Speaking of shit sibling.

You turned around with a fake smile on your face. Mingyu stood a bit further away from you with a bag of potato chips in one arm as his hand scoop up chips to his mouth. He was munching away as he stared at you with an eyebrow raised, "You're loitering and ruining the scenery," he spat. You inhaled deeply and exhaled sharply, not really wanting to waste your breath in dealing with your troglodyte of a brother but you had to.

"Don't worry Mingyu, I was just about to go because unlike you, I can keep up with my appointments," you simply said before turning back around to wear your shoes. Mingyu rolled his eyes at your jab, annoyed, "One of these days, you're gonna have an appointment for a lobotomy or something," he scoffed, fully intending to sound mean. After putting your shoes on, you took a moment to look at Mingyu one last time, "You do know that lobotomies have been banned since the 1950s, right? And how psychopathic are you that you wish for an ice pick to be jabbed into my frontal lobe?" you honestly could and couldn't believe Mingyu. But at that point, you don't know what else you could do to deal with him.

With that, you left the house, not even waiting for Mingyu to answer you. Maybe you should consider going out with your friends more just to escape the toxicity in your household.

Just as you walked out of your front gate, you saw Wooyoung approaching you with frantic steps. Initially, you thought that he was going to confront you about something or have you deal with him for some other things you might not think of. You were about to ask him what he was doing when he cut you off, "Kyungmin's missing, I can't find him," he said and you were able to see that his eyes were teary and you heard his voice cracking. He was genuinely distressed. "Wha- how? I was just about to go to your house to help Kyungmin with his schoolwork," you explained. Wooyoung shook his head frantically, "I- I don't know, I tried looking for him in the bathroom or in his room or literally anywhere else in the house and he wasn't there. I asked the chauffeur and he said Kyungmin was picked up and dropped to the house, the CCTV confirmed it. a- a- and-" you grabbed Wooyoung by his shoulders to stop him from ranting more, "Wooyoung, breathe," you firmly told him. Though mouth still agape. Wooyoung nodded and slowly tried to calmly take deep breaths.

It didn't take long before Wooyoung relaxed and stopped panicking. "Okay," you started talking, "You checked the CCTV and saw that Kyungmin was DEFINITELY picked up from school and is supposed to be in the house but even after looking around, he wasn't there," Wooyoung nodded along, confirming your words. "Okay, so then we'll look around here, okay? I'll go check the playground and you go check your friends' house. Maybe he went there to borrow something or to play," you reasoned.

Thankfully, Wooyoung agreed almost immediately and you both set off to your own ways to look for Kyungmin. While Wooyoung go to Seonghwa's house first as it was the closest house to his, you jogged to the playground in the cul de sac. It was empty, but considering that Kyungmin is small, you believe that it's possible that Kyungmin hid under a slide or in the tubes or even in the playhouse.

"Kyungmin! Kyungmin-ah!" you called out as you ducked to look under the playhouse. "Come on, Kyungmin, we need to go home to work on your presentation! I told you I'll help, didn't I?" you spoke out loud as you continued looking into the playhouse. "Kyungmin?" you called out as you look behind and even up in the trees around the playground. High and low you tried looking for the little boy, but you couldn't even get a glimpse of his hair anywhere. After fifteen minutes of looking in the playground and not seeing anything, you decided to look elsewhere.

As you jogged back to the houses, you saw Wooyoung jogging back to you too, face still worried. "None of them is home, I asked the housekeepers, gardeners, anyone in their home at the moment but no one saw him anywhere," Wooyoung said as he ran a hand through his hair out of frustration.

Both of you were confused. It wasn't like Kyungmin to just disappear like that. It was odd that he wouldn't tell Wooyoung. Both of them are so close, they tell each other everything no matter how bad it is.

"Are you sure Kyungmin didn't tell you anything?" you asked, thinking that Wooyoung might have been preoccupied with something when Kyungmin said something to him. "No, no, no, it's not possible," he said exasperatedly as he roughly ran a hand through his hair, "He has been so excited about spending time with you again, he has been since last week. He even asked to get picked up from school earlier. He told me that he wanted to make sure he has everything ready so he'll have time to spend with you outside of doing his schoolwork. He missed you so bad," he exhaled shakily.

Wooyoung remembered the joyous glint in Kyungmin's eyes when he remembered that he was going to hang out with you again. It had been a while since you hung out with him in his house and it was all because of your falling out with Wooyoung. Ever since you got closer to your new friends, your attendance to the Jung family dinner had decreased and even stopped. Wooyoung's parents and even older brother would still see you around the complex and even at business events. You don't think they knew about what happened to you and Wooyoung because if they do, they would have said something to you and your parents would have scolded the hell out of you. Out of the five Jung family members, Kyungmin was the only one who you most rarely see which was why hanging out with you again was so important to him. Of course, Wooyoung had to remind him that after that, there were no guarantees that you'd stay long. Wooyoung felt the need to brace Kyungmin with reality before it caught him by surprise.

You looked down at your phone as you thought you could call one of your friends for help because both you and Wooyoung could really use some help. Unfortunately, your phone was only at 3% and it could die soon. "Shit," you cursed under your breath, catching Wooyoung's attention. You showed your phone at him, "I gotta get my phone charged, I have a portable charger in my room, I'll be right back, okay?" Wooyoung nodded and you immediately run back to your house.

Inside, Mingyu was watching the TV loudly in the living room while drinking beer. It was typical of him but you're annoyed at how unresponsive he is to his surroundings. You ran up to your room and when you opened your door, you were so surprised to see Kyungmin on your bed, his iPad in his hands as he sat cross-legged.

"Oh my god, Kyungmin!" you called out as you dashed to your bed, pulling the little boy into your arms into a tight hug. Kyungmin blinked in confusion, you saw that he didn't know why you were acting like that when you pulled away to look at him. "I've been looking everywhere for you! Me and your brother!" you grabbed his face as you felt your racing heart slow down, "Why didn't you tell him where you're going? Or call me and tell me you wanna come here instead?" but Kyungmin simply shrugged. "How did you get in here anyways?" you asked, genuinely curious. Kyungmin pointed to the door and shrugged, "I just got in from the front door, Mingyu hyung opened it for me," of course he did. Your brother couldn't be bothered to do anything useful when you need him, why should you expect him to be useful for this as well?

You bit your bottom lip, now knowing what to say to the boy as he seemed reluctant to say anything. "Okay, come on, we need to get to your brother," you said after grabbing your portable charger, you held your hand out for him to take and he immediately did so.

Once you stepped out of your house (with Mingyu completely oblivious to the activities), you saw Wooyoung still pacing worriedly in front of your front gate. "Wooyoung," you called out as you walked closer to him with Kyungmin holding your hand with one of his as the other one held his iPad. Hearing his name, Wooyoung snapped his head in your direction and his eyes immediately widened at the sight of his little brother walking so casually next to you. "Kyungmin!" Wooyoung exclaimed loudly in surprise. He was so relieved that his knees almost buckled under him. Once out of the gates, Wooyoung kneeled and grabbed Kyungmin by his shoulders, "What happened? Where did you go to? Do you know how much I was worried?? I thought you had gone missing! What were you thinking?" he couldn't help but scold Kyungmin.

Kyungmin's face scrunched and he turned to look at you as he began to cry, "I don't want (y/n) to leave me because Wooyoung hyung and his friends are not playing fair," he sobbed as he shook Wooyoung's grip o of him and went to hug your legs, weeping sadly.

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion at his sudden statement. "Kyungmin, what are you talking about?" you asked as you gently run a hand through the boy's hair. Kyungmin shook his head and sniffled, "I- I- I can make Woo- Wooyoung hyung play fair, I'll talk to him! I don't want you to not play with me anymore," Kyungmin wailed sadly.

Not knowing what to do, you looked up to Wooyoung and saw him staring at you both with a conflicted look on his face. You wanted to ask him what Kyungmin meant but with the situation at hand, you knew that it was no time to ask things. You got a crying kid and a stressed-out guy out in the open. So you took matters into your own hand, "Let's... Let's talk about this in your house, okay? We still have to do your schoolwork, right?" you smiled down at Kyungmin who had looked up at you. He nodded his head as he wipe the tears away from his eyes with the back of his hand.

The three of you walked to Wooyoung's house with you holding one of Kyungmin's hand and Wooyoung holding his other hand, the iPad in his free hand.

Whilst walking, your mind still tried to comprehend what Kyungmin meant by 'playing fair'. It felt so odd that he would say such a thing. What kind of thing would Wooyoung and his friends not play fair in that it affected Kyungmin this much?

You need answers.

As you walked by, you noticed Yeonjun taking off his motorcycle helmet, looking at the three of you. He raised an eyebrow as if asking what you were doing with Wooyoung, but you simply held a hand up lowly to let him know that you'll talk about it later.

And a thought occurred to you.

Maybe Yeonjun know.

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queers-gambit · 1 year

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hiiii, if u have time can you do billy and reader running away back to california together after high school, maybe the reader decides to go to college there?? reader isn’t from there but they both just want to escape to somewhere

hi, hey, hello, i've been sitting on this one for a bit.

i hated every "imagine" or "one shot" i was writing, so, i decided to simplify it for me, hope it's satisfying enough. all my love 🖤

but the repeating themes i keep coming towards?

reader decided to go to college out in California, and maybe Billy's maternal grandparents have a condo out there that they let reader and Billy have. they feel really bad for what Neil did, they didn't know the true extent - so, when you two come around, he tells them the truth, and out of guilt, they offer the only thing they can. it's already paid for, so, like, they're cool letting y'all pay for utilities and whatever - no rent. "least we can do," they tell Billy.

wouldn't that be nice? no rent? sheesh.

anyways, it's a cute lil apartment / condo thing, and while Billy hates accepting help, his grandparents insist it'll go to him in their will anyways so he might as well take the keys now. so, fuck it, you know?

reader goes to school full time while Billy works, maybe at the local mechanics shop? just imagine that - Billy... mullet and all... overalls, grease-stained white wife beater... oh, yeah, that's a good mental image for me. yum, you know? and maybe he even gets you a part time gig as the receptionist for you to work between classes.

it would mean you two see more of one another and reader would often see Billy working. gets reader goin', yah know? vroom vroom.

anyways, reader def doesn't stay at the receptionist job 'cause of the college degree, yah know? internships and shit. so, Billy doesn't mind picking up extra shifts, he's content to support reader's dreams and aspirations, and you know what? reader turns him into a house husband eventually! he still has his mechanic job, but it's mostly part time after reader graduates and gets their first big-time job.

that money upgrade? lord, have mercy! and no rent? all there is to do is SAVE money! oh, it must be nice!

anyways, wife him up, yah hear me? reader is the breadwinner, but that's only 'cause Billy held it the fuck down during reader's schooling. no matter how long it took, he was happy to see his lover working hard. and sure, yeah, there's years of turmoil and fighting and disagreements, but life gets really good after that 'cause all Billy needs is consistency.

anything outside of that isn't really okay with him. Billy's used to things being so shitty that when reader's busy with school, it makes him uneasy. part of the reason he got you the receptionist job, you see? he likes physically seeing you, it comforts and assures him, but it also was a routine for him. he knew your work schedule and just had to adjust to your school schedules. poor boy loses his shit after the first semester because classes change in the spring and fall and he *just* got used to the first semester schedule.

however, being in Cali really helps. it's his neck of the woods, it's where he's confident, so, eventually, he learns that while you're in school, he has to make the effort in the relationship. it takes a lot of work on his end, and Billy's not used to that, so he has a difficult time adjusting but for his lover? he'll make do. y'all establish a life there, a routine, a home - and eventually, you move out of the condo for a "starter home" because now? that you've graduated? yeah, Billy's ready for marriage.

never thought he would, but after he realized you had given up your entire life in Hawkins to move with him back to Cali? the boy is considering something long-term. something committing. something permanent. so, literally only 3 months after you start your new job, Billy's posing the question - just to get a feel for the feelings surrounding marriage. he likes where things are, doesn't really wanna shake things up, but when reader's like "yeah, i'm down," he's getting a ring and running to the courthouse.

it's simple, it's official. it's the way things are supposed to play out.

#billy hargrove #billy hargrove x reader #billy stranger things #billy hargrove imagine #billy hargrove one shot #billy hargrove fic #stranger things #stranger things x reader #stranger things imagine

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krash-8 · 4 months

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so!!!! sonic prime thoughts/me getting my ideas straight before tomorrow/theory 👍👍 this will literally all be irrelevant by tomorrow but whatever this is for Me !!!! fair warning I have no idea if any of this makes sense, also I am probably an idiot <3

so here I go. uh. what I'm getting personally: when the prism split, everything was all divided and reality formed its ownnnn..... branches, for lack of better word. branches off of each shard. the previously singular world seperated, formed the shatterverse. that's the wiring of it all, connecting the shards, because they are meant to be one. sonic didn't split because of paradox energy reasons. shadow escaped the blast. but the others didn't (nor the environment itself), and now they're all different versions, none quite.... right. but most alive.

that brings us to saving the 'real' characters! getting sonics old friends back. all the energy back in one place will, in theory, bring back green hills. well, one place in particular. (altho we're missing some. sonic. but that's another story.)

there isn't exactly a lost, true version out there that'll spring back out of nowhere when the energy is together, they're mostly all just parts of a puzzle. with a base, a guideline to be filled in, which I assume you know what I'm thinking as to where.

no matter how I put this it's gonna sound dramatic bc of the way I'm writing it but yep! ofc it's ghost hill. (which I really like the name of btw lol)

yes, ghost hills is basically a copy of the original world. everything was "the same." literally where the whole paradox prism fit was right there, an outline of where it was before. a place to put them back and fix everything.

but though it IS the most similar, it's not some frozen over green hills that needs to be ‘freed.’ even though when the prism was formed there everything sprang ‘back to life,’ it wasn't them being TRAPPED in there the whole time. they weren't entirely there at all. they were incomplete.

even though they had one prism shard to start, like all the other worlds, they were still not as "real." that's because this shatterspace is the exception, less a world and more a host. a shell of a place it was before. ghost hill is different from all the other worlds in the sense that it's physically incomplete and isn't meant to be habitable that way, rather than a new world itself.

(prob why shadow can get in, something likely important plot wise but also just. this place isnt new it's not keeping you out, it's just hurting!! but it recognizes you!! you're meant to be here, home!!! of course you can come in, here I am, nothing added while you were away, I just.... lost. but you may still come in. there are no gates. insert that undertale it's still you thingy or whatever)

this part finished world held the space the shards needed to fill by drawing energy from other shatterspace shards, sucking it back in to become whole. and eventually it was working. it took almost all of the energy for them to wake up, this living color washing over them. and when they did, as soon as the energy was gone, the world went grey again. but it was working. the world covered in color and they were returning.

green hills and ghost hills are the same, one is missing things. it was their home drained of nearly all it had, but if it just…. got its parts back, it could be whole again.

too bad it blew up.

i don’t know if it was because nine took the one shard it did have, or because the prism as a whole was formed somewhere else than it was meant to be (probably more the latter) but it’s gone. but if it’s gone it can’t be the only place that can host, as we have more episodes after the explosion lol, or it’s not truly destroyed irreparably. sonics energy, sonics tie to the very shatterverse and prism, can probably fix a lot.

the grim is a reasonable option for another site if it really doesn't require ghost hill, as it's oddly empty and we don't know why. there must be something we don't know about it.

no matter what ghost hill and the grims fate really is, as of right now the shatterverse is being torn apart, and ghost hill was the first to go. and I'm accidentally disproving my own theories here so I'm gonna shut up now.

oh oh!!! important note I want to address: I'm fairly certain when the world would go back to normal, the "parts" (aka shatterspaces) will be gone as their own thing, their core puzzle pieced back into the real green hills and morphed back into what it was before. along with everyone in it.

I don't think sonic knows this.

nine and shadow do, I believe, or at least shadow and mostly nine. I have a post in drafts about this but grr bad timing.

anyways yeah ghost hills is weird, all the characters are basically going to be gone, nine probably has the suspicion he's doomed, and I need to go to bed !!!

#what the fuck is this <3 #sonic prime #sonic the hedgehog #sonic prime spoilers #sonic prime theory #sonic prime season 3 #paradox prism #ghost hill #green hill zone #shadow the hedgehog #tails nine #nine sonic prime #miles nine prower #what is bros tag #sth

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fantasypictures · 4 months

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Cosmology - Demons, Devils, and the Other Guys

So, for my D&D world, I have some mutually conflicting wants:

-I don't like there being surity of an afterlife, being a place you can just pop in to with a high level spell. I like how Eberron has the land of the dead as a place souls go for a little while before vanishing - to oblivion? to a true afterlife? who knows?

-I really like tha Aesthetic of Hell and there being Fiends and such out to get people, and as stupid as it is, I've always loved D&D's concept of The Blood War.

So, a proposal for a solution, built of parts stolen from a few D&D settings and various popular media:

The Abyss / Demons

Imagine that the Universe is a room. The creator gods made it nice. They got in some comfy furniture. Tasteful wallpaper. But it's not perfect. Maybe not quite enough ventilation, maybe the wrong kind of flooring.

If you spill something, it gets under the floor and then Stuff starts Growing.

The Abyssal Realm is in the cracks at the edges of reality, and it's where demons grow - they are the mortal concept evil that has seeped through the cracks and festered into semi-sentient form. Each demon is created from some sin of mortal kind, and if they can claw their way into reality, they will do everything in their power to commit or encourage the evil they represent.

The good news is that there's not a whole heap of reality there to go around, so the demons don't have a lot of autonomy to work with - they spend most of their time not being real, so they mostly only get to do their thing when somebody summons them somewhere with more reality to work with.

(as an aside, Evil is a very mortal concept and something philosophers have argued over for aeons. Demons can spawn from anything anybody thinks is evil - everybody expects demons of murder or torment or cruelty, but smart demonologists try to track down with less power or weirdly specific purviews to summon. While a Demon of Women Being Allowed To Own And Ride Bicycles might not be terribly useful most of the time, if you're female-presenting and need a pair of wheels to get somewhere quickly, it's a lot safer than any other demonic option)

Dead souls don't end up in the Abyss unless something has gone drastically wrong.

Hell / Devils

If the Abyss is the space under the linoleum and the mould there is demonkind, then Hell is tearing up the lino and applying napalm and white phosphorus to "solve" the issue.

Whether Asmodeus was assigned this task, took it upon himself, or was banished to the Abyss and decided to make himself comfortable is unclear. Whatever the case, he hates Demons, and he hates Mortals for indirectly creating them, and he always needs more recruits.

The dead aren't supposed to end up in Hell, but if they opt in, that's where they go. Now, not many people are going to agree to exist in a literal hellscape where they must fight an eternal war against demons until their personality and dreams are slowly dissolved and they become devils. It's not a good deal. Which is why Asmodeus' minions try to influence the mortal plane - the more terrible things are up there, the more likely somebody will be desperate enough to take a deal. Failing that, convincing people they deserve to be in Hell will do.

If somebody is enough of an asshole to those around them, a devil may well lend them some magic powers purely because it will cause more suffering and indirectly lead somebody else to make a deal out of desperation.

The Shadowfell / The Other Guys

So where are dead souls supposed to go? The gods aren't to forthcoming as to whether this was the plan, but generally dead people show up in the Shadowfell, on black sands under an alien sky of unmoving stars. There is a Final Gate somewhere, and beyond that... nobody knows for sure. Some people are drawn to the gate. Some people flee, hiding among the ruins of civilizations that never existed, or escape back to the material plane to become Undead.

There are Fiends there as well. Devils are sent to the Shadowfell to coax souls away from the gate and into servitude. Demons try to claw their way there, for even if it is a plane of the dead, it has more reality than their home. And the easiest way to get there is the rivers of the underworld - at least one of which washes away memory. Sometimes the legions of Hell and the Abyss suffer boating accidents.

Some of the amnesiac fiends of the Shadowfell call themselves Yugoloths, some call themselves Daemons, a fair few don't bother calling themselves anything. They are first and foremost Mercenary - they'll work for souls, for gold, for a sandwich, anything they can be convinced they could benefit from having. They have no qualms about committing any horrible act, any violence, any betrayal, but won't do anything without a payoff.

For a summoner, they are by far among the best fiends to call up - they don't require the dangerous contracts that Devils ask for, and they don't need to constantly commit a specific evil act like a demon. They are, unfortunately, really hard to summon because none of them remember their own names.

#jarrah does an rpg blog #D&D #cosmology

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dent-de-leon · 2 years

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Thinking about Molly's impulsive and protective nature, how he'll throw his own life on the line without a second thought, spilling his own blood to safeguard his loved ones. He's daring, takes desperate risks, pushes himself to the limit.

And we've already seen how detrimental a personality like that is when wielding the double-edged sword of hemocraft, how the two are such a deadly combination. Given that Matt says King eventually regains his memories through nightmares and dreams, remembers sacrificing himself at the very end and only thinking, "It was worth it. It was worth it"...I don't see him ever changing.

He risked everything in that fight with Lorenzo, believing it was worth it so long as the others could escape. He literally tears himself apart in the battle with Lucien, chooses to sacrifice himself all over again. That's just the kind of person he is.

Taliesin has said before that Molly's blood magic "was about sacrifice. It’s the giving of himself to give to others. Giving of himself to be a protector...His power looks one way--it looks damaging and looks broken and unhealthy--but, in the end, it’s all about a desire to be a good friend and a good family member."

Now he's 10 levels lower than the rest of the Nein, he feels so young and new and inexperienced again, just starting to explore this second life. And even though he now has by far the lowest HP, the least amount of familiarity with combat--I don't think he'll be any less protective or reckless.

I want the Nein to sit him down and talk to him the fist time he pushes himself to the brink of consciousness with a near fatal blood maledict. I want someone to tell King/Molly that his own life is worth it too, that he deserves to live this new life to the fullest.

I think about the letter Calianna wrote to Mollymauk that he never got to read. How she wrote about his hemocraft that, "That must hurt so much, and you have friends who have magic, so you don't need to hurt yourself."

In the battle with Lucien, Jester calls out, "Molly, I've never forgiven myself for not being there--when you died. I wish I could have saved you. I wish I could've done something." Beau steps up during Molly's ritual and says, "We couldn't save you the first time. We weren't strong enough, and that's not true any longer."

Yasha crying and confessing, "I don't really know what to say or how you're supposed to do this, but all I want is for you to be here right now. And be whole." Caleb stumbling over to Molly's body and pleading, "Why did we come this far, if not for this?...why did we go so far, and fight so hard?"

I want King to let others take care of him too, to realize that the rest of the Nein want to protect him just as badly, that no battle will ever feel like a victory if it comes at the cost of losing him again.

#mollymauk tealeaf #critical role #molly?? sacrificing himself over and over again?? i want the rest of the nein to confront him about that so badly #i am always daydreaming about post campaign character arcs for king molly

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why-is-james-on-here · 1 year

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I just finished a shitty Christian fantasy novel. Rant time!

I wish I could start this review with some snarky comment making fun of how awful this book is. I wish I could talk about how it murders the English language on every page or how it made me feel mental anguish on par with physical pain. I can’t though. If Leviathan was the worst book ever, that would be something. Instead this book is… empty. It’s a tale based in Christian mythology, all about the life of Noah when he was a young man, long before God told him to build the Ark so he could escape the Great Flood. It takes place in a world filled with angels, giants, dragons (actually dinosaurs in this world), and at the center of it is a man chosen by God to do great things. Does that sound cool? Well, yeah, I thought so too. There are 2 issues (at least 2 big issues, there’s plenty of small ones) that prevent this book from being… anything. 1: The author believes that all of this is literally true. He genuinely believes that the Earth is only a few thousand years old and dinosaurs lived with humans in Biblical times. That’s hardcore stupid on its own, then you realize it means that R.M. Huffman believes this book is all true. Maybe parts of it are fictional in his mind, but which parts? It’s impossible to say. Imagine if J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings under the impression it was real. He wouldn’t be writing it to make interesting characters or a cool world to explore or a story with heart, he’d be writing it with religious reverence. He’d be copying something someone else already made without any new ideas or themes added and expecting everyone else to admire it as much as he does. And if anyone doesn’t admire it, it’s because they hate God and Christians. No need for self-reflection or taking criticism, because this isn’t actually a fantasy novel (in his mind). The issue here is not that the author has different beliefs than me, or even that he’s clumsily pushing them in his book. The issue is that there is nothing here beyond his beliefs, which brings me to the next point. 2: There are maybe 6 events that transpire over the course of more than 400 pages. This isn’t an adventure, or even a series of adventures, it’s just Noah. Noah hanging around at home and basking in everyone talking about how great he is and how he’s destined for great things. Noah going to get help for his town without running into trouble. Noah coming up with brilliant plans to defeat villains such as “If we want to kill the Leviathan we have to break it’s skull open with an ax!” Great plan, mate, no one else could have come up with that. That might be fine if Noah had any personality or interesting things to say/do, he doesn’t though. He’s just the hero because the author made him the hero, and the author made him the hero because the Bible did. There’s a final battle near the end which, to be fair, isn’t half bad. It would be better if the protagonist actually did things instead of just knowing how to win without effort, but y’know, I’ve read worse. The only real entertainment value it has is to remember that the author believes this is all literally true. He’s an insane dipshit who believes humans and dinosaurs lived together, this isn’t a fantasy world for him, its existence is a religious fact, never to be questioned. And if anyone does question it, they must be attacked/silenced. So I can’t even act like this book is the worst thing ever. I want to channel my inner Roger Ebert to roast it until it’s reduced to ashes so I can scatter them on the wind. I can’t though. And even if I could, this book isn’t worth it. There is nothing here, not even anything to mock. I know Christian conservatives would say that dog shit tasted like candy if the dog claimed to love Jesus first, so I expect at least some hate for this negative review. I don’t care though. This book isn’t bad because it’s Christian, it’s bad because it’s bad.

#book review #fantasy #christian

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ash-and-books · 10 months

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Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb: A Black teen desperate to regain her Ivy League acceptance enters an elite competition only to discover the stakes aren’t just high, they’re deadly, in this searing thriller that’s Ace of Spades meets Squid Game with a sprinkling of The Bachelor.

You must work twice as hard to get half as much.

Adina Walker has known this the entire time she’s been on scholarship at the prestigious Edgewater Academy—a school for the rich (and mostly white) upper class of New England. It’s why she works so hard to be perfect and above reproach, no matter what she must force beneath the surface. Even one slip can cost you everything.

And it does. One fight, one moment of lost control, leaves Adina blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college and any other. Her only chance to regain the future she’s sacrificed everything for is the Finish, a high-stakes contest sponsored by Edgewater’s founding family in which twelve young, ambitious women with exceptional promise are selected to compete in three mysterious events: the Ride, the Raid, and the Royale. The winner will be granted entry into the fold of the Remington family, whose wealth and power can open any door.

But when she arrives at the Finish, Adina quickly gets the feeling that something isn’t quite right with both the Remingtons and her competition, and soon it becomes clear that this larger-than-life prize can only come at an even greater cost. Because the Finish’s stakes aren’t just make or break…they’re life and death.

Adina knows the deck is stacked against her—it always has been—so maybe the only way to survive their vicious games is for her to change the rules.

Review:

Ready or Not meets The Bachelor with a dash of Ace of Spades in this story about a Black teen who will do anything to get her Ivy League acceptance back, even enter an elite competition against other girls, the only problem? No one told her it was literally a life or death game and these girls are out for blood. Adina Walker has had to work for everything she got but it was all taken away in a moment of rage where she fought another student and then all her acceptances to colleges were rescinded... but now she has a plan: seduce a Remington to secure her spot in the prestigious Remington Games which state that all you have to do is beat three events and the winner will gain money and power to their hearts content, and that means she can get back into her Ivy League school. Adina doesn't realize that Pierce Remington, the boy she nearly sleeps with has ulterior motives for getting her into the games, even when his girlfriend is already another player in the game and knows what Adina did. But when bodies start dropping and Adina realizes that all the other contestants are willing to kill for the prize and that the real prize is being married off to a Remington boy she needs allies and if that means seducing the other Remington boy, Graham, the failure of the family, then there's nothing she won't do to survive. Along for the ride is Saint: (the girl who stole MY heart) a girl who only came to the games to network and get her family's business another partner and is the only true friend Adina has, Esme: the girl who got Adina expelled and was her ex-best friend until their fight and who hates Adina but needs this competition to help her family escape the embezzlement issues, Hawthorne: Esme's best friend who is quiet but will do anything for Esme because she's in love with her (I loved Hawthorne's story so much), and Penthesilea: the girl groomed to become the next Remington wife, Pierce's girlfriend, and the one who seems calm. I have to say I absolutely adored Saint, Hawthorne, and Penthesilea so much, like these were girls after my own heart. Hawthorne's toxic but insane love for Esme?? Give me that book please. Saint was a real one, seriously what I wouldn't have given for Saint or Penthesilea to be the love interest for Adina rather than the bland Remington boys, seriously such wasted potential, because you can only imagine HOW GREAT OF A STORY THAT WOULD BE. Penthesilea, truly one of the most interesting characters of the entire book, she was seething with anger and I was happy she got her say in the end. Overall its a really fun read that keeps you interested until the end!

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

#book review #bookish #their vicious game

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thedeadthree · 2 years

Note

oc questions!!

basics (4, 5)

personality (8, 9)

background (4, 5)

fun facts (8, 13)

for zelda pls??

CAMMM DEARIEE hi dear! ur the sweetest soul ever as always! I MISSED HER ITS BEEN SO LONG SINCE IVE DONE ANYTHING FOR HER AHH. :’) i need to continue her playthrough in fc5 now? i miss her? ty so much again lovely and I hope ur having the best day/night!

oc questions

(x)

BASICS

4. how old are they?

during the story main events she is 28!

5. when’s their birthday?

her birthday is september 14th, 1990!

PERSONALITY

8. what are their manners like? any habits?

her parents are New York socialites! her dad is a “financial” lawyer for his families companies (becomes the head of the families businesses while she's in hope county actually!) so she’s a bit snarky/stuck up sort of “I’m better than everyone bc I’m richer than everyone here at the start of the game (literally complains for 2 hours in the shelter the moment she woke up after the foiled attempt to arrest joseph to bestie there about how her shoes are designer and ruined she was only there for appearances and a witness protection program job why does SHE need to do dirty work sakjn) a bit into the events of the story she mellows out a bit! tones it down! (nothing like the existential dread of possibly never leaving hope county right?)

she actually used to get acrylic nails bc of this but she picks at her nails when she’s nervous! loathes that about herself too! :’)

9. what are they most afraid of?

that she will stay in hope county forever :’) losing herself to edens gate, she did NOT escape a serial k*iller in ny to end up in the clutches of edens gate (even IF her former beloved of whom their relationship always has been and is still.. VERY complicated. a particular heavily tattooed morally questionable sort jjhdanadj) then there is her irrational fear of injuring herself in the dark (stubbing her toe, elbowing or kneeing herself on something) so she’s got lights on (mUsT bE nICe WHeN uR rIcH)

BACKGROUND

4. how do they fit into their “story”?

she’s the “deputy!” sort of as it was meant to be a cover story as she was in a witness protection program from evading a serial k*iller who got away and made plans on zeroing her after she tried to convict him. I think what I love most about how she fits in the story is her past with john, how they were both lawyers at different law firms and knew each other, which made that reunion when she made an attempt to arrest his brother VERY interesting! as well as giving a different take into the deputy storyline! how she’s a socialite in hiding, and that the intention of her being there was a string of coincidences!

5. where do they currently live? what’s their place like?

she’s originally from ny! she had to move for her wellbeing when entering witness protection into hope county, so she rents an apartment in missoula! it’s on the top floor of the complex, it’s nice but unassuming from the outside, the complex had been build about a year and a half prior to her moving in. from the inside though it’s upscale! top of the line appliances and luxury furniture, she made an attempt to buy everything she had in her apartment in ny and recreate her home there! she’s a HUGE fan of red and black or red/white or gold. her favorite color is scarlet red so she tries to keep to that theme when she buys furniture! BEAUTIFUL red hued marble countertops in her kitchen, though smaller than the one she has back home by a LONGSHOT, she made do with it! matching black stainless steel appliances. ZELDA LOVESS VELVET MY GOD. and fine antique furniture! has this BEAUTIFUL velvet red fainting couch from the victorian age she REFUSED to leave ny without. it sits near this bay window (another reason she VERY highly requested she purchase this particular apartment! her old home had a bay window!) where she’ll read or watch news or movies from!

FUN FACTS

8. what’s their favorite expletive?

her go to expletive is the tried and true f*ck! (or if your name is john it’s "damn it! f*cking john!" kasnmkjas

13. what would their favorite ride at an amusement park be?

oo that’s a good question! she LOATHES anything that drenches her in water (her makeup is expensive! that’s wasting money! leo moon things!) so okay maybe it would be something like tower of terror at d*isneyland?

#🍵: cam #confidentandgood #two weeks until my birthday.. talking about my ocs is the bestest early birthday gift ✨🤧#AHHH ty so much cam for the ask! ur the loveliest! these are so much fun to do! one of my fav ask games!#and I haven’t done anything for her in EONS gahhh I need to continue her play through I miss! miss zelda! sm!#is she homesick? oh yea. is she trying to make the most out of this sitch shes in? you betcha!#I CACKED writing the first fun fact akjnsisd ‘damn it f*cking john!’ SAME ZELDA BABES she gets it! kasjnsk iconic!#oc: zelda expósito #t: text #leg.asks #leg.ocs #fancy victorian couches are her most beloved! think like.. modern luxury apartment meets noblewomans estate sort of aesthetic hehe!#btw i ADORE ur elaine icon <3

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disneyfangrl100 · 16 days

Text

Chapter Eight: Radio killed The video Star

Charlie paced back in forth in the lounge room as she tried to come up with a plan. “Okay… So the extermination is coming in six months instead of a year. No big deal. Just a little setback. Nothing we can't handle. Just angels cutting our timetable in half.”

“But who needs a whole year to save souls? Am I right?!” Charlie says on the verge of a panic attack. “And next time when they cut the time in half again, and again, we'll just handle it, right?!”

Vaggie grabbed Charlie, calming her down. “Yes. We will.” Quasi agreed with his future sister in law. “She’s right Charlie we’ll get through this together.”

“Oh, please, ya had less then half a chance when you started all this salvation bullshit.” Angel said. “Not helping, Angel.” Quasi said annoyed.

“Hey I’m just speaking facts sides… Angel’s phone buzzed as his phone was spammed with threatening messages from his boss. Look all I’m saying is… there ain't no silver lining this time.”

“Sure there is! We just...have to look a little harder for it!” Charlie said. “Well, while you're lookin', the rest'a hell's goin' nuts.” Angel said waving his phone in their faces.

“People are already freakin' out about the news. Look at what's happenin' in the Doomsday District.” He said scrolling down an article with the bottom showing a demon screaming in front of a fire. Suddenly a pink message popped up. It was from someone named… valentino. Charlie looked closer reading the text.

“Err, what is a...Donkey Show?” “Yeah and who’s Valentino?” Quasi asks. Angel seems to panic and turn the phone back around. “Aah, heh, nothin'.

“My boss, valentino is like that sometimes he’s just freaked out about the news too.” Quasi stared at him suspiciously but shrugged. He didn’t want to push Angel but he had a feeling he was hiding something. “Like I said, everyone's losin' their shit.” Angel said.

“Yeah, that's true. Sinners are desperate. Maybe desperate enough to try anything to escape the extermination?” Vaggie said. Charlie gasped.

“This is the perfect time to recruit more sinners for the hotel!” Angel laughed. “Cute idea and all, but you really gonna go out in all of this?”Angel says waving the phone. “Well, it's not like people are just gonna show up on our doorstep.” Quasi said.

Suddenly, a massive explosion created a freshly made hole in the wall. “What the… A large zeppelin floated outside. “Show yourself Alasssstor.” A voice shouted from the blimp. He saw a large snake demon sitting at the help.

“Come and face - the snake demon pauses for a moment when he notices Alastor absent from the freshly made hole. He then looks to see him sipping coffee on the balcony of the second floor. “Oh there you are - Face my wrath!” The creature shouts. “I’m sorry… who are you?”

“Who am I? Who am I?!” The snake says looking offended. “I am the great Ssssssir Pentious Inventor, architect of dessstruction, villain extraordinaire!” Alastor dissolved into a black shadow as he descended to the ground materializing aside Angel, Vaggie, and Charlie.

Niffty the small but crazy maid appears on Alastor’s shoulder “Ooooooh, he's a bad boy.” Niffty says excitedly.

Alastor scoops Niffty up and drops her to the ground. “Aha, well if all that's true, you'd think I'd have heard of you.” Pentious looked at him annoyed. “I attacked you literally last week.” Alastor cocked his head to one side.

“We've done battle, like... 20 times.” Pentious said. “Well, you must have been really bad at this.” Alastor said. “Silence! Now cower!”

“For when I've ssslain you, the almighty Vees will finally acknowledge me as their equal.” Pentious said.

Niffty reappeared on Alastor's shoulder. “Ooh! Wait, who are the Vees?” She asked confused.

“Oh, nobody important.”

“No body important! They’re only the three most powerful overlords ever!” Quasi said. “I’ve never met or seen any of them but I’ve seen vox before whenever I try to watch tv on my phone. I did see him once though… in person.

“I have a friend at VoxTech who hacked my phone so I could access tv from earth.” Alastor chuckled. Clever boy… but like I said… they’re nobody important.

—————————————————

Meanwhile deeper in the pride ring A large crowd stood in front of a store as they watch an advertisement on the tvs facing the window showing off a spy drone. “New VoxTek designer voyeur scopes, Peeping on the neighbors has never been more stylish. VoxTek! Trust us with your money!”

The Crowd immediately stampeded into the store coming out with boxes with voyeur scopes.

“This week's episode of "Yeah, I Fucked Your Sister, So What?" is brought to you by VoxTek. Trust us with your entertainment!” Said another Ad for a tv show. A large room with tvs showing off numerous consumers as appears as the words "trust us" repeats and overlaps. Meanwhile hidden away in the Vees tower Vox; the tv headed leader of the Vees watches his consumers laughing maniacally.

“Now that's good television!” . Suddenly his screen/ face shifts to reveal an icon of Velvette another one of the Vees.

Vox uses his powers to transfer the call to one of the other screens lining the room. The camera turned on revealing Velvette in her studio, her pink and purple hair in a large ponytail. “Hello “There, Velvette! How are you this hellish morning?” Vox says a wide smile appearing on his screen.

“Oh, cut the shit, Vox. I need you up here now!” She said urgently. “Whatever could be the problem, my dear?” Vox asked with a fake smile. “Your little boy toy is wrecking my apartment, while I'm trying to pull together a show and…FUCKING BITCH! Valentino screams off camera.

“Just get your ass here, NOW! ...Damn it, Valentino!” Velvette shouts as she ends the call. The call ends, and Vox's smile fades away as he gets up with an annoyed sigh, before fixing up his bowtie. “Oh god.”

“Here I go, Valentino.' Just another fucking day with Val. Hey-hey-hey. Fuck my life.” Vox says ashe walks onto the elevator platform as it Rises to the next floor.

—————————————————

Vox steps out of the elevator sighing as he puts on a smile for a crowd of reporters. They shout at him pointing their microphones at him asking him numerous questions. “Mr. Vox! What are your thoughts about the new extermination deadline?” Asks one of the reporters.

Vox smiles with fake sincerity as he addresses the crowd. “My dear people! We at VoxTek Enterprises have always been at the forefront of innovation. And now, with this new oncoming threat, we are shifting our focus, to your protection. We are pleased to announce… Vox reveals an ad that read VoxTek Angelic Security in gold letters.i

“VoxTek Angelic Security Is coming soon! Trust us, with YOUR safety.” Vox says using his left eye to hypnotize the crowd the same way he hypnotizes the rest of his consumers. “Uh sir, when did we begin working on Angelic Security?” Asks an intern.

“Thirty seconds ago.” Vox says as he walks off. “Try to get that bitch Carmilla on the books and cancel all my appointments today. I have a fire to put out upstairs.” And with that his body morphs into electricity and generates itself into the security camera on the wall.

—————————————————

Velvet stands in her studio glaring at four of her designers holding up dresses to show her for her show. “Ugh. No. Unacceptable. You're fired.”

However one designer pisses her off more than the other. “What is this? WRIST RUFFLES?! Is this 1750?! BURN IT like the witches who wore it!”

Vox appears next to her as she sends the designers away, rubbing her temple. “Velvette! I can see you're busy. Tell me, where's our hot-headed friend now?” Velvette glared at him.

“Up in his tower, waiting for a flat-faced prince to calm him down!” She says angrily. Vic sighs plastering another fake grin across his screen. “And uh, what's got him so out of sorts today?” He chuckled.

“Who knows? But he tore up my best model! And you know, the show can't wait for that unlucky bitch to pull herself back together!” She says as she called over one of her interns. “Melissa! Get over here!”

The intern known as Melissa nervously runs in front of the mirror as Velvette uses her overlord powers to change her outfit by swiping her hand, one after another until she spots the one she likes. “No. No. Hideous. I want to die. Eww. (gasp) Yes! That's the one.”

“Ahh, looks like you have everything under control here.” Vox says. “Of course, I do! Fuck you!” Velvette says flipping him off. “Now shoo! Take care of the piss baby!”

Vox goes upstairs to the tower and is greeted by two moth demons who open the door for him. Once inside he finds Valentino sitting on his couch surrounded by a fog of red smoke. When Val notices Vox, he sits up with fury in his glowing red eyes. “Fucking FINALLY!” Valentino growls throwing an empty glass.

“Kitty! Another drink!” The robot jester next to him nods as it quickly disappears reappearing with another drink. “Ugh! Can you believe what that piece of shit did?”

“THE UNGRATEFUL WHORE!!!” Valentino shouts tossing his drink at Vox, who side steps narrowly avoiding the glass as it shatters on the ground. “Uh, which whore are we talking about this time?”

“Fucking Angel Dust! Who the hell else would I be talking about?!” Valentino growled as he walked past him. “That fucking SLUT walked out on me!ME! I fucking made him!”

“Without me, he's just a bag of meat with some mildly entertaining holes.” “Oh! Angel quit?” Vox asked. “NO!”

“He didn't fucking quit! It's worse!” He said taking Vox's phone as he threw it at the wall. “He MOVED!!!”

“He thinks he can just walk in here, work, and then go home somewhere else? Can you FUCKING believe that?!” Valentino says walking to his personal closet as he tore it open. “He thinks he can run off and shack up with Lucifer’s bimbo daughter! And her freak of a brother.

Vox frowned. “Angel is... living with Lucifer's children?”

“YEAH! That BITCH Chuckie or Chandler, or I dunno- Something mannish like that and I don’t know what the brothers name is. They got this hotel and-Which of these makes me look sexier?” Valentino says holding up two long pistol guns: a long revolver and a semi-pistol. ”Heh. What are you doing, Val? You're not going over there.”

“That slippery twink is gonna remember who owns him. I'm gonna FUCK everyone in that rancid shit hole, I swear to god!” Before he can finish loading the gun Vox grabs him by the collar and shoves him to his face, clearly furious his screen bright.

VAL! Vox says his voice distorted. Vox calms down chuckling. “Hehe. Think about it…Vox say walking Valentino towards the window, taking away one of his guns and putting it in his pocket.

“Our brand is, perfection. And what do you think chasing whores around town will, do for our image?” Val frowned. “Um.....fuck it up?” “Right! Do you want people thinking you can't control your employees?” Val looked at him insulted.”No!”

“Exactly! And hey, you still have him under contract. He isn't going anywhere! SO...you should...Do nothing?” The sound of a winning slot machine played over Vox’s speakers.

“Great idea! Now that's why they pay you the Big bucks.” Vox says pinching the moth man’s cheek. “Ugh…but I really wanted to shoot someone.” Val says crossing his arms with a disappointed scowl as he He pulls out a cigarette placing it in his red cigarette holder as Vox lights it with his powers.

“Well, lemme call up the lowest earners this month.” He said walking over to a row of TV’s on the wall. “Ohh, you know me too well.” Val chuckles and blowing a red smoke ring in the shape of a heart. “Ya know....Angel isn't the only one spending time at this Ratty Hotel with the devil's Príncipe and princesa.”

Said Valentino grinning mischievously. “Oh? Who else is there? Someone who, owes you money?” Valentino Chuckles.

“Someone who owes us much more than money ...the Radio Demon is there.” Upon hearing those words, electricity courses through Vox's head, as his sharp claws dig into the desk so hard it leaves scratch marks. Vox gave a small ominous laugh turning to Valentino.

“What did you just say?” Vox said in a distorted voice. “You heard me.”

“Alastor... came back...and he is with Lucifer's children , and that wasn't the… FIRST FUCKING THING YOU TOLD ME?!?!?!” Vox shouted grabbing Valentino by the collar.

“Hey! killing Alastor is your kink.”Valentino says freeing himself as he turns on the tv showing a recording from one of their VoxTek Voyeur scopes.

It shows Alastor using his powers to attack Sir Pentious’s zeppelin, laughing maniacally as he hears Pentious’s screams “Arrgh! Oh! Please! Stop!” Sir Pentious pleads.

“Um...Alastor! I think he's had enough.” Charlie said. “I agree Alastor I think maybe you’re going a bit too far.”

“Nah. He's got a few more hits in him.” Angle joked. “Angel!” Quasi said shocked.

“What it’s a joke. I was joking.“Sir Pentious fell through the window of his zeppelin landing in front of Alastor face first on the ground below. Alastor twirled his staff smiling. “Thanks for another forgettable experience.”

Alastor says as one Pentious’s egg minions falls and cracks ope in front of Charlie. “Thank you... for letting your guard down! ”Sir Pentious says laughing as he uses his long tail to tear part of Alastor's coat. “Aha! Yah! Oh, shit... Sir Pentious says looking up to see Alastor's shadow transform in front of him as Alastor makes a noise similar to a wild elk.

A massive green explosion sends Sir Pentious flying off across the city screaming as he disappears from sight. “Well, it looks as though I need a visit to the tailor! Best of luck, chums.”

“Wait, you're leaving?! Alastor! We need your help! We need you to do your job.” Vaggie says.

“We need a wall.”Angle says gesturing to the hole in the wall. “Of course! Can't let my new project fall into disrepair already. What would the papers say?!”

With a snap of his fingers, black ink demons appear with construction tools as Alastor walks away. Angel takes an interest and looks at one of the larger muscular demons as he shoves Vaggie away as he approaches him.

“Hey, sweet cheeks. Whatcha doin' later? I love me a man with a giant ...tool.”

Valentino scowls at the scene, leaning his face against the screen. “See?! Look how he flirts with that guy, and he's not even paying! Who is that?”

“I'm gonna fucking kill his whole fucking family!” It was then that Val noticed the prince in the background… he was blushing. Val grinned. “Well, well it looks like Lucifer’s ugly duckling’s got a little crush on angel… this might prove useful… what do you think Vox?” However Vox was still focused on Alastor.

“Vox?” Valentino says slamming his fist on the table. “VOX!”

Vox was paying little attention as he watched Alastor leave his appearance static and out of focus.

“That FUCKER is back!” Vox said glitching. Valentino grins as he realizes the situation and walks to his lover. “Yeah! I thought he was gone for good too!”

“It's been seven years!” Vox growled. “You still pissed that he almost beat you that time?”Valentino says pinching his boyfriend’s cheek. “Uh, FUCK YOU.” Vox snapped.

“Just saying. “ said Valentino shrugging. “Things have changed a lot since he left town!”

“THAT'S for sure.” Valentino said. Smugly. “I gotta send a message of who's REALLY in charge of things now!”

Vox returns downstairs to his tv room as he hooks himself up to the mainframe as he prepares for a broadcast. He smiles as he starts to sing.

♫ Welcome home! ♫

♫ I'm gonna make you wish that you stayed gone!♫

Vox sings, electricity coursing through him as he sits in his chair, turning his face to the numerous screens.

Vox: ♫ Say hello to a new status quo, ♫

Vox presses a big red button, and 4 cords latch themselves to the ports on the back of his head, connecting himself to his TV networks.

Vox: ♫ Everyone knows that there's a brand-new dawn, turn the TV on! ♫

Director: Camera, speeds, rolling in three, two...

Chorus: ♫ Wel-come to the show! ♫

Vox appears as a news anchor as he talks about his hatred for Alastor. Little did he realize the broadcast was being viewed by everyone in hell… or at least everyone in the pride ring. Including a certain angelic prince. Quasi frowned looking at the broadcast on his phone as Vox appeared. Though he had a feeling Vox insulting Alastor on live television would only piss him off.

Vox: ♫ Top of the hour and we're discussing a certain has-been who has been spotted cavorting around town after a seven-year absence. Did anybody miss him, did anybody notice? More on tonight's program. ♫

Vox: ♫ So, the Radio Demon is back in town! ♫

Vox: ♫ Why is he hanging around? ♫

Vox: What does that mean for your family?

♫ Well, handily, I've got good news! ♫

♫ He's a loser, a fossil, and I don't mean to sound hostile, ♫

Vox & Chorus: ♫ But the demon is a coward! ♫

Vox: ♫ You can take that as gospel. Pulling my viewers? Impossible! I'm visual, he's barely audible! Stop giving him the time of day! ♫

Vox: ♫ Don't listen to a word he'd say. ♫

Vox ♫ I hope he had a nice vacay! ♫

Vox & Chorus: ♫ But he should have stayed away! ♫

Alastor who had just finished getting his coat tailored. notices the crowd watching Vox’s broadcast as exits the tailors shop. He smiles a mischievous grin as walks away as Vox continues singing.

Vox: ♫ While he hid in radio, we pivoted to video! ♫

He sings on screen pulling out an uncooked bloodied deer head from an oven caked in blood.

Vox: ♫ Now his medium is getting bloody rare! ♫

In a hallway in V Tower, Vox jumps, twirls and then pulls Valentino and Velvette into a hug

♫ Hell's been better since he split, ♫

♫ Where's he been? ♫

♫ Who gives a shit?! ♫

However to Vox’s displeasure and quasi delight as he tried to hold back a laugh. As Vox’s broadcast is taken over by Alastor. The Audio broadcasting from his radio station tower attached to the top corner of the Hazbin Hotel.

Alastor: ♫ Salutations! ♫

Alastor: ♫ Good to be back on the air. ♫

Alastor:♫ Yes, I know it's been a while since someone with style treated Hell to a broadcast. ♫ Quasi burst into laughter enjoying Alastor insulting Vox.

♫ Sinners rejoice! ♫

♫ What a dated voice! ♫ Vox sang

Alastor: ♫ Instead of a clout chasing mediocre video podcast. ♫

Vox: “COME ON!”

Alastor: ♫ Is Vox insecure, pursuing allure? ♫

Alastor: ♫ Flitting between this fad and that. ♫

Alastor: ♫ Is nothing working? ♫

Vox: “IGNORE HIS CHIRPING!”

Alastor: ♫ Every day he's got a new format! ♫

Vox: “YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE FUTURE!”

Vox and Chorus: ♫ He's the shit that comes before that! ♫

Alastor: ♫ Is Vox as strong as he purports? ♫

Alastor: ♫ Or is it based on his support? ♫

Alastor: ♫ He'd be powerless without the other Vees! ♫

Vox: “Oh, PLEASE.”

Alastor: ♫ And here's the sugar on the cream. ♫

Alastor: ♫ He asked ME to join this team! ♫

Vox: “Hold on!”

Alastor: ♫ I said no, and now he's pissy! That's the tea. ♫ Quasi laughed so hard his side hurt. It was no wonder Vox hated Alastor. It also explained why Alastor had not been entirely thrilled when they’d been trying to film the hotel’s commercial.

Pissed Vox’s screen face starts to glitch and crash as he gets angrier. Vox: [Glitching.] ♫ You o-old timey PRICK! I'll show y-you suffering! ♫

Alastor: ♫ Uh oh, the TV is buffering! ♫

[Vox’s circuits overload as he crashes. Vox: [Signal breaking up.] ♫ I'LL DESTROY YOOOOU-YOU LIT-T-LE—♫ Vox's screen face and voice overload and crashes, before Vox involuntarily lets out an outburst that overloads everything from the TV screens to Valentino, Velvette's and even quasi’s phone which shocks him causing him to drop it but luckily it is unharmed. But everywhere in Pentagram City, suffers a citywide blackout with the exception of the Hazbin Hotel.

Alastor: ♫ I'm afraid you've lost your signal. ♫ Alastor says. Suddenly quasi gets an eerie feeling as his supernatural senses go off.

Quasi sees a blurred image of Alastor on his phone as he begins to sing.

♫ Let's begin. ♫

♫ I'm gonna make you wish that I stayed gone! ♫

Meanwhile in the tower Alastor begins to shift into his true demonic form with every sentence his antlers growing bigger.

♫ Tune on in. ♫

♫ When I'm done, your status quo will know it's race is run! ♫

♫ Oh, this will be fun! ♫

Alastor says an evil laugh before cutting off Vox's signal throughout the city, leaving the Overlord dismayed that Alastor is still as popular and powerful as he was last time. Vox: FUU-UU-UCK!

Quasi shrugs putting his phone back in his pocket as it returns to normal. “People sure do like to sing here.”

—————————————————

Meanwhile in The Vee’s tower Vox calls emergency meeting with Himself , Velvette, and Valentino to discuss the matter of Alastor as the robot val named , Kitty, pass out drinks to each of them.

“We have a problem. Alastor is getting close to prince and princess Morningstar, so our main concern now is ensuring that no deal is ever struck between Lucifer's BRATS and that smiling freak!”

“Well, how exactly are we supposed to stop it?” Velvette asked confused. Valentino sat putting glue on his revolver so he could add glitter and marbles to it.

“Put something inside them. That's how I get the bitches to behave.” Vox frowned. “Not helping… then again… didn’t you mention that you think that the prince has a crush on Angel?”

“Definitely I know one when I see one.”

“That could be useful for later… then again maybe someone on the inside isn't such a bad idea. Do you think Angel would?” Valentino shrugged. “That lanky prick won't even return my calls.”

Vox sighed. “We need someone who Little Miss Bleeding Heart would take in.”

“Someone...pathetic, desperate, with no direct ties to us?” Said Velvette.

“I employ every down on their luck loser this side of Hell. Who the fuck is left?” ValentinoI asked.

Vox grinned as he got an idea. “I think, I have... JUST the one.”

—————————————————

Back at the hotel, Alastor's black and white demons are currently fixing the hole in the wall as Charlie, Vaggie and quasi return. Charlie throws herself onto a couch, exhausted.

“Soooo? How'd it go?”

“Not a single new recruit.” Quasi says leaning against the wall. “Yeah well, who would wanna use their last days not fucking and fighting?”

As Angel checks his phone, Vaggi hears a knock on the front door. She walks over to it and opens the door, only to find Sir Pentious behind it, holding his hat.

“Why, hello my dear”- Sir Pentious is cut off by Vaggie punching him in the face. He falls as Vaggie points her spear at him. Sir Pentious cowers in fear with the tip barely at his neck. “Wait, wait, wait! I come in peaccce.”

“What are you doing here?” Charlie and quasi appear behind her back. “Vaggie, what's the problem?” Charlie gasps. “Oh! Hello again!”

“I didn't come looking for a fight. I uhh.. I heard that you're helping people, people who want to be better?” Charlie lets out a gasp and runs over to grabs his hand and leads him to the door of the hotel. Quasi watches the snake demon with suspicion. Like Vaggie he didn’t entirely trust him… and yet he couldn’t sense anything threatening about him.

He could sense if someone was a threat by reading their aura. And the snakes wasn’t threatening. It was a pale red with a tiny black spot in the middle but it wasn’t a cause for alarm. However what surprised him was when he flinched when Charlie grabbed his arm. The snake reminded him a little bit of himself.

Maybe he wasn’t as evil as he’d first appeared. “ You heard right! Welcome to our home of healing, our resort of restoration, our- Angel appeared in the door cutting Charlie off.

“Are you fucking nuts? This chump was trying to kill us like literally six hours ago! And now you wanna bring him in here to live with us?” Frowned Angel. “Absolutely!”

“This place is about second chances, and who deserves one more than this slithery…slippery… special little man!” Quasi chuckled. He loved his sister. She always saw the best in people… and demons. He was a little bit more cautious but he was willing to trust in his sister.

“Aren't you supposed to protect this place?” Angle asked Vaggie. Charlie gives her the puppy-dog eyes, begging Vaggie to give Sir Pentious a chance to live in the hotel. Vaggie sighs giving in. “I guess he's not much of a threat without the war machine, or even with the war machine.

Sir Pentious' cobra head flaps down with depression, sighing. Charlie hugs Vaggie, lifting her up in the process and twirling her around once. “Oh! Thank you thank you thank you thank you! Sir Pentious! Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel!”

Charlie says leading Sir Pentious into the hotel. “ Oh no darling! Thank you! You won't regret this.”

Angel looks at Quasi. “I can’t imagine you’re ok with this?” Quasi sighs rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “I… I don’t know I mean he doesn’t feel or look like a threat.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I have this… gift; among my other powers. I can see people’s aura’s.” Angel grinned. “Wait seriously? What’s mine look like.

“It’s pink…though it’s a little faded… are you ok?” Angle looked annoyed. “Course’ I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Are you sure? You seem… stressed.” Angel laughed. What are you a fucking empath to?” Quasi shrugged. “I guess. These powers started showing up the day we had the meeting with Adam.”

“His aura was gold and black though there was a lot more black than gold.” Angle patted him on the back. These new powers of yours must be tough to deal with. Do you want to talk about it?” Angel placed a hand on his shoulder.

Quasi pulled away. “I-I should go make sure Charlie’s doing alright. I just hope I’m right about this new guy. Angel shrugged. “Eh, I give him a week, tops.”

When they entered the hotel Charlie was giving a Sir Pentious the tour of the hotel, introducing Husk to him as well as the wall he blew up before it was fixed. “So, this is the bar and the bartender. This is the curtain, and this is the new wall after you broke the last one, heh, and oh! Oh! This is the”-Vaggie grabbed Charlie to calm her down.

“Babe, you don't have to show him every detail.”

“Yeah I think he gets it.” Quasi laughed patting Sir Pentious on the back. “Wow you are really slimy. Quasi said wipping his hand on his clean red pants.

“Sorry, I'm just so excited to have our first real guest!”

“Uh, what the hell am I then?” Angel said offended. “Well, you're an important part of our family here Angel, but you uhm, uh…Constantly make us look bad, sexually harass the staff, and have literally never once tried to improve?” Vaggie said cutting Charlie off.

“What she means is, it's just nice to have someone interested for once.”

Quasi notices the sadness in Angels eyes. He feels bad but he knows he can’t help him unless he tells him the truth of what really bothering him.

Niffty sits on the carpet playing with Keekee; the hotel’s resident pet and the little soul of the hotel. However as Charlie and Sir Pentious approach Keekee hisses at the snake and scatters away while Niffty turns to greet them.

“Over here we have our maid Niffty.”

Niffty Gasps recognizing Sir Pentious. “The bad boy is back!” Niffty climbs onto Sir Pentious and holding him by the collar, as looks into his eyes with her single insane red eye and a very sadistic smile, which creeps him out.

“Never leave me again.” Niffty says in a creepy whisper. “Down girl. Quasi said prying Niffty off him. Sorry about that.

“We're about 80% sure she's harmless. Quasi said laughing awkwardly.

“And over here we have- Charlie is cut off as she nearly bumps into Alastor. “

Oh! Uh, Alastor! Our gracious facility manager! You've met our newest guest Sir Pentious…hehe… Alastor grins. “Ah yes!You're the one who ruined my coat!”

Alastor's eyes glow red in the dark with a violent temptation to rip him a part. “I definitely remember you now.” He said in a sinister tone. Sir Pentious gulps nervously. “Well, I guess this is a great time for your first lesson!”

Charlie Clears her throat. "How to apologize! The first step to becoming a better person is to admit when you are wrong, why don't you give it a try?”Sir Pentious looks nervous but gives Alaster an awkward smile.

“Yes..uhm.. Mr uhm.. Radio Demon sir, please forgive me for attacking you and ruining your very lovely coat.. uhm.. here.” As a token of apology, Sir. Pentious hands back the small fabric he tore from Alastor's coat. Alaster takes it and inspects the damage. “Ah-Ho!Not many people have been able to take even this much off me, it must have meant quite a lot to you.”

Despite being generous, Alastor spontaneously combusts the fabric tear into green flames, leaving Sir Pentious and Charlie stunned. Later they all sat in the living room as Charlie thought up a new activity.

“Now, with a new resident, I think it's important we all get to know each other! So we are going to play a little game. “Everyone, follow me. My name is Charlie .” Charlie clapped twice.

“I like to sing!” She clapped twice again. “And when we get to know each other it's the greatest thing! “ Said clapping twice once more as she pointed at Sir Pentious. “ My name's Sir Pentious.” He said clapping twice.

“I like to build.” He said clapping twice a second time. “And despite my stupid Egg Bois, I think I'm very skilled!” When it was Angel's turn, however he looked disinterested, looking up from his phone. “This is stupid.”

“This- is not- stupid! *claps twice* It's just a game! *claps twice* Sir Pentious did it well so now please try to do the same!”*claps twice*

“I am too sober for this.” Angel said annoyed. “Well, get used to it and learn how to play, this is gonna be your whole day! Vaggie said clapping twice.

—————————————————

That night Angel lies down on his bed as he glumly looks at his phone and sees all his voice mails from Valentino. Angel sighs and begins to play them each one at a time unaware that someone was at the door listening.

Angel I understand tonight must’ve been rough for you. Charlie wanted me to check on you are you ok?” He got no response. “Hello?”

He pressed his ear to the door straining to hear inside. He heard a voice that didn’t sound like Angel. It almost sounded like… a voicemail. Though unlike the ones he got from his dad and Charlie these were far from kind or caring. Though the tone shifted friendly and apologetic to a barrage of screams threats of violence.

Valentino (voice message): “Angel baby, come home! It's not the same without you here, I miss you! Come back.”

“ANGEL, YOU BITCH! IF YOU DON'T COME HOME, YOU'LL BE FUCKING GREASY TRUCKERS FOR THE NEXT YEAR!”

“Hey, amorcito, I didn't mean to yell, but you know how crazy you make me- YOU FUCKING SLUT! Hey, Angie! About earlier-KILL YOUR WHOLE FUCKIN' FAMILY! Work's really stressful! LITTLE COCKSUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!”

Valentino: “You actually think you can change? Addict trash like you doesn't change. I'll see you soon, baby.” Quasi’s hands ball into fists. “So you his was what Angel had been hiding.

His boss had been sending him threatening messages. He didn’t know much about The Vee known as Valentino… what he did know is that he wouldn’t leave Angel alone until he returned home to him.

“Sorry, not now, Fat Nuggets.” He heard Angel say to her pet pig. Quasi froze realizing Angel was leaving the room. Before he could move the door flies open as he comes face to face with Angel.

He half expected him to be Angry but instead he just looked surprised. “How much of that did you hear?” Quasi hesitated. “All of it… why didn’t you tell me… or Charlie… we could help you.” Angel sighed.

“Walk with me. He followed him downstairs. The hotel was quiet and everyone was asleep. “I’m sorry you had to hear all that… but there’s nothing you can do… he owns my soul.”

“I know how you feel.” Angel frowned. “Not that I’ve ever sold my soul!” He sighed. “I was raised by a corrupt judge. “

“Yeah Charlie told me about him. He tried to burn Charlie at the steak. I’d’ve payed to see the look on his face when he realized she wouldn’t burn.” Quasi laughed. “Yeah it was a little funny.”

“Anyways… he wasn’t exactly the best father figure. He was abusive. Both verbally, mentally, and physically. “He hit you?” Angel said shocked. Quasi nodded.

“It’s fine. I feel better now knowing his soul is rotting down here in hell where it belongs.” “Yeah that’s good.” Said Angel smiling. “Hey you want a drink?”

Angel asked approaching Husks empty bar as he picks up a whole bottle. “I’m good.” Angel shrugs and starts drinking. However Angel pauses as he notices something out of the corner of his eye. Quasi looks in the direction he’s looking in time to notice something slithering away.

“What the?” Angel runs of down the hallway and he follows. They find finding Charlie's office door open as they take and takes a peek inside. There, they discovers Sir Pentious setting up a small camera in one of the bookshelves, a camera that obviously belong to Voxtech.

Angel jumps into action slightly drunk as he slams open the door open. “You slippery little shit!” Sir Pentious yelps realizing he’d not only been caught by Angel but the princess’s brother as well. Who stares at him arms crossed over his chest disappointed. “You're working for the Vees?”

“I fucking knew there was something shitty about you.” Sir Pentious denies everything. “I don't know what you're talking about!…whore bug!” He said with a smirk.”

Angel, sufficiently pissed off, tackles Sir Pentious on the ground. He punches him in the face before wrestling with him. “Quasi wanted to mad at the snake for insulting his friend and secret crush but he wasn’t sure what to do.

“Get your aggressively average body…OFF OF ME!” Sir Pentious shouted as he uses his hypnotic powers on Angel. Angel becomes momentarily stunned.

“Fuck!” [Angel stumbles back as he snaps out of it as he corners Sir Pentious. Right then, Charlie and Vaggie walk in.

“What's going on?” Charlie said yawning. “Shit.” Quasi swears realizing they’d woken his sister. “This little bitch is a traitor!” Angel says slurring his words.

“Preposterous! I would never betray you. You... are my best friends!” Sir Pentious said hugging Charlie and Vaggie. “Seriously we literally just caught you.” Said quasi annoyed.

“Yeah then explain this!”

Angel lifts off one of the books revealing the hidden camera, much to Charlie's shock. Sir Pentious realizes that his cover is blown and scurries away. Frightened. He brings out his wrist watch to make contact with Vox.

“Ah! Ah! Abort! Abort! S.O.S! Agent Pentious in need of immediate evacuation!” Vox immediately picks up. “Pentious? Wait… you were caught?!? It hasn't even been, a day!” Vox laughed.

“Please! You've got to get me out of here!” The poor snake begged. “I can't believe we thought you could handle even something this simple! Do us a favour, if they don't kill you, go ahead and do it yourself!”

“You MISERABLE FAILURE!” Quasi noticed tears in the snakes eyes. He almost felt bad for him. His aura was grey like a storm cloud. He hated people like Vox; who took advantage of others.

Sure Pentious acted like a villain but that was because people expected him to be… but maybe he didn’t have to be.

“I... I… just make it quick I guess…not that I deserve it.” Sir Pentious said as he lay on the ground, with Vaggie holding a spear ready to pierce his skull. “Gladly.” She said.

However before he could be put out of his misery, Charlie and quasi stopped her, as Charlie held out her hand to him.

“Pentious?”

Pentious opened his eyes to find Charlie smiling down at him, her hand extended.

Charlie: ♫ It starts with sorry, that's your foot in the door. ♫

Charlie: ♫ One simple sorry, spoken straight from your core.♫

Charlie: ♫ The path to forgiveness, is a twisting trail of hearts! ♫

Charlie: ♫ But sorry is where it starts! ♫

Sir Pentious: ♫ Who could forgive a dirtbag like me? ♫

Sir Pentious: ♫ I don't deserve your amnesty. ♫

Angel and Vaggie walked towards him Angel with a gun and Vaggie with her spear. Angel Dust and Vaggie: ♫ Can't we just kill him? ♫

Angel Dust and Vaggie: ♫ Shoot him and spill his blood? ♫ They said pointing their weapons at the frightened reptile.

Charlie: ♫ That's an option you could choose. ♫

Angel Dust and Vaggie: ♫ Works for us. ♫ Quasi blocked Angel as Charlie grabbed Vaggie spear.

Charlie: ♫ But who hasn't been in his shoes? It starts with sorry. ♫

Sir Pentious: ♫ Sorry. ♫

Charlie: ♫ Dig down deeper and say one sincere sorry! ♫

Sir Pentious: ♫ I'm so sorry! ♫ He said to quasi who gave him a forgiving smile and a pat on the back.

Charlie: ♫ And your journey's underway! ♫

Charlie and Sir Pentious: ♫ It'll take time to cover your/ my vast multitude of sins ♫

♫ But sorry is where it begins. It starts with sorry. ♫

“I hated that song!” Said Niffty who was standing in the hallway in her pajamas with a disappointed scowl. “Why are you so lame?!” Niffty says kicking his tail as she walks away.

“Not a bad boy.” She mumbles “You’ll get used to it.” Quasi said patting him on the back again as he let out a tired yawn. “Good first day! Let's get some rest!”

Charlie said as she and the others leave the room; the wrist watch communicator still on the office floor. Alastor appears from the shadows of the dark hallway with a malevolent smile as he picks up the watch using his magic to revive the watch.

“WHAT?!?” Vox says his face appearing on the watch. Vox pauses when he realizes that Alastor is the one calling him. “You'll have to try harder than that next time, ol' pal!” Alastor says crushing the watch with his bare hand as Vox incoherently screams at him as the watch becomes incapable of creating audio, before Alastor retreats back into the darkness, chuckling his smile the last thing to disappear into the shadows.

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cophene · 10 months

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𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐓 | vento aureo; six.

☆ ⁺ « 𝐀 𝐁𝐈𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐊

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pairing : vento aureo x gn reader summary : with virtually nothing left in their credit account, a gang of space thieves turn to the richest man in the galaxy to give them a job worth millions. too bad those never come easy, even with stand abilities and a pretty-faced crew. notes : sci fi au, multi-chapter fic, sfw, doesn’t follow canon plot word count : 3.2k+

★˚⋆ EVEN THOUGH YOU KNEW IT would be there, you couldn’t help patting your pocket to make sure the card with your elector was inside. Anything stored inside Party Rock Anthem’s cards were undetectable to scanners and sensors and the like. It made bringing weapons and contraband into places a breeze, and escaping with diamond necklaces and gold cigarillo cases downright fun. Perhaps the only downside was that any damage sustained by the card would also translate to the object on it. If you dented this card with the elector, the elector would get dented as well. You were also the only person who could retrieve things from your cards, so if anything ever happened, your crew would lose everything Party Rock Anthem stored.

Huh. That was kinda dangerous. Maybe you shouldn’t be keeping so much stuff then. It wouldn’t be the first time you’d lost something because you’d forgotten about it. You’d held onto tons of accessories and trinkets for Trish, only for them to disappear because your brain wouldn’t remember them.

It wasn’t like you would ever forget a diamond-studded cricket ball or your own gun, though, so that was what mattered.

You lowered your cap over your eyes as two women stepped onto the mag belt ahead of you. They chattered loudly; long, semi-transparent plastic skirts flapping at their ankles. You couldn’t help but overhear their conversation, staccato bursts escaping their mouths.

“It’s literally just a turtle. I don’t know why everyone’s getting so hot and bothered by it.”

“It’s worth, like, thousands of creds.”

“Well, if that Lady was going to buy it, why didn’t she? Why is she raising a stink when they were going to sell it anyway?”

“Flack if I know. Passione should sell that turtle to me. I could pay generously, if you know what I mean.”

“That is literally so gross but so true. My mom thinks I’m obsessed with them. Whenever they come up on the news? Stars, just end me.”

“The captain is so cute. They’re my favourite after the pilot. They must all be so flacking rich. If they asked me to join the crew, I’d leap.”

You had to pinch yourself to keep from laughing. These girls were cute. You wondered how they would react if they knew the captain of the Passione was standing just a few feet away. Mista’s already gargantuan ego would burst if he heard this.

Such underhanded fame had been irritating in the beginning. As your crew began to catch the attention of the media and more and more people began recognizing your faces, it seemed like pulling off jobs would become impossible. It wouldn’t be until after that you started to use the Passione’s notoriety to your advantage, throwing in false leads and leaning on the support of sympathetic citizens. So called “outlaws” had always been appealing to the public. Challenging the status quo and upstaging the rich were things all average schmucks across the galaxy secretly wished for. Your crew was sticking up a middle finger to the rich on their behalf, and so of course they had to like you a little bit.

The girls’ chatter receded to the back of your mind. Your gaze slid to the ship slots on either side of you, admiring the shine of the newer ship models. The Passione had looked like that once. You had been obsessed with keeping her that way, but at some point, the daily polishes and tune-ups slid down the priorities. The guilt just wouldn’t stop coming, wouldn’t it? The Passione was pretty much a member of the crew herself, and look how beaten you’d allowed her to become. It was a fitting metaphor for the state of your other crew members too, and how great of a captain you were.

Sometimes you wondered why your ragtag team didn’t just leave, go their separate ways. The luxury that might have accompanied joining your crew was long gone. These days it was all near-misses and cranky nobles and barely enough credits for food.

How the mighty and all that.

“Excuse me, ladies. May I ask you a few questions?”

You looked up at the new male voice and immediately averted your gaze. As surreptitiously as you could, you backed away from the two girls, bracing a hand against the wall and slipping into a side entryway as you passed it. The little corridor it led into was used to weave between slots on the Ferry and for emergency evacuations. Not wasting a second, you quick-footed along the space, skipping over mag belts to cut through the Ferry using the corridor as a shortcut.

Galactic Authority uniforms were annoyingly conspicuous. In an era where fashion was outrageous and aggressive, the GA’s were still using the uniforms they’d come up with during the institution's conception over a century ago. Common officers wore black jackets, pants and boots, with a matching military beret decorated with an eight-pointed star. The edges of the jacket and cuffs were done in white. Perhaps the only modern touch were the cute little star buttons securing the jacket and the Elector holster at their thigh. (Trish’s words, not yours.) GA’s moved through crowds like metal people—stiff and indomitable. Fear didn’t knife your heart when you saw these guys anymore. Mostly it was just impatience mixed in irritation that they were still trying to catch you.

You quickened your pace, leaping over one last mag belt onto the escalators leading up to the Ferry master’s office. This was probably what Narancia’s jumbled message had been about. He had been caught up by GA’s. It was easy enough to worm your way out of their grip those times they got close, but Narancia couldn’t lie for flack. His pretty purple eyes would give away everything.

You shoved your jumpsuit sleeves up to your elbows, baring the scar down your arm, and twisted your cap at a rakish angle. As you passed through the doors of the office, your eyes darted around, hoping you would find one.

There.

A squat little cleaning bot was polishing at a stubborn spot in the corner, its little brush-arms whirring. You grabbed it, saying a silent apology before bashing it hard against the wall. It let out a pathetic beep and you smashed it again for good measure. When you turned it around, its display was cracked. Its glowing blue eyes flickered, almost as though it were blinking at you in indignation. Manhandling it farther, your fingers worked at its back panel, getting it open and flicking the switch over to Severe Cleaning.

Sorry, little guy.

You tucked the cleaning bot under your arm, making a beeline for the Ferry’s front desk. As you feared, Narancia was leaning against it a little too casually, putting up a front for the GA officer questioning him.

No. Not just any officer.

Flack, Narancia. You just had to stick around.

“I been damn-near looking through this entire ship tryna find you.” You exaggerated your Lower Space accent so that it was practically a twang. You muscled into the space between Narancia and the officer, pretending not to notice the GA. “Look at this flacking piece of junk you lugged in. I told you it wasn’t good enough to use!”

Narancia widened his eyes at you, relief evident on his face. “Well, I’m sorry it don’t work,” he said, sharpening his accent as well. “Had to make do, you feel?” At least he’d remembered to disguise himself, hiding his dark hair under a cap and wearing a pair of dark-tinted eyeglasses.

“Shoulda paid a little more attention, huh?” you said pointedly.

“Well, I knew you’d come around eventually.”

The officer cleared his throat, the way you’d known he would. At this point, you could read Inspector Assiwpe like a holopad.

Calling him Inspector Asswipe was doing him a disservice. It was too spiteful, too vulgar a name for the man standing in front of you. Which was exactly why you and the crew used it. If you went around calling him “Inspector Leone Abbacchio” you might actually start respecting the guy, and you couldn’t have that.

He looked good today, you had to admit that. He filled out his uniform nicely—his a little fancier than the lackeys. A belt cinched his waist over the uniform jacket, the GA’s crest its buckle. A band of white ran down either of his pant legs, flaring in wide ribbon ends just above the top of his polished boots. A black overcoat and scarf completed the ensemble, along with a silver earring that glinted in one of his ears. You could just make out the outline of his shoulder holster underneath his coat—just like one of Mista’s. You knew it looked like Mista’s because, well, Abbacchio was the one he had stolen it from.

Abbacchio’s eyes flashed when he met your gaze, and judging by the way his purple-tinted lips tightened just a fraction, your maintenance crew disguise wasn’t quite working on him.

Not that you gave a flack. Bullshitting Abbacchio was half the fun of being a space thief.

You widen your eyes as if only just now noticing Inspector Asswipe. “Gah! A real GA! What’s going on here?!”

“Do you work on the Ferry?” he asked curtly.

“Sure do! Been here since I was a kid!”

Abbacchio narrowed his eyes. You could tell your amped-up accent was grating at his nerves. “I’m Inspector Leone Abbacchio from the Galactic Authorities. A dangerous crew of space thieves has been reported boarding the Ferry. I’m here under orders to question the personnel on board.”

“Space thieves?! On the Ferry? Never!”

“I should think so. Regardless, I need both of you to answer questions. It would seem your friend here doesn’t remember when you started working here.”

Narancia smiled sheepishly. “Nine, ten years. It’s all the same, isn’t it, Inspector?”

“Perhaps. Except you told me that you’re nineteen. If you started work ten years ago, you would’ve seven years under minimum work age.”

Narancia’s smile went brittle. You caught colour flushing the back of his neck. Catching the crook of Narancia’s arm, you made sure to pinch him before pulling him back. “Aw, you don’t need to question us, Inspector,” you drawled. “We’ve just been cleaning, same as always. I actually really need my mate over here to help me with this bot so we don’t get canned.”

“What is your name?” Abbacchio said. “I’d like to see your ident chips, both of you.”

“The bot is real flacked, sir,” said Narancia primly. “We gotta fix it right away.”

Inspector Asswipe hardened his voice. “Ident chips. Now.”

“We don’t know anything, sir,” you insisted. The cleaning bot wriggled under your other arm, beeping unhappily. “You should ask the higher-ups. There’s hundreds of ships here, how do you expect us to keep track of them all?”

“The Passione’s tiny,” added Narancia. “We wouldn’t know it if we saw it.”

You winced at the discrepancy the same second Asswipe noticed it.

“I didn’t mention anything about the Passione,” Abbacchio said. He was scowling at you now, a tiny line appearing between his eyebrows. It was a regrettably familiar expression. You often saw it in your sleep.

He brought a hand up behind his ear, tapping his earpiece. “I’d like to request backup on the Ferry’s office.”

Narancia darted a look at you. Your first instinct was to start blasting, but you had a bad track record on the Ferry and if there was another incident, you could bid adieu to Ferry rides.

So that was what the cleaning bot was for.

You released the bot and it shot forward like a rabid animal. Severe Cleaning was no joke. The bot rushed toward Abbacchio, descending upon his uniform with such force that it managed to propel itself up his legs a few inches. Its brushes whirred so fast you could barely see them. Indomitable though he was, even Inspector Asswipe leapt back at the ferocious cleaning bot. He let out a yelp when its brushes started shredding his pants, and you were tempted to pull out your holopad to record his priceless oh-flack face.

“Haul ass,” you said to Narancia, and leapt down the escalator. You wove back through the little maintenance corridors to the Passione. Abbacchio’s reinforcements would be on your ass in no time.

“It’s almost like you go looking for Inspector Asswipe sometimes,” you huffed over your shoulder.

“I didn’t mean to. Went to talk to the Ferry master like you said and I just happened to run into him.”

“He probably wouldn’t haven’t noticed if you hadn’t said anything about your work experience.”

“Aw, don’t be mad about that, Cap. You know I’m bad with numbers.”

“Don’t I,” you muttered. Narancia could barely add two numbers together but when it came to relative distances and calculating vectors for ship travel, he could crunch the numbers faster than Fugo. You would never understand it.

“They went over here!” You picked up the pace as about dozen pairs of feet clattered after you and Narancia. You peeled out of the corridors and hopped onto the mag belts instead.

“Do you know how much time is left until our slot number is called?” Narancia asked you.

You frowned, thinking. “Uh, not anytime soon? Why?”

“We can’t wait around here or Asswipe will get us,” said Narancia. “We’re going to fly out of the Ferry on our own.”

You nearly tripped over your own feet. “What? How—” You cut yourself short. You supposed it would be possible. The Ferry was docked and you would only have to fly a short distance to get to Sale and Zucchero’s shop.

“Exactly, Cap.” Narancia pulled you into a small alcove to wait for the GA’s to pass. He pulled out his holopad and pressed Fugo’s contact. What sounded like a whoosh of fire and harsh coughing answered the call.

“Fugo, how’s the ship looking?”

“You didn’t hear the sound of the engine dying? That last bit of flying did her in. We’ll have to ask Sale and Zucchero to tow us to the shop once we’re off the Hub.”

You and Narancia pressed yourself deeper into the alcove as the GA’s stomped past. “Well, flack, you’re not gonna like what I have to say,” whispered Narancia.

“What happened?”

“Officer Asswipe found Narancia out,” you said. “He and his goons are combing through the Ferry as we speak.”

Fugo swore colourfully. For a former Upper Space noble, he had quite the vulgar vocabulary.

“We’ll hide on another ship,” Fugo decided. “I’m pretty sure I saw a freighter close to ours. Their crew won’t mind too much, I don’t think.”

Narancia brought the holopad closer to his face. “No time. We can just fly outta this joint on our own.”

“Did you miss the part where I said our engine died? We’re not flacking going anywhere!”

“The Cap and I are going to jack into one of the towing buggies they have here,” Narancia said. Excitedly, you noted. “It should have enough juice to propel us to the Sale and Zucchero’s. They tow those big-ass freighters, don’t they?”

“That is not going to work! Those things don’t have nearly enough power to go a distance like that. Cap, did you agree to this?”

You hadn’t, but your mind was quickly changing now that you could hear the guards coming back and the Ferry’s emergency alarm blaring. The speakers overhead chimed.

“At this time, we ask that all ships pause in their departure preparations. Slot departures have been momentarily suspended as the Galactic Authorities have requested a search of the Ferry to locate a few persons of interest. We ask that you remain where you are and cooperate with Authorities. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

“It’s either that or get hauled in by Inspector Asswipe,” you said. “Get the Passione unmoored and everything ready for flight. Narancia and I are getting the buggy and then we’re out.”

Narancia hung up before Fugo could protest. He grinned devilishly at you. “Alright, Cap. I was wondering when the obligatory cop chase would happen.”

“Talk to me after we get out of here.”

At least the GA’s prowling around kept the mag belts clear. You and Narancia sprinted down them to the A slots. With your caps pulled low, no one looked twice, probably assuming you were rushing to deal with the delay. Predictably, the A slots were cluttered with Upper Space nobles standing around their shiny ships, trying to hide how disgruntled they were as GA’s questioned them. The buggies had been pushed to the side, round little vehicles with hooks on the end hovering an inch off the floor. They wouldn’t be locked. It was just a matter of getting them back to the T block.

“Over there,” Narancia whispered, nodding at a trio of maintenance workers that were hooking up a buggy to a snazzy pleasure cruiser. The owner must have been cleared already.

You looked over your shoulder to make sure everyone was occupied before striding over. In your pocket, you touched your elector card and took it out, glancing at Narancia. You stunned the guy in front of you at the same time Narancia did his, catching him before he could hit the ground. The two workers were propped in the corner of an empty slot and by the time the third one turned around, Narancia had stunned her and carried her off to be with her buddies.

“Piece of cake,” said Narancia, reaching to remove the buggy hook.

“Is my cruiser ready to leave yet?” A snub-nosed noble poked his head out of his cruiser. He hadn’t noticed anything, the idiot.

“Yep, we’re leaving now,” said Narancia in a squeaky voice, smoothly replacing the hook. The noble pursed his lips, settling himself back inside. Narancia snatched the hook off and the two of you climbed into the buggy. You took a second to consider the scene. A buggy going in the opposite direction of the A slot would attract attention regardless of what you did.

Might as well floor it then. You said as much to your pilot and he wasted no time. He floored the gas pedal and you peeled away from the pleasure cruiser at a whopping twenty kilometres per hour.

“What the flack is this?” Narancia stomped on the gas pedal a few times. The buggy rumbled unhappily but didn’t speed up. A particularly overzealous stomp sent the buggy skittering into the wall of a slot, prompting the nobles and GA’s there to look up. It took them a second to register what was happening before they ran after you, banging on the side of the buggy.

“Narancia, the plan is flopping,” you said, twisting in your seat to look around the buggy. There had to be a turbo-speed button somewhere.

Narancia wrenched the steering wheel, mirthlessly bruising the GA’s chasing them against the wall. “Yeah, I know it is. Hold this for a sec.”

You grabbed the steering wheel from your seat. Narancia slid down to the underside of the buggy’s console. He pried open a panel hidden underneath and raised his holopad to it. The console beeped and Narancia popped back into his seat. “That should do it.”

This time, Narancia stomping on the gas was enough to push you back in your seat. The speedometer went haywire as the buggy went speeds it had never thought possible. You thought you heard a thud as the jaws of the GA’s behind you hit the floor.

“That man Fugo is something else.” Narancia grinned manically.

You clenched your armrests. “What did you do?”

“Put in a code Fugo wrote for me to overwrite the buggy’s internal computer. Any baby that can move can move over a hundred kilometers an hour. You just need to tell them to.”

Also known as a bit of sweet talk from Narancia Ghirga.

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#kismetva #jjba #jjba x reader #jjba fanfic #golden wind #golden wind x reader #vento aureo #vento aureo x reader #gender neutral reader #sci fi au

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alyjojo · 1 year

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Advice to Work on Yourself ⛸ in December 2022: Leo

Queen of Cups - Ace of Cups - 9 Cups & The World rev

Regarding: 4 Cups

This whole reading is about someone who is leaving, that you don’t want to go. Probably a former lover, now ex. They may have pulled the rug out from under your feet, they didn’t want this anymore, and they shocked you with how quickly they’ve moved away from this. Probably literally. The meditation had you in a canoe race on a river, and in these first cards we see 6 Swords with a Palm tree. I doubt that’s literal, but however that resonates for you. They’ve gone somewhere tropical?

There is a lot of Cancer energy here, Pisces too, could be who you’re dealing with. They seem to have just woken up one day and decided they’re done, packed their bags and left, or that’s how you’re perceiving it. The fact that they’ve held back their emotions from you, or any explanations, leaves you in this toxic cycle of needing to know more, there must be more. Moon energy of complete confusion, anxiety, worries, chaos in the brain. You see them having a new beginning, a new start for themselves, and you wonder if you’ve been left for someone else. That’s probably the biggest fear in your mind. If so, I don’t see anyone here. I do see them completely uninterested in your return, or any attempts to communicate, they’re downright frustrated or pissed off. You feel there’s unfinished business here, they feel they’re getting a fresh shot at life…they’re inspired and chasing after their dreams. I doubt it’s boat racing down the Amazon, but you never know. Or they’re racing away from you.

There is no real explanation here. The Devil belongs to one of you, either you because of this whole situation, and the lack of communication, you could be trapped in an unhealthy and obsessive cycle where they’re concerned. Or that’s what they felt the relationship was, and they felt they had to escape…and not say anything, not even open the door to communicate, not try to be convinced or even give you the chance to possibly manipulate them. If so that would be feelings, not necessarily the truth but. It’s how it’s perceived. I don’t see anyone else, no other people, if that’s something you worried about. The advice here lies in your oracles.

Animal Oracle: Condor 🦅

“You’re too enmeshed in this situation, so step back and see the bigger picture before making any decisions or taking action.”

You’ve lost perspective here because you either believe there’s something you absolutely need to have happen or else you’re simply being too stubborn to let go, step back, and take a fresh look at your circumstances. It’s the forest vs the trees dilemma. You’re too close to clearly discern the reality of what’s actually taking place. So make practice of detachment. Most people think of this as a cold, sterile way of responding, but nothing is further from the truth. It’s worse to remain so utterly involved and entangled that you lose perspective - and sometimes even yourself. This familiar pattern stems from the guilty feeling that somehow you’re not doing enough unless you’re completely immersed in a person or situation, continually trying to fix the problem, person or situation or rescue people. While this gives a temporary sense of satisfaction, it also creates unhealthy dependencies.

True detachment is objective compassion, where you still care very much but are distanced enough so you’re not under the illusion you can control the situation or person through your intervention or participation. 1st, be present and attentive. 2nd, speak your truth or remain silent. 3rd, keep the focus on what really matters. Lastly, let go of any attachment to an outcome. This is how you keep perspective. You can state your preference without insisting you get your own way. Express yourself, while honoring & respecting others, and see what happens.

Artist Oracle: JEAN COCTEAU

- The story only seems one-sided.

- There’s no such thing as a happy ending.

- Find your future in the past.

Advice:

- Donate to Your Local Food Bank

- Help a Worthy Cause

Charms:

Palm Tree 🌴 on 6 Swords seems to be where they’re going. Maybe where they’re from? Maybe they’ve been there before and find it peaceful. Somewhere warm, tropical, beautiful, exciting, though for what reason they’re doing this isn’t shown, unless it’s escaping toxicity. A new start.

Witch 🧙🏽‍♀️ on Ace of Cups shows magic in what they’re choosing to do, they’re manifesting the life they desire for themselves, and it’s working out for them, probably because it’s exactly what they’re supposed to do. Even if that hurts you. There is something more to their reasoning, but it may be things you don’t understand, like fond memories, inspiration, a dream, a goal, whatever it is, is probably personal to just them and “you wouldn’t understand”. They just know they have to.

#leo tarot reading #advice to work on yourself #advice #december 2022 #Leo #tarot

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diyaries · 2 years

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my dorm life + honest feelings / thoughts 🍃

as young people, we have always romanticized living on our own, having our very own apartment/house or anything you can call your own home. this is also a dream come true for most people, especially when you grew up in a toxic household. thinking that getting to live on your own will solve all our problems and finally escape an unhealthy environment. I genuinely think that was where I’m wrong.

It is true that you will finally escape your hellish toxic household. in most cases, you’ll even have a better relationship with your parent(s) when you’re not living under the same roof anymore. there is a whole new different adventure out there ~ you’ll finally get to grow as a young adult, explore yourself, and learn to budget your shit. but finally having my own dorm definitely didn’t solve all my problems.

all i can say is, i definitely miss my old house. even if it was toxic, atleast someone was still preparing food for me. i am a person who is always prone to sickness and in fact, as i’m writing this, i currently have a flu and a sore throat. i had to buy my own medicine and food at night at alfamart. well, it was only a few streets away, but walking is hard for a sick person. i had to prepare my own food, wipe my own body with a cold towel. it’s hard- when all you have is yourself.

i even forget about my meals, i literally lose track of time. sometimes, i’m so mentally unstable from being homesick that i get too unmotivated to even prepare something for myself. i developed unhealthy habits, i mean no one is monitoring me anymore (sounds shitty but this is my personal thought). i struggle so much with my mental health that most of the time, my physical health is deteriorating too.

and since you’re budgeting and most dorms don’t even allow cooking at your place (luckily, mine did allow it), you can only buy frozen foods :( i miss homemade ulams and meals so much. there are karenderyas nearby, but the food made by your mama and lola hit different, right?

i can’t even take walks outside, as i have developed anxiety with the recent increasing rate of crimes in the country, i cannot go outside without my pepper spray, whistle, and i look around my surroundings every 5 seconds even. or is this just the daily life of being a person who has a vagina (LOL).

doing groceries on your own can get exhausting too, especially with social anxiety and how heavy your grocery’s gonna be and it’s a reeeaaaaallllyyyy long ride on the way home. how the hell are you gonna carry shit all on your own. plus the expenses here in my new place is hella expensive compared to my hometown. and i also remember getting lost at the mall on the way to the school supplies store because i am not good with directions (TT ^ TT). (although the pic only contains my junk foods, i don’t eat them anymore as i’m trying to be healthy. but other parts of groceries i’m talking about is the things you buy in palengke (frozen foods, stocks, etc).

it was only fun as a kid, you can just point this, there and that. but now, you have to be wise with what you spend your money with and make sure you’re damn healthy! this takes a lot of sacrifice.

but this is always an opportunity for something new ~ something bigger ~ maybe i’m just like this because i’m only starting to adjust. it’s weird, it is so difficult that even though my household was toxic, i started missing them. but there is a buddhist saying “let them into your heart but not into your living room”. words to live by indeed! in this world, you have to be strong and wise. you must live through ~

this is how i’ve been feeling, but i cannot deny the fun of it. there is more freedom to be myself, you can dance alone and blast music (but not too loud) in your dorm, there’s no more of a distraction when you’re doing your plates and activities, and learning to be independent is just rewarding! i’m grateful i get to experience this despite the struggles. you can also get out anytime and anywhere you want ~ nothing is stopping you!

i want people to know that cats are calm and sweet here, i could tell that this place is friendly to animals :3 it’s also clean too! i barely see people litte.

And i know it’s gonna get better, this is only just the beginning. it’s okay to feel this way at first cause it is something new. i promise i had been trying to fix these habits and be healthier cause my body deserves it. i deserve it. also that now i met amazing people in this new place, they are a lot of help too. they really inspire you to get better. like i said, it’s a whole new adventure out there. and i’ll keep striving for a better dorm laifu.

i’ll keep you updated with my dorm experience! thank you 💕

i want to note that this tumblr is a public account, so i don’t mention any specific place or what university i go to.

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talesofealdancynedom · 2 years

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Tales of Ealdan Cynedom: 32. The Lost Journals (5/6)

32. The Lost Journals (chapter 5 - The Crunch 5/6 ) part 8. Stories of Dreams.

no warnings

Morgan flew Icarus home to the tower of Tiberius Gate. He snuck into the kitchen for leftovers, and made his way silently upstairs. He slipped into a sleeping shirt, and gently into the bed beside Emilia. With a sigh, he melted into the soft bedding, back-to-back with his true love. Morgan hadn’t been relaxed in over a month.

“Where were you?” Emilia grumbled.

“Working.” Morgan wheezed. His entire body tensed.

“I’m leaving for tour soon, and wanted a nice night together before I left.”

“Oh. Yeah. That was kainda’ important, wasn’t it...” Morgan sighed, turning over. He chocked at the thought of Emilia leaving.

“I’m sorry; Can I have a second chance? I’m sure Uncle Cetus or Delphia will watch Cadence again. I feel so guilty; I love you. I want to spend time together!” He welled up.

“I’m just disappointed. I thought this might happen, but I trusted you’d grown above escapism. I thought our literal binding spells would overcome that. Your treatment even.” Emilia sighed, pulling the blanket. “If you keep this up, you’ll miss out on being a father too. Even your friendships with Amadeus and Delphia will be strained.”

“I’m really sorry! I had so much to do at work, and I finally got my hands on some new artifacts. I need them for class, and have to return them. But you’re right Emilia, I should’ve known myself better.” Morgan continued. “Teaching has caused me nothing but anxiety. I’m scattered, and now it’s affecting everyone. Again.”

“Just plan and prioritize. Those journals are objects, Morgan. They can wait. But our girl will be grown before you know it, and I can’t always be here; Don’t spend that time drowning in work, and forgetting to buy milk on the way home.”

“Oh. I knew I’d forgotten something… Wait is this actually about the milk?” Morgan giggled, trying to change the tone. Emilia started laughing.

“Don’t make me laugh! You owe me! I’m trying to be mad!” she laughed, pulling a pen from her gown. “Here, I’ll write our date on your wrist, to help you remember.” She said, turning over to kiss him goodnight.

Morgan went to the office early, to file his research update. The receptionist gave his cheerful clementine gleam, only speaking modern Hispanian. He was more efficient than a wand’s flick. Morgan left to prep his class, tossing his work summery into the out-box, right as Dominique picked them up.

“Master Cynedom; What is this?” She snapped. Morgan stopped in the doorway, and turned around slowly.

“My research reports? I, um, stayed late. Be, because I’m so busy helping students, I hadn’t touched the journals since I started. I need finish before the their retracted. I’m still figuring out my schedule.” Morgan whispered.

“This is a lot of overtime. You’re going to have to write a proposal if you want this sort of money without bankrupting the school.” Dominque explained. Morgan hadn’t thought of that. He shrunk further.

“My apologies. I shouldn’t be working more hours than I can handle. Won’t do it again. I promise.” He murmured heading out.

The next week, was the section on imperialism and the rise of wizardry. Morgan required what was in Edmond’s journals, for more context. Though The Central North’s thirst for land was more well known, no one talked about The Far North much. Many knew Edmond as the Last King of The Far North, or the wicked Wolf Prince; But few records showed Edmond as a person. A man who led a battlefront, using mythical blades and fey, to ravish the Northlands with his sister; Only defeated by intervention form the Grand West. Edmond had also given up magic, even though he was a mage, to resolve conflict and care for his people. That’s all there was of his role in magic. Morgan knew there must be more: Why did he choose to be a paladin? Why did he go into battle as a mage, when we don’t take sides? What was his childhood like? Did he have children? Why were his journals in the Howling Peaks?

“Master Cynedom, are we starting a new module? Do we get to learn about wands and wizards yet?” Aowreth teased. Sunaeth’s siblings were at the back, the whole time. Aowreth was a third-year Warlock student, who needed the class credit. They had Sunaeths wolf-like glare as well.

“Yes!” Morgan yelped, returning to the present. He was stalling. “Let’s start with Norminwe Musham, Helrem Monafyra, then Merriam Craweleoth. It should set things up nicely.”

“Did you read the journals? Do we get to hear about Edmond Monabellan, like you said?” The adamant girl waved. “Can you bring the original journals of these mages, so we can see the primary sources!” She continued. The class groaned. Morgan, realized he didn’t know her name. He checked the attendance to one Dolma Stagrope.

“Well, um… Dolma, I’ll see what I can do. Unfortunately, I’m behind on my research, so we’ll get to the Wolf Prince later.” Morgan explained. Dolma wilted.

“Why are you behind on your assignments? You seemed so excited.” She asked despondently. Morgan paused.

“Well, I have a family, keep the library, and teach; It’s hard to make time. If I work overtime, The school can’t pay me.”

“You haven’t gotten to the journals, Morgan! My sister recommended you. You want another cultural organization breathing down your neck?!” Aowreth yelled.

“The FN Cultural Center!” Morgan gasped. Some potential funding. “Oh, the FN Cultural center…” He whimpered. They’d terminate Sunaeth’s apprenticeship, and fire him for keeping the records hostage. Exasperated, Morgan continued class, and started writing on the board. He noticed the time for his and Emilia’s dinner reservations on his wrist. She kept putting it there, no matter if he bathed. It was that verry night.

Morgan made raspberry thumbprint cookies for dessert. Baking reminded him of his grandmother, childhood, and helped him relax to better mull over information. Unfortunately, he had baked more then his family and the fairies could consume. He put them in the square brick-red Tupperware. After, him and Emilia made pasta, of which Morgan barely ate; Stress always made him nauseous. But the cuddling while watching a rom-com was nice. Around Emilia, the world calmed. When Morgan awoke well rested, it took no less then thirty-seconds before the intrusive thoughts of the journal conundrum hit him.

“Emilia, how do I finish restoring and translating those journals? I can’t work overtime, Sunaeth will get in trouble, I might get fired, and my student’s education is on the line. I was so excited to have my dream job, but now it’s terrorizing me!” Morgan rambled. A phone rang, interrupting. Emilia rolled over to catch it. She sighed while listening.

“Delphia still has baby fever. But this time, instead of the Raven King nagging her, it’s freaking out because Cadence has a cold.” Emilia said. Morgan froze, instinctively worrying for his daughter. He could hear Delphia’s worried tone through the speacker.

“I’ll be over in a few hours, He’s all yours after work.” Emilia hung up. Emilia ruffled Morgan’s hair seeing his despair. “Morgan, the journals are in the library; Of which you spend most of the day in. Why don’t you old-school it, and just work in the main area? Multi-task. Maybe some students will get inspired or some garbage. Why didn’t you just ask me earlier?” She continued.

“But the world will disappear; I get lost in it. I might not be able to properly supervise the library. Not to mention I can’t use my new equipment.”

“Did that stop you before?”

“Guess not.” Morgan said rolling out of bed. “Bacon or bacon?” he prompted.

“Cookies.” Emilia smiled.

Morgan gave another lecture of other mages, and mundane history for context. He was procrastinating. Morgan needed to introduce the origins of all the ‘last’ mages, so everyone could begin their projects. It felt unfair to leave out the Far North of Algonquia. Morgan was radiating abyssal dread, unnerving his collogues and students. He solemnly handed out the leftover cookies. Morgan was having a mute episode. By forth period, he unlocked the library, and some students shuffled in. It was also office hours, and his students had question’s as he was silent all lecture. Yet again, those darn books sat locked away.

NEXT--->

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#fantasy #tales of ealden cynedom #morgan #emilia #Icarus #dominique #short stories #story collections

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