#because the one I’d sunk a lot of time and effort into on my main no long brings me much joy and I miss interacting with people | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

butwhatifidothis · 3 years

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I did it! Finally fucking did it! I 100% the support log for 3H….Holy shit, that took longer than I was expecting, lol.

(Long rant, so heads up.)

I came in thinking “Oh they finally time-locked the supports, so I don’t have to have the damn cursor mocking me every time I open the menu like in Awakening and Fates, hurr hurr”. No no no no no. At least for Awakening and Fates, it was on my dumb ass for pressing the S-support and saving when I knew I shouldn’t. First off, if they wanted us to regain supports for Byleth in NG+, why the heck are supports for characters like Edelgard, Rhea, Dorothea and Lindhart locked? I don’t mean time-locked like the post-TS supports in a regular playthrough, I mean deadass “you can’t buy this, period” locked. “Oh it’s because you haven’t advanced that far in the story yet”. I can buy post-TS supports for the other characters, what makes El and Rhea exceptions?! The only thing that would be lost is that I don’t have to replay their entire route to get their S-support twice. It’s not like there’s enough differences between Bylad and Bylass to warrant the supports being locked, none of the characters specify a specific gender in their dialogue, and as far as different models go, changing models during a cutscene is coded into the game, so that should be no issue.

After going through the monastery option enough times, the hubworld is in this weird limbo state where it feels like it was made specifically for Byleth’s benefit (faculty training, recruiting party members, etc,) but the rest of the party seems to benefit from it instead (Instructions, Motivation points, etc). The Explore vs Battle options just don’t mix well, which feels like poor design choice. You can focus on auxiliary battles to raise your party’s level, but at the cost of potentially missing out on more party members. You can instead focus on the monastery to recruit party members, but at the cost of Byleth falling behind due to splitting activity points between recruiting and faculty training, and being in the monastery means less time grinding for levels. This isn’t as much of a problem in NG+, but if a game needs NG+ to lessen a design problem, then that’s more of a sign to me that the idea itself needed more ironing out.

As far as using the monastery to raise support points goes, the hubworld definitely needs a revamp. The only (good) options available are Meal Time and Choir Practice, with the latter being limited to once per week and the former making me think that the monastery must eat their own weapons to survive due to how fucking scarce food ingredients are. Getting meat and fish isn’t too big of an issue so long as you have enough money, but produce might as well be an urban legend. There were too many times where I had 60+ fish/meat, but produce was at fucking 1. I get that they wanted to be “realistic” in having seeds grow once per week, but if it’s at the cost of a gameplay element being nigh unplayable, then some more thought needs to be put into it. Sothis is a goddess of life and time, maybe her powers allow Byleth to make plants grow faster. Just something to make this section actually playable.

The final thing I wanted to talk about when it comes to the monastery is that, for some baffling reason, it is entirely possible to lock yourself out of key events like S-supports or being able to choose CF, simply by skipping to the end of the month. I’m not sure why this is a thing. It’s not like the game was designed with speedruns in mind (I mean, it is possible to beat a route in an hour, but fuck me if I ever succeeded in that), and nothing happens like a prompt popping up that you have to explore the monastery during that month or even limiting your options to just Explore (which the game has done before). This is especially weird for the quest in getting Jeralt’s ring (how to access S-supports), since Byleth is supposed to be sad in this month, so not being able to do seminars or Byleth being undeployable during auxiliary battles would make sense.

The option to choose CF is even worse though, because at least for Jeralt’s ring it’s a Red Quest that doesn’t allow you to finish exploring unless you complete it. For Edelgard, however? A dime-a-dozen quest prompt you can entirely look over and skip. No prompt by the game, no indication to talk to Edelgard, nothing. FFS, Rhea’s tea time quest was given more thought. At least her quest marker is a unique color.

(End of rant…sort of)

…So anyways, that was my experience with the game, lmao. Now you or someone else may be thinking, “nonnie, if you had this many problems completing the game, why did you bother?”, and the answer to that good question is…I’m not completely sure, lol. I know there’s more than one reason why, so bear with me here. I know part of it is due to sunk-cost fallacy (“I’m already this far into the game, I might as well fully complete it”), but I think a bigger reason is because I knew ahead of time that the routes were so similar to each other that there was little point in having a route split to begin with (except for CF, but who gives a fuck about that?). Despite all of my bitching, I do really like 3H even if I admit that it’s my least favorite FE game that I’ve played so far. I guess a part of me just wanted to like the game more despite my issues with it.

Now that I think about it, maybe the main reason was for fear of future mainline games. People are fear to like whatever part of a game that they wish, but I do think that 3H introduced some fundamental storytelling flaws that I’d rather not see repeated in the future, with me focusing on 3 in particular: 1) The Monastery, 2) Route Splits and 3) Byleth.

Aside from what I already talked about in regards to the monastery, if we are going to get another hubworld in the new FE title, have it to where it doesn’t conflict with how the rest of the story is presented. Is it better to simply tell us that the Western Church is xenophobic in an easily skippable side quest early on, or is it better to show us? Enemy Western Church NPCs going after foreign party members like Dedue or Petra more aggressively and calling them “animals” or the like, the map having Duscari NPCs locking themselves indoors for fear that the Western Church will persecute them, things of that nature. Is it better to tell us that there has been civil unrest in the Empire and the citizens revolting against Edelgard, or is it better to show us? Enemy Adrestian Civilian NPCs, assassins specifically going after Edelgard in a map, maybe one where a large farmland has been stripped bare. Things like that.

I’d rather do away with the Persona-calendar/Monastery hubworld, but if they are here to stay then they need enough content in it to keep the player engaged for 20-odd chapters, because there isn’t enough content in Garreg Mach to even hold up 12 chapters. Speaking of more content, if there’s going to be another route split in the next title, then there needs to be enough differences in the routes that actually warrants having a route split. Fates already did this well in having the route split be early in the game, along with the plot and story maps of each route being different, you could even skip to the route split moment on subsequent playthroughs, so 3H’s approach in having to play the same 12 chapters 3-4 times just felt like a massive downgrade. Playing multiple routes should feel rewarding rather than tedious, is what I’m trying to say.

Finally, and most importantly, I know that no one at IS is reading this but on the off chance that someone is - please, for the love of God, do not make another blank-slate/self insert main character like Byleth. Or at the very least, don’t have them be the focal point of the story, it’s a big reason why AM just works better than the other routes. For a game like FE, “self-insert” and “protagonist” goes as well as oil and water. Now, out of those three flaws listed, the Byleth one is what I’m hard set on. The monastery and route split flaws, my opinion might be flexible within reason, but the Byleth one…not so much, lol. If we really do get another self-insert doll for a main character, that alone is going to make the next game a hard sell for me, because seeing all the praise Byleth got (and has been getting) makes me fear that IS is going to take the wrong lesson from this and think they don’t have to put effort in making their protagonist anything resembling an actual person and their audience will still lap it up. It would be one thing if I just hated the character, but I don’t. I’m disappointed, which is even worse.

…With that said, it’s still better than whatever the heck Cap’n’Crunch is doing. Okay, rant over. For real this time.

—

I agree with a lot said here! But I do have a few disagreements, though they’re mostly my opinion than anything else lol

And this first one is probably like, extremely unpopular given how much shit I’ve seen flung at this aspect of 3H, but like… I actually really like the Monastery? Like yes, absolutely, it should have done more to not shelter the player from how bad the war is and it should change more with the world instead of being in this mostly limbo state where apparently seasons don’t real. I definitely also have those complaints, but to me, the Monastery was fine for the most part. A lot of the issues you brought up, like supports and Faculty Training and supplies for eating, weren’t a problem for me almost at all. My only real gripe is with how hard it is for Byleth to get training in Flying, Mounted and especially Heavy Armor without NG+ unlocking weapons ranks, since they don’t have access to Weekly Chores. I do believe I still managed to recruit everyone while only unlocking C in Faith on my Maddening playthrough of GD, but it certainly wasn’t easy. But I feel a lot of the problem people have with it are on subsequent playthroughs where they’re trying to do things like 100% any aspect of 3H, which yeah is gonna exacerbate the issues tenfold. Cuz like, while those three weapons ranks I mentioned are hard for Byleth to raise, on Normal mode you have unlimited auxiliary battles to help with all the other ones.

Like, I wanted to get Claude’s Dex to the max amount right? Just cuz I felt like it. And in doing that I found out just how tedious it is to get levels once a unit gets to a certain point, just cuz while Normal Mode gives you the Retreat option that lets you keep exp so you can drop a unit down on a yellow spot and get a decent boost in exp… you can do that like, twice or thrice on a story chapter. Once if it’s auxiliary (and not the freebie one). And that’s if you even have internet. And using the greenhouse to get Ailiell Pomegranates was a pain because they weren’t really guaranteed even if I used nothing but the right seed - doing that is more consistent, but not always, and I usually only got one anyway. It was annoying! But I was also doing a specific thing that’s gonna heighten the flaws in the system that I never would have noticed - didn’t even notice - unless I did that. The flaws are still there, don’t get me wrong! The Monastery definitely still needs improvement, battles still need to be a little more streamlined for future playthrough, but the flaws can seem a bit bigger than they are once you do certain things outside of a casual playthrough, know what I mean?

But, for example, when replaying 3H on hard mode and looking to recruit everyone after my no recruitment run, I didn’t come across any dilemma over “recruitment or Byleth being good, pick one.” That was the run my Byleth was usable, in fact - my first blind run that was no recruitment (save for Shamir) had my Byleth be pretty much completely useless while literally everyone else was fine. Also never came across problems with supplies for cooking (or at least not any big enough to comment on). So like, while these (and the above stuff) can certainly be problems for players trying to do everything everything in 3H, at least from my experience I just haven’t come across them. The monastery itself definitely needed a better story implementation, but yeah. I could’ve just been lucky tho lmao

I don’t mind how they implemented trying to get on CF at all tho lol. If you’ve been playing the game like it suggests you do - supporting characters and exploring the monastery there’s no reason for players to have missed getting on CF. If players wanted to ignore one of the biggest aspects of the game I don’t really feel that bad for them when they miss out on very achievable things. Plus, CF’s requirements are nothing in terms of FE’s madness when it comes to getting on a route. It may be more specific than any other route, but like I said, playing the game as the game tells you to would naturally land you in it (the only thing that might be a bit unfair is that I think if you talk with Edelgard at all that month you have to decide right then and there, and then the whole month is lost. Kinda ass).

Binding Blade, for example, requires you to do specific things that few first time players would think to do in multiple, random chapters in order for you to get the best ending. With absolutely no warning as to when these chapters happen and what to do in them. And some of these requirements are not fun lmao, I’d prefer how they did it with CF than with how they’ve handled ~secret~ stuff before personally

Pretty much agree with everything else though! While 3H is actually one of my more favored games in the series, I’ll be the first to admit that its storytelling is in dire need of improvement. Having the story and lore of the game just be spat out in lore dumps and this or that NPC just isn’t that good. Or if they are going to do that, at the very least give some visuals to go along with it! Imagine how much impactful Rhea’s story would have been if it was in a visual format, like CGs and/or a cutscene. It still would be an info dump, but at least we can see for ourselves how horrific the Red Canyon was for her! And I do not want another avatar in whatever next mainline game we get, personality or not. We’ve evolved past the need for self-inserts that all the characters Just Like lmao

But thanks for sharing your thoughts!! And sorry that it took so long for me to get to answering ;w;

#submission #anon #exqueuese me princess #but hey I found the og submission at least!! for some reason it got thrown in like the middle of my drafts?? weird lmao #but yeah overall I do think 3H could've done with some refinement for later more intensive playthroughs #and on the other hand I get why they didn't immediately think of them if that makes sense #also lol yeah the base game is infinitely more fun that whatever Cap'n'n doin' lmao

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adhd-sorcha · 4 years

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I’ve realised something over the last week or two. To be fair, it’s something I’ve been aware of for a while now, but it’s really sunk in over the last few days. It’s actually a big reason behind me taking so long with my back to school posts (the other reason being too much screen time being taken up with life stuff).

I sat down recently to start the third back to school post. It was going to be about how to stick to the routine that the second post talked about building. I thought it was going to be really easy. I love routine! I fall apart without it!

Except then I started thinking about how I normally stick to my routine or meet my deadlines... And then I realised that the majority of my ability to do these things comes from habits that I would most certainly not want to pass on.

Mainly: Perfectionism and anxiety and this all consuming need to maintain a particular image of myself.

These were okay when my schoolwork didn’t exceed my natural ability, which was pretty much up until I was about 15 or 16. After that though, I had to start making an effort that I had never learned to make (I literally only had to start studying regularly when I was 17! Up until then, I could just do things). Just the simple fact that I had to put in effort where I never had to before caused major clashes with the image that I had of myself in my head. (My nan once told me a story about how she came to collect me after school and I came out, bawling my eyes out, and the reason I gave her was that I had gotten 9/10 on a spelling test).

I was literally fueled by stress.

Eventually the perfectionism got so bad that I couldn’t even start things. Or, I’d wait a week or two after finishing something before sending it off to be checked. Because it was never going to meet my own standards.

It finally landed me in hospital and I quit my PhD only four months in.

(I know, I know, I still haven’t changed my URL. I had an idea but it requires me to still actually be working in academia for it to work and to roughly keep my theme).

So yeah... I’ve pulled things apart a bit, and I’ve pinpointed some methods of sticking to a routine that aren’t horribly detrimental to people’s mental health. But the delay in writing it has kind of come from me realising that the main reason that my ADHD (and possible dyscalculia and dysgraphia) hasn’t bothered me until the last few years has actually been that I had horrible coping mechanisms that suddenly couldn’t handle what I wanted to do anymore. (and I definitely don’t want to pass those on!)

Basically, ADHD mixed with being what could have been considered academically gifted to a certain point leaves you with one big mess to untangle (too bad literally no therapists will take me because they all say they know nothing about ADHD!)

TDLR; I’ve come to realise that a lot of my past success with ADHD mangement was fueled purely by anxiety, perfectionism and a desire to maintain a certain image of myself, which was all horribly unhealthy and requires a lot of unraveling on my part before attempting to give tips on here.

#updates from me #i suppose #adhd #actually adhd #former gifted kid #followed by a crash and burn #i am very tired #and having A MomentTM

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ragingbookdragon · 4 years

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Of Threats & First Meetings PT.2

A Brynjolf x F!Dragonborn Story

Warnings: None Word Count: 1,228

Author’s Note: Wow, so it’s been like eight months since I made PT. 1, so I figured I’d do part two now. Enjoy!

“Well lass, welcome to the family. I'm expecting you to make us a lot of coin, so don't disappoint me."

She snorted at his slight congratulations and looked over at him. “Then prepare to be disappointed because that’s all I am.” Ignoring his cocked eyebrow, she asked, “So, tell me about this job I’m supposed to be doing.”

Brynjolf nodded at her, explaining, “Goldenglow Estate is a bee farm over a ways on the lake. They raise the wretched little things for honey. It's owned by some smart-mouth high elf named Aringoth. We need you to teach him a lesson by burning down three of the estate's hives and clearing out the safe in the main house.”

Curiously, she looked at him. “You mean the place that’s near Merryfair farm?” The auburn-haired Nord nodded at her question and she grunted, crossing her arms over her chest. “Well…horse shit. I wish I’d’ve known what you guys wanted from there when I was inside a few days ago.”

He blinked in shock. “Wait, you’ve already been inside Goldenglow?”

Her face warmed and she sunk her neck into her shoulders, murmuring, “I saw the beehives as I was walking along the road. Bees make good alchemic potions when mixed the right ingredients.” She waved a hand, brushing off her excuse. “Anyway, is that all we need from there? The safe contents and three hives burned?” He nodded and she turned, marching off towards the ladder.

He shook his head, calling out to her, “Wait lass! You didn’t even get your armor from Tonilia!”

She raised a hand at him and continued to the ladder, quipping, “Don’t need it. I’ll be back in about two hours.”

“What about Vex!”

She spun and added, rather cockily, “Bryn, if I’ve already been inside, why would I go and talk to someone who couldn’t?” Brynjolf’s jaw went slack and she winked before climbing the ladder.

***

Word of their newest member’s success had spread through the guild like fire on a hillside, or like fire on beehives, but Brynjolf had yet to see her return. He waited patiently, eyes scanning over the documents for the next few shipments they were going to receive, when a bag plopped down on the table in front of him with a wet thunk. He looked up from the pages, eyes going wide with momentary shock that quickly gave way to amusement. The Nord placed the pages down, opening up the damp satchel. “Decide to take a bath while you were there, eh lass?”

He drew his gaze to her, watching as her face pinched with irritation, and she griped, “I didn’t have time to cast an invisibility spell once the hives were on fire. Mercs were swarming the area.”

“So, you took a dive into the lake to get away. You know there’s a bridge that leads to the island, right?”

She grunted, dropping into the seat across from him, eyes directed up to the ceiling as she lolled her head back. “Thank you, Captain Obvious. I was aware of the bridge. Again, mercenaries were crawling out of the woodworks. I didn’t have a lot of options.” Sighing, she looked at him. “Regardless, something bigger is going on than what we’re seeing.” She nodded at the letter he pulled out. “He sold Goldenglow.”

Brynjolf’s green eyes went wide and he glanced down at the letter, reading quickly, muttering, “Aringoth sold Goldenglow? What's that idiot thinking? He has no idea the extent of Maven's fury when she's been cut out of a deal, but I'm certain he'll find out. If only the parchment had the buyer's name instead of this odd symbol. Any idea what that might be?”

She shook her head, propping her feet up on the table, eyeing the other thieves walking around. “Dunno. I just lifted the key and went to the basement.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You didn’t even talk to him?”

She hummed, scratching at the oak table. “Nah. I’m pretty sure that even if I did, he wouldn’t give me much. I just got the information and came back.” Eyeing him, she murmured, “I’m sure your sources would have a better chance at getting info than I would.”

He grunted, placing the latter back on the table. “Blast. Well, I'll check my sources and speak to Mercer. But for now, you're off to speak to Maven Black-Briar. She asked for you by name."

Her face pinched again, and she grumbled, “I have to talk to that old hag? For what?”

Brynjolf chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest as he countered, “That's between you and Maven and I prefer to keep it that way. Don't worry about it. Maven's business dealings usually involve quite a bit of gold for her people."

Scoffing, she reached down and wrung the leftover water from her tavern skirt. “I’m not worried about Maven. She doesn’t even make my top one hundred list of things that worry me.”

He regarded her with a curious, but cautious look as he murmured, “You don’t seem to be afraid of much lass. Even with someone like Maven, who wields the Dark Brotherhood.” She arched an eyebrow, reaching into the bag. One after the other, she tossed letters his way, watching as he opened them and read them silently.

When he was finished, he looked back at her and she declared, “Whoever this Astrid is has sent at least six assassins after me.” She dropped her feet to the floor, leaning over to whisper, “If Maven ever wants me dead, she’d have to do it herself because so far, the Dark Brotherhood is nothing but a group of the worst assassins I’ve ever seen.” Rising, she gathered her things, slinging the satchel over her body. “You’re right about one thing Brynjolf. I’m not afraid of much. In fact, there’s nothing I’m afraid of.” Casting one last glance at him, she advised, “Everything in Tamriel should be more afraid of me.” She sauntered off to the other table, placing down a small bee statue in front of Delvin, beginning to broker a payment for it.

He gazed at her for a moment, watching the way she crossed her arms under her breasts in an effort to distract the thief, then looked back at the notes she’d tossed him. He’d never met Astrid like Delvin had, but he knew her and her sanctuary’s reputation. If his newest guildmate was tough enough to take out six assassins and get into a manor swarming with mercenaries undetected, he needed to do some digging. No one was this good, and as much as he believed in luck, this catch was too lucky for his taste. She moved with a silent grace that stunned him. So many times, she appeared beside him before he could even realize she was there. And he only realized it because she let him. Her stealth was only rivaled by her cockiness in her—no, not cockiness—she wasn’t cocky for the sake of being so. She had the skill to back up her word. He observed her as she grinned at Delvin, pocketing the gold he’d paid her for the statue. Feeling eyes on her, she glanced over, meeting Brynjolf’s. A bolt of understanding flashed between them and she drew her fingers across Delvin’s shoulders as she made her way to the cistern.

#brynjolf imagines #brynjolf imagine #brynjolf x reader imagines #brynjolf x reader imagine #brynjolf x dragonborn #brynjolf x dragonborn imagines #brynjolf x dragonborn imagine #skyrim fanfiction #skyrim imagines #skyrim imagine

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elsanna-shenanigans · 3 years

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February Contest Submission #8: The Treasure Of Doggerland

words: ca. 5000 setting: Modern AU lemon: No cw: None

The Ocean held so many wonders and mysteries. While mankind had chartered the stars and heavens above, so little was known about what lay underneath the oceans and seas of the world. And for Anna and her colleague Kristoff, their life’s work had been to discover the mystery of one of the most fascinating underwater locations on earth.

Thousands of years ago, around the time of the last ice age, there was a large mass of land that connected the United Kingdom to the rest of Europe. Modern-day scientists had termed it Doggerland and there had been several expeditions to the area over the years that had dredged up all sorts of things, from bones to primitive tools used by early man.

For Anna and Kristoff though, they hoped to be the first explorers to make a complete survey of the whole area and finally make a map of every notable point of interest. Their work would hopefully be the backbone for all future research and exploration in the area for years to come.

Sadly, their work had hit a slight snag. They had been unable to fully acquire funding for such an expedition and so, had to go about it themselves. They’d flown to Denmark, hired a submarine, a ship and a captain who would take them out to sea.

It wasn’t much, but Anna hoped that at least part of the survey would allow them to convince investors to further support their efforts. But of course, that all did indeed depend on this whole endeavour being successful.

After being out at sea for over a day, Anna and Kristoff were ready to begin, starting with Anna going down in the submarine to make a survey of the area near their ship, before moving onwards to another area the next day. Anna had hoped that everything would go smoothly.

However, the weather had certainly gotten worse. As Anna stood on the deck of the ship, she felt torrential rain batter the deck of the old rackety vessel. The storm was one of the worst she’d ever seen. A wind that howled and threatened to carry Anna off the deck of the ship at any moment, to the waves the size of small houses, battering the sides of the ship every once in a while, drenching the deck in brine.

But Anna wasn’t scared. If anything, the storm was actually motivational for her, triggering some primal instinct to push onwards no matter what the weather was like. And besides, it wasn’t like she’d be above the water when she’d be doing her survey.

“Hell of a storm out here!” A voice called to her.

Anna turned, seeing the captain of the ship, Eric, walk over to her. “Yeah, not it’s a real tempest out here.”

Eric chuckled. “Not scared of a bit of thunder and lightning, are you?”

The redhead scoffed. “Hell no. Besides, where I grew up, we used to get storms like this every day.”

“Heh, you seem like a born sailor,” Eric remarked.

“Actually, my dad was a fisherman,” Anna explained. “I guess I got my love of the ocean from him.”

Kristoff soon joined them on deck, almost slipping over as another massive wave rocked the boat. He clung onto the railing, sighing in relief that he hadn’t been thrown overboard into the sea. As he stumbled back onto his feet, he walked over to Anna, clutching his coat as it was blown about in the gale.

“Did we have to do this in the middle of a storm?” Kristoff asked, his tone reflecting how unsure he felt.

Anna walked over to her partner. “Hey, when life gives you lemons.”

Her friend shot Anna a rather serious look. Kristoff had always been the cautious of the two, as far back as when they had met in college. He’d always had to be the one to keep Anna out of trouble and from the looks of this storm, it was probably suicide for Anna to go out in that.

“Anna, this storm is battering the ship!” Kristoff cried in alarm. “Are you sure you wanna go down in the sub now and not wait until the storm passes?”

“Yes, I’m sure!” Anna called back. “Besides, I’m going under the water, not across it.”

Kristoff folded his arms. “I don’t like it at all, feisty pants. With this storm, the sub might get caught in the currents and you could be dragged away. Or maybe smashed against some rocks and sink.”

“I’m a good swimmer,” Anna argued.

“Yeah, but you’re going thousands of feet down to the seafloor,” Kristoff reminded her. “You really think you can swim that far?”

“Kristoff, we spent five years planning this,” Anna argued. “I don’t intend to stop now just because of a bit of bad weather.”

Kristoff sighed, giving in. “Alright, I know never to argue with you when you’re stubborn like this. But I’m gonna keep in constant radio contact. The first sign of trouble, you hit those ballast tanks and come straight back up, right?”

“Sure thing,” Anna stated, putting a hand on her shoulder. “And Kristoff? Thanks for being here with me.”

Kristoff smiled. “Well… we are in this together after all.”

“Good” Anna stated. “You and Eric prepping the sub. I’m gonna get changed into my wetsuit and remind myself of the area we’re surveying today.”

As Anna went below decks to get changed, Eric chuckled.

“And what’s so funny?” Kristoff wondered.

“Oh, nothing. Just your girlfriend here reminds me a lot of my wife. Stubborn, very confident in herself… and a redhead too.”

Kristoff blushed. “Uh… she’s not my girlfriend.”

“Oh I apologise,” Eric said. “It’s just I thought that maybe…”

“Yeah, you aren’t the first but… I’m not exactly Anna’s preference if you get what I mean,” Kristoff said.

“Ah,” Eric nodded in understanding. “Duly noted.”

Down below, Anna was getting changed into her wetsuit. As she looked at herself in the mirror after tying her hair up in a bun, she felt a sense of butterflies in her chest. Finally, today was the day when five years of hard work were going to pay off once and for all.

As she went to a nearby table to look over the map of the region, the area she was going to survey, she looked at an old family photograph she’d brought with her. It was of her mother and father from when she was a little girl. Anna thought of how innocent she looked then, with her twin braids. These days, she felt much more mature about herself, wearing her hair longer.

“Well dad, I promised you I’d go see the sea for myself,” Anna whispered. “I bet you’d be proud of me.”

Tragically, Anna’s father had actually died at sea. His ship had been caught in a massive storm and capsized. The coast guard sadly never found his body, but the tragedy hadn’t stopped Anna from wanting to unlock the mysteries of the ocean itself. If anything, it had influenced her.

Anna smiled. “Maybe if I find anything down there, I’ll show it to you next time I’m home.” She sighed, remembering the coastal town in Maine where she grew up and spent her weekends on the beach, gazing out at the sea. It had been years since she visited her father’s grave, though she wasn’t exactly keen on seeing her mother again anytime.

But Anna didn’t have time to be dwelling on all that now, she had a route to memorise. She looked at the map again, making a mental note of the area once more. She wanted to survey the entire site, right down the last detail, leaving no stone unturned as it were.

When she was done, Anna headed out on deck, ready to begin her adventure.

xXx

Sometime later, Anna was on board the submarine as Eric lowered it into the water with the large crane on the back of his ship. As the crane let go, the yellow and black vessel plummeted down into the water, making an almighty splash as it hit the waves below.

Kristoff looked over the side of the ship, still concerned about the weather. He took out his pocket radio and spoke into it. “You all set down there, Anna?”

“Yeah, I’m about to fill my tanks now,” Anna replied.

The ballast tanks on the submarine soon filled with water and Kristoff watched as the sub dove under the waves. Anna sat at the controls of the craft, looking out of the glass cockpit at the ocean that surrounded her, watching the bubbles of air float to the surface as she descended.

As the sub sunk deeper and deeper, Anna switched on the submarine’s massive spotlights, illuminating the darkness surrounding her. She also switched on her sonar, the familiar echoing sound filling the canopy. On a nearby radar screen, Anna saw a monochromatic map of her surroundings appear next to her.

When she reached the ocean bed, Anna started up the sub’s engines. The small propellors on the craft pushed it forward, Anna driving across the sea bed. As she followed the route she mesmerised in her head, she looked around at the wonders that surrounded her.

Coral reefs, schools of fish, even a shark in the distance. But so far, there didn’t seem to be anything of much note. Though Anna wasn’t expecting to find much on her first trip. This was mainly so she could make a map of the actual area.

it would others later on that would likely be doing the real archaeological work.

Anna peered into the inky blackness as the submarine cruised across the sea bed. As she stared out of the window, seeing schools of fish swim through the glow of the submarine’s spotlights, she took a moment to enjoy the wonders.

But she thought about what this sea bed would have been like thousands of years ago when it was a vast grassy plain, where early mankind had once lived.

As she scanned across the seabed, Anna looked at the sonar screen to her left, seeing how it was picking up the nearby school of fish to her left and large rock formation to her right. It seemed like she had been coasting along the vast seabed for hours and covered some vast distance, but she had only gone a few miles away from the ship.

“How’re things going down there?” Kristoff asked.

“Kinda boring so far,” Anna admitted. “I’ve only covered about thirteen per cent of the area and I haven’t seen anything of much value besides some fish.”

“Well, we’re not likely to strike gold on our first day doing this, fiesty pants,” Kristoff replied. “How’s your oxygen meter doing?”

“I’ve got plenty of time,” Anna stated. “How’s the weather up there like?”

“Still not great, ” Kristoff stated. “Be careful down there.”

“I will,” Anna promised.

Over the next few hours, Anna’s submarine cruised across the seabed along the route, the oceanographer taking note of anything of interest. As time ticked by though, Anna started to become a bit bored. She partly wished she’d brought her phone down here with her to listen to some music, but she remembered why she hadn’t.

If she had to go out in her scuba gear, the canopy would be flooded and last time she checked, phones weren’t waterproof. But Anna knew she needed to do something to pass the time. So she started to sing a merry tune to herself, something from her dad’s old record collection.

“We all live in a yellow submarine,” Anna sang to herself. “Yellow submarine, yellow submarine.”

“Is that the Beatles you’re signing there?” Eric’s voice chimed in.

“Oh uh,” Anna stuttered, blushing bright red in embarrassment. “Yeah, yellow submarine was my favourite as a kid.”

“You’ve certainly got a lovely singing voice,” Eric complimented.

“Hey uh, captain, mind staying off the radio?” Kristoff said. “Anna’s doing important survey work down there.”

“No, it’s fine, Kristoff,” Anna replied. “Still pretty dull down here.”

However, just then, Anna heard a very loud ping from the submarine’s sonar. Anna’s eyes widened, looking at the monitor to her left. Though she couldn’t tell what it was, the sonar had detected something massive near Anna’s location.

“Woah, what the heck is that?” Anna wondered.

“Coral reef maybe?” Kristoff suggested.

“I’m gonna check it out,” Anna stated.

Turning her submarine to the left, Anna headed in the direction of the mysterious sonar signal. Though she hadn’t expected to find anything on the first day, she wasn’t exactly complaining now. The thought of whatever she was about to find filled her with passion for her adventure.

Eventually, after cruising for a while, Anna noticed something out of the cockpit of the sub. The ocean around her was starting to grow… lighter. There was something in the distance illuminating the surrounding ocean, just beyond a nearby rock formation.

Switching off the sub’s spotlights, Anna radioed Kristoff. “Kristoff, whatever I’ve found, it’s lighting the ocean up like a Christmas tree.”

“That’s odd. The storm is still raging up here, so it can’t be the sun.”

“No, it’s something here at the bottom of the sea,” Anna stated. “I’m going in a closer look.”

As Anna’s craft flew over the rock formation, her eyes widened as she looked upon what she had discovered. Just in front of Anna was a giant scaly, ring-like structure that encircled a large area of the ocean bed. It was at least the size of a football pitch, the structure of the ring made of a sparkling mineral that gave them the appearance of ice. One part of the ring seemed to resemble a dragon’s head.

But what intrigued Anna the most was what was at the centre of the ring. On some sort of strange stone plinth, there stood what appeared to be a statue. The statue was made of the same mineral as the giant ring, sparkling and glowing with unnatural light.

Taking the sub in closer, Anna gazed at the statue. It seemed to be around seven or eight feet in height, in the shape of what appeared to be a humanoid woman with pointed ears and long hair, wearing a flowing dress of some kind.

Her heart pulsing in her chest, Anna felt a strange sensation when looking at the statue. She was mesmerised by how beautiful it appeared to be, She almost could have sworn it was smiling… at her. She couldn’t take her eyes off it, no matter how hard she tried.

“Uh, Anna?” Kristoff spoke into the radio. “You okay?”

Anna didn’t respond.

“YO FEISTY PANTS!”

Gasping, Anna shook her head. “Uh, yeah big guy?”

“Are you alright ?” Kristoff wondered. “You went quiet for a moment there.”

“I… I think so,” Anna stated. “I’ve found the source of the signal. It’s some sort of massive underwater crystalline structure. No idea how old it is, but there seems to be some kind of statue here made of the same mineral.”

“What? How is that possible?”

“I know right! This changes everything we knew about this area,” Anna remarked. “Maybe those old rumours of Doggerland being the British Atlantis weren’t far off after all.”

“Maybe,” Kristoff stated. “But you should really finish up your survey. Come back to this area later, Anna.”

“No,” Anna insisted. “I… I think we should bring that statue back to the ship for further study. I’ll finish the survey tomorrow.”

“What?” Kristoff wondered. “Anna, I thought we were supposed to be only surveying the area.”

“Change of plans,” Anna said. “We’re bringing this statue up.”

She wasn’t sure what was happening, but some sort of strange influence was compelling her to protect this statue. She… She didn’t want to just leave it down here. Something so beautiful didn’t deserve to be hidden away from the world, in the depths of the ocean.

Kristoff sighed. “Alright, I’ll have Eric bring the ship over to your location. Hang tight there.”

“Thanks, Kristoff,” Anna replied.“

Taking the sub in closer, Anna activated its large, robotic grappling arms. The two massive claws extended from the craft as Anna positioned her vessel in just the right position in front of the statue. She had to be gentle though. The last thing she wanted was to damage the beautiful figure of ice before her.

Carefully, Anna manipulated the arms, their mechanical fingers gently clutching onto the statue. With a little tug, the statue was pulled free from the stone base it was attached to, now being held in the arms of Anna’s vessel, thankfully without a scratch or being chipped.

"Yes!” Anna cheered.

As the submarine floated upwards, Anna reached forward, her hand touching the glass of the canopy. She stared into the statue’s icy eyes, feeling that somehow, they were staring back at her. Anna smiled, feeling that she had done the right thing.

This was certainly something her father would have been proud of her for.

xXx

Once Anna was back on the surface and aboard the ship, the strange statue she’d recovered was brought down the cargo hold. Over the next few hours, Anna and Kristoff studied the mysterious sculpture, Anna in particular still mesmerised by its gorgeous features.

And she wasn’t alone in thinking that. Eric had complimented on how beautiful the statue was, which had made Anna feel unusually jealous. But right now, she and Kristoff were looking over the statue, trying to figure out what it was, what it was made of, and more importantly… who could have carved it.

But Anna wasn’t entirely focused on her work. Now that she had the statue with her and nothing was between them, she felt she could spend forever just staring at the gorgeous woman. She reached out, caressing the cold, icy surface of the statue in her hands.

For a moment, she felt as though her hands were meeting cold skin instead of rock and ice. Soft, smooth skin that belonged to whatever being the statue was in the image of. As she stroked the statue’s head. she imagined her fingers threading themselves through locks of soft hair.

It was quite an unusual sensation, the feeling as though this statue was, in fact, a living being and that Anna felt as though she and it were… connected somehow. Nothing in her life had made Anna feel quite like this before.

“So who do you think made it?” Kristoff wondered.

“I… I don’t know,” Anna admitted. “My guess is there was some sort of civilisation in this part of the world thousands of years ago that were wiped out when Doggerland fell under the sea.”

“You think so? This thing would predate the Egyptians if it did and I find that hard to believe,” Kristoff stated. “My guess is maybe it fell off a Viking ship or something during the middle ages, that it was carved around that time.”

“That doesn’t line up,” Anna admitted. “I didn’t see any shipwrecks in the area where I found her, or that stone plinth, or that weird ring structure that surrounded her. She’s quite a mystery.”

“That it is,” Kristoff admitted, though he was a little confused by Anna referring to the statue as a woman, despite it not being alive. But he brushed it off for the moment and looked at the statue. “It’s remarkably well preserved. Whatever this stuff it’s made of, it’s lasted for centuries.”

“She’s certainly unique,” Anna remarked, staring at the statue. “I doubt there’s anything else in the world quite like her.” She found herself gazing at the statue again, being lost in its features.

Kristoff gave her a look. He couldn’t ignore this now, especially now that Anna seemed to be consistently calling the statue a woman. “Uh, Anna… you know this statue isn’t a living being right?”

“Oh yeah?”

“Then why are you calling it a she?” Kristoff asked. “I mean, yeah it’s depicting a female figure, but she’s not exactly… alive. Are you sure you weren’t down there in the ocean too long and you’ve caught the bends?”

“W-What?!” Anna exclaimed, blushing bright red. “I’m fine, really! But… I hadn’t realised I was calling her a she. I… I can’t help it. It’s like she’s really here with us and she’s more than just some statue I found at the bottom of the sea. She’s… She’s completely perfect.” She looked away. “Don’t judge me, okay?”

“I won’t, don’t worry,” Kristoff chuckled. “Now I realise why you wanted to bring it up so badly. She is rather pretty and hey, wouldn’t be the first fictional person you’ve fallen for.”

Anna blushed redder, remembering how Kristoff used to tease her for her crushes on various fictional women when they first met. Lara Croft, Wonder Woman, Jasmine from Aladdin, Anna clearly had a type and this statue fitted it. She just hoped Kristoff wasn’t going to tease her too badly over it.

“But this is the first time I’ve seen you fall for a statue,” Kristoff remarked.

“Oh I can’t help it,” Anna sighed dreamily.

Her partner just smirked. “Even after all these years, you’re still a useless lesbian. I swear Honeymaren had no right to dump a cutie like you.”

Anna groaned. “Please don’t bring that up again… and for the record, this statue is still important regardless if I’m in love with her. If we show her to people, we’ll definitely get more funding to continue our research here and who knows what else we’ll find. Maybe some idea as to what the people who carved her were like.”

“Yeah and you get to look at a pretty girl,” Kristoff teased.

“Ugh, I hate you,” Anna groaned.

But Kristoff wasn’t wrong though. The statue was indeed gorgeous and… in a way, Anna wished she could keep it for herself. It didn’t deserve to be in some museum, with so many people staring at it. She wanted the statue to be hers, all hers. Part of her wanted to lean in and kiss the gorgeous statue… though that was a little weird even by her standards.

As she stared intently at the statue, she reached forward, caressing its crystalline surface. As she did so, she noticed that the dress of the statue seemed to be lined with strange runes, symbols that weren’t familiar to Anna at all. She thought about what they could possibly mean.

“Uh, Anna?” Kristoff then spoke to her.

Anna shook her head, drawn out of her daze again. “Uh yes?”

“I’m gonna go get something to eat. All this exploring has worked up an appetite. You coming?”

“Uh sure,” Anna replied flatly, still gazing at the statue.

She then left the room with Kristoff, going to get dinner with him. After leaving the room, however, Anna never saw the runes she’d been looking at on the statue were now glowing a mysterious white aura, as were the statue’s eyes. Clearly, there was definitely more to it than either of them could have imagined.

xXx

Anna was standing on a strange rocky beach in the middle of a storm, thunder and lightning crashing around her. She wasn’t sure what was happening or where this beach was. She walked around, feeling the freezing cold all around her. She desperately sought out shelter as rain pelted down from the sky.

But before Anna could reach a nearby cave, she looked out at the ocean as a massive wave rose above her. She screamed, trying to outrun it before she was drenched in the water. As she was dragged along the beach, Anna coughed and spluttered, seawater having jumped down her throat.

As she got to her feet, she looked around, seeing the storm only growing in intensity. At that moment, the howling wind was interrupted by a strange voice calling out to Anna in a melodic tone.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

“Who… Who said that?” Anna asked. “Where are you?”

Aaaaaaaa, the voice called out again.

As the howling wind resumed, Anna looked out at the stormy sea Was the voice… coming from the ocean? Anna wanted to know and suddenly, she sprinted into the ocean and to her amazement… she was somehow walking on the surface of the water itself, the waves turning slowly to ice beneath her feet.

“What the heck?” Anna asked, but then heard a loud rumbling as a massive sea serpent burst out of the water, flying over Anna’s head. The creature let out a deafening, hissing roar before it dove back into the water. For a few moments, Anna saw that it had scales made of the same crystal as the statue.

Then, she heard the sound of galloping, as a strange, horse-like creature galloped along the waves beside Anna, before also dipping under the waves. Anna blinked, confused as to what exactly was going on. But before she could think about that, she felt the wind pick up again.

Looking up, Anna saw a figure floating above her, flying on the wind itself. She couldn’t make out what the figure looked like, but it clearly had long flowing hair and was wearing a dress with a cape of some kind. Was this… was this the statue come to life?

Glowing blue eyes gazed upon Anna and the redhead felt… strangely comforted by them. They seemed so warm and inviting. And yet, Anna still had no clue what was actually going on here? Where was she? What were those creatures? What was this strange woman?

There has been an awakening, a voice then spoke. You have been chosen.

“What?” Anna asked. “I don’t understand.”

You are the one who will awaken us.

“Me? What are you-”

And then, Anna woke up.

The redhead panted as she shot out of bed, wiping her brow of sweat. She was glad that it had all just been some sort of crazy dream, yet she found herself filled with more thoughts about the statue. She… she felt that it was in danger somehow, that she had to be near it.

Quickly getting dressed Anna tried to make it out of her bedroom, only to trip up and fall over, banging her head on a wall. “Ow!”

She groaned, realising the storm outside the ship hadn’t calmed down at all. After rubbing her head, Anna made her way down to the cargo hold, wanting to check on her mysterious statue. Something about it was drawing to her, something she knew was connected to her dream.

Fortunately for Anna, the statue was safe. It hadn’t moved an inch, much to her relief. After going over to the statue, Anna let herself become lost in its beauty once more. She was glad to be alone with the mysterious statue, entranced by its wonders and secrets.

It sounded crazy to her now though, that she had indeed fallen for the statue. She felt guilty though, seeing as it was just a statue and not a real human being. No matter how much she wished the statue could come to life right before her eyes, Anna knew magic was only a thing that existed in fairytales.

It also seemed pathetic that the only woman she would love was a strange crystal figure she found at the bottom of the sea. Her love life hadn’t exactly been great. Most of her time she’d been focused on her work, but the few times she had tried dating it hadn’t gone well.

Honeymaren was the one that had stuck with her longest, but she had to leave her when her family had to move to the other side of the country. Anna understood why she left, even if Kristoff still insisted that she should have tried to make it still work between them.

Still, Anna knew that a statue wasn’t going to truly give her the connection and love she had truly wanted. It just wasn’t meant to be.

“I’m sorry,” Anna whispered. “You’re so beautiful, but I guess I should look somewhere else for love.” She caressed the being. “You can’t hear me, but I just want you to know that… I’m glad I found you and I know you’re going to help my research so, so very much.”

But the statue indeed didn’t respond and Anna felt guilty again, that the statue was heartbroken that Anna had to end it between them. And Anna realised she couldn’t do that. She couldn’t let go of her icy love, no matter how badly she knew it couldn’t work.

“Oh damn it,” Anna swore. “I’m sorry… I won’t leave you. I… I’ll make sure you’re safe, and where we can be together for as long as I live.” She caressed the statue. “I… I love you so much… my goddess.” And then at that moment, Anna kissed the statue’s lips.

As Anna kissed the statue deeply, pouring all of her love into it, the crystal figure started to glow an eerie blue. Unbeknownst to Anna, the icy crystal that the statue was made from started to melt like liquid, forming a puddle on the floor beneath her, flowing like water.

Anna felt the watery feeling against her lips, suddenly pulling away in shock. Her eyes widened as the glowing blue fluid melted away from the statue, giving way to skin and hair. The redhead covered her mouth in shock as the runes on the statue glowed again.

With the crystal having melted, the figure stood before Anna, a seemingly human woman with long blonde, almost white hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was dressed in a flowing, sparkling white dress, seemingly made of the same crystal that she had once been entombed in.

“What… What the?” Anna spoke, lost for words.

The blonde woman looked at her hands, feeling rather confused.

“Who… Who are you?” she asked her, and then looked around in wonder and puzzlement. “Where… where am I?”

#elsanna #submission #february 2021 contest #prompt: ancient worlds

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jk-unless · 4 years

Text

Scary Movie Night

Pairing : Valkyrie x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Descriptions of a horror movie,panic attack,slight angst

~•~•~•~

Being an Avenger,you’ve seen a lot of scary shit.Simply being a normal citizen was terrifying enough with all of the evil that terrorized the world in the past decade or so.That being said,you would think you’d be able to watch a fictional horror movie with no problem.

You couldn’t be more wrong.

Everytime there was a mention of a scary movie playing at Team Movie Night,you’d say that you were just going to go to sleep early that night.The team often teased you about it,not understanding how someone so strong and brave could be scared by something that wasn’t even real.You never really understood your fear of horror movies either,but it was there.And it was pretty damn embarrassing,to say the least.Valkyrie knew about this of course,but she never really brought it up.You were thankful for this,until...well...she did bring it up.

It was a Thursday afternoon.Being bored out of your mind,you decided to work out in the training room.After while,Valkyrie entered and waved her arm to catch your attention.She successfully broke your intense focus,but you really couldn’t say you were mad about it.She greeted you with a smile as you wiped the sweat off of your face and neck.

“You must be bored if you willingly even step foot in this room.” She says.She had a point,you hated training and doing it for fun wasn’t like you at all.You shrugged with a grin.”It’s not that bad when you really get into it.” She leaned in for a kiss and you happy obliged,keeping it short because you were sure you didn’t smell too great after working out for so long.

“Well instead of torturing yourself,how about we go watch a scary movie?” She suggested.You looked at her like she had lost her mind. “You said ‘instead of torturing yourself,’ that’d be even worse than staying in here for another hour.”

“Oh come on,babe.You know I love you with all my heart,but your fear of scary movies is completely irrational.”She said,making you sigh and rub at your temple.

“You think I don’t know that,Val?I’d love to be able to watch a horror movie on Team Movie Night and watch Clint scream like the little baby he thinks he isn’t.But scary movies are just...so...” You say,looking for the right word to describe it.

“I think the word you’re looking for is scary,love.” She said with an amused look on her face.You simply brought out your resting bitch face before grabbing your water bottle and heading for the door.She stopped you before you could walk out.

“Y/N,you said you hadn’t watch a scary in a while before we even starting dating.We’ve been together for a year now!How do you know if you’re even scared of them anymore?” Once again,she had a good point.You weren’t going to be talked into it that easily though.

“Why is it so important to you all of a sudden?” You asked,genuinely curious on why she seemed to care about it so much.

“Because I know how embarrassing it is for you when you have to tell the team that you’re turning in early on scary movie nights.This will be like practice!What do you say?”

You sighed,realizing she wasn’t going to let this go anytime soon.”Sure,I guess.”

“Good!We’ll watch one tonight.Now go shower.I wanna go out for a lunch date and I can’t have you ruining my appetite with that smell.”

~•~•~•~

After your lunch date and another few hours or so,it was time to watch the scary movie.Valkyrie had put you in charge of getting snacks,so you went to the local drug store to get your favorites.After getting just about every single candy and snack you both like,you made your way back to the compound.You walk into the main area to find a comfy pile of blankets and pillows between the couch and TV.Valkyrie looked up when she heard you enter and smiled,looking cozy in her sweatpants and tank top.

“Took you long enough!I was about to start without you.” Valkyrie teased making you pout.”And you didn’t?What a shame.”You shook your head in fake (for the most part) disappointment.

Valkyrie rolled her eyes and patted the spot next to her in the comfy pile.”Sit ya ass down already,I’m about to put the movie on.”

~•~•~•~

Twenty minutes into the movie and you’re already having the worst time of your life.There are jump scares every few minutes and all the screaming you’re doing is really tiring you out.Valkyrie laughs at you everytime,making you even more irritated.Despite all of this,you really thought you’d be able to get through the whole movie.

Until this one scene comes up.

It’s the type of scene that’s suppose to get your adrenaline pumping and have you on the edge of your seat.And you got that experience,but in the worst way.It doesn’t take long for you to realize that you’re having a panic attack.Instead of making it known,you take deep breaths and push each tip of your fingers against your thumb.This was a calming down trick that you learned from Tony.Despite your efforts,you still couldn’t seem to calm down.Valkyrie was really into the movie,so you didn’t want to disturb her.Instead,you sunk deeper into the pile of blankets and pillows and began to sob quietly.

Valkyrie looks over and finds you in this position.Thinking that you’re just being scared,she laughs and says “Oh come on,babe.It’s not that bad.” She pulls the blankets down that’s covering most of your face and finally sees your tears.She gasped,making you even more embarrassed.You try to get up and leave, but Valkyrie pulls you down into her lap before you could make a proper exit.When she gets you comfy in her lap,she quickly grabs the remote and completely exits out of the movie.

“Baby,I’m so so sorry.Why didn’t you tell me you were so scared?I would have turned it off in a heartbeat!” She says,trying desperately to wipe your tears that just kept coming.”Because the fact that I’m so scared is stupid.It’s just a movie,a fictional movie,and I’m crying my eyes out because of it.”You tell her miserably.

“Y/N everyone has something they’re afraid of and none of they’re fears are stupid or invalid.It’s just part of life.”

Still feeling silly about the entire thing,you pick your head up from her shoulder and angrily wipe at your tear ridden face.Valkyrie sighs at your frustration.”Love,it’s okay.If you still wanna give this whole scary movie thing a go,then we’ll try again another day and start off with some movies that aren’t as scary.Just...please don’t beat yourself up about this.”You sigh and nod your head,muttering an ‘okay’ once your head is on her shoulder again.

“Good.”She says then kisses your forehead and squeezes you tight. “Now,let’s watch a Disney movie.”

(A/N: I know you don’t mind,but I’m still really sorry about the wait @thehistorynut19 😅)

#valkyrie imagine #valkyrie x reader #valkyrie x fem!reader #marvel imagines #brunnhilde x reader #valkyrie #brunnhilde

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shu-sakamaki · 4 years

Note

(Hello love how are you??) I don't know if you also do scenarios but if you do may I please have a scenario where shu and his lover are watching a horror film and his lover gets clingy since they are not a fan of horror films (cliche I know but I'm in need of extreme fluff thank you so much love, take care and stay safe ❤️❤️❤️)

Why is she doing this to herself? She hates this!

The television was the only light source in the bedroom, and the dark themed movie was not doing a good job of illuminating the area. Small flashes of lights, like a thunderstorm lighting the place terrified the lonely figure that watched the movie sitting on the edge of the bed with the blanket over her head protecting her. Her eyes were widened and glued on the Tv like she was in real danger; the creature made a jump in the front of the camera, the main characters screams became just the echo of the girl's cry.

She quickly covers her mouth, as if she just remembered her reality. She is living with six terrifying Vampires… She shouldn’t attract any attention her way!

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

The next five minutes, was she staring at the door, silently praying that nobody would show up to scold her. The movie is long forgotten, and all her fear is now focused elsewhere… And much for her horror, the doorknob takes a turn, slow and steady – torturing her with its steady pace.

As it opens, reveals Reiji. His glare deadly and sharp like a snake's. She gulps... Out of all the brothers, had to be him to come to check on her?

"Care to explain what the ruckus was about?"

He is not the least concerned about it; he just wants that, whatever it was, to not repeat again, she knows better… But now she wonders what he is going to do when he noticed her screams were caused by such a silly reason like a movie.

"I---I...!"

"T'was me, I scared her."

A loud yawn.

The girl's widened eyes stare at a dark corner of the bedroom where the TV light couldn't hit. Exactly where the voice came from... That voice...Was in the shadows... Reiji turns the light on, and the girl hides under the blanket afraid she would witnesses a monster lying down on the floor like a boneless creature, disfigured, and limp.

"Please take a hold of yourself; you can't be this stupid is just Shu.”

Reiji scolds her with his soothing manner but still with rude undertones

She slowly takes the blanket off of her and she sees no one other than Shu, leaning against the wall, arms crossed and his head low, the golden hair falling over his eyes covering his expression that always remained unchanged.

"S--Shu..?!"

"You know me, blood tastes better when bitter by fear," He shrugs. Reiji narrow his glare.

"Next time make sure she can't scream, muffle her."

Shu scoffs, and Reiji takes his leave, turning the light back off.

"I-I'm sorry for worrying you, Shu!" She is almost pleading, "I know it probably took you a lot of effort to come to check on me because of a stupid movie and--!"

"I've been here for the last forty minutes."

"Y-you what!"

"Shut up, do you want him to come back and scold you again?"

But what Shu said... Is it true? He has been here for almost an hour? Not like it is a surprise that his presence became unknown to her... But...

"What are you doing here? And why did you take the blame for me?"

After almost half a minute, finally, from the dark corner, she could feel a movement and heavy steps coming her way, till the dim light from the television could shiny on him... revealing his features that were the perfect balance between masculine and delicate, but instead of calming her heart down from the adrenaline, she felt it beat even faster now.

The blue light reflecting on his pale skin and blonde hair made him so ghost-like... A beautiful ghost.

He took his sweet time making his way to her, she felt her heart skipping countless beats.

She tries to focus back on the movie until she feels the bed sinking in right on her side, where he took a seat so close to her that their legs were touching.

His mocking scoff echoed into her ears and sunk to her stomach, turning into butterflies.

"So scared over a stupid movie?”

"Naturally..."

She tries not to be such an amusement point for him, or else, she won't hear the end of it.

"You're living with six vampires, what is in there to be so terrified of a clown?"

She knew he would mock her for her fears. She takes a deep breath.

"You are making a lot of questions but you didn't answer a single one of mines,"

She pouts and faces away from him; it is so weird. When next to him she can barely recognize herself, is almost like, everything she does, is because she wants him to notice her... To comfort her.

"I came here to check on you, of course, your heart was racing since the start of that movie."

What...? She looks at him, her eyes trying to track any sight of him being sarcastic or joking with her, but nothing... No signal of such in his listless expression... He is so hard to read through. And that is what drives her crazy.

"Really...? Why?"

"You were scared," He said as a matter of fact.

His cold hand touches her warm face, but she feels she is burning and melts on his touch. She was not expecting this, much less from him... Suddenly, she feels like they’re floating in a dark nothingness where there’s only Shu and her. How real is any of this...? Maybe... Maybe he just wants to get on her good side to get a drink, though Shu is a pushy man. You can’t just deny him something, he wouldn’t go through all this trouble just for her blood.

“Came here to have a taste of my, oh, so bitter by fear blood?” She jokingly says while leaning her face against his big hand, needing more of his affection, but also needing answers, needing this to be real.

"Your fear does not appetize me the slightest if caused by anything else than me... Because I know I'd never cause you any real harm, anything else that is beyond my control, I want to..."

He stops and sighs.

“Protect me from…?”

The phrase escapes her lips before she even thinks about it herself. She closes her eyes and already feels the deep regret for saying her thoughts out loud. The bitter taste of rejection coming her way, the cruel laughter…

“Yes…”

She looks at him and sees a small smile destroying the image of that expressionless man she came to love and adore the last year. She feels she might faint, this man… Is here because he wants to guarantee her safety? She matters that much to him? A man who won’t lift a spoon, crossed the entire mansion simply because her heartbeat was fast… And even after seeing what was wrong, he stood there by her.

He stares into her eyes with his own blue ones, begging her to believe in him and not deny him… Just like a child afraid of being rejected. Is one fear they both share, now… She nuzzles her face against his, seeking comfort… He doesn’t bolt away from her expression of love and even moves his face against hers. His hand moves on bed and rests on top of hers. Suddenly, she feels so silly... What did she fear? A stupid movie? Laughable.

“Want to watch it with me...?”

He stares at her rather surprised, she still wants to finish that movie?

“Are you for real?”

“Well, if it is with you, I won’t be that scared and you will protect me, this time properly, not hiding in a dark corner.”

His arm goes over her shoulders, forcing her against him and so deliciously close... She can’t help but let a small blush paint her face. His presence is oddly warm for someone with such a cold body.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Ah!!”

“You said you’d not be that scared anymore!”

He laughs at her helpless situation, sitting there between his legs, the blanket over the both of them. She quickly turns and hides her face against his chest, clinging on him for her dear life.

“I guess I lied!”

She was embracing herself for the next jumpscare, she was trying to be prepared for it! But it is so weird, the more she tried to be prepared, the more nervous she feels. So, she tries to focus on the feeling of Shu behind her, holding her, remind it is all just a movie... Just a movie--A loud scream from the TV can be heard...

But she couldn’t scream, not this time... Not when Shu has his own lips locked on hers, and his tongue exploring her entire mouth in a passionate kiss that muted not only her screams but her entire mind as well.

His lips... They are so cold but so sweet... Her eyes widen open, but she could see nothing. When he finally lets her catch some air, she forgot even to blink. He kisses her nose tip, her forehead, her cheek... She was static.

“There, muffled,”

He winks teasingly.

Know what... She loves Horror movies now...

#((Do I think this was worth the wait? No))#((Am I ashamed by it? Yes))#((Am I going to make another one as redemption? Definitely))#((But no deadline now... ))#(( I'm sorry :c))#Ask #Oneshot #Scenario #Shu #Shuu #Shu Sakamaki #Shuu Sakamaki #Sakamaki Shuu #Sakamaki Shu #diabolik lovers #dialovers #DiabolikLovers

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raeofalbion · 4 years

Text

No shade or anything, but I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I need to be a little salty right now. So here goes. I honestly take issue with the sentiment that people only focus on the later Fable games because they’re thirsty for Reaver. It feels really dismissive of what the later games have to offer and the interesting direction the games were going in.

To preface, I love the first game. It was a beacon of escapism and joy throughout my preteen and teenage years; I played it so much that I wore out four copies before Anniversary came out. The game feels like home. Almost sixteen years on and the game is still beautiful to me--Twinblabe’s camp, Lychfield, the Northern Wastes, the way the sun sets over Oakvale, the peace of Barrow Fields? Gorgeous, stunning. I can, and do, get lost in all the woods and caves every time I play. The humour’s fantastic, the creatures are scary. The nymphs still give me nightmares. Whisper and Briar Rose still give me heart eyes; all the characters are just so good. Yes, including the Guildmaster (he just wants you to be safe and to eat a healthy diet! <3). And Jack of Blades is honestly one of my favourite villains of all time. But. The reason it’s not my favourite game in the series mainly has to do with the fact that it’s a fantasy game set in a medieval world...in a literal sea of fantasy games set in medieval worlds. And that it’s the first in a series that continued to get better.

Fable II’s aesthetic is probably my favourite game aesthetic of all time. The soft, inspiring wonder of when you first leave the camp; the balance of very dark, unsettling themes, classic lit, and uplifting bursts of hope and warmth from a lot of the people you meet along the way--just really well done over all. I love that the protagonist and the antagonist are coming from the same viewpoint of “I lost my family and I’m going to do something about it”; I love even more that Lucien serves as a warning of what you might become throughout the game and that you can actually choose to act as he intended to by the time you reach the end of the game. The growth of the world and changes in lore are really interesting and I’ll never be over how stunning Bower Lake, Bloodstone, and Oakfield are in the shifting light as time changes. Or how eerie and sad Wrathmarsh and Rookridge are. The Heroes as a whole have such great, strong personalities and their interactions are wonderful; and Theresa has a grandeur and mysteriousness to her in this game that makes her difficult to not be somewhat fascinated in.

While I’m well aware some elements of Fable III are rushed and somewhat lacking, it really doesn’t lessen the game for me. The storyline’s nice and watching what effect your choices have on the gamestate (when you’re evil, specifically) is always gives me a lot of pause and things to think about. The characters, again, are fantastic and Walter is among the best mentors in gaming. Logan felt realistic and sympathetic without negating any of the damage he’s done and all of your allies have really well-defined motivations and personalities that don’t feel cookie-cutter or tacked on. The Crawler is genuinely scary and I’m still very much unnerved by his intro mission (and I still tear up at the end). But, above all, it’s just genuinely fun. Does it have the depth of the other games? No. Is it any less fun or entertaining than the rest of the series for it? Nope. It’s still a joy to play.

I know a lot of people didn’t care about the Journey and didn’t get a chance to play Legends, but they’re also really good and worthy of being talked about. The Journey had a fascinating storyline that filled in a lot of gaps in lore, explained character motivations, and seemed to suggest a new era of Heroes were about to come to the series. It was also beautiful, had probably the most cohesive storylines in the series, and was great fun--I’m really hoping it comes to gamepass with the upgrade to use a controller to play instead of Kinect because I’d really love to play it more. Legends was honestly one of the most visually beautiful games I’ve ever played...I can’t think of anything bad to say about it, actually (and this is with all the glitches and bugs and occasional bad matches in mind). It was just genuinely great fun and a delight to play. The storylines all were well written and had a nice flow and kept me both intrigued and emotionally invested (despite how difficult that is to do in a game where the characters and the people controlling the characters change often). The characters were all witty, charming, and easy to like; the villains were immensely enjoyable and the minor enemies were really great. The tone tended to vary from “light and fun” to “legitimately terrifying” depending on how good a player your match’s villain was and I could have easily sunk into that game like a warm bath for the next ten years if Microsoft would have allowed us to.

The series has so much to offer and it’s been really great to see the growth of the writing team throughout the years--the stories and the world have only gotten richer and more interesting over the years. The characters continue to be vibrant and more enjoyable to have as companions. That is in large part due to how good the first game was (you can’t build a good series without a good foundation), but it’s also a sign of how good the other games were. The devs have clearly put a lot of love and effort into the games and it really shows. The fact that they were willing to explore different time periods in a fantasy setting is a very rare thing that I’m grateful for--I wish more games would do it. So, to bring this to an end, do I like Reaver? Yes. Is he anywhere near the main reason I like the later games in the series? No. I love the later games because they’re fantastic games and I love the series as a whole. Don’t do other fans, or the games themselves, a disservice just because of one character.

TL;DR: Reducing the series to “people only like the later games because they’re horny” undermines the uniqueness and storytelling of the later games and how much the series had potential to grow. If you’re upset your favourite game isn’t talked about more, maybe you should consider making more content for it. We would love to see it! This fandom’s always begging for more content, make something, effect a change, don’t demean others for what they enjoy.

#Fable #really long post #sorry mobile users #I’m sorry I’m grumpy but this really does annoy me #I have been in this fandom too long and I’m honestly tired #I don’t get why y’all feel it’s necessary to demonise other people’s likes just cuz you don’t like a specific character #or why you’ve got to say it makes other things less just because you don’t care for them #also why tf do people keep blaming negative aspects of this series on Reaver?#he’s one dude in the midst of a series full of people and an exploration on what morality and choice means #y’all give him too much credit for things beyond his scope #and honestly with the way y’all who ‘hate’ him keep dragging him into every conversation about the series...I have questions #anyway I’m done; I’m chill now #my discourse for the year is done #we are re-commencing with soft Rae hours now

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lovelyloveylou · 4 years

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Sōgyо nо Kоtоwаri, Minаzuki, and Nоzаrashi for kenpachi! :3

Ahhhh thanks so much for asking! This got, uh, very long, because I apparently can not be brief when it comes to Kenny. Whoops! Still I’m very glad to talk about him so thanks again!!! Under the cut for the sheer length of my rambling

Sōgyо nо Kоtоwаri: Who confesses first? How fast does the other party return them? How strong do they return them initially?

Kenpachi was the one to confess! He’d already been thinkin about it for a bit and figured he might as well. Worst thing that could happen was she said no, yeah? And a pressing circumstance made him realize he’d regret it forever if he didn’t at least mention how he felt. Etsuko returned his feelings pretty much immediately, though she was a little surprised he felt for her the way she felt for him~ She’d been pretty head over heels for him for almost two years at that point so their romantic relationship was established in that moment of confession!

This might be the incentive I needed to get around to posting that confession fic cx

Minаzuki: When you’re hurt, how does your f/o go about helping you? Are very soft and caring or are they a bit unconventional? How far will they go to make you feel better?

This depends entirely on how Etsuko got hurt, though most of his responses are in the realm of practical with a few situations warranting a more unconventional or gentle approach.

If she’s got a training injury she needs help tending he won’t mind wrapping it for her, though she can expect him to holler on and on about how she shoulda seen that blow coming from a mile away along with other teasing. It’s the same for if she’s got a cooking mishap, he’ll grab ice for a burn or a bandaid for a cut and gripe about her being clumsy, if she trips and scrapes her knee he’s liable to tell her to rub some dirt in it and move on but if she complains he’ll carry her the rest of the way to their destination. He’ll probably carry her anyway but insist it’s cause she’s too slow and not that he’s worried at all. All along the way in all these circumstances he’s willing to help with quick maintenance and usually ribs her as a way of taking her mind off the immediate pain, he won’t coddle her in these situations but he will distract her.

If she gets really, seriously hurt during a battle the best way he sees of helping in most circumstances is making sure her opponent is no longer breathing. If there’s other folks around to get her clear of the battlefield he’ll finish up her fight for her and make sure the offending party can’t hurt her again. Afterwards he’s not the best nurse but he’ll stay with her, keeping her company at the fourth is a good excuse to skip out on paperwork anyhow he’ll insist, denying completely that he’s any level of worried. He’ll listen to her read and distract her with as much inane conversation as he can stand and when she’s clear to be back home but on bed rest he’ll send other members of the squad out to get the things she requests to keep her comfortable and happy.

If she’s emotionally hurt that’s when the tenderness comes out a bit. He’s not super great at it but there’s also very few things that make him more uncomfortable than seeing her sad and the want to comfort her comes out strong and sudden. He’s straight forward in these instances, asks her outright what she needs from him, and most often it’s just his company she desires. He holds her then, holds her and assures her that he’ll be there for as long as she needs and a long time after. These times are also one of the few where Kenpachi will cook and put effort into it. Cooking for others is one of her main love languages and having that returned means so much.

In short, it can sometimes appear that he does the bare minimum to provide comfort when she’s hurting but if you’re well versed in Kenpachi’s mannerisms and love languages it’s easy to see he’s willing to do quite a lot to make sure she’s okay.

Nоzаrashi: How long have you and your f/o known each other? How often are you two together? DId you two realize how deep your relationship is at first? If not, how did you realize?

Ahh I’m gonna answer this in two parts, one for me and one for Etsuko. For me myself I’ve known and loved Kenpachi for 13 years which is wild to think about and say but yeah cx I watched Bleach near obsessively when I was small and when he first appeared in the English dub I was immediately intrigued by his character design and then later absolutely smitten with all facets of him~ I’ve had characters to ship with him all through these 13 years, the most recent being Etsuko, and I think sometime around 2009, when the highlight of an anime convention was getting a picture with a Kenpachi cosplayer, was when I realized I was well and truly sunk for this man. It’s something that’s only been reaffirmed again and again with time as no matter where my interests go he’s still always there!

Now, as for Etsuko, as of Bleach episode 1 she’d know Kenpachi for two years! She fell for him a year or so into knowing him and then the confession happened almost a year later, so three years in. By the end of the series they’ve known each other for 15 years, have been together for 12, and married for 10~ They’re together pretty constantly, even before they’re together. She’s his fourth seat and, along with Yumichika, does the brunt of the squad paperwork. A lot of that work includes tracking him down and making him sign things and she refuses to just leave the paperwork with him because he will just leave it. This work time tends to meld into down time if Etsuko lets her guard down and suddenly it’s been four hours and only half the work got done before they both ended up sprawled out for a nap or she started making them a snack and it turned into “time to try three new recipes cause Ken is here and he’ll give me an honest opinion but also still eat it with me if it sucks”. Neither of them realized how deep their feelings ran initially but Etsuko remembers quite vividly what did it for her.

It was a really innocuous moment, a morning in the spring. The sun was bright, the room was cold, Kenpachi was warm and asleep beside her and when she looked at him she had this moment, this feeling where she realized “oh. I’d like to wake up like this forever.” It was a little overwhelming honestly and she ended up turning over cause she didn’t want him to wake up and catch her blushing. She said “I love you” for the first time later that day and almost combusted on the spot!

(This is another fic I should go on and post cx)

#princess and the powerhouse #captain of my heart #lou answers #lovely friends ask #self shipping #self ship ask game #it is so weird to think ive been in love with kenpachi for 13 years #but also its the most natural thing in the world cx #I'm love him 💕💕💕#so much!!!

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marvel-lucy · 5 years

Text

The Walking Disaster, chapter 6

This went a bit awry, it was supposed to feature a naked Steve thanks to @amandarosemire but that’ll have to wait until chapter 7 because, like the main character, I don’t know when to shut up. Sorry. Please note, gif is actually plot-relevant!

All chapters are on the Walking Disaster Masterlist

Sometimes you just have to own it. Hold your arms up to the universe and say ‘yes this is me. I’m the one who didn’t think to open her door and walk down the hall, but instead teetered along a rusty fire escape then fell face first through the window of my crush. Hi. Nice to meet you.’

It takes a moment to sink in, what he’s said. I gawp down at the keys in my hand, the window, and Steve’s face, as he struggles to catch his breath, then it hits, and I giggle, then I snigger, then I see Steve crack up again and I let out an undignified snort and lose it. It’s not even that funny but there are days when the stars align and something ridiculous becomes the thing that will make you laugh randomly in a library three months later when it pops into your head. This was one of those times.

Eventually of course, we get to the gasping stage, then the hiccupping stage, then the sort of awkward sigh, then we’re both sitting there on the floor. I’d like to say we then start talking, move in together, and have adorable children, but instead I stand up and smile.

‘So, thanks for letting me use your apartment. I won’t say it’s not a regular occurrence, locking myself out, but I promise not to climb through your window more than, say, once a week?’

‘Mi ventana es tu ventana.’ Oh, he speaks Spanish. Nope, that does make him at all 100% sexier, definitely not. Oh Dios mío…

I pick up my bag, and he kindly picks up my basket so I can open my door with my keys, trying to pretend I can’t see him grinning as I do. Once I’m inside my apartment, I sort of give him a wave, and start to shut the door, when he puts his arm out, and stops it.

‘Um, would you want to get a coffee later?’

I blink, completely stupefied. Mr Beautiful is asking the perfect storm of caffeine-tsunamis for a coffee?

‘Never mind, sorry, don’t worry…’ he backs away, cheeks flushed, and I realise I’ve paused too long.

‘No, wait, Steve. Yeah, that’d be nice. Just maybe bring an umbrella, just in case?’

If you saw the way his face lit up, you’d almost believe he really wants to spend time with me. Maybe he just needs me to sign some disclaimer before he uploads the video somewhere. He gives me a kind of thumbs up, says ‘half an hour?’ and disappears back into his apartment.

I am not getting my hopes up. I am not. The fact I spend 15 minutes of the next half an hour sorting through my laundry for the right ‘it’s Sunday and I’ve made no effort, but I just look this cute anyway!’ outfit is irrelevant. It turns out I don’t own that anyway. I own work clothes (boring, corporate-y, need ironing) and non-work clothes (comfy, stretchy, probably also need ironing but don’t get it). I pick the least worst, and text Nat. Then I spend another 5 minutes trying to arrange my hair to cover my eyebrow, but in a sexy peekaboo way. What I manage is to look as if I’ve glued my bangs to my eyelid with hair gel. Because I have. Then I text Nat again. Then I spend another five minutes scrubbing my hair with a wash cloth to get the gel out, and then rubbing it with a towel so it does look wet, then combing it and praying. Then I text Nat. The last five minutes is spent putting my shoes on (the right feet), texting Nat, finding my purse (in the fridge), texting Nat, pacing up and down fanning myself so I don’t look red, texting Nat, and then opening the door to Steve’s knock, with my best casual ‘oh I’ve just been reading Dostoevsky for the last 30 minutes, how about you?’ nonchalant look. Nailed it. Then my phone beeps 12 times as Nat replies to all my texts. Too late to check now, I just have to hope that all her advice over the last ten years of friendship has sunk in.

I walk down the stairs with Steve, and try to remember what Nat’s said in the past. There was a lot of ‘be yourself, you’re great’ which is obviously no help. I remember ‘you’re lovely’ and ‘people like you because you’re funny and sweet’ and Jesus, has she never given me ANYthing I could use? Like, how to be her? Because that’s what I need now. I’ll just have to wing it.

We make that awkward conversation about the weather, and laundry and so on, on the walk. I want to say something funny about keys and windows and fire escapes, but I’m channeling Nat, all mysterious and sexy. I try raising one eyebrow in a knowing way, like she does, but then I remember that eyebrow is missing, so the effect is probably a little less than appealing. Then I try raising the other eyebrow, but as it turns out, I can’t get it to go up. Then I realise what I’m actually doing is randomly opening my eyes wide, and wrinkling my nose. Look you try it. Try raising one eyebrow if you can’t. See how you look. Now imagine the look on Steve’s face as he watches this. We haven’t even made it to the coffee shop and already I can see the regret in his eyes.

I try to pretend I’m just about to sneeze, and work on keeping my face very still, then realise I can’t remember what faces do normally. It’s like when you try and think about how much eye contact to make, it all goes wrong. You either stare, unblinking, or else you fixate on someone’s chin and they keep trying to duck their heads to meet your eyes… you know… don’t you? Anyway, by now conversation has died out completely and I can’t remember how faces work. So it’s kind of inevitable when Steve and I reach the coffee shop that he looks at me a bit strangely.

‘Um, are you OK? If you don’t want a coffee, you can just say, I’m just… not sure what your expressions mean…’ I sigh. I need Nat’s advice before I screw this up.

‘No, I do want to be here. I was trying to raise one eyebrow in an intriguing manner, but I couldn’t, so I tried the other, but then I realised I was being weird, and then I forgot what faces were supposed to do…’ I tail off. This is not helping me look normal.

‘Oh like when you forget how much eye contact to make?’

‘YES!’ I feel my shoulders, and my frozen face, relax. ‘Yes, Nat thought I was weird when I said I couldn’t remember, but it’s not just me!’ Steve’s face relaxes too, now he realises I’m not ‘wish I wasn’t here weird’ but just regular weird.

‘Yeah, I once screwed up a job interview because I was so intent on not staring, that I forgot to make any eye contact, and instead spoke entirely to a spot over the interviewer’s shoulder. She kept turning around to look, and I may have convinced her that her office was haunted…’

Oh god, can this man be any more perfect? This kinda breaks the ice, I have to admit. Can it be that Captain Fantastic is… a bit weird?

He takes my coffee order, and joins the line, so I go and grab a table, and use the opportunity to read Nat’s texts.

Me: Help, Steve’s asked me out for coffee after I crawled through his window (don’t ask) and how can I be cool and sexy like you so he falls for me? Go!

Nat: You crawled through his window?

Nat: Just be you! He wouldn’t have asked you for coffee if he didn’t like you

Nat: Just don’t tell him weird medical stories. Save that for date 2

Nat: Because this is date 1. Fact

Nat: Bucky agrees

Nat: I’m with Bucky. He says Steve asking someone for coffee is A BIG DEAL

Nat: Don’t try and be me. You’re great

Nat: Bucky says I’m great

Nat: I have SO much to tell you

Nat: Bucky says I can’t tell you. I’ll kill him first then tell you

Nat: Anyway, gotta go. Stuff to do. By stuff I mean Bucky

Nat: BE YOURSELF. You’re a gorgeous lovely person. Love ya

Fat lot of use that is. I mean, Steve asking me for coffee being a big deal is kinda cute and I can feel my insides go a little smushy, but basically what I get from this is Nat’s too busy canoodling to help out. ‘Be yourself’. Pfft. Thanks a bunch.

A coffee appears on the table, and I look up to see Steve sitting opposite me.

‘Everything OK?’

‘Yeah, Nat. She’s with Bucky?’

Oh god, please don’t let her ask me loads of questions about Bucky. Let me pretend for an hour that she’s not interested in him, please?

‘Ah yeah, I got a bunch of texts from him last night extolling her virtues. I told him I’d block his number if he carried on. You known her long?’

Oh god, please don’t let him be another one of those guys who wants to get to know me, to get to know Nat. Let me pretend for an hour that he’s not interested in her, please?

‘Ten years. Since uni.’ I keep it short, I don’t want to be drawn into a conversation about Nat’s favourite things and where she likes to hang out and could I just put in a good word? Apparently some days I walk around with a Nat Signal shining out of me. Ha. Nat Signal. Get it? There’s a bit of a pause in our conversation and for a moment I wonder if I said that out loud.

Steve takes a sip of his iced coffee, and I take a sip of my hot coffee. Carefully. Then lower it down to the table with extreme precision. When the cup is safely down, I give myself a little nod of approval, and look up to see Steve grinning. He mimes giving me a round of applause, and I bow. I feel so… happy.

‘So is there a reason you were trying to raise an eyebrow intriguingly? I’m intrigued.’

‘Ah, well this is where I should come up with something cute and also convincing to say, but to be honest, my brain doesn’t work that fast, and I’ll only come up with something an hour later, which is apparently called l’esprit de l’escalier in French, which means something like coming up with a witty reply half way down the stairs, and anyway, I’ve been talking this whole time to try and give my brain time to come up with something but ‘ve got nothing but the truth, so I’ll go with that, which is that I was trying to be as cool as Nat is, and she does this thing with her eyebrow that makes her look mysterious even when it really just means she wasn’t listening, but apparently my face doesn’t do that. So there’s that.’

Too much? Possibly.

‘Trepverter’

I look blank.

‘Trepverter. Staircase words. Yiddish for the same as that French you said. But… why were you trying to look like Nat?’

‘Ah.’ I take a sip of my coffee again and encourage my brain to run up and down some stairs to come up with a convincing reply. Shuffle around in my chair a bit. ‘Would you believe me if I said I was auditioning for a community theatre role as… Nat.’ He raises his eyebrow sarcastically.

‘Oh great, so you can do it too!’ I point, then contort my face in an attempt to copy it, but my brows are still firmly set. At least I won’t need botox when I’m older since apparently my face doesn’t move.

‘So?’ Damn, I thought he’d forgotten. I sigh.

‘Nat’s so cool. Everyone likes her, she’s all enigmatic and serene. I was just trying to be a bit more like her, so you’d like me.’ Those last three words are said into my coffee cup, quietly, in the hope they’re not noticed. Between the mumbling into cappuccino, and the woosh of the coffee shop, I might get away with it. I risk a look up, over the rim of my cup which is still held up to my face. Steve’s looking puzzled.

‘But I d…’

It’s possible he was going to say ‘I do like you’. It’s not that out there right? I mean, it could have been ‘but I don’t like you’, sure. It could have been ‘but I dance flamenco on Tuesdays’ or ‘but I do fondue’ but he could have been going to say he liked me. But the man sitting at the table behind me took that moment to stand up. He shoved his chair back a little too vigorously, which hit the back of my chair, which knocked me forwards, which threw my cup of coffee – please note, not just the coffee, but the cup - across the table, which hit Steve full force in the nose. His voice stopped and the cup clattered to the table, and coffee dripped slowly down his shirt as a red line swelled across his nose.

And that’s the story of why I’m never drinking coffee again. Because 2 out of 2 times, it’s not ended well for me and Steve. 100% failure rate.

Like I say, Starbucks employees are really nice at giving you ice for your injuries. So we walk back to the apartment, with Steve clutching a bag of ice to his nose and I say sorry in every way I can think of but he’s really quiet and I’ve completely arsed it up again, haven’t I?

She wants me to like her? Why would she want me to like her if she likes Bucky? Does she want me to put in a good word? Wait, what if… no… she can’t like me? Crap, my nose really hurts…

---

@melconnor2007 @avengerscompound @kittyslove @badassbaker@phoenix21love @lbouvet @bellenuit45 @prplprincez @gingerrootknits@pineapplebooboo @feelmyroarrrr @avengerofyourheart @eyeofdionysus @hellomissmabel @learisa @mitra-k-w @imhereforbvcky @shaddixlife @supernatural-girl97 @iwillbeinmynest @amrita31199 @algud @whatsbetterthanfantasy @pixierox101 @edward-lover18 @madcheshire89 @heartfulloffandoms @chipilerendi @kenya-17 @mckorni32843 @amandarosemire @rda89 @nyxveracity @sea040561 @mrsalh32611 @ruinerofcheese @callmebucky-doll @vintagepigeon @bubbasmom @sassycanoodler @ladylorelitany @natcad @thisismysecrethappyplace @geeksareunique @mywinterwolf @moderapoppins @rinthehufflepuff @holyfuckloueh @onebatch--twobatch @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory @patzammit @procrastinatingart1st

#bucky barnes au #bucky barnes x ofc #marvel au #marvel fanfic

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darkmindsthinktwistedthoughts · 5 years

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One Song

It is my real-life Tiny one’s birthday in a few days and as many have already worked out I married a real-life Yuki. So here is a little short I wrote based on her birthday last year. I hope you all enjoy it ^^

Warnings: Fluff, Dad Yuki, father worries.

Masterlist

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One Song

Ueda Castle had been overrun. Everyone had thought that since their Lord had brought home an enemy Princess for a bride that things would get a bit interesting and naturally, they had been. Regular visits from the enemy happened as warlords came calling at staggered intervals to see the Princess. She called them family and it was clear they all doted on her in their own way. Lord Yukimura for his part was always a little nervous when the Oda visited. Well, nervous was perhaps the wrong word. He was definitely on edge. Just because he had their “sister” for a bride didn’t mean they weren’t out to get him. If anything, the fact he was the one to steal her away from them probably gave them more motive to try it.

Even when his allied Daimyo’s came to visit it was clear that whilst they did indeed have business with Lord Yukimura, they were also taking advantage of the fact that they too could see the young woman. Shingen and Yoshimoto had her surrounded while Kenshin watched over them and occasionally liberated her from their clutches under the guise of wanting to talk to her without their sickening behaviour interfering.

Still, nothing that transpired during those first few years could have prepared Yukimura for this. This was the worst case of assault on a fortified building he had ever seen and he HAD seen plenty of battles. Wave after wave of people arrived fully burdened with expensive and intricately wrapped ornate bundles. Everywhere he looked there was something placed in the castle and he even considered the possibility he would have to build some new rooms to gain space if this continued. He felt grateful for the kindness but completely overwhelmed as he looked around the main hall and scratched his head. How did this all happen exactly?

“That’s some more just arrived.” Sasuke called out from the door as he entered the room a large wooden crate draped in cloth in his arms.

“What!? Seriously what are they trying to do to me here? It’s like they took the word ceasefire and decided to turn it into a totally different kind of battle.” Yukimura heaved a heavy sigh, knitting his brow as he looked around the room again. It already felt crowded and there weren’t any people here yet.

“It does seem that way doesn’t it?” Sasuke balanced the crate and adjusted his glasses as he joined his best friend looking around at the piles of coloured gifts. His expressionless face was as unreadable as ever but Yukimura could tell that he was in fact very happy.

“You are such a weirdo you know that? Who’s it from this time?”

“I think this is from Kenshin. But I shall go and place it in a different room.” Sasuke looked down at the cloth covering the delivery in his arms as if pondering something.

“Why?”

“It might be better suited in the armoury.” His tone was conflicted as he gave the contents of the box a shake. Heavy sounding metallic clunks came from within. Sasuke was a pacifist to his core but it was clear there was a kind of nostalgic amusement underlying in his words as he remembered his former Lord and master.

“Oh, for the love of—I don’t know what’s worse. The fact he buys her those things of the fact that she seems to adore them so much.” Yukimura brought his large hand up to his face, covering his own mouth with his palm and dragging it down to his jaw. He could feel his agitation building as he remembered a few years ago when Kenshin had presented the Little Princess with a fine decorative dagger and the little one’s eyes had practically popped out of her tiny head.

“To be fair Lord Kenshin has a rather keen eye for craftsmanship for weapons and swords in particular.” Sasuke interjected. He had received his own weapons from Kenshin after he was told he was finally good enough to be one of his ninjas. He remembered how the weight of a real blade was different from the training weapons, or maybe it was the fact that they came with a higher chance of certain death.

“I didn’t say they weren’t good. Put them where you think best Sasuke, she can have them when she’s old enough.”

“Well, I never thought I’d hear the day when you’d say something like that. Although something tells me you are never going to believe your little Princess is big enough to handle a weapon.” The familiar happy voice of his beloved came from behind them and they both turned towards her. The smile on her face lit up a room just as easily, if not better than any lamp or candle.

“Don’t be an idiot I’m not going to raise a defenceless dummy. I just don’t want her hurting herself before she can get her coordination together.” Yukimura attempted to strongly outline his future plans in an effort to ignore how his wife still had this hold on him. One where he could just feel his words becoming lost.

“He’s really not honest.” Sasuke smiled leaning towards the Princess conspiratorially. Yukimura felt a rush of childishness run through him watching his best friend and his wife whispering to each other. Her laughter that brought him so much peace rattling him to his core as she giggled with her friend.

“Did you say something Sasuke?” His voice came out frigid, as cold as a north wind promising snow in February.

“Me? No nothing at all. I’ll go put these weapons of potential accidental harm away safely. Excuse me.” Sasuke maintained his smile, teasing his friend as he left the room leaving them alone.

“That guy…” Yukimura’s eyes followed the ninja as he left. His expression seemed to match that of a brother observing a fleeing sibling. They loved each other, there was a bond. But that didn’t mean that they would never attempt to punch their lights out if they had too.

“Hey now.” His wife reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder that nearly made him jump. Tilting her head, she looked up at him. “You know you should relax more you’ll live longer.”

“Relax? How am I meant to do that? The castle looks like its been turned into a festival market, someone managed to order the wrong things for the kitchen so they’ve had to try to change the menu. And on top of all of that, we have everyone arriving tomorrow and you just know that’s going to be like watching a Kabuki performance made up entirely with tigers and wolves.” Yukimura was flapping his arms about and counting things off of on his fingers as he ticked them off from a mental list he had been formulating.

“Cats and dogs”

“Same thing.” He spun on his heel and faced her. His eyes were betraying the flustered mess he knew he was deep down despite the calm exterior he was attempting to maintain.

“Sweetheart.” His wife chuckled placing both of her hands this time either side of his face, forcing him to hold her gaze. “We have this same pantomime every year and every year it's fine. All of the guys from Azuchi make some sort of snide comment at the others and before swords are drawn, we point out that the last thing Hoshi wouldn’t wish to see is her Uncles killing each other on her birthday. What is really the problem?” He felt his heart slow from a gallop to a trot as her words sunk in.

“Nothing…” He muttered shaking himself free from her hands and looking back at the ever-growing pile of gifts.

“That isn’t the face of someone with a nothing kind of problem.”

“She’s –”

“What was that?” She pushed knowing he was embarrassed by something and this was the only way to get the stubborn man to tell her straight. Shingen had once told her Yuki needed a strong hand and a strong woman to guide him and she had experienced first hand how true those words had been many times. He was the most loyal and honest man she had ever met. He was her best friend and she knew she was blessed to be able to say she had married him. Still, there were times he was like a frustratingly childish boy and he could enter the Olympics if they had them for his ability to put his foot in his mouth.

“She’s five. She’s already five and every time I go away, I hardly recognised her when I come back. She just grew so much.” His ears were turning red as he elaborated. It was probably cruel to do it but she couldn’t help but giggle at the sight.

“Ha-ha, that’s kind of what kids do.”

“I know that Dummy! I just… I wanted a bit more time with her before she forgets me.” He bent to pick up a wooden toy, distracting himself with it as he twisted the different parts on it. He usually looked tall and strong and right not it was beyond endearing to see him seem so small and unsure over something so totally adorable.

“Forgets you? Yukimura how could she forget her own father? She adores you.” She shook her head not daring to step closer to him again at the moment. If she did that he was very likely to get defensive.

“That’s what girls do right? They grow up and then forget about their dads. Just go running around with their friends and that’s it.” He replaced the toy stroking it with his fingertip. His kindness and affection had always been a little clumsy.

“Who on earth told you--? Mitsuhide… I wondered what he had told you the last time he visited. No wonder you looked like you had just sucked a pickled plum.” She knew he loved his daughter. From the moment she had placed her in his arms and he had panicked he was going to break her. She knew he was the proudest and happiest father. Ignoring her previous idea to stay back she just wrapped her arms around him from behind hugging him close. “Yuki… She won’t just forget you. Yes, she will have friends and go play with them and hang out with them but while she will have a lot of those. But she only has one Daddy and you are her hero.” She could feel him tense for a fraction of a second inside her arms. “And mine too. How could she forget about you when I can’t?”

“Why you—come here.” He gruffly turned enveloping her in his arms and scent, pressing her head into his firm chest.

“Eh… I would kind of like to breathe you know?”

“Shut up.”

---

Later that night as he returned to their shared room, he passed the door to his daughter’s room. He could hear a faint song and drew closer to the door to listen.

“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. How I wonder what you are…”

He smiled recognising the song his wife had taught her that apparently came from the future. It fitted their little star perfectly. She was so bright and happy. He knew he would do anything to protect that innocence and smile just as he would do the same for his beloved.

“…Up above the world so bright. Like a diamond in the night. Twinkle, Twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.”

“That was beautiful little one.”

Yukimura had considered moving on as the song was over but the sound of his wife with their child made him stop. He knew it was wrong to eavesdrop and he had already told Hoshi several times it was not polite to do so. Still, he just couldn’t help himself.

“I’m sure all your Uncles will love it.”

“Yeah…”

“What’s wrong? Are you sleepy?

“No.”

“That is exactly the kind of thing sleepy Princesses say right before they fall asleep.” “Goodnight sweetheart. Tomorrow is a big day, get some sleep.”

“Ok mummy.”

Realising his wife was about to leave he quickly back-peddled so he was hiding behind a pillar. It was bad enough he had been listening in but to be caught in the act would have been worse. He watched as his wife left the room checking the door was closed securely before walking a little further and entering theirs. He gave it a few minutes before quietly following.

---

As predicted the gathered men had attempted to start a fight several times since arriving and greeting each other at the castle. For today at least it was considered to be completely neutral ground and after a few reminders, interjections and minor threats from Sasuke, his wife and himself things had settled down.

Hoshi was sitting in the centre of a mountain of gifts. New kimono, tea sets, calligraphy equipment, art supplies and games were scattered along with piles of sweets and candies. Yukimura made a mental note to move those to the higher shelves in the kitchen just in case.

Whilst they are shared a drink and smiled watching the little girl the newly 5-year-old stood up. Her back was straight as a spear and she cleared her throat in a way that made a few laugh as it resembled Shingen moments before he said something so smooth it made you wonder how he kept a straight face.

“I think the little Princess would like to thank you all for her presents now. She prepared a song.” His wife spoke out in a subtle call for silence and attention over the group. Something only she seemed capable of doing, because the moment anyone else tried to wrangle the men into formation all hell descended.

“How delightful.” Yoshimoto commented as a few approving nods were exchanged.

“I’ll allow it.” Nobu had that regal smirk on his face. The one that looked like a lion that had just been given a bag of catnip. Something Shingen couldn’t let go.

“Allow what? It’s not your castle.”

“Let’s let the little one give her performance shall we?” Mitsuhide smoothly interjected taking not of the little girl’s growing nerves.

“I for one can’t wait to see it.”

“It has to be better than watching Mitsunari spill everything.”

“If you are having a hard time remaining silent, I could assist you.” Kenshin slid his hand to his katana.

“No Lord Kenshin. No swords.”

“Hmph”

“Go on Sweetheart.” Encouraged by her mother the little girl took a deep breath and began to sing.

“Twinkle, Twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.” Her small voice was clear even if it did waver a little out of key.

“Oh gosh, she’s so damn cute.”

“Masa are you going to cry?”

“Of course not!”

“Up above the world so bright. Like a diamond in the night. Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are. Thank you for all my gifts.” Hoshi gave a small clumsy bow that almost looked as if she was going to topple forward and land on her head.

“Such a charming little girl.”

“That’s my niece.” Nobunaga declared.

“Why do you get to lay claim to her?”

“Easy her mother is my lucky charm.”

“That lucky charm happens to be MY wife and that is my daughter.” Yukimura’s voice carried even over Nobunaga’s in the room. Suddenly every sound vanished and all eyes had turned to him. Realising all too late that the agitation her had felt building up in him for that last few days had reached a snap point he wanted nothing more than to have the ground open up beneath him. But showing weakness was dangerous. It cost lives not just your own but of all those around you and he was not stupid enough to allow that to happen. He held his original glare against the devil king in the silent room wondering who would break the silence.

“Daddy…?”

“Yeah?” Yukimura looked at his little princess who had come to his side and was gently tugging on his sleeve.

“Did you like my song?”

“Of course, I did kid. I love it when you sing. I also love it when you’re smiling and laughing too. Why do you ask?”

“B’cos. I don’t really mind if no one else likes my song as long as you do.” Her words were fragile like thin ice near an open fire. But they were more than loud enough for everyone in the room to hear them.

“C’mere Princess. You can sing for me any time you like.” Yukimura scooped up his daughter. His previous embarrassment forgotten along with those seedlings of fear and doubt for the future.

“I only know one song though.”

“That’s fine. I like that one song best. Because it’s yours.”

---

A/N: Hoshi got her name thanks to the desire of both parents wishing to name their firstborn after their mutual best friend. However after the birthing when it was revealed to be a daughter and not a son a suggestion was made to name her Star instead. As you can imagine the resident astrophysicist ninja was very happy as were both parents.

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moodyvalentinestories · 5 years

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O Thomas Hunt, Wherefore Art Thou My Professor? | Chapter 41

Summary: It’s time for… the hearing!

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Monday through Thursday passed in a blur. If anyone had asked me what I’d done the entire week, I wouldn’t have been able to give them a precise answer. I’d gone to class. I’d done my schoolwork – though sloppily, as I couldn’t focus on much except the hearing looming ahead. At some point, I’d talked to my friends, too, and I remembered them telling me everything would be all right. I hadn’t believed it then, and I still didn’t.

One thing I did know was that Hunt made good on his promise – he’d ignored me for the entire week. He hadn’t said a single word to me. Hell, he hadn’t even looked at me. Though I knew that would change sooner rather than later. He may not have been the head of the committee, but he still was a part of it. Whether that was a good or a bad thing, I had yet to find out. I assumed it was the latter, though.

So the days had come and gone, and before I knew it, it was Friday. I forced myself to get up early and put some effort into my appearance. After all, I needed to make a good impression. Yes, two of the committee members had already made up their mind, but they weren’t the only ones making the decisions. While I didn’t quite believe it, I’d hoped I would at least be able to convince them that I deserved to be here.

At exactly seven-thirty, Ethan, Addison, and I met up at the main building.

“I’ve taken care of everything,” Ethan assured me. “Lisa, Holly, and Chris will be here in time. The board has received copies of your three projects. And, should it come to that, I have tissues, too.”

Addison hit him in the arm. “Hey, a little more confidence.”

“For… tears of joy, of course,” he tried to save the situation.

I sighed. “It’s fine. I’m not deluding myself into thinking I’ll come out of this still a student at HWU.”

“Both of you, stop it. Weren’t you the ones who went out and found project number one on the very first day of finding out Rachel was on probation? Where’d that spirit go?” Addison said. “I, for one, believe in you.”

“Well, here goes nothing,” I said and we walked inside, where we took a seat outside the door.

Not too much later, Ethan and I were called into the room. Well, this was it.

First, Bianca and her friends were called in one by one to deliver their statements about me. All of it baseless accusations, of course, but Professor Singh seemed to take them by their word. Ethan, basically acting as my lawyer, and I did our best to defend me, but it didn’t seem to do a lot of good. Or maybe it did. I couldn’t exactly tell since Professor Singh’s face seemed to be made of stone and Hunt… well, he seemed strangely absent-minded. It was obvious that he would have rather been anywhere else than here in this room.

When Bianca’s entourage had all given their statements, Professor Singh announced that it was now time to bring in the industry professionals who would vouch for me.

“First, the defence calls Lisa Valentine to the stand,” Ethan proclaimed.

“Mr Blake, this is not a courtroom,” Professor Singh said, clearly done with Ethan’s antics. “Just… let her in.”

Someone opened the door and the pink-haired singer entered the room. I assumed Lisa looked more like what Professor Singh had anticipated I’d look like than I did. I started to worry that she wouldn’t accept her testimony. Ethan noticed me getting more nervous.

“She’s been in the industry since she was a child,” he reminded me. “She’s definitely an ‘industry professional’.”

So Lisa was asked to tell the committee about my character and work ethic, which she did. She told them I had been easy to work with and that she’d quite enjoyed it. It was clear to me that Professor Singh didn’t much care for Lisa’s opinion of me, but she took notes nonetheless. I just hoped they were good ones.

Next up was Chris. He, like Lisa, only said good things about me as a professional but was also able to go more into detail about my character. I may not have entirely agreed with everything he said, but I appreciated that he did his best to make me look good.

“One more question, Mr Winters,” Professor Singh said once Chris was done with his statement. I got a queasy feeling. “I have heard rumours you were more than just friendly with Miss Fields. Which, of course, would cloud your judgement. Is there any truth to those rumours?”

Oh no. Oh hell no.

“Absolutely not,” Chris said. This statement made Hunt straighten up. Great. Now he decided to pay attention? Just… great.

I looked at Hunt intently. Was he going to say something? He would have to, right? His eyes met mine for a split second, but he looked away immediately. Crap.

But he didn’t say anything. He kept quiet. I assumed he didn’t want to reveal he knew or, worse, cared about my personal life.

And I was thankful. Not only for his silence but also for helping me out before. Had there been any photos, any proof, everything could have gone to shit.

“Good. We will move on, then. Thank you for your time, Mr Winters.”

Chris got up and left but not before giving me a reassuring smile. I smiled back, but it probably wasn’t all that believable.

“Next, we’re bringing up Holly Chang,” Ethan said as Holly walked into the room.

“Who?” Professor Singh asked and my heart sunk.

“Holly Chang,” she said. “I wrote the script for Triangulaire.”

“Which doesn’t make you an industry professional. What other screen credits are on your resume, Ms Chang?”

“Well…” Holly said. “I…”

“She wrote Permanent Wound,” Ethan jumped in. “That makes her a legend!”

“More like a cautionary tale,” Professor Singh said. “Permanent Wound is most famous for never being made!”

“Only because no one was worthy of making it!” Holly exclaimed.

“Duly noted. But it is the decision of this board that Ms Chang is not an industry professional.”

Finally, finally, Hunt said something. Though he didn’t get far. “With all due respect, Priya–”

“Silence. This is my final decision.”

“We… we request a brief recess to find someone else,” Ethan stuttered. I hadn’t thought anything would rattle him. Then again, no one could have expected this. Not even Hunt, apparently!

“There are no breaks, Mr Blake. If there is no one else, the board will have no choice but to–”

“Article 42-f!” Ethan said.

“What was that?”

“Article 42-f of the university bylaws? It states a thirty-minute break must be allowed for lunch.”

Professor Singh thought it over for a few moments. “Very well. You’ve got half an hour. I suggest you use it wisely.”

“Thank you, Professor Singh,” I said. Not that it would make much of a difference. But at least she was giving me a chance.

Ethan and I left the room and were met with a confused Addison. “Is it over already?”

I shook my head. “But it might as well be. Professor Singh didn’t accept Holly as an industry professional and now… we’re one short.”

“But you’ve worked with so many people… I’m sure we can find someone! Scarlett, maybe? Or someone else if she’s not available. We have to at least try.”

“I don’t think–”

“Rachel, please. Don’t give up yet.”

She was right. I couldn’t just give up like that. Not when I’d been given a chance.

“Alright. Let’s call everyone we know who might be able to help,” I said and started dialling the first number.

Unfortunately, my enthusiasm didn’t last long. Call after call either went to voicemail or, if I was lucky enough to get someone on the phone, they told me there was no way they could make it. By the time the thirty minutes were up, I still hadn’t found anyone.

“I suppose this is it then,” I said. “I’m going to miss you guys.”

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Tags: @silversparrow02 @hopelessromantic1352 @alleksa16

#professor hunt #hollywood u #hollywood u: rising stars #Thomas Hunt #wherefore art thou my professor #rachel #hwu #hwu hunt

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engekihaikyuu · 6 years

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Hyper Projection Engeki Haikyuu - The Strongest Team

Stage Grand Prix Vol. 5 Interview with Kosaka Ryoutarou and Miura Kairi

Full interview translation under the Read More! Please do not repost this translation, and please do not repost my scans.

The two of you have been playing Tsukishima Kei and Yamaguchi Tadashi for three years now, but what were your impressions of each other when you first met?

Kairi: Actually, the very first time we met, I didn’t have a very good impression of him at all (laughs). At the auditions, I thought, wow there’s a crazy noisy* guy here. That turned out to be Ryoutarou. Then at our introductory meeting, when it had been a while since we’d last met, I thought, “Uwahh, this guy’s Tsukishima!” And I was a little worried actually as to whether or not he could play him and play him well (laughs).

Ryoutarou: Well, at the place where we had auditions, I saw someone I knew so I was just talking to him was all! Since my acquaintance was auditioning for Yamaguchi too, I had said to him, “It’d be nice if we could both be cast.” But when I saw Kairi’s acting, I had a hunch like, “It’ll be this guy for sure.” He was the only one that had this totally different atmosphere to him, because he was bright while being ordinary.

Kairi: Really? I was actually really nervous though... (laughs).

Ryoutarou: Well I didn’t get that feeling at all! That’s why when I saw you again at the introductory meeting, I thought to myself, “I knew it.”

*Funnily enough, the word Kairi uses to describe Ryoutarou from auditions is うるさい (urusai), the same word Tsukki always uses with Yamaguchi to tell him to shut up or to say that he’s being too loud.

Do you remember if there was anything in particular that helped close the distance between the two of you?

Kairi: I think it was when we happened to be going home together? We were talking about all sorts of things, and I realized that we actually had a lot of things in common.

Ryoutarou: Yeah yeah! We’re the same age, born in the same place. And on top of that, in our school years, we did the same extracurricular activities. I remember when we just instinctively high-fived each other on the roadside (laughs).

Kairi: It was then that we suddenly felt like kindred spirits. In one go, my impression of him had changed to a good one (laughs).

Is that what happened? Well from meeting each other to now three years later, how do you feel about each other now?

Ryoutarou: Kairi might seem like he’s easygoing, but he’s actually really serious and diligent. He’s like that with his acting too, and I think he’s a deeply passionate person.

Kairi: What I think is great about Ryoutarou is, he’s so casual with everyone he meets. I think it’s amazing that he can always say what he thinks to anyone regardless of their experience or their age compared to his. ...I’m kind of embarrassed now (laughs).

Ryoutarou: Also, Kairi gets along with everyone really quickly, and that’s great. It’s easy for the senpai to like him too. It must be nice to have such a likable* face. Since I have a tendency to be seen as cheeky on a first impression, I’m jealous!

Kairi: Well if you’re gonna say that, then I’m jealous of Ryoutarou’s height (laughs).

*The particular word Ryoutarou uses to describe Kairi’s face means a face that inspires others to like him. It has connotations of being charming, attractive, polite, and entertaining.

Talking with you this much, I can really feel how well the two of you get along. Incidentally, when you muster up the full force of everyone in Karasuno, what’s that atmosphere like?

Kairi: It feels exactly like you’re in a school club. Usually we’re really unruly, but we get serious when we need to! When we switch on, it’s like the atmosphere changes completely. We’re good friends but we’re also all rivals, so it’s not just fun, there’s a good sense of competition too.

Ryoutarou: Our leader is definitely Kenta-kun. Since the two of us are the youngest, in the beginning he was constantly guiding us along, but now we’ve gotten to the point where we can even argue with our senpai too.

Where do the two of you stand when compared with the other Karasuno cast members?

Kairi: Ryoutarou’s gradually become the clown, I think (laughs). I’m the opposite, I’m more the one that watches over everyone from a little ways away.

Ryoutarou: It’s true, you do watch over us! But when it’s just the two of us, you’re assertive almost like you’re taking charge, so why?

Kairi: Because at rehearsals we have a mass of clowns (laughs). You’re the main one, but everyone’s always trying to get a laugh out of everyone else!

A mass of clowns (laughs). Miura-san, does Kosaka-san try to make you laugh too?

Kairi: I was sitting in front of the mirror, and Ryoutarou came up behind me and suddenly stripped (laughs). Then he started posing like a bodybuilder! Even though he’s so lanky (laughs). That was pretty hilarious.

Ryoutarou: I remember that (laughs). But Kairi too, even though he’s always so cool before we go up on-stage, patting my shoulder and going, “Let’s break a leg,” the second we get on-stage he becomes all, “Tsukki, Tsukki!” and I think that’s pretty funny.

Kairi: But that’s the part I have to play so there’s no helping that! Don’t lump that in the same category as your nonsense (laughs).

With the upcoming tour, “The Strongest Team,” we turn toward the graduation of the Karasuno cast. Would you please tell us how you feel about that, frankly speaking?

Kairi: Generally speaking, I’m sad. Especially for me and Ryoutarou both, Engeki Haikyuu is our first full-scale play. This production is my starting point and my home. When I think that I’ll be losing a place I’ve always been able to return to... But honestly, it still hasn’t really sunk in.

Ryoutarou: Right now we’re switched over all our emotions to focusing on the play, but when I first heard about our graduation, I honestly couldn’t really believe it... I can’t really imagine how I’ll be once the tour actually ends, but I think that Kairi and I will both cry a lot.

Kairi: Of course we’ll cry! But in actuality, I wonder how it’ll turn out...?

Ryoutarou: But, anyway right now, let’s think about how we need to see “The Strongest Team” through to the end!

Kairi: Ryoutarou, that was a nice answer!

Engeki Haikyuu is a very precious place for the both of you. To the two of you, what sort of presence is Suga Kenta, who’s served as the cast leader for these three years?

Kairi: When I first heard, “Suga Kenta will be auditioning,” I had a lot of mixed feelings. I mean, I had no experience acting, I was basically the same as an amateur, but my competition was the famous Suga Kenta? I’m definitely no match for him, and it was almost frustrating... But when I actually saw Kenta-kun’s acting, those feelings just sort of flew away. Because he just towered over the rest of us. And then when I first met him at the introductory meeting, Kenta-kun was unbelievably modest. Even though I’m younger, he used formal speech when greeting me. When I look back, it’s because Kenta-kun was our cast leader that I could come to love the Karasuno High Volleyball Team as much as I do now.

Ryoutarou: For me, I absolutely just love Kenta-kun. We’re like family, I basically want to live with him, that’s how much. He was someone I’d always admired, so when it was decided that we’d be co-stars, I was crazy happy. With him as our leader, I could trust in him completely. How can I say it, he’s someone with an overwhelming presence. Before the curtain goes up, we always huddle everyone together in a circle, but whenever I hear Kenta-kun’s words, I feel like I gain more confidence, and I can feel that improvement on stage.

Suga-san really is a grand figure, isn’t he? Can you tell us about a time when you’ve gone out somewhere with everyone in Karasuno?

Kairi: After rehearsals we go out to eat a lot. Actually when it come to Karasuno, we don’t actually talk that much about the play at rehearsals. Rather than discussing it, first we just try moving around and acting it out. So after we all get a feel for a scene, we usually compare and adjust things over dinner.

Ryoutarou: Yeah, yeah. Our “Karasuno Parties” are where we really strengthen our relationships and our solidarity. We get pretty fired up talking about the play, but it’s also just fun messing around and laughing together with everyone!

I can just picture what it’s like when everyone gets fired up! Have you ever gone out together for fun just the two of you?

Kairi: Now that you mention it, I don’t think I’ve actually gone out with just Ryoutarou before!

Ryoutarou: We’re basically always together during rehearsals, so I think we’ve never made the effort to go out together just the two of us. But maybe sometime during “The Strongest Team” we’ll go out together for a drink!

Kairi: That’s a good idea, I’m looking forward to it!

And lastly, with regard to the new show, please give us some of your enthusiasm for “The Strongest Team!”

Kairi: Engeki Haikyuu is the show that was my origin as an actor. Although I’m sad about our upcoming graduation, as the culmination of the past three years, we’re definitely going to make an interesting show. Please come see us!

Ryoutarou: Starting with “Summer of Evolution,” and adding “Start of the Giant,” Tsukishima and Yamaguchi have matured in their own ways, and the relationship between them has changed little by little too. That’s why “The Strongest Team,” should be a very special production for Kairi and myself. I want tons of people to come see our majestic figures on-stage!

----------

Ryoutarou’s Photo Page

What’s something about yourself where you can say, “I’m the best!” I don’t really have anything I can really boast about but... I’ve never lost to anyone when it comes to the length of my legs. I have the decisive lead when compared to the other Karasuno cast (laughs). And I’ve tried comparing with other tall cast members on other teams, but I’ve always won!

What’s something that a fellow Engeki Haikyuu cast member has said to you that’s left a lasting impression? It was when our cast leader Suga Kenta said to me, “Ryoutarou, it’s ok to tell us more and more what you’re thinking.” It was like he gave me a big push. At that moment, I felt like I came to understand my role and my place within Karasuno.

A memory from the regional tours? When it’s time for the regional tours, everyone always looks forward to going out to eat. It really does have a training camp atmosphere. We give it our all for every prefecture, of course, but for me the Miyagi tours have left an impression. It’s like the audience’s expectations of us are especially high. So there’s relief when we can get decent applause from them.

A message to your past self when it was announced you’d be cast for the first production: It’s really great, isn’t it?! Congratulations ♡

----------

Kairi’s Photo Page

What’s something about yourself where you can say, “I’m the best!” I’m really positive, so even if I’m depressed, I’ll forget about it after I get a good night’s rest. On the whole, I’m pretty strong mentally. The only time I let it drag on was when I had an unrequited love in middle school (laughs). At Engeki Haikyuu rehearsals, I may be the type to watch over everyone else’s silliness, but really, I’m the type that doesn’t let it get to me even when I slip and fall in front of other people!

What’s something that a fellow Engeki Haikyuu cast member has said to you that’s left a lasting impression? Back during the first show, as a total beginner as an actor, I was honestly cowering. When I did, the Kageyama Tobio from back then, Kimura Tatsunari said this to me: “On-stage, it doesn’t matter how old you are or what career experience you’ve had.” It was thanks to those words that I could always stand on-stage, so I remember it even now.

A memory from the regional tours? When it comes to our regional tours, the atmosphere of the audience changes a little with each place we go, and that’s fun. But our tours in the home of Haikyuu, in Miyagi prefecture, were always very special. There’s pressure, and I always get unnecessarily more nervous there. But the audience always received us so warmly, so it was a joy.

A message to your past self when it was announced you’d be cast for the first production: To the Miura Kairi of three years ago: You were really happy, weren’t you? But stop fist pumping in front of the station!! (laughs)

———

Translated by @nimbus-cloud Please do not repost my translations or scans!!!

If you appreciate the work I do for this blog and want to support my translation efforts, please consider donating a ko-fi! (x)

If you’d like to purchase this magazine issue, it’s available on Amazon JP (x)

#engeki haikyuu #hq stage #hyper projection engeki haikyuu #the strongest Team #kosaka ryoutarou #miura kairi #translation #interview #interview translation #scans #this had me laughing from the very first answer #i almost just stopped there #HARSH KAIRI #stage grand prix

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leejeongz · 6 years

Text

Stray kids reaction to another member liking the same person that they do

😘thanks for the request sweetheart, don’t worry your English is great!😘

🤓sorry Hyunjin’s is kinda different, I didn’t it where you were already together since I’d ran out of crush type scenarios🤓

Gifs aren’t mine~

Bang Chan:

You were so good looking, it was bound to happen. Chan hadn’t fully confessed his crush on you to the members yet but they all knew about it. Kindly, Woojin chose to talk to Chan about liking you before he went on to ask you out on a date. Chan didn’t react to Woojin, telling him to do what he wanted it didn’t bother him. But secretly he wished he never told him that. He was worried all day if you’d said yes to him. He was worried because he knew he could never get over you. When you rejected Woojin, Chan was straight there to comfort him, smiling on the inside but still choosing not to confess yet.

“There’s plenty more fish in the see Woojin, maybe they’ve just got their eyes on someone else”

(This gif does a lot of things to me STOP)

Woojin:

Felix’s crush on you was HUGE and didn’t the members know it. Woojin chose to confide in just one member, that being Chan. Woojin had liked you long before Felix even knew you and it was painful for him to see everyone big him up to you when that should really be him. Woojin didn’t want to break Felix’s heart, especially when he heard from Chan that you didn’t like Felix back and instead you actually liked Woojin. He really didn’t know what to do but he decided to be mature. The situation wasn’t going to go away if he just ignored it so he told Felix about his crush on you. He asked him if it was okay to ask you to be his and Felix couldn’t really say no.

“I’m sorry Felix, I really am”

Lee Know:

No chill Minho had no chill. It was annoying for him to hear, especially from someone else, that Seungmin had a crush on you. He wasn’t angry at Seungmin for liking you particularly, he just wished that he would have told him, especially before he did what he did. When seungmin confessed to you he said all the wrong things, admittedly he’s awkward but some of the things were kind of too far “I think your personality is great, your looks could do with some work, but you’re really funny” that was the main thing Minho was annoyed at really. Minho became worried that you wouldn’t want to put your trust into him and that you thought he was gonna say the same thing that Seungmin did. He popped off at Seungmin to say the least.

“I guess I’ll just wait another year, thanks a lot”

Changbin:

It was pretty much only Changbin that didn’t know you reciprocated his feelings. Minho was supposed to tell him since the two of them were together today, but he didn’t because he’s a snake and he liked you too. Changbin found out from you yourself when you got confused as to why he hadn’t text you or anything about finding out that you liked him back. He questioned Minho on his actions, not caring that he liked his now s/o anymore. Changbin was disappointed in Minho since he made it clear that he didn’t want to see Changbin happy what with not telling him that you liked him and all.

“That could have been my only chance with y/n, you don’t even respect their feelings do you?

Hyunjin:

You and Hyunjin were talking in bed one night, your head rested on his chest as he spoke about the members and what they did today. When he brought up Chan’s girlfriend you giggled a little bit. He asked you what was funny and you told him that Chan used to have a crush on you when you first started being friends with the boys. He sat up slightly causing you to move your head off his chest. Reminiscing on the past for a quick second, it now became obvious to Hyunjin. How did he not spot it sooner. Chan would constantly be near to you and he would talk about you a lot. Nevertheless Hyunjin sunk back into bed holding you tighter than before, pecking your forehead.

“Well you’re mine now so I don’t care”

Han:

After months of obvious crushing on you, Jisung has finally decided to confess to you. You didn’t reject him, but you also didn’t accept it. The only reason being because Hyunjin had a crush on you too. You liked Jisung, there was no doubt about it, but you couldn’t bare to tell Hyunjin the truth, not after he went through all the trouble he did to ask you out. Jisung told you he’d talk to Hyunjin which he did. Surpringly, Han was very mature about the situation. He spoke to Hyunjin like an adult and did anything he could to get Hyunjin to give him his blessing. Han knew you were the one and he’d do anything to get you to be his.

“Hyunjin, I know it’s hard to see us together, but I’m sure there’s others out there waiting for you”

(Ignore the caption obvs)

Felix:

Felix’s crush on you was known amongst the members well and they always tried to make him confess. All expect 1 member. Jeongin. Felix didn’t notice it himself but one night you decided to let Felix in on a little secret. You told him that Jeongin had confessed to you personally and that you didn’t really know what to say since you liked someone else. Felix’s immediate response was to be happy and smiley but then he started to feel bad for Jeongin. He told you to tell Jeongin how you truly felt. Your actions persuaded Felix to confess to you but he told you not to tell Jeongin yet that you two were together. He didn’t wanna hurt the guy.

“I’ve been waiting so long to tell you that I like you, it’s just sad that we can’t tell anyone yet”

(Discreet boi Felix)

Seungmin:

Jisung was constantly around you. Seungmin therefore had constant secondhand embarrassment and a whole load of jealousy. When he and Jisung got to spend time alone, Jisung outted his crush on you. Seungmin pretended to act shocked causing Jisung to to furrow his brows in bewilderment. Seungmin knew it was time to tell Jisung about his crush on you. When he told him, Jisung brushed it off, just saying “let the best man win I guess.” After that, Seungmin made a lot more effort around you and soon enough confessed to you. When you said you liked him back he really wanted to rub Jisung’s nose in it but he just couldn’t stop smiling.

“Wait really? Me? Damn only the best for the best I guess”

I.N:

Why did it have to be Changbin? Jeongin knew you’d fall for his talent and charms as soon as the two of you got close. You’d told Jeongin before you thought Changbin was handsome but you never really spoke to him. Jeongin set the two of you up, thinking it was the right thing to do for his hyung but he couldn’t help but feel sad and jealous. When Changbin came home from his date with you, Jeongin rushed to see how it went. When Changbin said it went badly but that he really liked you, Jeongin smiled. His mouth soon had no filter and confessed about how much he liked you. Changbin gave Jeongin his blessing to go and ask you out and honestly Jeongin couldn’t contain himself.

“I heard your date with Changbin went bad, I’m sorry, but hey at least now you can see other people”

#stray kids #stray kids imagine #stray kids reaction #bang chan #woojin #lee know #changbin #hyunjin #han jisung #seungmin #felix #i.n

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yuki-setsu · 6 years

Text

#2 - Beg

Prompt: Character A has been treated by the villain like property. Character B rescues them and takes care of them. Every time A needs basic things (food, water, going to the bathroom, etc.), they plead with B. The villain only let them have those necessities after they’d begged for them, and now B has to assure A that they don’t have to do that anymore.

Link to original prompt here.

past me definitely thought i’d be more active with prompts but wOW they’re hard to write unless i’m really inspired,,, my excitement for season 7 has fueled me

“Are you hungry?”

Lance was. His stomach seemed to squeeze even at the slightest mention of food, a dryness creeping up his throat in its desperate need for something to eat. He tried to move, to get up and maybe fight his way out of the cell, but his body wouldn't listen. Or maybe it couldn't, too deprived of energy to even give his limbs a chance to work. How long had they starved him this time? Lance lost track a while ago.

“What a pathetic little thing you are.” The Galra's voice crept back into Lance's ear, grating in his mind. A foot kicked at his side, but Lance could barely react, too exhausted as he let his body slump further against the wall. Lance blinked, catching those bright yellow eyes right in front of him again. “Willing to starve yourself to death before we reach the main ship this time? Lord Zarkon will be impressed.”

He called himself Commander Xig the first time he'd met Lance after his capture. The team had split separately during a mission on an unknown planet, and Lance had been unlucky enough to venture into a hidden Galra camp. He'd barely gotten a word into the comms before his vision went black, only regaining consciousness when they'd thrown him into this cell.

“Speak up if you're hungry, human.” Xig crooned, one hand reaching out and grabbing Lance by the hair. He pulled, making sure Lance was looking directly at him. “You know the drill.”

Lance groaned, his hands useless by his sides. They'd unchained him ever since they realized he'd gotten weak enough to handle even if he did try to stage an escape, openly mocking his efforts. It was frustrating, it really was. He tried to tug his head away, wincing when the grip tightened.

“Beg.” Lance knew it was coming, but he still stiffened when he heard the word. He'd heard it too many times now. “Beg for some food, and maybe I'll consider letting your pitiful self live another quintent.”

The first few times he'd been offered the deal, Lance had been quick to refuse, too offended to even consider the thought. No way would he be ever caught begging a Galra for anything. But that resolve crumbled quickly after some time. His brain reverted back to its survival instincts, willing to do anything to keep on living. He even needed to beg to use the bathroom, which was the worst part. The guilt only seemed to swallow him once they finally gave him something to eat or drink and he felt like himself a little bit more. But then the cycle would repeat, and Lance always seemed to cave.

Lance groaned when the hand pushed his head against the wall. Xig was staring with the same expression he always had when he looked at Lance—like he was nothing more than the dirt on the ground. “This is your last chance.”

He wanted to eat. He needed to eat. Hell, he'd even take a little water if that was all he got. So many times had Lance wanted to just refuse and risk the chance of death, but he never managed to follow through. It was pathetic. So pathetic.

“P-please,” Lance whispered, his voice scratching against his throat. “Please let me eat.”

Xig grinned, eyes glowing. “You know that's not enough.” He removed his grip on Lance's head, straightening up to his full height. “You must beg.”

And Lance finally managed to move, his desperation enough to seep some strength into his body as he pushed himself up and onto his knees so he faced the floor, his hands trembling as they held his upper body up. It was almost second nature, moving into such a humiliating position to ask for the bare necessities.

“Please, Commander.” Lance choked out, eyes burning with angry tears. He hated this. He hated himself. “Please allow me to eat. It's more than I deserve, but I... I beg you.”

He heard Xig laughing above him, like he always did. “And what are you?”

“...Nothing. I'm worth nothing.”

“And why should I feed a waste of space like you?”

Lance's arms reached their limit, and he sunk to the ground, his knees against his chest and his forehead uncomfortable against the cold ground. He shivered, feeling like maybe dying might be the greater mercy at this point. “I'm sorry. Please... Please...”

There was some more laughter before he heard footsteps moving away. “Bring him some food. Not much—just enough to sustain that useless shell of a body.”

Lance barely moved even when he heard the cell door slam shut, too drained and miserable to do anything else but let himself slump onto his side, staring at the wall instead. He felt the tears pushing against the back of his eyes, but only a few drops managed to track their way down his face. Probably too dehydrated.

He thought of the others, his teammates, wondering what they were doing. Were they looking for him? It's been too long, so they must have given up. A small part of Lance hoped they did.

Because at this point, Lance wasn't even sure if he wanted them to find him like this.

Lance slept a lot. Maybe too much. But he didn't have the energy to do much else. Scenes would melt in and out view whenever he faded back into consciousness, mostly when Xig came in to taunt him again or get a few hits in just because he could. Lance didn't care anymore. He was exhausted. By that point, the only times he managed to force himself to move was when he needed to beg for food and something to drink.

He wondered if Shiro had gone through the same thing he was going through right now. Maybe even worse. Lance couldn't fathom how Shiro had survived all that time in captivity. How long had he been here? It felt like years, but it couldn't have been.

He was tired.

Someone was shaking at his shoulders. Lance shrunk away, his head rattling painfully at the movement. Must be Xig again, or one of the guards. But the hands kept grabbing at him, wrapping around his arms and tugging him off the ground. They weren't treating him as rough as they used to, and Lance fought to open his eyes, squinting at the light streaming in to see what was going on.

It was Hunk.

Hunk?

Lance blinked again, his mind a haze. He must be dreaming. Hunk was saying something, his expression distressed under his helmet, but Lance had trouble hearing what he was saying. The words seemed to filter in through bits and pieces, and Lance had to close his eyes to hear Hunk clearly.

“—nce! Please say something, buddy. Please.”

It felt like forever since he'd heard Hunk's voice. Lance didn't realize how much he'd missed it. What a realistic dream this was. “Hunk?”

Lance heard Hunk choke something out, almost like a sob. “Oh, thank God. Yeah, it's me.” The arms squeezed around Lance's body tighter, as if afraid he'd disappear if they didn't hold on tight enough. “I'm so sorry. You're safe now. You're okay.”

Lance's stomach tugged, but it wasn't out of hunger this time. Hunk was moving him again, and Lance let him, the noise growing muffled in his ears. He didn't want to fall asleep right now, but he suddenly felt so tired. His body jostled whenever Hunk moved, but the pain had grown dull, and he didn't mind it. Another hand was suddenly in his hair. But surprisingly, it didn't dig into his scalp and pull like usual. It was gentle and slow, as if checking for something. It was a nice feeling, and Lance leaned into it subconsciously.

Huh, maybe he wasn't dreaming.

Lance woke up in the pod, the cold seeping out of his skin just as the pod slid open. Someone caught him as he fell, and he felt a bunch of other hands reach at him. He tried to blink his vision back to normal, catching the rest of his team staring at him with varying degrees of relief. It was almost surreal seeing them again.

He straightened up, testing out the feeling in his legs. It felt weird to be standing up again when he could barely sit up not so long ago. But he could move his arms and legs normally now. Everything seemed normal. Everything was normal.

Someone grabbed at his shoulders again, and Lance barely caught himself from pulling back in surprise. It was Hunk, his face a tear-stained mess.

“We looked everywhere for you.” Hunk sniffled. “I swear we did. I'm so sorry we took this long.”

Lance tried to swallow, but his throat felt too dry. He tried for a smile, reaching up and squeezing one of Hunk's wrists. “It's fine, man. Sorry for the trouble.”

“No, we should be the ones apologizing.” Allura cut in. She was standing off the side, her expression openly guilty. “We didn't notice something had gone wrong on your end of the mission until it was too late.”

“We're just glad you're back.” Pidge said. She'd managed to squirm her way in front of Hunk, one arm looping around his torso in a tight hug. “You focus on resting. You've been through a lot.”

Everyone was acting like he'd done well, and it made no sense. He'd been useless and weak the entire time he'd been captured. They just hadn't seen it. Lance sighed, eyes landing on Shiro just in front. “How... How long was I gone?”

Shiro grimaced just slightly. “5 weeks.”

“Oh.”

Pidge squeezed him tighter. “The pod said you were completely malnourished and dehydrated.” Her voice sounded terrible, almost hoarse. “You're hungry, right? Let's go eat first.”

Lance's stomach tightened at the question, almost in a panic. Was he hungry? Maybe he was, he couldn't tell. But if he was hungry, he'd need to beg for food and—

“I'm not.” Lance said, digging in his heels when Pidge started to steer him towards the door. He winced at the confused looks. “Hungry, I mean. I'm not hungry.”

There was a long silence, one that Keith finally broke. “What? You have to be hungry. There's no way you—”

“I'm really not.” Lance said, slowly tugging away from Pidge and Hunk's grasp. They let him, although they looked stunned. “Maybe the pod helped me more than I thought. I just really wanna... go to my room and rest.”

For a moment, no one seemed to know what to say. Shiro cleared his throat, although he didn't look any less concerned. “Are you... sure? You don't want anyone with you?”

“I'm sure,” Lance answered quickly. He already started to step towards the doors, the sensation of walking on his own still feeling odd. “Just for a little bit. I wanna put some actual clothes on and wind down, you know? You can check in on me later, if that makes you feel better.”

It wasn't convincing. None of it was, but no one seemed to have it in them to protest and make him do otherwise. As he left, he was surprised that he managed to find his room so easily. It felt like ages since he'd navigated down the Castle halls, but guess it was all second nature now. He walked inside simple enough, only to slow to a stop when he caught sight of the bathroom, the panic rising up his throat in an overwhelming wave of nausea.

No, he didn't need to beg for things like that anymore. He was back at the Castle. Safe. He was safe.

He could eat when he wanted. He could drink when he wanted. He could use the bathroom when he wanted.

Right?

But his legs wouldn't move, trembling at the mere thought of going inside without permission. He needed to ask. That's how it was. He didn't need to go right now. He was fine. He could hold out.

But what about when he needed to use it?

Lance shuddered out a breath, walking to his bed and sinking on the mattress. He slumped forward, burying his head in his hands. After a few moments, he grabbed his blanket and threw it over himself, ignoring the fact that he hadn't even changed out of the healing pod suit.

He was fine. He didn't need anything.

Lance woke up hungry. A sudden urge that had him jerking upright in bed, the blanket fluttering off him in a heap. He felt at his stomach, feeling the familiar grumble that spread across his abdomen when it was empty. He felt hungry to the point of feeling ill. He wanted to eat.

“Beg.”

The thought sent a chill down his spine, and Lance almost wanted to throw up. He probably couldn't even do that, since he had nothing to expel. But no, he didn't need to beg anymore. He didn't.

Lance stumbled to his feet, hands shaking as he finally took off the pod suit and changed into his regular clothes. It was a comfortable feeling to wear them again, but it wasn't enough. What time was it? How long had he slept?

He stepped out into the hallway, taking in the eerie quiet of the corridors. It felt abnormally chilly, and he tugged his hoodie a bit closer around him. He'd go to the kitchen. Find something to eat. If he didn't run into anyone, he should be fine.

He kept his head down, hands clutching at the fabric covering his stomach as he walked. He'd make it a quick trip. In and out. He'd eat in his room. No one would know. He'd talk to them once he was feeling better.

“Lance? You're awake.”

Shiro's voice. Lance jerked to a stop, his breath catching in his throat.

“You know the drill.”

“... Lance?” Shiro asked again. Lance heard the footsteps come closer, and he gripped at his clothes a bit tighter, trembling at the effort not to run. “What's wrong?” Shiro sounded a bit more alarmed now. “Are you hungry?”

The question seemed to drain the strength from Lance's legs, and he all but crashed onto the ground, kneecaps burning from the impact. His arms caught him from falling face-first, and he was back in that position again. The position he hated so much. But it didn't matter now.

He spotted feet appear just in front of his hands, and Shiro's hands were suddenly on his shoulders, infinitely careful. “Lance, talk to me.” Shiro said, his voice pleading. “What's going on?”

Lance tried to breathe, his chest having gotten exponentially smaller. He ducked his head a bit lower towards the ground, hoping it was enough. He was crying, he realized. He hoped Shiro didn't see.

“Please... Please let me eat.”

The hands on Lance's back froze. “...What?”

Lance trembled at the question, pushing his head so low his hair brushed the ground. It wasn't enough. “Please let me eat, Shiro. I'm sorry, I—I don't deserve it, but just a little is fine. That's all I need.”

“Wait,” Shiro said, voice tight. “Lance, what—”

“I'm sorry. Please, just a little.” Lance let his forehead touch the floor this time, tears blurring his vision.

“Lance, hold on—”

“I beg you—”

“Lance!” Shiro's hands moved, more forceful as they pulled Lance's shoulders so that he was upright. Lance gasped at the motion, flinching when Shiro reached for Lance's face with both hands, pulling him so close their foreheads touched. His chest rattled with each breath, unsure of what it was he was supposed to do. The proximity made it so that all Lance could see was Shiro's expression, eyes almost... pained?

Oh.

Lance tried to move away, panic giving way to full-on embarrassment, but Shiro's grip was too firm. This was the last thing he'd wanted to do, especially in front of Shiro. The blood roared in his ears, oblivious to the situation as he tried to muster an explanation. Maybe he could blame it on a nightmare.

“Lance,” Shiro whispered, although his voice still carried that strong tone of authority. “Can you hear what I'm saying?”

Lance's mind reeled, too overwhelmed to make any decisions for itself. “Y-yes.”

“Good.” Shiro pulled back just a bit, searching his face carefully. “Why are you begging?”

Lance shuddered, stomach dropping when Shiro's grip tightened just a bit in response. There was no talking his way out of this one. “I... I had to.”

Confusion filled Shiro's eyes, the disbelief filtering in almost immediately after. “On the Galra ship? They made you...?”

Lance swallowed, throat infinitely dry. “Yeah.”

For a second, Shiro's expression went so dark it had Lance's blood run cold, even though it wasn't directed at him. But then it crumpled, sorrowful to the point where Lance felt guilty for answering the question. Shiro moved again, and Lance barely had enough time to react before he got encompassed into a tight hug. Lance moved then, trying to wriggle away, but Shiro had one hand wrapped around Lance's back and the other holding his head, making it nearly impossible to move. It happened so quickly, and Lance felt his short-circuit for a split second.

“Uh...” Lance's brain unhelpfully decided to forget basic vocabulary, and he stumbled for a proper sentence. “Shiro, wait... I didn't mean to—”

“I'm sorry, Lance.” Shiro said, voice heavy. It tugged at Lance's stomach, filling him with a guilt he shouldn't be feeling. “You should never have gone through that.”

Lance stared down the empty hallway over Shiro's shoulder, his thoughts a jumbled mess. He hoped no one else came down here and saw them—this was already more than enough to handle right now. “It's not...your fault.”

“We should've found you faster,” Shiro's arms tightened, and although it didn't hurt, Lance winced. “We shouldn't have let you get taken in the first place. I'm sorry.”

“It's fine.” Lance's throat felt too tight. “Stop apologizing.”

He kind of wanted to ask Shiro to let go, but he also didn't. Maybe he'll just stay like this for a little longer. Shiro didn't seem like he was going to pull away anytime soon, so Lance just... sunk into it. Just a bit.

“You don't have to do that anymore. Ever.” Shiro mumbled. “Anything you need to take care of yourself, just do it. You don't have to ask any of us for permission for something like that. Got it?”

The embarrassment had finished chipping away at Lance's panic, and it just left him bare with exhaustion. He felt another breath shudder in his chest. He'd slept earlier, but he still felt so tired. “Yeah. Got it.”

It took a few more long seconds before Shiro finally loosened up enough for Lance to pull away. He still looked upset, but he smiled as he got to his feet and held out his hand, helping Lance up as well. Shiro steered them back down the hall, one hand on Lance's shoulder as he gave it a gentle squeeze. It loosened up a knot in Lance's chest.

“Come on,” Shiro said. “Let's go eat something.”

And they did.

Lance fell asleep a bit better after that.

Lance didn't mean to, but he got into a habit of waiting until he nearly reached his breaking point before finally realizing he needed to go eat or drink something. Going to the bathroom whenever he needed was fine, but his stomach had gotten accustomed to long periods of having nothing, and it got harder to tell when he wanted to really eat until his body grew too desperate for something.

Shiro—unsurprisingly—had been the first to notice, almost aghast that Lance was almost going on his third day with no food before he called together a team meeting to talk about what was going on. Lance wasn't upset about it, but it didn't make the fact that he seemingly needed people to remind him to eat like a normal person any less embarrassing. That particular team meeting had been filled with lots of hugs and apologies, though.

And so everyone knew.

One particular day, Hunk decidedly dragged Lance to the kitchen with a stern look on his face. He'd been quick to sit Lance onto one of the chairs, giving him a pressing look.

“When was the last time you ate?”

Lance blinked, trying to recall the past day. Had he eaten? His stomach was no help, since it always felt numb these days. He couldn't remember stepping into the kitchen since the day started, so maybe he hadn't eaten yet.

“Uh... Yesterday? I think?”

“Yesterday,” Hunk deadpanned, brows furrowing in disapproval. “You think.”

A warmth started to creep up Lance's face, and he ducked his head. “Sorry, I don't... I don't remember.”

A hand fell on top of his own and squeezed. Lance startled at the touch, looking back up to catch Hunk's face, which had loosened into one of worry. “No, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to make you feel bad, dude.” He pulled back, reaching over and sliding a bowl of food in front of Lance. It smelt amazing, to be honest. “I made something that tastes suspiciously like French toast this morning, so I was hoping you could try some. If you want.”

Lance looked back at the bowl, somewhat relieved to feel his stomach grumble appreciatively at the scent. He looked at Hunk again, a grin on his face this time. “Smells awesome. You bet I'm trying some.”

The smile Hunk gave out-rivaled the food he made. And the food was pretty damn good.

Lance had gotten better at prompting himself to eat at least twice a day, falling back into a familiar rhythm that felt foreign just days ago. Everyone on the team still had moments where they casually invited Lance to join them in a meal, but those grew more and more sparse as things seemed to normalize. Once in a while, Pidge or Keith would unceremoniously drag him for an evening snack “just because”, Shiro would hand him an extra water pouch during training, Hunk would go to him first whenever he decided to test out another snack, and Allura and Coran would even sneak him some fancy Altean candy that the others hadn't even heard of. It was nice.

But then the nightmares started.

They started small, little bursts of panic that woke him in the night. He never remembered why he woke, but the tremors and cold sweat coating his body told him it was good that he didn't. But they got worse, darkness melting into purple and sending him back into that cell, where the air was cold and piercing. Where his stomach churned every time he heard footsteps echoing down the hall, his limbs too heavy to even scramble away against the furthest wall. Where cruel laughter grated against his ears and all he could do was lie there, begging for relief. When he started having those nightmares, he woke screaming, thrashing, reliving. And then he would reorient himself, remember where he was. Safe, he was safe.

Right?

It was the second night of nightmares, and going back to sleep was out of the question. Lance threw the covers off, heading to the bathroom and washing his face. The cold water felt nice, startling his brain awake and driving away the foggy haze behind his eyes. He was at the Castle. He was safe.

Maybe he should eat something. Just because he could. Just to remind himself. He put on some slippers, tugging his night robe around him as he padded down the hallway, careful not to walk too noisily. He wondered how late at night it was. That didn't matter right now.

He made his way to the kitchen, grabbing an empty bowl and filling it with some space goo before he settled at the table. But when he lifted his spoon, he couldn't move it. His hand froze, held back by something he couldn't see. And Lance tried, he really did. So much that his hand trembled in his efforts to get a spoonful of goo. But he couldn't.

Lance slammed the spoon down with a groan, digging his hands into his hair. He ducked his head, breathing hard as he swallowed down the panic creeping up his chest. This was stupid. He was being stupid. He'd been doing fine all this time. It was all in his head.

“I can eat,” Lance whispered shakily. “I'm at the Castle. Xig's not here. I'm safe.”

He knew he could eat. He already knew it. So why couldn't he get over it?

He sat there a bit longer, trying to calm down enough to try again. Even if it was just half the bowl, he'd eat it and head back to bed. If he couldn't fall back asleep, he'd at least try to relax until the morning.

But as more time passed, nothing changed. It was an endless cycle of picking up the spoon, placing it back down, burying his hands in his head, and telling himself it was fine. It was kind of pathetic, really. Lance bit back a groan as he tossed the spoon away, his chest tight as he heard it clatter on the floor. What was wrong with him? He leaned back against the chair, palms pressed against the back of his eyes. He needed to calm down.

“I'm fine. I'm safe.” Lance mumbled, trying to push down the tears building up against his hands. Calm down. “I can eat, I can—”

“Lance!” Someone grabbed him and Lance startled, whipping around in his chair and tearing his wrist away from the hand. It took a second for his vision to normalize, and Lance felt the panic ebb just a bit when he caught sight of Keith standing there, hands up in a passive surrender.

“Are you... Are you okay?” Keith asked, eyes almost as panicked as Lance's.

Lance sat there, chest heaving. Why the heck was Keith here? “I'm fine. I'm fine.” His throat felt too small. He couldn't breathe. “I'm okay—I'm just...” One hand reached up at his throat, wishing his he could pry it open and let more air get through. It hurt to breathe.

Someone—Keith—grabbed at his shoulders again, but Lance was too distracted to pull away this time. He ducked his head, eyes falling shut as he felt his body shudder with each inhale, straining in the effort to give him the amount of oxygen he felt like he needed.

“—eed to breathe slowly, Lance.” Keith's voice filtered in, sounding almost muted in his ears. Lance tried to listen, the rattling in his throat almost overpowering. “Can you hear me? Slow down and breathe. Just... count out each breath. 5 seconds for each. Got it?”

They were crude instructions, but they were enough. Lance reached up, gripping at Keith's arms like a lifeline as he fought to even out his breaths, letting Keith count down each time. He was fine. He was safe.

And gradually, it got easier to breathe. His chest had loosened, air flowing through like it never got stuck in the first place. Lance peeked his eyes open, catching a nice, blurry view of the floor as he blew out another long breath. Keith was still there, still gripping at his shoulders, but his hold had loosened a bit marginally once Lance started to calm down. He'd trailed off in his counting, as if realizing that Lance at least stopped hyperventilating. After a few seconds, Lance let go of Keith's arms, wincing at how stiff they felt as he tried to relax them. Yikes, he'd been holding on way too tightly.

He was suddenly so tired. Exhausted, actually. The fear of sleeping and risking another nightmare brushed at the back of Lance's mind, but he didn't care. Keith was here, so he'd probably wake him up before it got worse. Probably. Sleep tugged at his eyelids, and Lance was suddenly grateful Keith had a hold on him before he let himself drift off again.

When Lance woke up, his head was on a pillow. His pillow. He wasn't in his room though, given the sitting position he was still in. He stirred, feeling a blanket slide off his shoulders as he sat up. There was a flurry of movement somewhere beside him before he heard Hunk's voice.

“He's awake!”

Lance turned, catching Hunk sitting in the chair right next to him, a relieved look on his face. He was still in his pajamas, too. Lance looked back, the others still in various stages of morning attire, looking more than a little concerned as they stared back at him, although their expressions loosened once they met his eyes. Keith was the only one who looked the same, still in his regular clothes like he had been when he'd found Lance last night. Had he stayed the whole time?

Lance's attention went back towards Hunk, who was busy tugging the blanket back around Lance's shoulders. He fussed with it for a bit until he nodded, satisfied. He looked up, the smile on his face not enough to cover the worry in his eyes. “Morning. You feeling okay?”

“Yeah.” Lance said, shifting uncomfortably. “Sorry, I didn't mean to—”

Hunk held up a hand, easily cutting off Lance's words. “No apologizing. Or explaining. Keith told us everything. Coran and Allura found you two here in the morning and went to get everyone else. Figured we'd let you get a little bit of sleep before we talked.”

Wow, talk about embarrassing. Lance wondered if he could make a run for it before anyone stopped him. “It was nothing. I just had a bad dream and Keith caught me at a bad time.”

“No, that's a good thing.” Pidge pressed heatedly. “If he hadn't found you, then none of us would've known. Because you definitely would've acted like it never happened.”

Lance held his tongue, knowing she was right. But what else was he supposed to do? It was something he could deal with on his own. And when Hunk leaned forward, wrapping Lance in one of those hugs he appreciated so much, it got increasingly difficult to ignore the stinging in his eyes.

“You should've told us you were having nightmares.” Hunk whispered, his own voice cracking as well. “We can help you.”

“It's stupid.” Lance's voice shook. He didn't want it to, but it did. “I should be able to handle it by now.”

“There's no deadline to get over things like that, dude.” Hunk said, gentle. “We're gonna get through this together, alright?”

Lance sniffled, nodding before Hunk pulled back, making room for the others to crowd near him. In any other time, he might have felt awkward. But he didn't mind the little smiles, the light hugs, the warm looks. It was those moments that made him wonder how lucky he was to have a team like this all the way up in space.

A new hand was on his shoulder, and Lance looked up to see Shiro, a careful smile on his face. “Let's have breakfast together and we can talk about what we can do.”

Hunk was already standing up, heading to grab some bowls for everyone as he waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, I already thought of something.” He glanced over his shoulder, a wide smile on his face. “Not sure if anyone noticed, but the lounge is a perfect place for a team sleepover.”

#langst #lance mcclain #voltron #vld lance #keith #shiro #hunk #pidge #allura #coran #my writing

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scandinaviacroatiaengbergs · 5 years

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Monday and Tuesday: Stockholm to Gothenburg (with a few extra nice words about the Stockholm Central Station!)

Wow! I am so behind on these posts! We’ve been having such full days, with the kids going to bed later than usual, that I haven’t had time to write a post in the evening on many days. OK, so after we successfully woke up on the Baltic Princess to disembark by 6:10, we got off the ship with little fanfare and found ourselves in the chilly Stockholm morning. It was the first time the weather on this trip has been chilly at all (but it warmed up in the daytime, considerably, during our two daytimes there). The kids and I actually waited inside for our Uber. We got to our hotel, the Nordic Light, by 7 a.m. and miraculously, they were able to check us in. We were so glad. Now, this hotel is one of the last things we booked for the trip (actually, we still have two things to book: our rental car in Croatia and a night back in Gothenburg in a week). Finding lodging in Stockholm was *so hard.* I mean, I felt totally rejected because I seriously put booking attempts in at about 7 Airbnbs and was declined on all of them. We have an extensive Airbnb track record with a good set of reviews ourselves, so I couldn’t figure out what the deal was! And all of the places were *so* expensive! We had similar trouble in Oslo and Copenhagen, trouble like I’ve never had booking something anywhere we’ve traveled. Rejection after rejection. So, for Copenhagen, I selected “instant book” and got something, and in Oslo, one guy finally accepted our request (I am writing this from Oslo now and the place is totally awesome). Anyway, back to the Nordic Light, it is actually a very good thing we booked a hotel rather than an Airbnb because we were able to check in early, which would’ve been very unlikely for an Airbnb. It was a really cool-looking hotel, just recently updated and kind of on a main drag, right adjacent to the train station, which I will come back to. We got ourselves collected, after the kids watched some show on National Geographic about extreme truck/equipment repairs in Alaska, and we walked first to the Old Town and, en route, we passed a wonderful shopping street, and I noticed two stores I had to return to later (and did): Paper Tiger (which is based in Copenhagen and I’d noticed two years ago in Warsaw) and Villervalla children’s clothing. It looked *totally* cute. When I went back later that day, I got the kids new sun-protecting long-sleeved swim one-pieces. So cute. OK, so on our walk to the Old Town, we passed Parliament and then the royal palace, and once we were on the other side of the royal palace, we actually saw two horse-and-carriages go by. The kids were pretty into that. Once we were kind of on the outskirts of the Old Town, we stopped to eat and the kids got quiche and a waffle with ice cream—yes, ice cream at breakfast time. This was Eric’s choice and he chose carrot cake ice cream, and Cece and he gobbled it up, and Rowan actually turned it down! It was crazy! The boy has been asking for ice cream like multiple times daily, and then we have it for *breakfast* and he’s like, no thanks! So, after going through the Old Town, we went along one of the rivers (Stockholm is comprised of multiple islands so there are rivers –or inlets, whatever—everywhere and bridges everywhere) and visited the Vasa Museum. It was recommended to us by our friend Ethan, whose brother lived in Stockholm for a long time. Anyway, the Vasa was a 17th century multi-use transport/war ship (it had a ton of cannons) which, on its maiden voyage, sunk in Stockholm harbor. We learned that a lot of ships are lying in the muck at the bottom of the harbor, as capsizing was not uncommon. What is unique about this ship is that, a) it was brand new, so it was kind of state-of-the-art at the time and loaded with provisions that reflected the times, and b) it sunk in just the right kind of mud and in water of just the right kind of brackishness, so it was excellently preserved. Its sinking had gone down in lore with people searching for it from time to time, and then, in the 1960s, a private citizen decided to organize an effort to locate it (which he did) and then galvanized the interest of the citizenry and government to undertake the huge project of lifting it out of the sea. So, the whole museum is about the ship being brought back up out of the muck and its restoration and then all about it: its history, its crew, its back-story, what life was like in Sweden in the late 1600s, etc. It was really interesting, but the kids were not as engaged as would’ve been ideal for parental enjoyment ;) Walking home from the Vasa, we took a meandering route, and that took us to a high-end shopping era and to the central market, something we always love to check out in new cities. From there, we went back to the hotel for naptime, which is when I went out and did a spot of shopping. Afterwards, I took the kids to the Abba Museum and Eric went for a run. The Abba Museum was so, so, so amazing!!!! I can’t even do it justice with a brief explanation here, so I am going to spare you all my attempt. I love Abba, and even if you’re not a huge fan, I think it’s really engaging and fun. Cece was luke-warm about it, calling it “too boring” from time to time, but Rowan and I were into it ;)

After our museum time, we all went out and managed find a restaurant to eat in before I lost my mind from exhaustion, hunger, overall crankiness, and an aching body, haha. We actually ate at an Italian restaurant (I think we’ve done pretty good work at eating Scandinavian delicacies, well some, so having a comfort/familiar meal was fine, especially for the kids). My mood really improved after dinner and we actually walked some more. We didn’t tarry too long this time, and got home and the kids went right to bed (after their first actual bath in quite some time; they’ve had irregular showers on other days) and then I managed to get to bed by 11-ish and the next morning when my alarm went off at 8:45, I was like, whoa, wait, where am I? I hadn’t stirred or anything that whole time; I slept like log.

Tuesday morning we had breakfast at the Nordic Light and I put Cece in some new black-and-white Marimekko pants I’d gotten on sale for her at the outlet. Let me tell you, a four-year-old in black-and-white pants and mixed berry compote do not get along well together. Within ten minutes of her getting dressed—and seriously, don’t judge me, because I also *knew* this was likely but was looking on the bright side that, for once, it might not—she had red splotched all down the leg of one pant. I quickly swooped the child and her pants upstairs and did some quick internet research and let me tell you, if you need to get berry stains out, flush them out with boiling water. It totally worked! I was amazed! Anyway, we went back down and finished breakfast and then were on our way to our next adventure: to the Swedish Center for Architecture and Design! It goes by ArkDes for short and it shared a building with the modern art museum. What a great few hours we had there. Rowan says he wants to be an architect and general contractor when he grows up and Cece wants to be a cat doctor (veterinarian) and a variety of other things when she grows up. Both kids were really pretty interested in ArkDes! Rowan loved looking at all of the models and seeing all of the different architectural styles. We went over to the modern art side and it was really incredible. So many really interesting paintings, multi-media works, audio installations, and so much more. We actually had very little time there, but Rowan was interested the whole time (and Cece was not quite as interested and I think she was really getting tired). Rowan loved this mixed-media large format painting/sculpture by Yves Klein, and we took a picture of him in front of it. There were some Jackson Pollock painting and Picassos and other folks I recognized, even though I am not the most hip to all the important artists, though I can kind of hang ;) We scooched on back to our hotel to collect our bags (passing by the “pink carpet” that was going to be used that night at the Grand Hotel for the Polar Music Prize, Sweden’s biggest award, funded by the royal family). Bags in hand, we walked around the corner to the Central Station for our 2:32 p.m train to Gothenburg on SJ. We’d bought our tickets online that day and we had plenty of time. So, the train station is so crazy convenient. I think of big-city train stations like London’s Euston or Victoria – you know, insane, busy, lots of tracks and platforms, etc. So, this was also a pretty big situation, but imagine that if you walked into an airport from the curb and approached the ticket counter and the *track* was where the luggage conveyer belt is behind the ticket agent. It was like so convenient and unexpectedly nearby! There were taxis that were pulled up literally *at* the platform! Eric and I were both totally thrown off by it, but it seemed great and very convenient. We had a very smooth and pleasant three-hour ride to Gothenburg. Cece slept for an hour and I managed to get a grant application submitted, which was due in three days, so it was a big relief to get that off my plate. More about our Volvo adventure in Gothenburg in the next post!

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