#chapter 1 the deal maker

[belladonnavtamie10]

1: Haunting Tune

"Get away from me!!"

A man ran through the sea of crowds, stumbling and bumping into people causing them to be annoyed or irritated. Many of the guys either protected their significant others while many gave the frantic man a hard shove to the ground.

"Somebody help me!"

"Get off of me!"

"Please, help me!"

"Get the fuck away, you creep!!" The man winced in pain when he hits the ground.

His breath was frantic and his mind is getting hazy, ears ringing. He was about to lay down and accept but when he heard the familiar tune of humming getting closer.

His heart begun beating faster, the hair on his skin rise and his breath begun to become frantic. He turned his head, frantically searching until he finds her, standing on the other side of the road, looking at him while humming the despicable tune he dread so much.

The end of her parasol struck the ground as a way of taunting him, causing him to stand up and run away. He continued running while bumping into people, walls and trash bins. He continued to run as he turned and run into a dark alleyway, entering the dreaded dark side of the city.

Vagabonds roamed the dimly lit streets. Beggars are around in every corner, holding out their hands as they were hoping of being given some spare change or if they are lucky, some food, water or old clothes. The man wanted to hide within the rubbish the vagabonds were hoarding but they kicked him away, protecting their hoard.

"Please, help me!" he grabbed one of the vagrant's shoulders, shaking them as his face was filled with despair and fear. The vagrant pushed him away and ran off to another direction, frightened.

The others saw this as a threat, causing them to stand up and slowly approach the man. They held their ground while watching the man pant and looked around frantically.

"Give me sanctuary! Please! She's after me!" The man begged frantically, losing his mind as fear continued to engulf his once prideful self. He knelt down, hands grabbing the sides of his head as he continued to panic.

"She? You said 'she'...correct?" One of the beggars stood up, grabbing his crooked walking stick.

The man looked up, gazing up to see the blind old beggar approaching him. The sound of the walking stick echoed through the dark and empty streets.

One of the vagrants held up a torch, standing beside the blind man. The blind man was around his 50s, a pair of black shades cover his eyes. Dark brown skin and long dreadlocks that hasn't been washed for some time now. His ragged clothes kept him warm from the current cold weather but implied on who he is to others.

"You said 'she'...correct?" the blind man asks once again, tapping his walking stick to the ground.

"Y-yes! She's after me! Please...! Help me!" the man begged the blind beggar.

"Did you sign it?" the blind beggar asked.

"Huh? What do you mean?" the blind beggar heard the slight nervousness on the man's voice.

"I'll ask again...did you sign it?" he asks again, tapping the end of his walking stick to the ground. The man's breath hitched as he tried to mask the fear and truth behind his panic but the vagabond beside the blind man kicked the man to the ground, narrowing his eyes at him.

"Please, give me sanctuary!" the man once again pleaded, ignoring the blind man's question. The other vagabonds grab his arms and pulled him away, restraining him and forcing him to look up.

"I'll ask again...did you sign it?"

"Answer the question or you'll never be able to speak again." one of the beggars threatened him, holding the neck of a broken bottle. The others revealed their crude weapons, ready to beat the man if he doesn't answer the question.

Fear engulfed him as he decided to come clean.

"Y-yes! I signed it!" The man yells. The vagabonds stopped in their tracks. The man opened an eye, only to see the vagabonds looking at him, believing his answer. He was confused at their sudden silence.

Many of them looked at him before turning to look around. The once cool wind suddenly changed into freezing. The fires in the metal drums blew as the sudden blast of freezing air came from the alley way entrance.

"The fires! Cover 'em! Hide! Hide and don't be tempted by her! Cover your ears and never be swayed by her words!" the blind man orders as everyone of them, except the blind man and the scared man, went on to do what they were told. Barrels were covered, people going back to their spots and cover themselves with tarps, blankets and garbage bags, hiding themselves. Those who couldn't cover themselves, hid behind the walls and curled up into a fetal position, covering their ears and close their eyes tightly.

"Please help me! Give me sanctuary!" the man pleaded, grabbing the blind man's cane, but the blind man took a step back.

"Even if I wanted to, I can't..." the blind man tap the end of his walking stick to the ground, staring into the man's terrified eyes,

"You signed the deal."

The air was getting colder as the faint sound of humming was getting fainter. The blind man turned and walks away.

The man, who was terrified to the bone, became furious and grabbed a bottle. He ran up and slammed the bottle onto the blind man's head.

The blind man fell to the ground.

No one dared to make a sound...

The man huffed in anger, looking at the fallen man in front of him...

The air was getting colder...

The faint humming was getting softer...

"Well... this is a sight to see." a female voice say. This caused the man to freeze in his spot.

"I was only expect to see you beaten up to the ground, all bloody and bruised just by bumping into people...but never this." her voice was smooth and addicting to hear, but the tone has a distinct sarcasm and playfulness to it as she speaks.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... What a shame... Seems like you just took a man's life. No matter how many times you can deny it, you still committed a crime..."

"Y-you...you made me do it! You lied to me! You bitch!" the man pointed the broken bottle to her, the broken edges face her as if he was ready to take her life.

The woman, despite being threatened by the broken bottle, only gave him a giggle followed by a giggle, furthering taunting him.

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have run away and be in this situation! I would still have my family with me and I would be living back in our home! You liar! You lied with those false promises!"

"Mr. Johnson... or should I say, Gil..." her tone shifted from being playful to a cold tone, catching him off guard.

"I seem to remember...you were the one who called upon my presence. Don't you remember?"

"Oh, if only I could get what I wanted without the hard work! The easy way out! The fastest way to success!" she imitated his words, pitching it as she was mocking him.

"I would bet my life for it!" her tone suddenly became distorted upon mentioning 'bet' and 'life'.

"Be careful what you wish for~" followed by a giggle. Gil's frightened eyes widen upon realization.

"Didn't I tell you to be careful when you sign the contract? Tsk, tsk, tsk... well, to be fair, you weren't the only one to ignore my terms and conditions." she shakes her head, sighing in disappointment. The tip of the parasol tapped the ground softly in a rhythmic

"B-but, your contracts are supposed to be impenetrable...No truth can ever be leaked if I signed your deal! You lied to me! I can't accept defeat when I'm at my peak!" Gil roared furiously at her, unable to accept the reality.

"IF I'M GOING DOWN, YOU'RE COMING WITH ME!!" He lunged at her, the broken bottle aiming onto the chest.

His crazed eyes and smile were visible, thinking he might get out once she was killed but...

Her hand grabs his neck, stopping him in his track as the broken bottle was smacked away from his hands by her parasol, shattering once it hits the ground.

"You already lost. Accept it already." She reminded him, calmly.

"Oh! If you already forgot, I'll make this quick for the both of us, okay? I'm a busy woman... but do know this, NEVER...EVER...LIE...TO...ME...!" Her tone distorted within each word, tilting her head as her eyes changed from a humane pair into a bright green hue.

He tried his best to break free from her grip but it was no use.

"Are you ready?~" she asks in a singing tone, scaring him to what she had in store for him.

Upon those few seconds of silence, the vagrants could only remember was the sounds of the bloodcurdling screams and the body falling to the ground.

Breathing became hitch... Some cupped their mouths, preventing themselves to let out a scream or cry.

Some covered their ears and eyes, trying not to listen or see, even if they were hidden.

Then, there was silence...

...

...

...

...

A hum...

Soft, melodic and haunting tune bounced through the walls, before it softens.

Then...

...

...

...

...

...

Once they felt that the sound was gone, they got out of their hiding places and saw the limp body of Gil as well as the old man, who was now conscious but still on the ground. The others approach and helped him up.

"What do we do about the body?" one of the women asks, still terrified from the scream earlier. They turned to the body, rolling him onto his back as the sight of the petrified face was shown as it was the last moment of Gil's life.

Pale, white skin, eyes rolled back to his head and mouth wide open beyond the jaw's capability.

"Leave him in the other alley... we don't want another incident with the cops to happen." the blind man said as some of the men picked up the body and headed away to the said location.

The blind man sat down and the others tended to his wound.

"This is 3rd incident that happened in our place with this 'deal-maker'."

"We can't keep living like this. This fear..."

"It's bad enough that we are getting harassed by privileged and vain assholes but this is a problem we can't ignore to fear..."

"When will this end?"

Sounds of the people complain were heard by the blind man. He gently raised his hand, silencing them.

"No matter what you ask for... the end, is something that is uncertain. That man paid the price for his pride and selfishness...Even if he wants to be with his family, his vain action of signing the deal cost him his life."

"I don't have the power to rid the presence of the deal-maker... But know this, what ever means of your desire; whether it's for yourself or for others, there is no getting rid of her. Even if we try and want to, we can't."

The blind man grabbed something from the inside pocket of his coat, revealing a folded torn paper. The others saw this as the paper was unfolded and presented to them.

"We signed a deal."

#wattpad #creepypasta #creepypastaoc #the deal maker #carina creepypasta #chapter 1 the deal maker #belladonnavtamie10 writes

[teriri-sayes]

Reactions to Deal Maker's Chapter 202

TL;DR - Alberu teasing Cale by subtly talking about recruiting Basen and Lily to work for the palace. Cale felt like his slacker life dream was being threatened. Cale and Alberu meet Ahn Roh Man via video conference something. Ahn Roh Man's related to the Transparent Blood family.

Overworked Alberu The first part was so funny. Because of the mines Cale gave him, Alberu had been very busy. Even when he hired new people, they were still interns and in training. So when he met Cale in his office, he began to tease the source of his troubles. 😂

He talked and praised Basen and Lily's talents. But Cale realized why he was doing that. He realized Alberu wanted to recruit his siblings to work for the palace! And Cale felt his slacker life dream being threatened! 🤣🤣🤣

Alberu even talked about giving a speech at the opening ceremony of the academy Lily was attending, and Cale had a grim expression as he thought of how to stop it... Cale wanted to support his sister, so if she dreamed bigger and wanted to work for the kingdom, he would still support her... But what about his slacker life dream then? 😂

Raon kept asking Alberu why his human's eyes were shaking or why he looked grim, and Alberu just smiled brightly or laughed out loud. Yeah, he's having fun teasing Cale. 😂

Another funny part was when Cale tried to explain hyunpi and dark past. Despite the explanation, Alberu still took it seriously... which weirded out Cale. 😂 Frankly, I don't know how to explain about Alberu's reaction. I think reading it will be better, because translating it here will be too long.

Ahn Roh Man's Looks Taerang underwent some update and now had some projector function. Which meant that Cale could talk to Ahn Roh Man via a video call. And when they finally saw Ahn Roh Man's face, they were surprised because he was a dark elf Alberu lookalike!

Ahn Roh Man had dark brown skin, brown hair, and brown eyes. His hair and skin were slightly lighter than dark elf Alberu. He wore glasses and appeared to be in his 30s. Unlike Alberu who appeared to be sociable and outgoing, Ahn Roh Man had a cold businessman look.

And then, Cale recalled that this cold businessman was like a version of Alberu who was studious, but was once a gamer who cried about hyunpi and dark past... 🤣🤣🤣 Cale's change of expression was hilarious. Even more when he learned that Ahn Roh Man met The Blue One in the game when he was 15.... Cale thought that was second year of middle school. The exact age of a chuunibyou patient. 🤣🤣🤣 ('Chuuni' means second year of middle school, and 'byou' means disease/illness)

Ahn Roh Man's Family There was some confusion in Cale's group when Ahn Roh Man said that he was part of the family that owned Transparent Co., Ltd. Ahn Roh Man explained that his father was the owner of a small game company. His father's younger brother was the VP, and married the daughter of the family who owned Transparent Co., Ltd.

But his uncle betrayed his father, took over the game company, and with his aunt, handed it over to Transparent Co., Ltd... Why is this cliche in Korean chaebol dramas here? 😂

Some more info. Ahn Roh Man's father was the game developer while his mother was the game designer. The game they created, Raising My Precious Absolute God, was a virtual reality game. Ahn Roh Man became number 1 in the rankings because he felt like he had to. After all, this was the game his parents created and worked hard for.

Ending Remarks Still no info about the Soos, hahaha. But we had some info dump about Ahn Roh Man. Next chapter will probably be more stuff about the game.

#tcf spoilers #trash of the count's family

[glitch-the-artist]

okay so, ima just say this outright.

Kris and Uzi are both dealing with a inner struggle, both insecure teenagers, and trouble makers.

Susie and V are literally both bloodthirsty (and I mean susie from chapter 1, not chapter 2 lol), I think you can see the relatability between them.

Finally N and ralsei are both nice and calm, who in both of their fanbases are considered “the best boy”.

I now cannot unsee this, and neither shall you if you read all of this. Lmfao

Still tho it’s kinda funny how similar these 3 are.

#deltarune #murder drones

[ashensgrotto]

Never Had a Friend (Like Me) - Part 2

Original art piece by pfbatakopd on twitter (Used only for Header. Do NOT REPOST ORIGINAL ART)

Part 1 Part 2 (You Are Here) Part 3

YandereSoulmate! AU:

Part 1 (Am I Feeling Love?)

Part 2 (Protective)

Part 3A & Part 3B (Poor Unfortunate Souls)

Characters: Azul Ashengrotto X F!Reader

Word Count: 9,105

Synopsis: A chance for redemption comes in the form of a wish…

Author’s Notes: Ok, here we go. I received an anonymous message in my inbox for the next part of the Yandere!Soulmate series and I was actually going to work on it - but with the arrival of GloMas, working on the next part of ‘Raison D’être,’ wanting to finish “Weren’t You Aware, Angelfish?”, AND the holidays, time got away from me and I forgot about Scarabia’s segment for a short while. 

However, because you all seem to enjoy this and want to know if the tako has redeemed himself - I figured I would work to get this part done. Now, warning - Pompefiore’s part is going to take a bit of time to complete because I will have to wiggle my way through my memory bank and replay a few parts of it (which is approx 76 chapters in length for those players who haven’t made it that far into the game yet) since I’m working so deep into Ignihyde’s chapter right now (which is a doozy - I’m still in chapter 67-tower 1, oof help).

This one is also going to be split into three parts - I promise it will not be a long wait for the second & third parts as this is my Christmas gift to all of my readers <3

Thank you all for your continued support!

Warnings are as follows: yandere behaviors, manipulation, imprisonment, & hypnosis

***

… Mister Kalim, sir, have a wish? Or two? Or Three?

I’m on the job, you big nabob.

You ain’t never had a friend like me.

***

“Well done, Jade,” Azul praised, “How did the ‘talk’ with Kalim go?”

It was the first night of being in Scarabia in the vacant room the Grim and (Y/N) had originally been held hostage in. Apparently, it was routine in Scarabia to have all of the students locked within their dorm rooms - hence the reason as to why the concept was foreign to both Grim and (Y/N) as the two of them never felt the need to lock their doors at night (though Azul did while (Y/N) had lived in Octavinelle for security purposes - but he would never tell her to begin with.)

True to his word, Azul started sniffing around straight away, using Jade to talk to Kalim while he and Floyd distracted Jamil with a game of mancala.

“It was just as you expected, I’m afraid,” Jade answered, placing his hands behind his back as he gave his report, “It’s very likely that Kalim is being magically mind-controlled to make him act out erratically.”

“That would explain the sea otter’s rapid changes in behavior,” Floyd nodded in agreement.

“But how is that even possible?” Grim asked.

“Grim, that’s like asking how you can stomach twenty cans of tuna in twenty minutes,” (Y/N) answered, looking toward the trio, “I’m assuming it’s similar to your ultimate magic, Jade.”

“To an extent, yes,” Jade nodded in agreement, “The closest you might get would be with Ruggie’s ‘Laugh with Me.’ That ultimate magic allows Ruggie to manipulate a person’s body to do what he wants them to. There’s also hypnosis magic that works in the same sense, but it takes control of a target’s mind and requires a far higher degree of skill and power. Very few mages are even capable of using it because of the amount of skill required to even cast it.”

“You gotta have skills and power on par with Azul for that,” Floyd added.

“But even I would be hard-pressed to control living creatures with their own egos like humans,” Azul argued, “I still prefer to give them the chance to think it over before signing one of my deals.”

“But I doubt anyone in Scarabia is half as good as you, Azul,” Grim piped up, “Even Kalim’s big signature is just a glorified waterspout…”

“Grim, ‘Oasis Maker’ is a very talented frame of magic,” (Y/N) sighed, looking at the others, “Though, I do agree… even Jamil’s score levels are relatively average on the school’s grading scale.”

“I wouldn’t be too hasty to make assumptions,” Azul chidded, “There’s an old saying in the sea that we have in the sea which states ‘a clever hawk hides its talons.’”

“So the brings us to the big question, who’s controllin’ sea otter and why?” Floyd asked.

“I’m afraid I won’t be much help there,” Jade shook his head, “I couldn’t get any answers from him.”

“Speaking of which,” (Y/n) asked suddenly, “What exactly… does your signature spell do?”

“Oh? Have you seen it before?” Grim asked curiously.

“Only once - I think we had a patron at the lounge that was behaving quite, um… indecently?” you admit, “It was like he suddenly just spilled what was on his mind as soon as Jade got close to him.”

Jade sighs, “My unique magic is one that would make most people guarded around me if they knew what it did, specifically - I’m not a fan of revealing it, but (Y/n) hit it pretty hard on the nose. It’s called ‘Shock the Heart’ - it allows me to force the truth out of a target that might be hiding something. The drawback is that the spell can only be used once on a target - once I use it, I can’t use it on them again, and it only works on those with a weak mental vulnerability or loosely guarded minds. Those like Azul who are weary, or have high resistance to magic, are effective against the spell - hence my signature spell is very limited in scope.”

“It works great on guys cowerin’ in fear or bawlin’ like babies,” Floyd grinned, showing off his row of sharp teeth.

“The way those two smile scare the daylights outta me,” Grim looked at you, “I still can’t believe you lived with these three for three months!”

“They’re not that bad,” you mumble under your breath, “...mostly.”

Azul coughed, “Jade, what were you able to find out? If anything?”

“Kalim’s always been the type to open up to others - it’s one of the reasons why he was selected to be the headwarden. Thus, my spell worked on him flawlessly - however, when I asked him if he knew the name of the student using hypnosis magic on him and if he would tell me, he claimed that he must never tell anyone. He made some sort of promise to this student long ago, so he couldn’t reveal it.”

“Oh how hysterical!” Azul snorted, “Your signature spell was thwarted by Kalim’s strength of character!”

“It would seem that way,” Jade admitted.

“And here I thought the sea otter would sing like a canary,” Floyd hit his hand over his forehead, “Just when you think you know a guy!”

“...I would assume that it’s a promise he keeps close to his heart,” you think out loud.

Azul looks at you, eyes widening, “(Y/N)! You genius angelfish! That’s it!”

“What’s it?” you ask.

“I have an idea,” Azul answered, “I have a hunch at who our little serpent schemer is… and how to pull him out of hiding, but first - Floyd, I’ll need your help.”

“My help?” Floyd looked flabbergasted.

“Yes, I need to borrow your signature spell.”

Jade, Floyd, Grim, and you blinked in surprise.

“Azul, pardon me for asking,” Jade spoke after a moment of stunned silence, “but why in the world are you asking for Floyd’s ‘Bind the Heart’?”

“Because I intend on using myself as bait,” Azul answered.

“Azul! You can’t!” you could contain yourself at the thought of Azul stepping in harm’s way.

“(Y/n), listen to me,” Azul took your hand, “This won’t be like the last time, I promise. I’m one of the strongest mages here right now, so I have to do this. Floyd’s ‘Bind the Heart’ will allow me the protection from hypnosis when we have to face off against our little viper. I don’t intend on him gaining control over anyone any longer - not even you.”

“I hate to admit it, but Azul is right,” Floyd answered, scratching the back of his head, “As much as I hate to admit, it would give us an advantage as well.”

“What do you mean, Floyd?” Jade asked.

“I’m always goin’ off about how great my signature spell is an’ showin’ it,” Floyd shrugged his shoulder, “So, if I swap something with Azul an’ give him my signature spell - no one will know that he has it, least of all our target.”

“But you’ll have to feign ignorance, all of you,” Azul answered, “If you can’t, this trap won’t work - this is the one shot we have.”

“Alright, though I’m not really seeing where this is going…” Grim sighed, resting his paws on his hips.

“You will eventually, Grim,” Azul answered, “Now, Floyd. Are you ready? I’ll give you something that will be an adequate replacement for the time being.”

“Sure, octy - whenever you’re ready.”

“How many times must I…? Never mind.”

Azul closed his eyes and took a deep breath as magic began to gather around him.

“The song ceases, the sun sets… I extend my benevolent hand to you poor unfortunate souls… Now, to business! It’s a Deal!”

***

Azul always knew how to practice patience - it was something he learned over the years during his searches for his soulmate. He may have been desperate during his childhood years, searching every day and night for that special someone that was destined to stay by his side, but that didn’t change the fact that he was preparing for this moment specifically.

All day, Azul kept one eye on his target, watching them as he, Floyd, and Jade began to slowly rile him up with their constant assistance toward Kalim - helping the Scarabia housewarden with memorization spells, training routines, and homework that had been assigned over the holiday weekend, keeping him busy and away from the one person who was to be held responsible for the mess the dorm was now in. By mid-afternoon, the trap was set and Azul walked down the hall towards the kitchens with the suspect beside him.

“The students' completion rate for these assignments is up fifteen percent from yesterday,” Azul commented amicably, “Those are some statistically significant results, in my opinion. Believe it or not, (Y/N) and Grim both told me that Kalim was going through some rough patches, his mood swings pretty drastic - even compared to Floyd’s… but he’s been acting pretty calm since we arrived. Isn’t it wonderful that Kalim’s regained the faith of Scarabia’s students, Jamil?”

“...No. No, it isn’t,” Jamil hissed quietly.

“It’s not?” Azul feigned surprise.

“No offense, but I can’t let you people stay in Scarabia any longer,” Jamil stopped and glared at Azul hard, “It’s time you went back under the sea.”

‘Got you,’ Azul thought before asking, “Where did this come from, Jamil? Have I done something to offend you?”

“...You made eye contact with me. Fool,” Jamil’s wicked grin spread across his features, “The one you behold is your master. When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent. Snake Whisper.”

Azul felt the magic coiling around him, a small murmur of ‘Bind the Heart’ rejected the magic - now… it was time to play.

Azul feigned pain until he could see you and Jade hiding out of the corner of his eye, making sure that the two of you could see everything - his cell phone held securely in Jade’s grip as the stream began. He feigned falling into Jamil’s magic, opening his eyes to reveal Jamil’s control over his mind and body. He slightly slumped his shoulders, giving the illusion that he was no longer in control.

As he did so, Jamil began to rant - playing right into the octomer’s hands

“Because of you, all my carefully laid plans have gone up in smoke! All I needed was a little more nudging from those two dimwits and the students would’ve kicked Kalim out,” Jamil growled, “Do you have any idea how much painstaking effort I put into laying the groundwork for that?”

Azul did not respond, though he wanted to give a few choice words to Jamil about calling his sweet angelfish a ‘dimwit’ - but he would have to wait for that.

“Azul - you returned all your contractually stolen powers back to their rightful owners recently, right?” Jamil asked suddenly.

“Yes, master,” Azul responded, thinking, ‘Where are you going with… ah, I see…’

“Tch. So much for using you as my own personal genie of the lamp,” Jamil scoffed, reaching up and rubbing his chin, “Your unique magic is quite a valuable asset… but it would be hard to keep you controlled long-term.”

“Master,” Azul’s voice spoke up, “I remember the contents of the contracts.”

“What?” Jamil looked at Azul in surprise.

“I remember all the secrets of the people I made contracts with - their troubles, their weakness, their desires.”

“What a… twisted collection. I see I made the right choice not to make friends with you,” Jamil smiled cruelly, “Tell me, does this intellectual cache of yours include the headmage’s secrets?”

Azul grinned internally, baiting Jamil even more, “Of course, master. I know one thing he would never want others to learn. Do you wish to know his secret?”

“Oh, abso-lutely!” Jamil’s smile broadened, “Once I have the headmage’s weakness in my grasp, I’ll finally be free. I’ll kick Kalim out of school and become Scarabia’s housewarden myself!”

“... And there we have it.”

Azul watched, a knowing smirk appearing on his face as Jamil whipped around to face Jade, his face contorted in confusion.

“So you finally show your true colors!” Grim pressed his paws onto his hips as he glared up at Jamil from between you and Jade, “I bet you thought you were real slick, pullin’ the wool over our eyes!”

“H-how… how much..?”

“All of it,” you answered, “Start to finish.”

“And live streamed to the world from Azul’s smartphone,” Jade waved the phone at Jamil as footsteps entered the hallway with many Scarabia students appearing, “Azul’s Magicam livestream presently had five thousand active viewers. It’s currently trending under the topic: ‘A Certain Magicians’ School’s Dirty Little Secret’.”

Voices began echoing around Jamil, the students of the Scarabia dorm demanding to know the truth and why Jamil - their own vice warden - would deceive them.

“Y-you… you’ve got it all wrong!” Jamil shouted, his fear and apprehensiveness growing.

“Don’t even try to talk your way out of this one,” Jade folded his arms across his chest, “The mind control magic you used on Azul is hard evidence.”

Everyone looked at Azul - who kept his silent slumped state, continuing to pretend to be under Jamil’s magic still.

“Jamil, it’s been you all along,” Jade continued, pulling everyone’s attention back to him, “You’ve been using your signature spell on Kalim and making him throw Scarabia into chaos!”

Jamil tsked, smearing, “I was trying to avoid escalating matters, but you leave me no choice - Azul, I command you! Subdue and restrain them all!”

“Yes, master,” Azul answered, taking a step forward.

You took a step back with Jade, Grim darting behind you as you looked at Azul pleading, momentarily forgetting that Azul wasn’t really under Jamil’s power, “Azul, no. You don’t want to do this. Please! Snap out of it!”

“Pleading with him won’t help you, (Y/N)!” Jamil laughed, “He’s my loyal minion now.”

‘And… now,’ Azul took another step forward, before spinning around and pointing his cane at Jamil, “You wish I was.”

“What?!”

Azul looked over his shoulder and winked at you, relieved to see your smile as he turned his attention back toward Jamil, “You told me the funniest thing earlier - allow me to return the favor. You think I’m an arrogant mage, but you were sorely mistaken. An embarrassing misjudgment for the vice warden of Scarabia - the dorm that is supposed to embody the spirit of mindfulness.”

“I know I made eye contact with you! I had you in my control!”

“Please, I’m a competent mage and you know it,” Azul frowned, keeping his cane pointed at Jamil, “I always prepare for the eventualities before I act - right Floyd?”

“I think you let your guard down a little too soon there, sea snake,” Floyd appeared, his voice sounding more baritone than before - almost like a tuba was speaking.

Azul snickered softly as your eyebrows raised up into your hairline, “That’s… what you exchanged with Floyd for his signature spell?”

“Pretty cool, huh?” Floyd said with a grin.

“Shall I explain it?” Azul asked, keeping his focus on Jamil, “In exchange for a vocal adjustment, Floyd gave me his unique magic, ‘Bind the Heart’ - it jams or blocks an opponent’s magic and diverts it elsewhere. Hence - I used it to evade your mind spell, then pretended to be in your hold and got you to spill your intentions while you gloated.”

Jamil gritted his teeth, glaring at them as Kalim appeared, the housewarden asking politely to tell him that it was true, that Jamil would never do anything like that, that it was just blackout spells because of how tired he was. But the silence from the vice warden was short-lived.

Azul felt you stiffen beside him, your hand suddenly gripping Azul’s overcoat, “(Y/N)? What’s wrong?”

You met his gaze and Azul knew.

An overblot was approaching.

He turned to Jade and Floyd, “Jade, Floyd, ready yourselves.”

“The one you behold is your master… When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent! Snake Whisper!”

At Jamil’s command, the Scarabia dorm turned on its guests and its headwarden.

Azul was quick to pull you and Grim behind him as a shield of water protected the three of you from a rain of fire, “Mediocre, nothing! He’s easily one of the top mages in the entire school - to say nothing of Scarabia.”

Floyd grumbled, “I keep squeezin’ em but they keep gettin’ back up - are they zombies or somethin’?”

“That’s just part of ‘Snake Whisper’,” you explain, as if your eyes are seeing the internal workings of the spell, “It forces a target to continue to obey the commands - like a puppet on a string. Even though they might feel pain and are internally trying to avoid as well as fight the spell, their minds and bodies are not completely their own anymore.”

“Jamil! Please stop!” Kalim begged as he blocked an attack, “You can have what you want! You can be the housewarden! I’ll go home to my family!”

“What? You thought that would work? My spell won’t be broken so easily,” Jamil snickered as black ink and heavy energy surrounded him, “Not as long as you exist in this world… Kalim.”

“Jamil! You’re courting danger!” Jade begged, eyes widening, “If you keep using your signature spell, you’ll exceed you blot tolerance-”

“SHUT UP AND DON’T ORDER ME AROUND!”

The air became heavy as a dark shadow came over Scarabia. Azul pulled you closer as several dark shapes began to shift - the housewarden of Octavinelle watching in horror as a creature appeared before them. Hovering above the ground in ancient Viziar garb of black and red was Jamil, cloaked in darkness with hair that now took on the shapes of small black vipers - a dark shadow that took on the form of a dark genie hovering behind him, as if awaiting his command.

“He’s overblotted!” Azul gritted his teeth, “The negative energy is swelling up… Everyone! Steel yourselves!”

“I have no need for an incompetent king or a con artist,” the twisted voice of Jamil spoke, “Your personality flaws give me ADEQUATE cause… to send you packing on a one-way trip to the ends of the earth! So long! Ex-Housewarden Kalim! A-hahahahaha!”

The next thing Azul knew, he was airborne.

#twisted wonderland #yandere azul ashengrotto #azul ashengrotto #yandere azul x reader #floyd leech #jade leech #yandere #twst azul #twst floyd #twst jade #yandere x reader #tw yandere #tw: yandere #yandere azul ashengrotto x reader #octavinelle #scarabia #kalim al asim #twst kalim #jamil viper #twst jamil #twst grim #tw hypnosis #tw manipulation

[lowkeyremi]

𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 -> Aizawa Shota x afab!reader

➼ Sum: In short, you're fired from your main job. The worry and stress hits you while you're ugly crying outside of the building of your old workplace. You happen to meet a man who can give you a job. The question is... should you take it?

➼ Chapters: Prologue, 1

➼ Content Warning: Implied fem reader, reader has fem parts, eventual sexual content, suggestive language, all characters are aged up, eventual relationships, strippers, reader is struggling. (I'll add more as time goes on)

Prologue - I'm Fucking Losing It.

banner by: cafekitsune

"Please... I promise it won't happen again." You're on your knees in one of the halls, pleading- no begging to keep your job. It couldn't be helped though, why should you let people get handsy with you when it makes you uncomfortable?

"I'm sorry but that was your last chance. You've beaten up too many customers.. publicly at that and it's scaring away customers." Your manager says, he seems to feel for you but that frown may just be as fake as your life right now.

"But I'm your top money maker!" This is your last resort. You cannot lose this job because you don't make much at your coffee shop part-time.

"Technically, that's no longer true. Your performance has been sloppy lately, so Ami has risen and taken your spot." His words shatter what's left of your hope. Your makeup runs as you cry ugly tears. A man walks past the two of you, most likely toward the restroom. Any other time you'd be embarrassed, but right at this moment all you can feel is emptiness.

"So I'm being fired for defending myself?" You ask between sobs and sniffles.

"No, you know we wouldn't let anything happen to you. It's policy after all. You also know better than anyone that people at clubs are drunk and high even, so, of course, they're going to touch you. It's what you signed up for." He says to keep it professional.

Anger starts to seep into you. "Fuck, if that's how it's gonna be then I'll leave!" They don't deserve your service anyway.

"Ms. L/n...?" Your boss asks and you look up at him. He sees you struggling to stand because of your sore feet, these heels do you no justice. A hand is held out and you take it, trembling as you get up.

"I could recommend you to another club-" You cut him off.

"I'm good, thank you for everything you've done for me." It breaks your heart that you're leaving this place. As weird as it sounds this club was the closest thing to a home for you.

You start your walk to the backroom to get your things. Emptying your locker was the hardest. The tears start flowing again when you see the old Polaroid pictures you took with some of your coworkers who you considered to be some of your best friends.

Once changed out of your lingerie and you've packed everything you turn in everything the club let you use.

There was no way you'd say farewell to this life, it'd only make leaving it behind all the more hard. You walk outside and slump against the club's wall. You allow yourself to cry it all out.

You call your mother not sure what to do.

She picks up on the second ring, "Hello?"

"Hey.." you mumble. Your voice is hoarse due to crying.

Your mother instantly sighs, "Did you get yourself into some bullshit again?"

"Um.. yeah. Can I stay with you until I-" You're cut off by your mother's stern voice.

"Y/n, I cannot keep covering for your ass. You are twenty-six years old and every time you get into some shit you come crying to me or your father to fix it. I raised you better than that." And so the lecture begins.

"Mom please, just for a week or two.." You plead, usually she'd give in but she seems to be set on teaching you a lesson.

"No. You can call me if you need anything, but you need to get your life together. Life is not all cupcakes and rainbows. You need to learn how to deal with it. I love you but I have to go." Your mother, the one who's supposed to have your back through thick and thin is in your opinion giving up on you.

Your crying continues. What the hell are you supposed to do? Bills are due a little while from now and you work a small paying part-time.

"Shit I need to look for a job." You say sniffling.

"I could be of some assistance." A deep voice rings in your ears. You assume whoever it is is making a phone call and is not talking to you.

"You are in need of a job, correct? I could help you get into an honest line of work." The voice tries again. This time you look up to see a man with long raven hair casting down his shoulders, he has stubble covering his face alongside a few scars, and an eye patch that hides his right eye.

"Me?" You ask stoked about his appearance.

"I don't see anyone else out here crying their eyes out." He says with a hint of smugness. Wait.. how does he know you need a job?

"How did you-"

"Those walls aren't that thick." He replies somehow already knowing what you were bound to say.

"I need an assistant, I teach in a high school." The scoff that leaves your lips is inevitable.

"Teachers don't make shit, how am I supposed to pay my bills with a job like that?" Sarcasm is laced in your tone, you search his eye for any sign that he'll leave you alone but he seems determined.

"It's not just any high school. I'm a first-year teacher at UA high school, you'll be making around $20 an hour as my assistant. Also room and board is provided." Your eyes widen, now the offer is more tempting.

Looking down you get a glimpse of his prosthetic leg. "You need help because of your leg?"

"No, I could just use an extra set of hands, it seems every year the hero students get a little bit more naive." His sigh does not go unnoticed by you.

"Don't you need like a degree or something? Why are you asking an ex-stripper?" It's not even out of spite just pure curiosity.

"Usually you would, but I can get you the job. I'm asking because you seem to be struggling and if I can do something about it then I'll try to the best of my ability to make it happen."

Oh. So he's one of those people. The kind to pity anybody, you assume.

"I'm not struggling, I'm fucking losing it." The tears threaten to come back.

"What would I do?" You ask.

"Bring stuff from the printer, monitor the class, answer questions on current subjects, get coffee, other simple things like that." The calmness in his voice is a little unnerving.

"And I'd get paid $20 an hour for that?" The shock in your voice causes the man to chuckle a little bit.

"Correct. Any other questions?" His voice is smooth.

"How can you trust me? I just got fired for beating people up." You fear losing the potential job but you just had to ask.

"As you said, you were defending yourself. Your job should have considered that, even if the people are drunk that is no excuse for them to touch you when you have asked them to stop." He explains simply.

"Okay, I'll take the job.. when can I start?" This is what is crucial to you, those bills need to be paid, and getting behind would only cause you more trouble. But then again room and board is provided... would you even need to live in your crappy apartment anymore?

"Next week or the week after, I need to speak with the principal. Once everything is set straight I'll contact you about moving in." He rubs his face, and when looking into his eyes there was no way to tell what he was thinking. He looks so good though, you couldn't deny that.

"Eraserhead, a pleasure to meet you." That must be his hero name.

"Do I need some kind of code name? I'm not a hero. My stripper name was Golden Tiger." Your face flushes a little bit.

"Should've been Golden Kitten, you clearly haven't reached tiger status yet. Just give me your last name." It was clear he was teasing, his voice gave it away.

"Okay, just call me L/n then." He chuckles at your little huff of annoyance.

"Alright L/n, you think I could get your number to contact you?" That easygoing tone not leaving his voice.

You hand him your phone and you watch with interest as he types in his number. You hear a little hum escape his lips signaling he was done.

"Text me," he commands handing you back your phone. Something about the way he said that gave you goosebumps.

'Golden Tiger here.' you text biting your bottom lip. All you receive is Eraserhead shaking his head at you with a smug smirk.

"You need a ride home, Golden Kitten?" You can't even be upset when that smirk looks so good on him.

"Oh fuck off. My car's over there." You point to your ugly beige 2006 Honda Accord. (let's just pretend those still exist even tho the mha timeline is in the future)

"Is that any way to talk to someone who just got you a job?" His voice dropped an octave and you weren't sure if it was on purpose or if he was doing it unconsciously.

He looks like a tired man anyone wouldn't consider being attracted to but something about this man is drawing you in.

Instead of responding to his question, you ignore it, "I'm leaving."

You push yourself off the wall that hasn't been cleaned since who knows when. You'd forgotten that your feet were sore because of Eraserhead's presence but they reminded you of the pain.

Eraserhead mumbled something that sounded like 'be careful' but it wasn't certain, you already started limping to your car in pain.

Once situated you shut your eyes and let out a sigh.

"As cliché as this is, I'm glad my life is starting to work out a little bit." Your statement was heard by no one but yourself. When pulling out of the parking lot you play some music to prevent yourself from being left alone with your thoughts.

➼ AN: And that's a wrap for the prologue. I hope it's okay, this story came out of no where tbh. I'm not sure on how long I want it to be yet. I'm working on being more detailed in my writings. Also this is NOT beta read yet, bc I need to find someone to be my beta reader. Feel free to like, reblog, and comment! <3

#bnha #mha #aizawa #mha aizawa #aizawa shōta #shota aizawa #aizawa shouta #aizawa x reader #bnha aizawa #eraserhead #aizawa shota x reader #aizawa shota #shota aizawa x reader #multi chap #multi chap fic #multi fic #post bnha wars #aizawa x y/n

[igotanidea]

chapter 1 : Another privateer: Nikolai Lantsov x fem!reader

A/N: I'm having so much fun writing this. So much that chapter 2 may be coming faster than expected 😊 😊 😊

CHAPTER 1 : ORIGINS

Y/N Y/L/N was a Grisha. An Inferni, to be precise. Raised in the small palace but never adjusting properly to the royal life. She was not like Zoya, proud, confident and more queen-like than an actual queen. She was not like Genya, careful, gentle and quiet (even if that came with a bit of cunning). Or like Nadya with all her positive attitude and calmness.

No.

Y/N was someone you would call a trouble maker.

More often than not her kefta was disheveled, torn or dirtied, her hair messy, her face reddened, eyes glistening. She was the kid who was running through the palace corridors, fooling around, teasing and playing pranks on everyone else. Not listening to her Inferni teachers, skipping classes and causing havoc. All those rules and limitations that she was so swiftly finagling were boring and confining and she could not deal with them. She did not want to deal with them. She did not want to relent.

However, such vivid expression of emotions and god, forbid – fun -was unacceptable.

Especially from a kid.

Especially from an Inferni, who dealt with the most dangerous and unpredictable element.

And especially from a legacy as her father used to call her, even if the sound of the word made her sick to the stomach. Much to her resentment Y/N came from a long line of merited, noble house and what was expected of her had little to do with joy. Her father was the personal advisor of the king so her family was always close to the royals and that meant attending banquets, balls, playing the role of someone she was not. And someone who she did not wish to be. A lady.

She had obligations, duties and strict agenda and it was weighting her down.

“Sit still!” her mother scoffed her during another preparation for another royal dinner. “You have to act like a girl and look like one, not a tatterdemalion.”

She never complied with any rules.

One day, when it all became too much, she used her skills to set the curtains in one of the classes on fire and run away from, as far as possible. And that’s how she found herself in the presence of second son, prince Nikolai Lantsov. Of course she knew who he was when full of anger, with fierce face expression run into the forest surrounding the palace, ready to burn it to the ground. Of course she remembered that a prince should be treated with respect. She clearly recollected all the bow in his presence, act coy and cautiously, be gentle….. Saints! Even the memory made her roll her eyes and she could not care less. As for the prince he took one glance at her messy figure and literal fire in her eyes made him gasp in awe on the inside and smirk characteristically on the outside. He remembered that girl.

“Hard day?”

“You have no idea.” She muttered flopping onto the ground with a heavy groan.

“I actually think I do. You know, I am the prince after all.” Silent emphasis on the title did not slip by her.

“Oh I’m sorry, moi tsarevich.” She immediately jumped to her feet and bowed in the funniest way he had ever seen, almost tripping over her own feet “forgive me for my audacity. Will you grant me the honor of resting on the ground in your presence?”

“You’re something different, aren’t you?” he looked at her carefully with sparks in his eyes “not like the other Grishas here?”

“Whatever that may mean, I guess not.” She shrugged “Whatever, but my parents would probably disinherit me if they knew how I’m addressing the prince at the moment.”

“Good thing the prince appreciates your honest attitude.” He laughed whole-heartedly and all the tension in her shoulders disappeared just because of that sound. Apparently he was something else than what was presented to people as well.

“Does he?” she raised an eyebrow “I thought him to be the one greedy for blarney and cocky.”

“Can you blame me? I mean look at that handsome face.” Nikolai grinned and that earned him a chuckle from her “Someone’s feeling better, I see. I know, I know, my sense of humor is impeccable.”

“Cocky it is” she nodded to herself.

 “True, I don’t mind a good praise. But I’m bored with pretenses and restrictions. I can’t really do much of what I want in the palace and that is just…..”

“Infuriating?”  

“Yeah…..” He glanced at her once again but this time it was like he really saw her “I’m Nikolai. Not a prince, not a tsarevich, not a royal.”

“Bet you say that to all the girls you flirt.” Y/N spat, but deep inside started to wonder if he really was on a fist name basis with every girl Grisha in the palace. Given his direct approach to the matter that truly was something to wonder about. And it made her feel ….. weird. Saints! She barely met him and he managed to spark something with all the attention focused on her. Probably the first person she met who did not considered her a menace.

“Careful there.” he warned playfully “You got yourself in good terms with me and if you want to keep being yourself you’re gonna need someone to look after you. Guess that’s gonna be me.”

“Look after? Really? I’m not some stray cat who needs protecting. Besides, I’ve been doing fine till now.”

“How about the turn fine into amazing?” he smiled and she could not help reciprocating. “come on, look me in the face and tell me that does not sound promising.”

“I’m Y/N.” she laughed unable to do what he asked but not wishing to say it straight away “Want to make some mess?”

***

From that day they became friends, but kept it in secret, stealing all the little moments together. No one knew. For three years. And it all came out because of Zoya and her scheming.

***

There were probably better ways of meeting than sneaking out in the middle of night to that one spot in the forest, but both Y/N and Nikolai had some flair for dramatics. He was a prince trained in sword fights and combat and she was an Inferni, what was the worst thing that could have happened , right? Besides, the palace and adjoining grounds were a safe place, right?

“Nik! You came!” Y/n emerged from behind the trees immediately spotting her best buddy, already there, waiting for her. Honestly, she felt relieved when he showed up first. Nikolai has been acting strange for the last couple of weeks, avoiding her, defending himself with all the duties. Well, as if she didn’t have things to do! Between being Grisha and training and her obligations towards father and the crown, she really had to cut down on sleep and rest to tear time for him. But it was important. Maybe it was more important for her than for him. And all that’s been happening got her mind spinning and well, worrying.  

“Missed me that much?” he smirked observing her coming closer, her coat disheveled, hair messed, as usual since some things never changed, even after years.  

“Pf! You wish.”

“And what if I do?” that mocking expression disappeared from his face, replaced by seriousness and care.

“I bet you say that to all the girls…..” she laughed, trying her best to defuse the tension. Even though the Inferni were the Grishas who could not start a fire out of nothing, at that moment she swore she could make a flame from all the feelings inside.  

“No. No I don’t” he took her hand in his, caressing it gently and intertwining their fingers. Her small hand aligning so well with his.  

“What are you doing?” as much as she wanted to turn around and run away that simple gesture as holding hands got her absolutely frozen in place. Rooted to the ground.

“Dazzling you with my charm?” his other hand travelled up to cup her cheek.

“It doesn’t work on me.” She opposed, eyes widening in shock, breath hitched in anticipation of what was coming.

“Too bad.” he leaned forward, but before their lips met pulled away leaving her absolutely confused.

She frowned but the teasing smirk on his face told her everything she had to know.

“Told you” Y/N shrugged “it’s not working. Bet you know it as well since you backed down on your own.”

“I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.” He spat back.

“Mhm. Sure. Whatever game you were playing here, tsarevich, you lost. Bet you don’t like that, do you?”

“How was your day, fireball? „he let go of her completely, sitting on the tree trunk and patting the spot next to him invitingly “Managed to fry any dummy of an opponent?”

“Many. But you know, the night is still young, I got a chance to add another one to the list.”

“Got your mind on anyone in particular?”

“Maybe. Not that it’s of your concern. How was your day, prince?” she was trying, but could not hide that annoyed tone and he knew well enough that if it came to calling him with official titles it was serious. Good. At least now he knew what feeling she was hiding inside. Not that he was going to take it easy on her. “did you managed to charm anyone? Your brother, perhaps?”

“Don’t even get me started on that…..”

***      

Ever since that almost-kiss in the forest something has changed between them and it was hard to determine whether it was a good or a bad shift. There was a lot more teasing than usual and that giving the fact, Nikolai were a natural at that. But now, when he saw her in the palace or in the ground or in the library he was always approaching her, commenting on her fighting skills and technique, even in the presence of other Grishas. On top of being known as the most unruly person in the Little Palace, now the rumors considering her relationship with prince has started. Oh, Nikolai just loved to make her life harder than it had to be and she had enough, ready to confront him and tell him off.

Right at the moment.

But when she ditched her Inferni practice (again) and was on her way to the royal wing of the palace, unexpected appearance of her father put her off the stride.

“Y/N” he smiled in a predatory manner, putting arm on her shoulders and walking her away from destination “I’ve got good news. Our family has been invited to the banquet. You included.”

“What? No. No way. I’m not….”

“You are going, I won’t hear a word about it. And you will behave.”

“but….” She squirmed. The grip on her was hard and hurt to the point when some tears showed in her eyes. And of course that was the moment Nikolai chose to show up. Just one glance at her face was enough for him to take action, she did not wish for.

“Lord f/l/n.” he spoke in the most royal tone he could.

“moi tsarevich.”

“Y/N” Nik turned his gaze on her, but she did not say and only another press on the shoulders made her mutter some sort of greeting “I think there’s no need to keep your daughter a prisoner, lord f/l/n. Whatever she may have done we have other sort of punishments in the palace.”

“Of course.” with such words she was able to breathe normally again “this one’s a challenge. Refused ‘to attend the …..”

“I know. “Nik smirked “but I really hope to see you tonight, Y/n”

“Tonight?! What do you mean tonight!?” she cried out “I need like a week of mental preparations for that!”

“No, you don’t” both men said in unison, each with different tone.

Yes, she was forced to attend.

to be continued

tags are open.

@pinksirensong - you're probably gonna kill me when you get back and see all the things I tagged you in ... ...

#nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lanstov x y/n #prince nikolai #sturmhond #sturmhond x reader #sturmhond x you #shadow and bone netflix #shadow and bone fanfic #shadow and bone fanfiction #shadow and bone x you #shadow and bone x reader #shadow and bone imagine #shadow and bone #nikolai lanstov x reader #nikolai x you

[spideyhexx]

kit's tbosas notes

here are my notes from reading the first five chapters of tbosas <3 this includes quotes I particularly picked out/thoughts as I read! if you want to discuss anything, pls send any thoughts!

CHAPTER 1

Starting off with Coryo & Cabbage immediately made me think about the beginning of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which starts the same way, where it's making sure you KNOW he's poor.

Memories of looking at picture books with his mother...no thoughts on this, it just made me sad.

"But better off sad, than dead...," (Pg. 5) - ARE YOU SURE CORIOLANUS

"As if controlling one element of his world would keep him from ruin," (Pg. 7) - Suzanne is telling us everything right from the beginning. Tendency to obsession! He seeks control because he didn't have that for his entire childhood.

Communications Professor - Satyria Click favored Coryo and he's the TA for that class.

Coryo considers flaking over a shirt as the most relatable thing as someone who also deals with anxiety and being meticulous. More on that, there is so much to be known about him in just the first few pages, how perfectionist he is, how badly he tears himself down over image, how much he hates his status...

Tigris is so exceptionally sweet, that it hurts!

He's pricked by a rose immediately and I don't take that moment lightly, that's deeper than it comes off.

I must have forgot reaping day was on July 4th but that's insane.

"LOVE THE BANGS." - Coriolanus is a kiss-up

Gymnasium Mistress is such a silly title - Agrippina Sickle - SEJANUS IS THE TA

Pg. 17 - Sejanus and his soulful brown eyes! Josh comes right off the page as Sejanus, what perfect casting.

There is disdain and camaraderie from Coriolanus' POV regarding Sejanus. He's playing with him but he also kind of likes that?

Coriolanus' first dialogue with Sejanus is about working out.

"Ma? Was Coriolanus' place about to be usurped by someone who referred to his mother as Ma?" (Pg. 20) - Coriolanus being funny.

CHAPTER 2

Coriolanus singing the national anthem in a forceful voice, getting nods of approval over it, and immediately thinking, "It was pathetic," is the most relatable thing I have ever heard. (Pg. 23)

"his insult," referring to Lucy Gray (pg. 25)

Mayfair wetting herself from the snake.

"There was something vaguely familiar about her but disturbing about her," (Pg. 25) - more than just the circus memories he has in this moment.

Sejanus immediately calling that Lucy Gray being chosen was rigged is so interesting to me? The fact he picked up on that out of anyone.

"Don't cry," - CORYO

"Coriolanus wondered if, like him, they were hoping she'd keep singing," (Pg. 29) - he's already in so deep

"But his brain had developed properly; at least he hoped it had," (Pg. 34) - funny coryo

The entire scene of Highbottom insulting Coriolanus is much sadder here in the book than in the film due to the sole fact of what happened before. Coriolanus so badly wants pie, even thinking about getting two slices and after Highbottom insults him, Coriolanus just wants to leave the Academy, he completely disregards how much he wants to eat after he's mocked. Also Coriolanus not knowing why Highbottom hates him? And thinking it's the nickname the students call him. Interesting.

First the threat of losing his apartment, then the lowliest tribute assignment -- who, on further reflection, was definitely crazy..." (Pg. 36) - I actually thought he was gonna say something nice here for some reason.

CHAPTER 3

"As you always say, your roses open any doors," (Pg. 38) - he never forgot this.

Remus Dolittle - Game-maker in training, who lives below Coriolanus

"She was terrifying really. And here he was in his uniform, clutching a rose like some lovesick schoolboy, hoping she would -- what? Like him? Trust him? Not kill him on sight?" (Pg. 39) - thought this was funny.

Coryo waited three hours!!! He felt a mix of pity and revulsion at the tributes.

Coriolanus believing his gravelly voice from not speaking for hours had a nice maturity to it (Pg. 42)

Lucy Gray calls him gorgeous.

He clocks Lucy Gray 'performing' from the get-go (Pg. 42) - and on that note, Lucy Gray feels so much more mysterious in the book since we're inside Coriolanus' head, she comes off as like an enigma and I really do love the discussion of how she is using him almost as much as he's using her. Of course, Coriolanus has worse moments than in regards to her, but she is performing for a lot of this.

I like the change that he sneaks onto the truck in the movie instead of Peacekeepers giving him permission.

"He remembered she carried snakes in her pocket and the usual rules didn't apply to her," (Pg. 43) - funny Coryo

In the truck scene with the tributes, I think the film had better lines (dialogue), especially from Coriolanus

He's a pampered poodle!

"Coriolanus resorted to the one move that had yet to fail him in schoolyard scuffles, driving his knee up hard into his opponent's crotch," (Pg. 45) - okay 1, WHAT SCHOOLYARD SCUFFLES WAS CORYO GETTING INTO and 2, I like that they took this out from the film because it would characterize him more on knowing how to fight at least somewhat but I feel like it strengthens what happens when he kills a tribute in the arena to not see him be violent in any regard beforehand.

"After Lucy Gray's wink, it might be worthwhile to stay," (Pg. 47) - CRAZY, OKAY CORYO!

CHAPTER 4

"HIS GIRL," (Pg. 49) - he's so possessive immediately

"Who were all these people hanging around on a weekday at the zoo? Didn't they have jobs? Shouldn't the children be in school? No wonder the country was such a mess," (Pg. 49) - Coryo continues to be funny

"All the faces...began to blue...his limbs felt numb, his lungs starved for air...he felt immense relief that he was not entirely alone...," (Pg. 49) - This whole section is so key in his character and his immediate liking/trust to Lucy Gray. First, he goes into a panic attack over the situation, and she's the one to ground him and calm him, which we learn later he usually calms down at night with his mother's rose powder scent in the compact and it's just making me think about how he misses that presence or a presence that can ground him and Lucy Gray does that without him even asking.

Coryo felt a spark and a burst of charisma from holding her hand AND she gripped his hand like a vice despite her outward appearance being so calm and confident (Pg. 50)

Lepidus Malmsey - Capitol News

"tried for likable with a hint of roguishness," (Pg. 53) - okay, Coryo

"He thought the combination of cohorts and unceremoniously had just the right note of superiority," (Pg. 54-55) - thinking of himself as superior to the Peacekeepers and also showing his perfectionism even within what words he chooses. He's so pretentious.

Io Jasper adored Coriolanus

"the smell of formaldehyde triggered his gag reflex," (Pg. 55) -wrote this down because I'm a teen boy/j

Coriolanus watched Gaul melt the flesh off of a rat at NINE!!!

Boa Bell is the sweetest name for a cat, I'm in love. She loved Coryo!!! And consoled him :(

"it upset him to think of Boa Bell ending up in the lab," (Pg. 58)

Coriolanus remembers Lucy Gray's words about owning it to help with talking to Gaul and Highbottom. She's so in his head already.

"Coriolanus would have to review the Academy student guide so he could object to the punishment," (Pg. 61) - he's so anxious and particular and insane

CHAPTER 5

he and Lucy Gray were the stars...okay Coriolanus!

"What was Sejanus up to? Was he trying to outdo him and steal the day's thunder?" (Pg. 63) - Coriolanus!!!

Also "that girl wasn't even his tribute," (Pg. 63) - referring to Dill. Sejanus trying to hand out food to anyone. This is such a good way of characterizing him as being sympathetic towards all of them, not just Marcus.

"His dog in a fight," (Pg. 68) - Coriolanus is referring to Lucy Gray here...he's so contradictory because he does make comments about knowing they're not 'animals' and he treats Lucy Gray as a normal human, but then his thoughts reflect more of this! The way he doesn't question it though is a testament to how it's been drilled into his head.

Coriolanus broke his denial of eating after seeing the ketchup in Lucy Gray's sandwich

He gets flustered after openly admitting to Lucy Gray of not having much food at home!!! I feel like the film lost out on so much character for Coryo in regards to his relationship with food because it is so important in almost every chapter. Also, him admitting it this quick to her is another point in showing how he's gained trust for her so quick. He calls himself an idiot over telling her.

"but this caressed his brain, calling her from the depths," (Pg. 71) - referring to Lucy Gray's song as it reminded him of a song his mother sang, then Coryo goes into the backstory of her death. There really is a connection between the love his mother gave him and his relationship with Lucy Gray.

he smells the rose powder when he has trouble sleeping :( this was all such a sad passage to read but especially, "it never failed to calm him with the memory of how it had felt to be loved like that," (Pg. 71) - Like that's very tragic.

The entire conversation with Sejanus, I'm still thinking about it but. It's clear Coriolanus is manipulating his own thoughts with how he sees Sejanus' actions, like Coriolanus almost can't fathom Sejanus is saying/doing things out of the mere goodness of his heart. And if Coriolanus does believe that, he sees it as stupid. And he sees Sejanus' actions as not being grateful for what he has. So at the end of it, Coriolanus is just jealous and spiteful.

"Lucy Gray was one thing belonging to Coriolanus that he [Sejanus] would never, ever get," (Pg. 75) - absolutely wild thing but this goes back to what was said in chapter one!!! Coriolanus wants to be able to control something and add into it what he feels towards Sejanus, it's amplified right now because he has the ability to deprive Sejanus of what he's asking for.

#kit talks #tbosas #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #the hunger games #thg #coriolanus snow #suzanne collins #sejanus plinth #lucy gray baird #tigris snow #president snow #coryo snow #hunger games #thg series

[cressthebest]

Crimson Rivers thoughts pt. 29

chapter 48:

1. oof. i was NOT prepared for james to realize regulus is a death eater

2. “Everything I do in that arena, it's for you.” james is not handling that well. it’s repeated every other paragraph and it feels like a punch to the GUT

3. pros of crimson rivers universe:

•homophobia and transphobia just aren’t a thing in this universe.

•james potter is a real human being.

•wolfstar is together

cons of crimson rivers universe:

• 23 people are brutally slaughtered in an arena for entertainment

4. oh thank god regulus chose his correct person to lie about killing. regulus is smart af

5. “Everything I do in that arena, it's for you.

How, Reg? James thinks, staring at the screen with a lump in his throat. How is this for me? Tell me how.”

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

6. 😐 james is trusting reg. with no hesitation. no hesitation. nohejsjksidksjsjdlalajsa

7. “Everyone better hope Regulus is fine, because if he isn't, if he's dead, Sirius is going to kill every single fucking person in this maze for daring to live when his little brother didn't.”

i choked on my tea yall. i’m actually so scared for everyone in that arena alongside sirius

8. augusta vs alice argument 👀 i’m here for the drama (that very much makes me a bad person)

9. MARLENE NO

10. thank god she’s fine

11. even tho regulus is a death eater, i find comfort in the fact that regulus hates those people and their personalities

12. the way mavis and velvets deaths remind regulus of his own games with james. two people who didn’t want to live without the other

13. god the evan call backs and KILLING me

14. “Regulus thinks Alecto is quite mental to subject herself to a shift of dealing with two of the Black sisters, who are as equally dramatic and ridiculous as the Black brothers when they want to be.”

LMAOO

15. “He's not here to make friends. It didn't go well for him last time, literally only last year, down to the same fucking day. Exactly a year ago, Regulus spent the day with Evan Rosier, climbing a tree to get to weapons, learning to trust, not knowing that he was on a clock that was running out where the best friend he didn't even know he would have was going to leave him, before he could even properly find him, and know him.”

punched in the fucking gut over this

16. narcissa playing up the pregnancy thing is freaking hilarious

17. the mention of andromeda took me out. i am not okay. reg wonders if andy is at home with her family watching the black family reunion on screen and missing them. babes… i hate to break it to you…

18. remus is pissed at regulus and tbh i don’t blame him

19. mcgonnagal being referred to as cat like>>>

20. the way that the game makers are referring to these games as brutal like never before is honestly terrifying. how the hell is dorcas gonna pull off getting them out?

#marauders #regulus black #james potter #jegulus #sirius black #remus lupin #mwpp #narcissa black #narcissa malfoy #crimson rivers

[hermitthebee]

Hello everyone! Inspired by all the fantastic Charlastor fanfics out there, I decided to try my own hand at writing one. It's a Role-Swap Au based on the poll I made a while back...That I completely forgot to make a follow-up post for (whoops). As a new writer especially on Ao3, I'm excited to share this story with you (and hopefully figure out what I'm doing along the way.) Buckle up, because this ride promises to be a wild one

Summary: Hell's Prince, Alastor, life had become mundane. Even the screams of the damned have lost their charm. He craves something new. Then, a radio broadcast shatters the monotony. A chipper voice, "Charlie," the self-proclaimed Radio Demon Overlord, proposes a radical idea: a hotel for reforming demons. Alastor's intrigued. Who exactly was this delusional optimist, and what's her real angle?

Meanwhile, Charlie, burdened by the weight of her title, struggles to see her dream hotel become a reality. Desperate for a sponsor, hope arrives in the form of Rosie, who offers a meeting with a powerful demon who thrives on a good show. But there's a catch - it's the infamous Prince of Hell himself. Can Charlie's unwavering optimism break through his jaded exterior, or is she about to make a deal with the devil?

#trying something new #Hopefully you all enjoy #charlastor #radiobelle #alastor x charlie #charlie x alastor #chalastor #hazbin hotel #fanfic #ao3

[vibratingskull]

Mermaid!Thrawn x F!reader chapter 7

Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

You’re wiping the glasses and putting back the cups in their cupboard when a client enters the cafe with the song of small bells. Your colleague takes them in charge while you finish tidying up the bar. “Welcome!” you both greet.

There aren't a lot of clients at those hours usually, so you’ll have time to wipe the tables clean with a little chance. “I hope it won’t rain, I don’t like those clouds.” Your colleague mumbles. She’s a sweet 16 girl that is a bit lazy but she gets the job down, so you don’t tell, and in exchange she doesn’t tell on you when you leave before your shift ends. “Don’t count on it” you respond “It is supposed to rain the whole week.”, “Arf…Group incoming! I’ll let them to you, you’re quicker than me!”, “Oh the good excuse to dump them on me!” You nudge her and she giggles in response “I will take them if you promise to clean the coffee maker.”, “Deal!”

As the groups enter you refasten your apron and take out your notebook, clicking your pen “Hello, what can I get you… ?” your sentence dies in your throat when you realize who you have in front of you. 

The group that hunts Thrawn.

“We’re just here to take cover from the rain.” The leader responds. “I can’t let you in with those harpoons.” You politely object. “And if you want to stay you’ll need to order something.”, “We’re not staying long and we won’t manipulate the harpoons inside, I promise.” he argues. “I can’t let you stay with those weapons, just lay them outside.”, “They’ll get stolen!” He responds harshly

Good! You intend on it.

“This is the law sir, you can’t just enter a shop with blades.” you gently respond. He looks black at you before sighing “Alright…” He rises and seizes the harpoons to put them outside against the wall. “Can you fill up our bottles with hot coffee?” a girl approximately your age asks, handing you said bottles, “Of course.” You take the thermos and walk behind the bar to fill them up, innocently eave-dropping on the group.

“Do you still believe?” one of them asks, looking discouraged,”I am sure they’re here! Somewhere under the surface.” the young woman responds with assurance, “Well, if someone has some optimism left it’s alway you, Karyn!” The denominated Karin smiles and high fives her comrade. The leader comes back, drenched. “You should scream louder, not everyone hears you.” He chastises, and adds even lower, “this is a secret mission you dumbass, so callate !”

The group fell silent. You finish filling the bottles and bring them back. “It's 35$.” You annonce, “it's a robbery or something ?” the leader complains, “It's 35$ or the door.” you repeat, impassible. He groans but pays, without tipping, of course. 

You go back behind your bar but listen closely to what they say. “When do we try again ?”, “Not before the weather calms down. Our barks would sink.”, “He won't be happy.” Karyn notes, “Well he will have to wait! I won't die for that!” The leader hammers home “But we are advancing, we can cross several areas and some others deserve more of our attention. The open sea must be explored more.”, “In barks?” Karyn raises a mocking eyebrow, “I can procure us some motorized boats with sonar. I just have to ask him.” The leader explains, focused.

They take out a plan and start tergiversation over it. You're pricking up your ears when someone enters. “Welcome, what can I…”

Your voice dies again. Eli stands, drenched and trembling, not even taking off his hood. “My mother invites you for dinner.” He simply says, “Oh… That's super nice of her.” you finally manage to say after a second of silence. He looks tired and not pleased. “So you come or no?” He asks impatiently, “Yes ! I'll come with great pleasure. But do you want something to warm you up? A Coffee or-” but he already disappeared when you turned back to him.

Oh… 

He didn't forgive you, it seems.

Your heart sinks painfully, youreally did a mistake... “Who was that hottie ?” your colleague asks. “A friend… “, “Where can I get a friend like that?”, “When you're 18. Go clean the Coffee maker.” You order, refocusing on your tasks at hand. You turn to the group only to realize they're already gone.

Crap.

Well they won't attack until the weather calms down…  

When your shift ends you take your bike, and turn towards the sea. It is Black and agitated under grays, menacing clouds. Your hear thunder roars away and you pul your hood on your head, biking away from the ocean. 

Away from the shore, a blue head pierces the water to look at the Land. Thrawn observes silently the people hurrying to get cover away from the Rain. It always seemed strange to him who always knew the softness of water on his skin. He doesn't know anything else but water. 

A second head pierces the surface next to him. She looks at him severely, enjoining him to go back in water. 

He nods and follows her without a look back . 

@blueninjablade3 @al-astakbar @thrawnspetgoose @readinglistfics @pencil-urchin @twilekchiss @ineedazeezee @mssbridgerton @dance-like-russia-isnt-watching @Cortisolcosplay

☆Tag list

#mermaid au #thrawn #grand admiral thrawn #mitthrawnuruodo #thrawn x f!reader #thrawn x you #thrawn x reader #fanfic #vibratingskull

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 338. brb x oc

a/n: OHHH BOY im an asshole and i just love angst...IN THE NEXT CHAPTER (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none uwu

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

/316/317/318/319/320/321/322/323/324/325/326/327/328/329/330/331/332/333/334/335/336/337

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist! )

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @novastories @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix @lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

@peachiicherries @mak-32 @lizziespidiepridie @roosterswifey @ollyoxenfrees @piceous21 @sqrlgrl22 @hofficoffi @lexhalstead3 @lorilane33 @legendarydreamersharkparty @luckyladycreator2

@emilybradshaw @louisahale @leobabbyyy @booklover2sblog @winter-run @ktjmac @graciereads @bigpoppajes @taytaylala12

@caitsymichelle13 @becks-things @caatheeriinee07 @fanboyswhore9 @jesfreedark @katiemcrae @lilmonstrjedi @hobiismyhopeu @teacupsandtopgun @insominac23 @gh0stsgoodgirl @mygyn @chavivaelisheva @kmc1989 @enchantingharmonyalpaca @callsign-magnolia @mrsbradshaw01

-

Rooster is up already, deleting random files in his laptop because, well,getting a wine hangover was something he hated but could handle because he did it with Bea. He holds his chin up with his hand, he almost doesn’t hear her light footsteps until they are at the door, “Hey.” her voice is hoarse because of sleep, “You are up early.”

He smiles up at her, “I know,I’m sorry,gorgeous,I just had to finish some stuff.”

“Hmmm…” she rubs her eyes, “What stuff?”

Rooster set aside his laptop and stood, stretching his arms overhead. "Just some emails and reports that piled up. Nothing major, don't worry. You should go back to sleep, gorgeous. It's still early."

Beatrice yawned, blinking sleepily. "Mm, maybe I will. But if you're up, I might as well stay up too." She padded over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his chest as she sits on his lap.

He chuckled, the warmth of her embrace grounding him. "Up to you, honey. I won't complain if you stay up with me."

Beatrice tilted her head up to look at him, her eyes still heavy with sleep. "You sure? You look like you could use some coffee."

Rooster grinned, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Coffee does sound good. How about I make us a pot, and then we can decide whether to face the day or retreat back to bed?"

Beatrice smiled, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his cheek. "Deal. Coffee first, decisions later." she yawns, “The kids are still asleep too…”

Rooster scooped Beatrice up in his arms, carrying her towards the kitchen. "Coffee it is, then. We'll start the day with a little caffeine boost." He playfully nuzzled her cheek as he walked, eliciting a soft giggle from Beatrice. 

Setting her down gently, Rooster moved to the kitchen, pulling out the coffee maker and getting the brewing process started. Beatrice leaned against the counter, watching him with a fond smile.”you sleep well?” she asks, hopping on the counter as he focuses on making their coffee.

Rooster glanced at Beatrice as he measured the coffee grounds, smirking, “I slept like a baby,wine does that to ya.” he murmurs, leaning against the counter next to her “How about you?”

“I barely remember getting in bed.” she giggles, “So yes,I slept great. And the kids too? They slept through the whole night.”

Rooster chuckled, pouring water into the coffee maker. "Looks like we all needed a good night's sleep. Maybe we should make wine a bedtime ritual," he teased, glancing at Beatrice.

She laughed, waving her hand. "God don’t even, as much as I love it I think we’ll end up having hangovers because of it.”

The aroma of brewing coffee filled the kitchen, Rooster joined Beatrice on the counter, wrapping an arm around her. “Fine.’ and he ‘tinks’ his mug with hers "So, any plans for the day?" Rooster asked, sipping his coffee once it was ready.

Beatrice shrugged, taking a sip of her own coffee. "Nothing specific. We might have to go grocery shopping and- oh! Take the twins to their monthly check up." and she sips her coffee again, “Then buy some stuff for Nikki and visit Evelyn,she wanted to meet up today.”

Rooster nodded, rubbing his face in his hands "Sounds like a plan. When do we leave?."

Beatrice grinned, "The appointment is at nine so in a couple hours."

Rooster checked the time,"Perfect. We've got time to enjoy our coffee.” another cheer with their mugs, “Also,I’m really loving my leave so far.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,I know you wanted to ask me that.” he chuckles when she blushes, he got her indeed, ‘I know you want me relaxed because of my gorgeous promotion,I know that.”

Beatrice couldn't hide her grin, her cheeks tinted with a soft blush. "Maybe I do. But you deserve it, Roos. You work hard, and this is your time to unwind and enjoy."

Rooster leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. "I appreciate it, gorgeous. And I intend to make the most of it—with you and the kids."

Beatrice kissed him back, cupping his cheeks and adoring how he was letting his stubble grow a little, just for a little bit, they only had two weeks after all. "That's all I want, Roos. Just a break from the chaos, just us."

With a contented sigh, Rooster tightened his hold on Beatrice, enjoying the warmth of her presence. "Speaking of us,did you have any dreams last night?"

"Dreams? You mean like, sleeping dreams or aspirations?"

Rooster chuckled, "Both. But I was thinking more of the sleeping variety. You know, the kind that plays out in your mind when you're lost in slumber."

She narrowed her eyes, “Why?”

“I’m just curious.” he smiles, so very pleased with himself, pressing little kisses to her lips, “Cause I heard you mumbling my name in your sleep and I think it was a great dream you were having,Mrs.Bradshaw.”

Beatrice's cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink. "Oh, really?”

“Yes,really.”

“And you heard that?" 

Rooster grinned, pressing their foreheads together "Yep. You were calling out to Lc. Bradshaw in your dreams. Must have been an exciting mission."

She huffed, her cheeks turning redder as she drew circles on his chest, chewing her cheek. "You're impossible. It was probably just a dream about you forgetting to take out the trash or something equally thrilling."

Rooster feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart. "Ouch, right in the excitement. Trash duty dreams? I promise, I'll try to be more thrilling in your dreams tonight."

Beatrice laughed, shaking her head. "We'll see about that. But in all seriousness, I don't remember my dreams. It's like they slip away as soon as I wake up." she pauses, “It might be the wine.”

"Blaming the wine, huh? That's a new one, gorgeous. But hey, if it helps you sleep, I say go for it." he leans closer, “If it helps you dream about me,it’s even better.” and he kisses her lips again,laughing against her mouth when she just swats his shoulder again, “Whaaat?”

Beatrice rolled her eyes playfully, "I'll have you know, even in my mundane dreams, you still manage to make an appearance. And! And sometimes you're just taking out the trash in them."

“Just that?”

“Just that, and it’s still attractive and-”

A little body appears on the door frame,Nicole’s squinty, barely awake eyes stare at them,Jack behind her with his tail wagging, “...Nikki we have to talk about these escapades, how are you even-” Bea steps around Rooster to pick her up, “Nevermind, let’s check on you and- honey can you check on the twins?”

“Sure,baby.” He got up, ruffling Jack's fur, and headed towards the nursery. As he entered, the soft cooing sounds of the twins greeted him. Aurora was holding Gavin's tiny hand, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Her brother just scrunched his eyes in his sleep. Rooster couldn't help but smile at the sight. "Hey there, little buddies. How's the morning treating you?"

Aurora giggled, her attention briefly diverted from Gavin's hand. Rooster carefully picked Gavin up, cradling him in his arms since he was still waking up, ‘Hi, beautiful boy.” he coos, “Hi.” and Gavin nuzzles his shirt, “Did you and your sister sleep well?”

As Rooster engaged with the twins, Beatrice settled Nikki down on the couch after changing her. The little girl, still rubbing her eyes, looked up at Beatrice with confusion. Beatrice brushed Nikki's hair away from her face, whispering, "What's the matter, sweetie? Couldn't sleep?"

Nikki shook her head, her words slurred in the early morning haze, "Dweam."

"A dream?" Beatrice smiled, "Tell Mama about it."

Nikki yawned before sharing in her adorable toddler language, "Big house, Dada. Horsies go round."

Beatrice chuckled, her heart warmed by Nikki's little voice. "You dreamt about the castle and the carousel, huh? That sounds like a magical dream, sweetheart. Dada will be happy to hear about it when he comes back."

“You called?”

She looks back just in time to see him with the twins tucked in his arms, “They are partially awake, I can help you change them.” he smiles, “Cause Aurora is about to be very awake and you know how she gets.”

Beatrice smiled at Rooster's offer. "That'd be great. Nikki had a dream about the castle and the carousel."

"Really, baby girl? That sounds amazing."

Nikki nodded, her eyes partially open. "Big house, Dada. Horsies go round."

Rooster's heart melted, and he leaned down to kiss Nikki’s head. "That sounds like a fantastic dream, princess.” he looks up at Bea, “Right?”

"Always," Beatrice responded with a twinkle in her eyes.

-

They didn’t like to watch their babies being examined mainly because it was…really strange. They were so small - not so much any more, they were growing at a normal rate for preemies - and fragile, they knew it was for their health but it just made them feel like they need to protect them more.

“Alright,” Dr.Connelly smiles, looking down at Aurora, “Let’s start with this little baby here and then her brother.”

Dr. Connelly carefully examined little Aurora, checking her vital signs, measuring her growth. Beatrice, though always a bit nervous during these check-ups, found comfort in Rooster’s large hand wrapped around hers.

"She's doing really well," Dr. Connelly remarked, recording the measurements on Aurora's chart. "Her weight gain is within the expected range, and her overall health looks great. How has she been feeding?"

Beatrice nodded, "She's been latching well, and her feeding routine seems steady. We're keeping a close eye on it."

Rooster chimed in, his eyes fixed on the little bundle in Dr. Connelly's expert hands, "Yeah, she's a champ when it comes to eating. We're following the feeding plan you provided."

The doctor smiled, "That's excellent to hear. Now, let's take a look at Gavin." Dr. Connelly gently transferred Aurora into Beatrice's waiting arms before turning his attention to the next tiny patient.

She hummed  "Gavin is also progressing really well. His respiratory rate is stable, and there's no sign of any respiratory distress. His weight gain is on track, and overall, he's meeting the developmental milestones we expect at this stage." he yawns, “He’s a sleepy one but that’s completely normal.”

Beatrice breathed a sigh of relief, exchanging a glance with Rooster. Their worries, though never fully vanishing, eased a little with each positive report from the doctor. “Now,” she looks at Nikki who was sitting on Rooster’s lap, “Since Nikki is here, we can see her too,right honey bun?”

Nicole looks up from her toy then to her father, then back to the doctor.

Dr. Connelly chuckled, reaching into a pocket to produce a small, friendly finger puppet. "How about Mr. Quack Quack here helps us check on Nikki?"

Nikki's eyes widened with curiosity, and a small smile crept onto her face. She reached out, her tiny fingers gently grasping the puppet. Rooster grinned, watching his daughter's reaction. "Looks like Mr. Quack Quack is stealing the show, Doc."

Dr. Connelly laughed, "Anything to make the little ones feel more at ease. Now, Nikki, let's see how those ears are doing." With a gentle touch, he used the puppet to inspect Nikki's ears, all the while engaging her in a whimsical conversation.

"Her ears look great," Dr. Connelly declared, placing the puppet aside. "And now, the grand finale—Nikki's growth update."

As Dr. Connelly proceeded with the examination, Beatrice and Rooster exchanged glances. Nikki, seemingly oblivious to the medical nature of the visit, continued to enjoy the playful interaction with the doctor. The room echoed with the sounds of her delighted giggles.

Once the examination was complete, Dr. Connelly shared the good news. "Nikki is also doing well. She…” she pauses, “Is…very tall for a one year old. You mentioned,Beatrice, that most people in your family are tall.”

“Yes.”

“And Bradley is obviously tall…hm,” she arches her brows, “Yeah, I think Nikki,when she’s older, might be as tall as her father.”

Rooster grinned, his chest puffing with paternal pride. "Well, if she gets her height from her dad, that's just fine by me. Our little giraffe."

Beatrice chuckled, "She'll be towering over both of us in no time. Better get ready for some serious neck stretches, Roos."

Dr. Connelly smiles, letting Nicole go over to her parents, “Now, about the twins,” she begins, sitting down on her desk, “While they are very healthy we should still keep the monthly check ups. They are three months old, very alert, very vocal too…no allergies from the animals you have at home,right?” they shake their heads, “Wonderful.”

Dr. Connelly continued, "It's great to see the twins thriving. Given that they are preemies, we'll want to closely monitor their developmental milestones. It's common for preemies to catch up, but I'd like to keep a check on their progress to ensure they're meeting those milestones."

Beatrice nodded, "Absolutely. We've been doing the tummy time as you suggested, and they seem to enjoy it."

"That's wonderful. Tummy time is crucial for their muscle development. And regarding your pets at home, just make sure to maintain good hygiene, especially with the animals around the babies. No signs of allergies are excellent news."

Rooster then asked, "Is there anything specific we should be watching for, considering they were born prematurely?"

Dr. Connelly nodded, "Premature birth can sometimes lead to developmental challenges, but the twins seem to be progressing well. Keep an eye on their motor skills, like reaching and grasping, and communicate any concerns. We'll schedule developmental assessments to track their progress more comprehensively."

They left the clinic so much lighter than before.

Which was silly.

The twins are okay.

Nicole held up her cake pop like a sword as her father settled her in the booster seat. Once Rooster latched everyone inside, he looked back at Bea,who was watching with her arms crossed, “...you alright?”

“Mhm.”

“Gorgeous.”

“I just,” she clasps her hands together, “I…I always get nervous checking on the twins.”

Rooster stands straighter, then smiles at her before approaching, “You are too sweet.” he says with his arms around her waist, kissing her forehead,”They're doing great, and we've got each other."

"I know. It's just... every time we visit the clinic, I can't shake that worry until we hear they're healthy and hitting their milestones."

Rooster reached over, gently squeezing her hips. "They're tough, just like their parents. And so is Nikki. They are all good.”

Beatrice sighed, rubbing her face . "I know, I know. It's just a mom thing, you know? Wanting everything to be perfect for them."

He chuckled, "You're an amazing mom, Bea. Now…ready to go on?”

“...yeah.” A blush tinted her cheeks, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, Roos.”

“Anytime,gorgeous.”

#bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x oc #top gun maverick #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw x female reader #bradley bradshaw x named reader #tgm oc #tgm fic #tgm fanfiction

[teriri-sayes]

Reactions to Deal Maker's Chapter 203

TL;DR - Ahn Roh Man tells more of his parents and the game. Alberu feels strange when he sees Ahn Roh Man smiling brightly like him. Alberu becomes the Roan Kingdom's first player of the game. Cale has to give a speech in the academy.

RMPAG We got to know more about the game and Ahn Roh Man's family. His parents suddenly died in an accident when he was 10, so he was then raised by his uncle and aunt, somewhat becoming part of the Transparent family.

He only figured out the truth behind his parents when he played the game. His parents hid an AI in the game, and the Transparent Co was unaware of it. The AI became Ahn Roh Man's friend and hyung (because it was born a year earlier than him), and helped him attain number 1 in the rankings.

There was also the fact that his initial username was "Unfilial Son" before he changed it to "Searching for the Taerang Thief Bastard."

Oh yeah, Ahn Roh Man called the game as RMPAG, which is the abbreviation of Raising My Precious Absolute God.

Alberu and Ahn Roh Man Funny part of today's chapter. Ahn Roh Man had a bright smile when he told the two that he had a very friendly relationship with the Transparent family. Raon remarked that he had the same smile when Alberu was about to scam someone.

And Alberu's reaction. It was shock. He was shocked to meet someone of the same kind as him. 🤣🤣🤣

Gamer Alberu Ahn Roh Man suggested to install the game in Taerang and have someone play it. Cale and Alberu began pushing the task to each other... 😂

Alberu: … Cale. Cale: Yes, hyung-nim. Alberu: Do you want to borrow Taerang? Cale: I have to go to Aipotu and work hard? Alberu: …I'm busy too? Cale: Thanks to you, I can go out and save the world without worrying about Roan! Hyung-nim, I respect you! Alberu: … *covers face with both hands* Ahn Roh Man (ARM): Don't worry, Me and my hyung, I mean, the AI from earlier. Anyway, we'll carry you. Alberu: …Carry? ARM: It means to help you become stronger easily. Alberu: … Haa…. This is driving me crazy. Cale: Hyung-nim, I believe in you. Alberu: Ha. Let's give it a try.

What was so funny was the narrator's words after that scene. Alberu became the first player of the game in the Roan Kingdom. And his username? Irreverent Emperor... 🤣🤣🤣

It could also mean disrespectful or blasphemous, but irreverent sounds cooler, so I used it. But Alberu calling himself 'emperor'? Is he planning to turn the Roan Kingdom into an empire?

But that did not stop there. The narrator continued that Cale would never have dreamed of the chaos this player would create in the future... 😂 Ahn Roh Man, what are you planning to teach Alberu? Is Alberu going to be like you in the future, shouting hyunpi and game terms? 🤣🤣🤣

Cale's Speech But our overworked Alberu got his revenge on Cale for forcing him to play the game... by making Cale give the speech in the academy's opening ceremony. 🤣🤣🤣

Of course, the 3 kids were excited to hear Cale's speech, and Cale could only frown when he realized Alberu's intention. 😂

Ending Remarks Today had a lot of funny moments. It ended with a message from GoD saying that Cale's request to move the black castle (where Sherrit lived) to Aipotu had been approved. Woah. So it's going to be a dragon lord versus a dragon lord fight? How exciting!

I still harbor some disappointment with the recent chapter. We still have no news of what happened to CJS or Sui, and Cale's conversation with Ron seemed to have been forgotten again. 😞Author-nim, even a mention of them would have been enough! PLEASE DON'T FORGET THEM!

#tcf spoilers #trash of the count's family

[spaceytrashcat04]

I gotta get this off my mind but im too lazy to make a fanfiction of it-

Twst au where yuu is one of those realistic cake makers. 🎂

Everything is the same until chapter 1 when they get to see the school kitchen and the baking stuff and they go insane.

- Yuu makes a cake of Riddle first that's oyster sauce flavored

- Yuu doesn't wake Grim up for the day, makes a Grim cake, and in the middle of class cuts into it and starts eating it

- For chapter 3 makes a cake of the photo Azul wanted and presents it to him as part of the plan

-the serving dish and the table presented with said picture is also cake

-Yuu begins making and placing cake all around campus

-Rook loosing his mind after trying to follow Yuu around and grabbing the third Yuu cake

-Deuce having whole conversations with cake Yuu before realizing

-Yuu passive aggressively destroying cake Crowley in front of him

-Floyd being delighted by cake him

-Cater secretly hates it (its something straight out of his nightmares) but still posts is it cake videos to his social media

-Yuu replaces Leona's blankets with cake and he is pissed 😤 but still takes a nap on top of the cake blankets.

-Yuu makes a deal with Sam to start selling cake items

-Yuu gives everyone extreme cake paranoia

- Yuu makes Ruggie donuts but they're actually cake

-How much of the campus can Yuu turn into cake with three days of no sleep and unrestricted kitchen access game

- Ace makes Yuu mad and they invite him over. They're sitting in a chair in the middle of the poorly lit room staring at him when he comes in. Casually they cut into the book in front of them. Then the chair. Then the lamp. Then their hand. Then their face. It's all cake. Ace runs out screaming

-Self care is making another cake that looks like you and hiding it around campus 💅😌

#twst #twisted wonderland #twst au #cake #twisted wonderland au #cakeyuuau

[drunkinchicago]

coriolanus snow x lucy gray baird

link to chapter 1

Chapter 2: master of others

“So leave me alone, you ought to be proud that I’m getting good marks.”

Elliot Smith, “Needle in the Hay”

One thinks himself the master of others, and still remains a greater slave than they.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract

Coriolanus pulled at the neck of his red cashmere sweater, unsure how he could possibly feel this warm in the laboratory. He knew that the thermostat was set to a bone-chilling sixty three degrees because he’d set it himself. Yet here he was, sweating and feverish, unable to regulate his own body temperature, to control himself. How fitting.

It had taken weeks before Dr. Volumnia Gaul had allowed Coriolanus to be left to his own devices in the research facility, continuously commenting on his stint with her beloved rainbow snakes. This embarrassed Coriolanus greatly and he fell silent at the mention of it, accepting the rightful criticism. He hadn’t been trying to spite the Capitol in the action. He was just trying to save Lucy Gray, because that was all that he thought about then, but that was the shame in it, wasn’t it? How quickly and wholly he had been willing to throw aside his heritage for her, how easily she made him forget the expectations of his last name. Strategically placing his father’s handkerchief in the tank had come to him as easily as breathing. Desperately, Coriolanus had attempted to speak words of regret on the matter, but the shapes of such statements couldn’t form on his lips - the very lips that were born into importance the second they met hers. He didn’t regret any of it. He wanted to, but he couldn’t find that feeling.

He’d poisoned Dean Casca Highbottom and didn’t regret that either. Coriolanus found his emerging perspective on murder and death troubling but natural. He refused to reject a sense that came this easily, which was the very trouble with Lucy Gray Baird. He had no energy to waste on attempting to unlearn what was so deeply ingrained within him. This is all he was anymore - hatred and her.

Today, he’d be meeting with Dr. Gaul to discuss the framework of an idea he’d conjured to encourage the commitment of the districts to the Games. Just as there’d been an incentive for the mentors to win the year prior, Coriolanus had confidence in the offering of a prize to winning Districts, one greater than the life of the victorious tribute. He’d toyed with the concept of extra provisions, a monetary reward for the winner and his/her family, or a tour through the districts sporting the victor as an elongated reminder. His most verbose suggestion was a draft of a Victor’s Village on the outskirts of each District, a series of fine homes and privacy designated solely for winners. Comprehensively, Coriolanus was aiming to create a reason for those in the Districts to look forward to the games - hope in the midst of despair. Hope, he’d concluded, was the mental equivalence of wrapping your hands around someone’s neck and releasing just as their eyes rolled back. Gasping, dopamine would flood through the victim’s body, replacing prior fear and desperation, because at least the perpetrator didn’t go through with it. They didn’t finish the deal, they only came close. And here came the second chance, the opportunity to assess all that individual had taken for granted before they tasted death. You could do anything with that feeling, with that opportunity to edge a person. They’d be at your mercy and your control - suddenly, you were no longer another human, but their maker and ender simultaneously, a God with the choices in his silver-ringed hands. Coriolanus relished in the idea, warmth gathering in his lower abdomen when he imagined how powerful that moment would feel. It made him wish to perfect the exact amount of poison required to only nearly, not fully, sicken someone to the brink of their death. He could lean down to meet them on the floor, face to face on the tile. Not feeling real good, are you? He’d whisper, reaching out to touch their warm cheek, the veins pulsating on their forehead. Is there anything you want to tell me? Or do you want to drink more?

Today, Coriolanus was hoping to make requests of his own. Typically, he was the one at the beck and call of Dr. Gaul, as was expected of an internship position. He’d excelled and would continue to, but he wanted to gain capital. He knew Dr. Gaul could give him what he wanted, even if it was difficult, and perhaps it wouldn’t. Little seemed to phase her. She was incredibly calculated, and Coriolanus himself had seen her as evil, which she was. It was a necessary evil, he’d come to recognize, and necessary was his demand.

Dr. Gaul strolled into the wing of the laboratory that he occupied two hours after he’d arrived, donning one of her customary whimsical garments. Coriolanus’ stomach still turned at the sight of her, as it always had. But she was a good teacher, a great one even, and her power couldn’t be denied. Coriolanus believed in the notion that those who couldn’t be beaten should be joined, but he would surpass her eventually. He already hoped she felt insecurity at the amount of ideas she’d adopted of his - here he was, nearly nineteen only, preparing for the second Games that he’d carried a heavy influence in. The tables would turn eventually. Snow lands on top.

“Good morning,” Dr. Gauld drawled, eyeing the meticulously written notes laying in front of Coriolanus. He’d once seen the drawers in her private office chalkful with the documents he’d bestowed her with. Her prodigy - a mind that couldn’t be wasted in the Districts. He was thankful for that, at least, that her belief in him had brought him back to the Capitol. Not that it wasn’t rightful. He was fantastic at what he did and he knew that. Everything was falling into place. Almost.

Dr. Gaul’s hands, draped in red gloves, began to reach for the page laying on top, one adorned with mock sketches of a Victor’s Village mansion. Coriolanus swiftly moved the papers away from her, a mechanism that took her by shock. “Feisty this morning, aren’t you, rabbit?” She wasn’t angry, yet - just curious.

Coriolanus eyed the sterile silver clock on the opposite wall. “It’s afternoon,” he said gruffly, running his fingers along the top of the stapled document. His left index finger caught on the left edge of the stack, but he didn’t mind the feeling. He let the finger rest there, blood soaking the outer edges and moving toward his perfect handwriting. “I have a favor to ask. It’s not small.”

There was an open seat across from Coriolanus, but Dr. Gaul didn’t take it. She brought her hands together, resting them on the upper side of the chair and leaning forward. On occasions, she sounded like a snake herself, hissing as she spoke. “And what may that be?”

Coriolanus was not intimidated by her, but more so by the gravity of his request. He wasn’t sure what had compelled today to be the day he’d finally mention it, as the thought wasn’t new. He’d thought about asking for Lucy Gray Baird every day since the last he saw her. He would do anything for her to be owed to him, and wasn’t she anyway? She was his. His in the Capitol, his in Twelve, his anywhere. Perhaps it was the loss of Grandma’am, another loose end lost to wherever they go, somewhere beside Sejanus. The trees in his life were being cut down, and hopefully that would prove the forest Lucy Gray was hiding in to be of greater clarity. Find her.

He was racking his brain for the best way to say it, hoping to frame it in an academic way, a manner that convinced Dr. Gaul that the choice would serve as much benefit to her as it would him. Dr. Gaul interrupted his train of thought with an empty condolence. “I’m sorry about your grandmother. She was lovely, I presume.”

Coriolanus met her eyes, another one of her snakelike features. Perhaps he would play the wounded card, the mourning boy. “My sorrows have been immense. I’m lonely, as of late.”

Dr. Gaul erupted into laughter at this, startling Coriolanus. “You stupid, stupid boy. What did I say about lying to me? You take me for a fool, acting as though I haven’t been waiting for the day you’d ask this question.”

Coriolanus’ cheeks burned red, feeling warm again. Were his feelings that clear? He’d thought the opposite, that he was the picture of self-sufficiency. He was immediately self-conscious at the prospect of his infatuation being so detectable, whether the feeling be true or not. And it was, God , it was. Could everyone see him as Dr. Gaul could, or was she just wiser?

“You don’t give a damn about your grandmother, dumb child,” Dr. Gaul practically spit at him, moving quickly to yank his document from his grasps. In his anxiety, he’d begun clutching the papers as though they were a lifeline. The intensity of Dr. Gaul’s ripping motion caused more paper cuts, Coriolanus crying out in pain as the palms of his hands bled a deeper red. He was already mortified beyond understanding, so the begging started.

“Please,” he gasped, falling to the ground like a peasant yearning for a penny. His chair skidded behind, turning on its side. The metal hitting the resin flooring resulted in a loud clang, a sound that echoed throughout the emptiness of the laboratory. “Please, Dr. Gaul. I’m losing my wit, my motivation, my mind. I can’t be the student you want me to be for much longer.”

Dr. Gaul seemed secondarily embarrassed at his dramatics, and equally unimpressed. “Say what you want in plain English then, Coriolanus.”

On his knees, he looked up to see her face, beginning to seethe with anger. Of course she was going to make him spell it out pathetically, the exact opposite of what he’d wanted her to do. He’d hoped to turn it into a business arrangement rather than a show of pity, but esteem seemed to be lost already. “Don't you have any respect for me?” He yelled through gritted teeth.

“Have some respect for yourself.” Dr. Gaul was unmoving.

“I. Want. Lucy. Gray. Baird.”

More laughter, chastising laughter. “Dumb child,” she repeated.

“A game of repetition, huh? Then I will say it again. I cannot be the student you need without her.”

“And what if you cannot be the student I need with her? Don’t you see how distracted you’d be with that little songbird in your bedroom?”

Coriolanus’ heart drummed at the mention of his room, of her, of the picture being painted, feeling indescribably put down by her insinuation. “What are you saying?”

“You think you know love,” Dr. Gaul tsked, shifting the papers she held to her left arm and placing her right hand on her heart. “You think you know what’s in here, how that feels. You don’t have much there, Coriolanus. Naive, and it’s known that the two of you didn’t sleep together.”

A switch flipped, forcing Coriolanus to his feet. What on earth? Known by whom? He couldn’t believe that the matter of his private life, of his virginity, was something to ‘know’, another Coriolanus-shaped topic for Capitol officials to analyze. “And that's a commonplace discussion?’

“It was a commonplace concern, actually. Casca was convinced you’d close that ground with her before the Games even started and resultantly lose interest in mentoring her. This was a substantial anxiety, as the Capitol had fallen for her themselves at that point. She needed a mentor who would invest everything in her to make the Capitol citizen investments worth their time. Living long enough for people to be entertained by her was paramount.”

“And what do you think I did?” Coriolanus was counting the hours of sleep he’d lost watching her, worrying himself sick about her wellbeing. It was the only relevance in his life then and now, and that wasn’t because he hadn’t slept with her. How could it be? It was deeper, it had to be, he knew it. He remembered it all, was even wearing the memories out from how often he ran through them. Kissing until his lips bled, the promise of being written in the stars, the way her eyes were the color of devotion. Even in his most violent moments, when rage distorted her face in his mind, when he imagined how she’d feel cold and lifeless before him, a bullet wound he gave her dyeing the color of her dress, he loved her. He loved her so much it sickened him. “What type of mentor do you think I was?”

“A teenage one sick with want,” Dr. Gaul scolded. “Simply desire, my boy.”

“Then kill me,” Coriolanus said plainly, manipulatively. She couldn’t, not his brain, not his words. She would’ve done it by then if she had the means to, what with all his crimes. He was her star pupil and the future of the Games.

Dr. Gaul scoffed, but said nothing.

“Give me her or I. Want. You. To. Kill. Me.”

Dr. Gaul continued her streak of silence, blinking at him as though he’d relent.

“Hang me in front of everyone, I don’t care. I’ve gone mad at the possibility of not having what’s rightfully mine.”

“Do you not understand the difference between obsession and love?” Dr. Gaul spoke the words slowly, a tone softer than he’d heard her use before.

“Assign it what you will,” Coriolanus responded, feeling he was somehow on the precipice of gaining leverage. “Call it how you want it and put it on a flag beside me. Write it on my grave.”

Dr. Gaul and Coriolanus settled into a battle fought by their eyes. They both knew, to Coriolanus’ advantage, that the greatest but inevitable mistake the Capitol had made was granting Coriolanus his pardon and giving him the lifepath he wanted after all he’d done. They’d rewarded everything they claimed not to, because that was the true way of the Capitol. His treason and self-serving behaviors were wrong and identical to those of anyone who’d ever served the Capitol well, for it was a self-serving nation, a self-serving city. Now, Coriolanus knew his power. He knew the room he had to pack away seemingly unforgivable acts, to cheat, to kill. He was Capitol, through and through, and they couldn’t hate him for it. They could hardly even punish him, for he was their creation, a product they’d designed that held great intellect and innovation.

“What’s in it for me?” Dr. Gaul finally asked.

This part of the conversation was the only Coriolanus had prepared for - the business plan. “She will be at your service just as mine. The Districts love her, trust her, even. She will perform at both the Bells’ nightclub, garnering income in the local economy, but also at any Capitol event, and especially those associated with the Games. It will garner views like no other, reminding the Districts that if a girl from Twelve can win, anything can happen. They’ll gain hope and the false perception of control - of a chance. They don’t know what I did to make her win, they just know she won, and they’ll see her in Capitol dresses, living a life she would have never had back home,” Coriolanus laughed at the next thought, bolstering confidence to support his perspective. “I’d be surprised if tributes don’t start volunteering just for the chance to be the next Lucy Gray.”

He knew it was a risk. Dr. Gaul detested the 10th Hunger Games and had even largely erased it. Lucy Gray Baird was a reminder of them, but a necessary one - a necessary evil - to sway the opinion of the common folk, the lowly Districts. “Give me her,” he pleaded, his voice almost a whisper. “I know you can find her. Bring her to me.”

Dr. Gaul turned away before responding, likely conveying an expression of defeat that she didn’t want him to see. “You’ll have your way in time. Now, though, you are mine just as she’s yours. You will have no autonomy over the time you are to spend dedicated to your work. If you or she fails me, I will kill you both, and you will watch her die first slowly.” Coriolanus could hardly hear what she was saying, lost in the satisfaction of his way, the only way that mattered.

As Dr. Gaul began to walk away, documents in hand, she called one final thing behind her. “Your father would be disgusted at the notion of District offspring, should you know. Don’t think this is some fantasy. You and I are one in the same - unlovable.”

Coriolanus wondered if she was right, if his fate was similar, if he’d end up withered, ugly and unlovable at the hands of his choices. Selfishly and in conceit, he couldn’t imagine it, especially not with this prospect - the return of Lucy Gray. Coriolanus had been recognized for his appearance since birth - his white blonde hair that had recently grown back into his signature curls, the blinding brightness of his pale blue eyes. He knew that many of his female peers at the University wanted him and detested the way they’d stare up at him, desperately hoping to be found attractive. He’d found none of the girls in the Capitol to be worth much, and this had been true both before and after her. All he wanted, all he'd soon have.

Even his father had once acknowledged Coriolanus’ beauty, perhaps only to recognize their shared characteristics. “A beautiful babe, you are,” Crassus Snow would murmur to his small son. “Hopefully one day you’re more than just that.”

He settled back into his chair, the white sides of it printed by his bloodied hands. In time. In time. She would be his again.

In time.

authors note: archive of our own link @ the following, love u guys https://archiveofourown.org/works/52089274/chapters/131741047

#the ballad of songbirds and snakes #tbosas #ballad of songbirds and snakes #the hunger games #thg series #thg #tbosas spoilers #coriolanus snow #snow #president snow #snowbaird #coriolanus snow fanfiction #coriolanus x lucy gray #lucy gray baird #lucy gray x coriolanus #suzanne collins #archive of our own #ao3

[dwreader]

A Meal to Remember hosted by @iwtvfanevents

Part 1: One Shots/Short Fics

These are only a handful of my favorites. I tried to pick one per writer so I could spread more love around but do check out all works by each one mentioned here as they are all super talented.

among the wildflowers (T) by ipsilateral - probably my favorite louis character study about his family, relationship with jonah and life before lestat, which we sadly do not see enough of in fic.

babyfather (T) by nlbv - louis's first night with the new baby claudia is so heartbreaking and sweet and 100% canon to me. made me so so sad though!!

the night island (E) by vampdf - this mob wife loumand au is everything i ever wanted. also ft deadbeat loser lestat. enough said discover the rest for yourself.

rumpelstiltskin (E) by weathermood - 10/10 insane loumand vibes, absolutely unhinged levels of sexy bdsm, also this is the most romantic thing in the world to me.

put on your records and regret meeting me (E) by dreamtiwasanarchitect - this was one of the first fics i read in this fandom that i felt really captured the sexy toxic dynamic of loustat. warning i would definitely consider this dubcon!

dirges (E) by boltcutters - very unsafe and romantic (to me) loumand dynamic. that second chapter omg…. your brain is too big.

nothing left to give you now (E) by gaypiratedivorce - i haven't read much fic with daniel but this danlou is soooo good and has the perfect dynamic (daniel is down bad for louis). old daniel is my only daniel!!!

lucky lucky boy (E) by dirtygoldensoul - adorable trophy wife louis au where lestat is a billionaire and louis has a bellyring. hilarious appearances by armand and mother-in-law gabrielle. every line is so funny.

raw wound as a destination (T) by The_Lame_Goat - angst heavy loumand that deals with one of their most traumatic issues in a way that’s so believable.

paragon (E) by thelioncourts - hot as hell lestat pov loustat which means a lot of louis worship exactly as god intended.

firecracker (E) by baberainbow - one of babe's MANY many crimes but i chose this one cause it has the perfect loustat + claudia family dynamic of ep4.

heavy empty (E) by wayunderground - sexy messed up loustat which is exactly as they should be. does such a great job with the maker/fledging, teacher/student dynamic.

grab the rings of saturn (E) by verseau- hot!!!!! louis’s first night as a vampire with lestat and losing his you know what.. so many unhinged and romantics lines.

#IWTVfanevents #iwtv #fic recs #a meal to remember

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Hello! Sorry if I'm asking this in the wrong place, but I would really love to hear your thoughts on this matter! Am I wrong in being confused as to what parts of Hercules are supposed to have inspired the plot in Book 6? For most of the other books, I feel like there were clear parallels to the movies, but despite having watched Hercules a dozen times over, I still don't see it. That may be because I play EN and we haven't gotten to see any movie-inspired parts yet, or maybe because I just didn't notice the parts that were!

Episode 6 is definitely the biggest departure from its Disney counterpart. Unlike previous installments of the main story, we don’t see major similarities in the plot until later in 6. (I’m keeping this description vague to avoid spoilers for the latter half.) Even then, some of the episode 6 parallels are things you need to actively think about, or there are roles that get swapped around; they are not explicitly spelled out or 1:1 exact parallels unlike “OOoOooOh, you have THREE days to fulfill your end of the contract with me, the evil octopus deal maker” or, “this is Ruggie and he will be a stand-in for the hyenas that do Scar’s dirty work and set the stampede off”.

One thing I will say is that a major conflict or theme in episode 6 is moreso connected to the titular Hercules than to Hades. We kind of already got hints of it through Idia’s dialogue in which he expresses no hope for his future; we’ll get more of it later (and while I’m not sure how the localization will translate it, JP pretty much references “going from zero to hero”, referring to Idia’s situation, in a variety of ways). In the Ignihyde CM, we have another clear reference to Hercules with Ortho (the speaker) telling Idia that he can “go the distance”:

At other times, it’s more like 6 borrows heavily from Hercules lore rather than directly copies events for its plot. For example, the background for the Shroud family and how they came to oversee Styx is extremely similar to the history of Zeus locking away the Titans and/or Hades leading an uprising against Zeus. Twisted Wonderland also has the Phantoms in place of the souls of the dead, which Idia (Hades) oversees.

This may be just me, but I like that 6 is so different from the other chapters; since the parallels aren’t as obvious, it makes it much harder to predict what’s going to happen and encourages discussion about what exactly the parallels are.

#Idia Shroud #Ortho Shroud #Ruggie Bucchi #Azul Ashengrotto #Ignihyde #notes from the writing raven #question #Hercules #Hades