#elegant table runners | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hardly-an-escape · 3 months

Text

Stormy Weather, or: Outside, the Wind (Inside, the Light) | Dream/Hob | 1600 words | Rated T

tags: I recently spent an evening without power therefore I must put the blorbos in a Situation, love confessions, first kiss, getting together, power outages, Hob Gadling throughout history, gratuitious use of mildly accurate Middle English

The wind tears around London like a living thing, a wild animal, a predator, intent on the hunt. It chases birds into their nests and people into their homes, moans around corners and rattles shutters, sending piles of leaves whirling into miniature hurricanes and whipping branches into a frenzy, sharpening its claws on roof tiles and telephone poles.

Except in Hob Gadling’s flat.

The New Inn, and the cozy home above it, is in one of those old buildings that’s actually been loved and maintained – thanks in no small part to Hob’s own care and attention. The walls are thick and strong, the roof is solid. The shutters may rattle, but the windows are double-pane; the curtains and carpets are warm and soft, and no drafts encroach on the sanctity of his living room, where Hob and Lord Morpheus, King of Dreams, are having a movie night.

It’s part of Hob’s concerted effort to introduce the Prince of Stories to the stories he’d missed during his imprisonment. Tonight it’s Blade Runner – the final cut, of course – which isn’t necessarily one of Hob’s personal favorites, but seemed to fit the stormy, rainy vibes of the weather. They’re installed on the couch, with hot chocolate and wine and snacks, which Dream has deigned to pick at. Harrison Ford is eating noodles and wandering through wet, moodily-lit streets. The wind is howling outside, but they’re safe and warm and surrounded by soft things and life is about as good, Hob thinks, as it ever gets these days.

And then his lights flicker. Once, twice; there is the impression of a sort of electrical last gasp, and the room is plunged into darkness.

The wind whips and the shutters rattle. A volley of rain spits itself against the windows.

“Bugger,” says Hob.

Dream says nothing, merely brings his wineglass – which had already been cradled in one elegant hand – to his lips.

“Hang on,” says Hob. “I’ve got some candles around here somewhere.”

He gropes his way to the kitchen. In one drawer he unearths some beeswax tapers and several tea lights, which he arranges on a plate. He rummages in one of the deeper cabinets and makes a triumphant noise as he discovers his prize behind disused mugs and a fondue set from the 1980s: a pair of old-fashioned brass candlesticks equipped with round reflectors, highly polished to catch the light and bounce it back out into the darkness.

“You are remarkably well-prepared for an event such as this,” says Dream, as Hob lights his various prizes and returns to the living room with his hands full of flickering flames.

“Well, you know,” Hob demurs. “When it comes down to it, I’ve lived a lot more of my life without electricity than with it.” He arranges the tea lights on the coffee table and sets the brass candlesticks on a nearby bookshelf. “You never really get out of the habit of preparing for the worst. Although I will say, these beeswax ones beat the hell out of the old tallow jobbies we had when I was young. Got ‘em from a local bloke who keeps bees not half a mile away, isn’t that cool? A beekeeper in the middle of London. There, now,” he says, and having arranged the lights to his satisfaction he plops himself back down on the sofa.

Outside, the wind wails. The lack of lamps on the empty street below and the gentle candlelight within make the night seem even darker, and turn Hob’s living room into something even softer and cozier than it already is.

Dream’s face, in the flickering candles, seems even more otherworldly than usual; and Hob, for his part, truly looks as though he belongs in another century. The very shape of his face has changed, somehow, into something older; taking on a new appearance in the candlelight the way a man’s tongue might curl differently around the syllables of another language.

“I miss it, sometimes,” he says lowly. “This kind of world. Before the wires and the phones and the cars. It was… quieter.”

“You speak often of your delight in change and progress. Do you truly long for your past lives?” asks Dream.

“Yes and no,” answers Hob. “Some things are better now, no question. Antibiotics, wouldn’t want to live without those again. Vaccines and X-rays and chemotherapy and antidepressants – almost all the medical stuff. Mass transportation. Cars and planes have never been safer. Honestly, I’ve never understood the people who moan about the olden days and oh, life was simpler back then. Don’t they know how many people died? How many kids? Because they caught a cold or fell out of a tree or had a case of the runs that lasted a little too long?”

He leans forward to adjust one of the candles, which is dripping unevenly, and when he sags back into the couch there is just the hint of a frown between his strong brows.

“And yet…” he says, staring into the flames, voice quiet. “Nights like this. I do sometimes think…”

Hob trails off for a long moment.

“There was a rhythm to life, back then,” he says finally. “You counted hours by the church bells and days by the tasks that needed done. And there was so much that needed to be done… cows milked and fields planted and clothes knitted or mended. And it was all so important, so… necessary. Regimented. But in the in between time – Christ! your time wast thine.” As he speaks, his voice has slipped into an older register: his Rs grown rounder, his vowels longer, curling from his mouth to mingle with the candlesmoke hovering over his coffee table. “I remember fair hours as a lad, even into my manhood, of which I spent lyende in th’ fields, watching ants in th’ grass. And later, too, we’d hie us to bed with the sonne, the fire banked in the hearth. An’ it happen that if we awakened before dawn, ’twas a simple thing to pass the time in simple ways, be it in prayer or in pleasure…”

The innuendo in his words is clear, but Hob is not looking at Dream; his eyes are unfocused as he stares into the middle distance, revisiting the past via candlelight. Until one of the wicks lets out a small pop, and flares, and he shakes himself, coming back to the present.

“God, sorry,” he says, voice back in the 21st century. “Woolgathering. I’ll go on for an age, me. More wine?”

But Dream’s eyes have also gone unfocused, his lips parted slightly, chest rising and falling with unnecessary breaths as he stares – no, gazes – at Hob. He, too, must shake himself into the present moment at Hob’s offer of more wine. He silently holds out his glass.

“May I ask you a personal question?” Dream says.

“Anything. You know that.”

Dream pauses. Sips. Outside, the sound of the wind has not abated; has grown, if anything, even more dramatic. There is the muffled sound of branches scraping against the side of the building.

“Why,” asks Dream finally, “do you pretend to yourself that you do not want me?”

Hob chokes. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Why do you pretend thus to me?” Dream pursues. “Who has known you longer than any being on this planet or any other; who can know your innermost dreams?”

“What do you mean, other planets?” Hob demands. And then: “Have you been peeking at my dreams?”

“I need not peek, as you put it, to see the truth of the matter. It is writ plain on your face and in your every word and deed. I merely wonder why this truth has hovered before us for over six hundred years and you have yet to press your suit. Do you doubt, after all this time, my affection for you? Do you find me – unworthy?”

Dream sounds, impossibly, almost uncertain. Even vulnerable. Hob sighs heavily and leans forward, elbows on his knees and face in his hands.

“I – God. Dream,” he stammers. “Yes, Christ, I am full of doubts. You stormed away from me when I implied you might be lonely, I… I have never, once, thought I had a suit to press at all. What on earth has brought this on? Now, of all times?”

“I do not know,” Dream murmurs. “Perhaps… this darkness is working on me, as well. Perhaps I am as susceptible to candlelight and nostalgia as the next anthropomorphic personification.”

He smiles, a little quirk of the mouth that contains worlds, and Hob leans over, listing helplessly into Dream’s space as the tapers flicker.

“Fuck,” he whispers, pressing their foreheads together, turning his head to butt his cheekbone against the sharp line of Dream’s nose. “Art thou rēal? Speak you treue?”

“Aye, my Hob,” answers Dream. “Min herte is treue and bilongeth to you.”

A sob catches in the back of Hob’s throat at the words. “Fuck,” he whispers again, “Dream, I’m yours. I am. I always have been. My Dream, min sweven, my leof. Alwei, allesweis…”

Their mouths find each other, then, finally, lip against lip and breath against breath. They kiss for a long, long moment, desperate and hungry and soft all at once, as outside the wind howls coldly around the corners of the New Inn, and inside the light cast by Hob’s candles bathes their whole little world in a cozy glow.

“Take me to bed,” murmurs Dream against Hob’s mouth. “Make me your lover. Show me how you pass the time by candlelight, and in darkness.”

“Oh, darling. Dearheart,” Hob answers. “Nothing in this world or any world past could make me happier.”

And he suits his actions to his words.

#my writing #the sandman #dreamling #dream of the endless #hob gadling #a needlessly complicated title for a truly simple little fic #I've already written this basic premise so many times AND I'LL DO IT AGAIN #the archaic English Hob uses in this fic is based on the most cursory googling #just tell yourself it's all over the place because historically English is.... all over the place #my unpopular opinion is that I think Blade Runner is overrated and yes I will project my opinions onto fictional characters #as usual this started in one place and went in another direction entirely #may post on AO3 tomorrow if the spirit so moves me

218 notes · View notes

murmiss · 17 days

Text

Yandere Simulator.

(accordingly, inspired by the game Yandere Simulator)

Pairing: Ghost/You, Price/You, Gaz/You,Soap/You, Graves/You, Konig/You, Alejandro/You, Rudy/You, Horangi/You. Valeria/You. (I assume that this is not all, since the idea is taken from the Yandere Simulator, in the harem version).

Warning: College, city and certain places and people are fictitious, the education system is fictitious, OOC is possible,My personal headcannons and character vision.Different ages, mention yandere,mentioning mental problems, etc.there may be mistakes in words, English is not my first language.

Summary: Inspired by the game Yandere simulator, where you are the main character, a simple girl in in which different guys with different types and characters are interested, and of course, there is Yandere.

you can express your opinion :)

1 part.

You were born into a simple, extremely ordinary family. Your father was a banker, walking around in his favorite stereotypical outfit: a strict gray suit and a tie, as an indicator of masculinity. Every morning, Mrs. Attwoord, getting up early, cooked breakfast, her children's favorite scrambled eggs and sandwiches, collected breakfast and, like a loving housewife wife, escorted her husband to work, leaving an imperceptible trace of a kiss on his cheek, and carefully tying his tie with her elegant fingers. Next comes the younger brother, the "heir", as his grandmother affectionately calls him, although you sincerely do not understand it: what to inherit? Your father has no company, no business, no fancy house, what can the son of a simple bank employee inherit? But it's not the point that matters. Next, after her brother, the middle daughter Eliza wakes up- an exceptional beauty, with glossy wheat hair, a doll's face- almost a copy of her mother.Eliza was a promising dancer, but she was not a good singer, but she danced perfectly, performing a light bunch of moves to some loud song at every party. Then, at the very end, you woke up.

Usually, it was the last ring of the alarm clock, which you heard through the veil of sleep, not wanting to miss the outcome of the battle between Harry Potter and some fairies. But your mother's shriek, tired of trying to wake you up, let out a loud shriek, forcing you to jump up from your seat and rush to the bathroom, showering and washing up at speed.Standing at the mirror and looking at your exhausted eyes, your hands reached for a small cosmetic bag and your favorite concealer, which, as you hoped, would hide not only the sins, but also the dark bags under your eyes. Next was eyebrow gel and lip gloss - you didn't have much time to put on makeup, and you didn't see much point in it, because you weren't going on a date. In terms of clothing, your choice fell on a skirt-shorts in a large pleated dark blue color, beige T-shirt, which for convenience you tucked into the skirt, a light cardigan for warmth, and complemented the image of black capron tights, which at least somehow but added to the image of completeness. And on your feet you left comfortable sneakers.

After stuffing notebooks and stationery, house keys, lipstick, hairbrush, and perhaps a sketchbook into her backpack, the girl quickly went down to the first floor, grabbed a sandwich from the table, and hurried out of the house, to the excited cry of her mother: "Honey! You forgot your breakfast!"

But the bus, you know, won't wait for you to finish, so you sped up and headed for the bus stop, but when you saw the damn bus in the distance, you immediately broke into a sprint, running like a marathon runner and mentally cursing.

"If you leave now, asshole, I'll put a curse on you!"

And thank God, as if hearing your pleas (curses), the driver waited for the girl in distress. Almost jumping into the bus, skipping the steps, you plopped down on the only free seat and relaxed exhaled, leaning back on the back of the uncomfortable seat. A couple of stops later, leaving the packed bus, or rather, the mechanical inferno, the gates of the college appeared before your eyes. The college was a historic building that people had equipped as a "place of knowledge". Antique patterns, massive doors made of pure wood, high ceilings - all this looked really intimidating and mesmerizing. Passing the gate, you looked at the students with interest: here were girls in brightly colored dresses excitedly babbling about something, here was a group of guys, six people laughing, and here were just loners walking towards the building with headphones in their ears. There were huge trees growing on the college grounds: pine trees, mighty oaks, and even flowers. The place was indeed beautiful. But soon after you took your eyes off the beauty of the place, you noticed that there was already five minutes of class going on! As you rushed into the building, you slammed into someone's strong chest. When you looked up, trying to catch your breath from a short jog, you saw a guy, tall, sturdy, and wearing a half-face mask, which was a little weird, because it wasn't quarantine period or anything. Well, maybe it's an image of him, you thought. Realizing you've been staring at each other for a few moments, you mumble.

-Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there.

You didn't? That's the stupidest excuse ever, to be honest, because it's hard not to notice a big guy like that. The guy nodded, but didn't answer, and, feeling rather awkward, you threw another "sorry" and rushed further into the classroom. And good thing the teacher was late. Entering the classroom, you noticed a guy who sat with an improvised slingshot in his hands, made of two pencils and a rubber band. Oh, yes, you know this jerk - John MacTavish, a Scottish guy, explosive in character, but at the same time the soul of the company and incredibly cute and dorky guy. Noticing you he waved his hand, removing his backpack from its place and beckoning you over. Shaking your head, you quickly climb up to the top and plop down on the seat next to him, pulling out a space-print notebook and a couple of pens.

-What have you got there? When did you start liking Cosmos?- John asked with interest.

-I borrowed a couple of notebooks from Eliza,-you said, sighing, and put your elbow on the table, propping your head on your hand and staring at John, who was fastening erasers and pens with little rubber bands.

-What are you doing?

-Sword-with a serious face John answered, causing you to raise an eyebrow and ask: "A sword?"

-Yeah, the guy pulled out a little man made of erasers from his pencil case and happily demonstrated it to you.

-God, John...-a slight laugh escaped your lips.

106 notes · View notes

the-cimmerians · 24 days

Text

a storytime story. Not my story, it's my friend's, but she doesn't go here so I'm sharing for her. We'll call her Mara. Mara is a high-femme, lovely queer girl from a wealthy family in the southern US, but when I met her she'd been living in California for many years, chugging through her postgraduate education in Women's Studies. She rarely went home, because being at home was always a bit of a fraught experience: not unendurable (because to most heteronormative casual viewers the radiant queerness of a high-femme is pretty much indistinguishable from a quirky beauty queen waiting for the right football quarterback to sweep her off her feet), but still--not the most fun. Yet every once in a while, Mara would have a fit of 'dutiful daughter'-itis, and go home to mend some fences and keep some peace.

Mara's mother had often asked her to come with her to philanthropic events, but Mara had always said no. On this trip, however, Mara's mother had purchased a full table as an event sponsor, and she cajoled Mara into going with her. For those of you who haven't ever attended such an event, they are all different, and yet terrifyingly all the same (and I say this not as an attendee, but as an event-runner for various nonprofits; an event-runner who, fair warning, hates everything about these events, and this part of nonprofit work). There is some form of lower-calorie food (chicken or fish on greens with a very light citrus-fruit dressing is de rigeur, along with some sort of fruit-based airy parfait served in the smallest and most elegant glasses imaginable for dessert), usually an emcee (occasionally entertaining, but always inoffensive to the assembled guests), sometimes speakers (high-profile or famous women on a local or national level depending on the 'get' of the organization in question, or extremely well-spoken young people or teens for youth-serving organizations--with the youth in question being very carefully coached), and an 'ask'--the fundraising portion of the event, where the wealthy attendees compete with the rest of their friends and enemies in the social scene to be the most gracious and beneficent person in the room.

And there is gossip. So much gossip.

Poor Mara knew enough to expect some of this (mostly due to listening to me complain bitterly about how awful these events are), but there were aspects for which she was completely unprepared. Her mother had filled her sponsorship table with all of her closest friends, and the 'social hour' before the event started in earnest was a haze of white wine and a constant stream of excessively perfumed women dressed in full southern socialite chic, coming by the table to air-kiss cheeks and say how it's been ages since they've seen each other and what a darling ensemble, where on earth did you get it? and who does your hair now?--you must tell me, it's simply scrumptious--you look incredible, we really must do lunch some time soon--

...and the moment the woman or women in question moved on, the table, as a whole, in excited, urgent-whispered voices, would drag the everloving fuck out of every single lady they'd just been gushing over.

"Did you see how botched her last lift was? I hardly recognized her--I'm surprised she recognized me, with her eyes yanked back like that--" "so terrible, but she did go to the cheapest surgeon in town--husband has money troubles, you know--"

"Didn't expect to see her here, but I suppose you have to go somewhere to show off that large a collection of paste jewels--" "oh, stop, you wicked girl! But you're right, of course--and she gives herself such airs, like we don't all know--"

"Poor dear looks exhausted--apparently keeping up with her pool boy isn't easy at her age--" "Can't say that I blame her; that Carlos, have you seen him? Of course, she's hardly his only client. I've been dying for a pool, but my Henry just won't--"

"Quite a plucky little attitude for someone whose husband just left her for his twenty-two year old secretary--" "And after she put him through college and law school--I heard she's not even going to get to keep the house. She really should have sprung for a better lawyer--"

"I can't believe she still thinks she can fit into that dress, with all the weight she's packed on--" "Truly grotesque--just ghastly! Seems like last summer at the fat farm didn't do her as much good as one would have hoped--"

::giggle:: ::giggle:: ::giggle::

Mara was horrified, sitting there with a bland, polite smile frozen on her face, with her white gloves and vintage pillbox hat and charming little clutch bag, her seamed stockings and her kitten heels and her classic red lipstick and pin-curls (because in true unquenchable femme spirit, she had taken this occasion as an opportunity for dress-up, an opportunity for fun and play and sexy whimsy--a Gene-Tierney-does-pin-up-girl kind of vibe), utterly unable to see how to extricate herself from this terrible situation.

Another woman glided away from the table, coyly waving heavily-beringed fingers. "Yes, Darling," Mara's mother said, coyly waving back. "See you soon! Kiss-kiss! Love to Laurent!" She sat down and hissed to the cabal at the table: "Ha! Her husband just gave her an STD."

The woman to Mara's left leaned forward excitedly. "Really? Two-door or four-door?--wait, if it was the latest Aston Martin, I'm going to literally perish of envy--"

And that was the tipping point--Mara fled. Walked until she found a suitably divey coffee shop. Had a coffee and a slice of peach pie, and flirted with a soft Butch waitress until the world seemed less dire.

#storytime tumblr #'Mara' - thank you for sharing your story with me and letting me share it with others #because it's hilarious and so accurate #and i'm so glad you made it home after this ordeal #seriously though - fundraising events are the fucking worst #rare ass personal post

61 notes · View notes

thewitchofbooks · 11 months

Text

Cyril Rose ~ Facts

AN: I'm finally done with the important facts we know so far for both Cyril and Lucian, and since Cyril won, I'll post him first! Thank you very much to everyone who voted and to everyone reading this!

Warnings: All of the information is from the jp version of the game! Spoilers from Clavis' main Story, GW story sale bonus (detective), Clavis' 2nd birthday, Clavis' story events, Chevalier's 2nd anniversary winner party event story. Everything will be put under the cut:

The starting fact is his name. Cyril Rose was raised in a village in Obsidian, but when he joined the military, many said his last name sounded like he came from the country of roses.

Cyril and Clavis used to call each other "loser" when they first met during the war. Cyril did because he couldn't believe how someone can be like Clavis (putting his life on the line to save others, accepting everyone no matter what and a lot more), as well as how he could stay so calm during everything (but it turned more to teasing between them). Clavis was calling him a loser, because he didn't like how Cyril was ready to give up at that time and was able to help him regain his spirits and join Rhodolite's side.

Cyril is a very gentle and kind guy, but can also be funny with his snarky comments towards Clavis (something between two great friends)

Cyril calls Clavis an "idiot prince"

He has very bright red hair that are very noticeable and mentioned by other characters, (Chevalier, Sariel and more), including Emma.

Cyril doesn't have a lover (and Clavis made sure to remind him in the "Bittersweet Valentine" story event). Cyril told him to stop pretending as if he wasn't in the same position only a whole ago (Since Clavis' route released)

As confirmed in Clavis' 2nd birthday story, Cyril is a very fast runner and a very strong knight. He was able to run to the other side of the town with Emma in his arms (bridal style) and didn't stop at all (<- Emma was described "as light as a feather) and it was all to prank Clavis.) In Chevalier's 2nd anniversary No.1 story, we saw that he can match Chevalier in a sword fight, with fast and strong moves.

He knows how to help a woman get dressed and he can style hair buns, that look elegant and simple (Also from Clavis' 2nd birthday)

Him and Lucian are rumored as really good friends. It was said by Clavis, but he added that when they go out to drink, they're never seen sitting together on the same table. Also, Cyril was seen drinking grape juice while complaining to Rio and Emma about Clavis, while Luciam was most likely drinking alcohol (<-From the GW story sale bonus)

When that happened, he wasn't wearing any gloves (so he either took off his gloves because he wasn't working, or he doesn't wear any). He held Emma and Rio's hands in each of his, to guide them away from Clavis and he took them to Lucian's table.

According to Emma, his hands are rough from training, but very warm and safe.

Apparently, he tries every kind of new juice Clavis comes up with and that time, it was a new herbal juice (as punishment for sneaking from work). He didn't like it at all, yet he still drank it all.

They started bickering and while Emma was thinking that it looked like as if Cyril and Clavis were having fun, Lucian, after he used the mind reading skills he learned from Chevalier, nodded and agreed with her.

He is also very honest and loyal towards Clavis and the other princes (especially Chevalier)

He used to be just a third rate soldier in Obsidian, along with his friends Kai and Hugo. Hugo seems to be the youngest, since he uses honorifics to address Cyril (in the Japanese version). Cyril is probably the oldest of the three, or similar with Kai.

Gilbert wants him back to Obsidian, but Cyril refuses to betray Clavis, leaving Gilbert heartbroken.

The village where Cyril used to love was poor, but the situation wasn't as bad as the parts on the borders between Obsidian and Rhodolite, due to the corrupted nobles.

He is greatly respected by Chevalier, who saw his value. Chevalier knows his name, but prefers to use the nickname "Red head". Same with the others. Even Clavis understands that. Cyril also respects Chevalier, but he thinks he is scary.

He is the lead knight of the foreign affairs faction and he is the one training the knew knights (not the soldiers).

Chevalier trusts him enough to let him in his room and also casually speaks to him. Even though they were trying to keep it secret (them leaving their duties for the day and going for drinks), he somewhat talked about it to Chevalier. But Clavis was hiding in Chevalier's room, so he exposed them. That's why he made him drink that "juice" (<-GW bonus story)

In the "propose to you" story event (Clavis', which is coming soon in EN), Clavis and Emma were getting engaged with Chevalier as the witness. Chevalier didn't look up at them at all and only when they left, he looked at Cyril to answer that he wasn't staying and he was going home with a smirk (Clavis was sad/mad at Chevalier who wouldn't look at how beautifully dressed Emma was). Cyril called him a troublesome brother after he left.

Originally, he was mostly hanging out with Rio for said drinks, but when Emma is free, they let her tag along (<- The bar they go to is only for the court's servants, I'm pretty sure it's to talk about their employees at this point🤣)

Cyril knows that many little boys dream of becoming knights when they grow up, but he, himself, felt like the job he was doing doesn't have a purpose, because lately, he had only been collecting banana peels and cleaning after Clavis.

Just for this reason, Emma and Rio were thanking him for his hard work and looked at him as if he was their savior.

He also complains that the knights have to eat bananas all the time, but they don't keep them very full. He doesn't want to even mention the reason why they do that.

He has more than once said to Emma to use Clavis' wallet for expensive things.

Cyril actually gets very offended when he gets told that he is like a natural born knight. Clavis was the one who told him, when he was being "too sweet" towards Emma. Cyril warned him to never say that again.

He is picking up Clavis' lines. While I don't remember it being translated in the EN version of the game, in the JP this happened: (<- Clavis' route, when they met with the rebels at the borders)

Clavis:"I don't understand why they don't want to welcome such a beautiful man"

Cyril:"Please, stop saying that. It's not fashionable"

(The fashionable comment)

He is the same age as Clavis, so he is 29 years old!

AN: Thank you very much for reading until the end! I hope these facts were helpful! I personally recommend reading both ends of Clavis' upcoming proposal event for more Cyril content!

#ikemen prince #ikepri #ikepri cyril #ikemen prince cyril #ikepri cyran #ikemen prince cyran #ikepri spoilers #ikemen prince spoilers #ikepri rio #ikepri emma #ikepri cyril rose #ikemen prince cyril rose #also if anyone is wondering the reason why i draw him with long hair #is because Kachiru-sensei the original designer of ikepri characters has a character named Gilbert in her manga series 'rosen blood'#he has long red hair and since Kachiru-sensei was inspired by her own characters for ikepri i did the same😂#thank you again for reading!

196 notes · View notes

athenasparrow · 8 months

Text

The Bartender's Revenge

Read on AO3

For @mppmaraudergirl

Finally, a stand-alone! @jilymicrofics

“Shit!” She curses as she slams into something solid as she rounds the corner.

“Sorry!” Calloused fingers skim the exposed skin above her skirt as warm hands stop her from toppling – unbalanced as she is in heels – to the harsh concrete floor.

He’s alluring in an untamed sort of way; wild curls frame a face with a sharp jawline – the perfect place to let her lips wander – with just a shadow that tells her he didn’t bother with a razor this morning.

“Thanks,” she breathes, missing his hands as soon as he deems her stable enough to stand on her own.

“No problem, I’m here to help with anything you need.” He winks at her before disappearing through a door marked staff only.

Lily doesn’t catch another glimpse of him for the rest of the night. Not that she looks that often. Mary is the designated drink runner of the night – mainly because Marlene can’t be trusted and Lily is tired from work – and it’s all fun until some guy comes over and tries to plant one on her.

“Come on love, it’s just a bit of fun.”

Lily eyes the man in front of her. The flickering neon lights of the bar cast a sallow glow on his face as he grins lecherously at him. He might be considered attractive in a professional photo by the light of day – Lily briefly imagines his blond hair slicked back as he poses for a sleazy shot in a real estate magazine – but in the poorly lit pub, dishevelled from hours of drinking and nothing to hide the unnerving look in his eyes he’s really not. She keeps her hand firmly on his chest – straining against his weight as he tries to lean in – as she regards him cooly.

“I don’t care if it’s a dare. The answer is no.” It’s firm and even despite her own downed margaritas. All she really wants is for him to leave – back to the table where three other men are eyeing them, or even better out of the bar completely – so she can finish her girl's night in peace.

His lips curl, and his smile turns even more unpleasant, but whatever he’s about to say gets cut off by the sudden splash of a margarita on his face. “Oi! You deaf?” Marlene shouts – a bit louder than necessary – over the music. “Fuck off or my glass is the next thing that’s going to hit your face.”

He looks just the type to be dumb enough to take Marlene up on her offer (even when her glass is poised to pitch in his face), but whether he’s suddenly chicken or notices how quiet the crowd around them has gone, he gives them one parting sneer (not very effective with droplets of Marlene’s drink running down his cheek), before turning and marching back through the crowd.

It’s not long before Lily’s weaving her way through the remaining crowd to pay.

“Lily! You’re going too fast!” Marlene clutches at Mary – the most sober by far – as she stands on one foot to undo the straps of her heels.

“Evening ladies! Have a good night?” The haughty smirk, high cheekbones and smooth posh tone in tandem with the gallery of ink displayed on his skin, the ripped jeans and the rings adorning his fingers all scream an odd I don’t give a fuck elegance. Lily’s eyes stray in search of his messy-haired, hazel-eyed coworker she’d clocked upon entering, but he’s nowhere to be found.

She forces her attention back to the man in front of her. His knowing smirk prickles her, but she’s come down from the high of her night and just wants to get home. “Hello! Can we split the tab for the corner table over there?”

“It’s taken care of.”

“But…” Lily frowns. “Are you sure? None of us have paid…”

“That guy who was bothering you did.”

“I didn’t peg him for the apologetic type,” Marlene jumps in, barefoot with shoes dangling from her fingertips. Lily hopes the floor gets a good clean each night.

“He wasn’t,” the bartender snorted. “More the born an arsehole, die an arsehole type.”

“Yet he wanted to buy our drinks?” Mary asked, her tone incredulous. “Why?”

“Who said anything about him wanting to?” The bartender slides a menu in front of them, tapping at the bottom.

10% surcharge on weekends, 15% on public holidays. Arsehole surcharge applies every day of the week.

“And he agreed to that?” He didn’t seem the type to go quietly.

“Think he was too smashed to notice.” When Lily lets out a disbelieving laugh accompanied by Marlene’s snort he shrugs in a not my problem way, picking up another glass to polish.

“I love your policy!” Marlene declares as she rifles through her purse. “Let me just see if I have cash for the tip….?.”

“Sirius. And don’t worry yourself love,” Sirius waves his polishing cloth carelessly. “We charged them for that too.”

“How much did you charge them exactly?” Marlene asks as her sweeping gaze appraises him.

“James charged them triple.” Sirius nods his head to where the messy-haired man has reappeared, biceps popping as he leans against the doorframe. “He was especially ticked off for some reason.” His voice turns knowing as he winks at Lily.

James flushes as he tugs at his mess of curls. A zap of energy courses through Lily that has nothing to do with the alcohol in her veins. Her eyes stay a moment too long – too short for her, too long for Marlene – on the strip of flesh above the waistband of his jeans and when she blinks back to reality Sirius is still smirking while Marlene has dissolved into giggles as she grabs a napkin from the bar.

“Here you go James ,” Marlene says waving the napkin at him. For one horrible moment, Lily thinks she’s hitting on him, but then she wishes it was that at her friend's next words. “Here’s Lily’s number; my plethora of margaritas can’t keep from missing whatever this is.”

Her stomach summersaults as James takes the proffered napkin before holding it up to her in question. She nods slightly, unable to keep the smile from blooming as she drags Marlene towards the door. “Thanks for the drinks fellas!” Yes, you can call me.

With any luck, she’ll be able to run her hands through his curls soon. Her flush deepens, heat running through her whole body as she imagines his head of curls between –

Her phone buzzes as the door swings shut.

Unknown Number: how about tomorrow?

#jilymicrofics #jily #sirius black #james potter #lily evans #marlene mckinnon #mary mcdonald #bar shenanigans #jple #athenasparrow #athena's library #athena's microfics #fic on a whim

87 notes · View notes

hometoursandotherstuff · 1 year

Photo

Here’s a 1960 manor in High Point, North Carolina that’s mostly white and black, but what attracted me to it was the lemon yellow accents. It really breaks it up and looks sharp. It has 5bd., 6ba. and 2 1/2ba. $1.2M.

The entrance hall is painted gray, but I like the leopard runner, the floors and the yellow bench. Notice the shiny black door on the right- that’s how you use black- sparingly, not like the house we saw yesterday.

See how the yellow pops? I really like it. This house is classy.

Lovely breakfast table area.

They’ve seamlessly combined old & new.

Beautiful shower- look at the textured shine on the wall.

I like the yellow theme running thru the house. Very elegant formal dining room, and the black door with white molding looks spot on.

1/2 bath. Is that wallpaper? I like the sheen.

Light gray Shaker cabinets and marble or quartz backsplash in the kitchen and pantry.

Even the hall is gorgeous and look at that storage cabinet.

So pretty. This is one time where I actually don’t mind all the gray.

Another nice shower.

This is so beautiful for everyday dining, it’s stunning.

Gorgeous library.

Gigantic covered porch.

And, here we are upstairs.

The main bd. is a stunner. They had to have a professional decorate this place.

This bed is a showstopper.

Notice the 60s look of the lighting. It must be original.

Hall of closets.

I like how they incorporated the animal patterns. Even the colors of the books are coordinated.

Another bath.

Linen closet could be used for shoes.

All the bds. are so pretty.

Here’s a walk-in closet.

Nice little room looks like it could be a dressing room. Notice the fancy cat bed.

Knotty pine den.

This garden room is fabulous.

Looks like a little potting room.

Great pool.

Have you ever seen a storage room like this? It’s all sorted.

Nice grounds around the house.

https://triad.mlsmatrix.com/matrix/shared/pJT6N1VHSw/923CountryClubDrive

#mansions #midnight dreamer house #houses #house tours #home tour

111 notes · View notes

afrootcollective · 10 months

Text

Elegant table runners

Adorning your dinner table with classy table runners is the perfect way to add a touch of African elegance. Choose from our selection of elegant table runners in colors that suit your style, and add a touch of authentic African style to your home. From traditional motifs to modern designs, you will find something that suits your taste and style.

Made from 100% natural materials, these table runners are durable and easy to care for. They will withstand repeated washings without losing their original shape or color. And they are also available in various sizes and shapes, so you can choose the one that suits your dining room best.

Perfect for adding a unique finishing touch to any space, our elegant table runners are an affordable way to add some special flair to your home! Don't forget to check out our entire collection online today!

#handmade #handcrafted #handmade crafts #Elegant table runners #table runners #african crafts #handmade items

0 notes

theresattrpgforthat · 9 months

Note

Is there a tabletop game with a similar feel to the video game Hades by supergiant? Specifically, i think the slightly uncontrollable nature of boons might be fun for a ttrpg

THEME: Slightly Randomized Power-Ups.

Hello friend! So this is what I know about Hades: It’s a game about a greek demigod trying to escape the underworld, who gets new and different powers every time he dies. I think there are a couple of different ways you could go about trying to replicate this in play.

LOOM, by Yuigaron.

LOOM is a Fantasy Action TTRPG where players take on the roles of fallen Gods - tricked out of their Domains - trying to reclaim their seats of power. LOOM is a combat heavy game taking inspiration from video games like Hades.

LUMEN games are excellent for replicating fast, powerful combat, which is the first thing I think about when replicating a game like Hades. It looks like the power-ups of this game are less randomized than you might like, but considering the primary inspiration of the game is Hades, it’s definitely worth checking out. LUMEN also seems like a system that could enable randomized power-ups, although you might have to hack the game a little bit to make it work out. Currently LOOM is itch-funding, and the creator is working towards custom art, a full layout, a Quickstart guide, and more! You can also pick up the free LUMEN SRD if you want to create something similar, but with a little more randomization.

The Cypher System, by Monte Cook.

The Cypher System is the critically acclaimed game engine that powers any campaign in any genre. You may have heard of it as the system that drives the award-winning Numenera roleplaying game. Lauded for its elegance, ease of use, flexibility, and narrative focus, the Cypher System unleashes the creativity of GMs and players with intuitive character creation, fast-paced gameplay, and a uniquely GM-friendly design.

If you’re looking for a game with a lot of pieces to put together, the Cypher System uses a three-part character creation system that generates wonderfully unique characters and grants each player with an impressive suite of powers. What I think really lends itself to the idea of uncontrollable character abilities is the mechanic that gives the system its name - Cyphers. Mechanically speaking, Cyphers are one-time, extremely powerful abilities that are meant to be picked up and cast aside. In settings like Numenera, these cyphers are flavoured to be powerful pieces of technology, while in others they may take the form of magic spells. The Rulebook itself is basically a toolbox to let you make your own setting, so if you want to craft a character and write up / sort a number of cyphers into random tables, you’ve got everything you need to make your very own legally-distinct-Hades to play.

Godspawn, by GRAN.

Godspawn is a simple narrative TTRPG with a gambling combat system. In Godspawn, you play as demigod beings going on adventures and gathering divine boons from your extended family of gods!

The words “gambling combat system” stick out to me here as a possible runner in the ring for a Hades-inspired game. The author describes the game as rules-lite, so you might not be balancing a lot of pieces, but the idea of gathering divine boons sounds like you’ll be picking up power-ups as you play. Definitely worth checking out!

#tabletop games #indie ttrpgs #dnd #game recommendations #asks #dungeons #combat #power-ups #hades

42 notes · View notes

sims4t2bb · 23 days

Text

weekly update

Hello everyone, and happy Sunday! We hope you've had a magnificent week and that the next week will be filled with all of the best things in your life 🌲

The updates for this week can be found underneath the cut. From us, as always, happy Simming — onwards and upwards! ✨

— Base Game

Buy Mode

Anti-Goblin Bed by Kindermade, The Barnish Bed, Discretion Double Bedsystem, Discretion Single Bedsystem, Double Mission Single Bed, The Eminence, Killer Queen Double Bed, Metal Framed Top Bunk, Mod Pod Top Bunk, Princess Cordelia's Galleon Bed, and more conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Lattice In Indoor-Outdoor Rug (Runner) conversion by @littlelittlesimmies has been added.

Mod Pod Sleeper and Mod Pod Twin Sleeper conversions by @tvickiesims have been added.

— Expansion Packs

Get To Work

The Solitary Sleeper conversion by @platinumaspiration has been added.

City Living

Cobra Cabana, Double Futon, and Space Blanket Bed conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Cats & Dogs

The Cosy Crafter Bed, Modern Colonial Bed, Mr. Woof and Mrs. Meow's Child Bed, and The Seaside Loner conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Seasons

Cosy Cubbyhole, Crosshatch Delight, and Draping Palace Single conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Get Famous

Dreamy Pad and The Queen's King conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Island Living

Can Do Canopy Double Bed, Drift Away Single Bed, Whispering Wicker Double Bed, and Wicker-o-the-Wisp Single Bed conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Discover University

Decent Dorm Single Bed, Full Scholarship Single Bed, Philosophy of Sleep Double Bed, and Sophisticated Adult Single Bed conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Growing Together

Timber! Treehouse Base conversion by @lordcrumps and @tvickiesims has been added.

The Cozy Camper Sleeping Bag, Sleepy Critter Sleeping Bag, and Whimsical Dreams Sleeping Bag conversions by @tvickiesims and @lamare-sims have been added.

Horse Ranch

Lil' Rancher Bedroll Sleeping Bag and Under the Stars Bedroll Sleeping Bag conversions by @tvickiesims and @lamare-sims have been added.

— Game Packs

Strangerville

Another Not So Inconspicuous Door and Inviting Swing Out Door conversions by @jacky93sims have been added (thanks @dermestes-maculatus!)

— Stuff Packs

Crystal Creations

Astral Attunement Rug conversion by @littlelittlesimmies has been added.

— Kits

Industrial Loft

Action-Packed Corner Ventilation Duct, Action-Packed Straight Ventilation Duct, Action-Packed Vented Ventilation Duct, Anti-Social Sliding Double Door, Back it Up Barstool, Back-on-Track Lighting, Casual Eats Table, Finders Keepers Dresser, Hot August Nights Fan, Johnny Zest’s Sweet Revenge Armchair, and more conversions by @lordcrumps have been added.

City Roots Plant Stand by Greenie-Go-Round and Super Fuzzy Fuzz Rug conversions by @tvickiesims have been added.

“I Took a Welding Class Once” Double Bed and bedding conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Décor to the Max

A Balanced Place for Coffee, A Regal Stand, Bold Indulgence Hallway Table, Circle of Infinity, Explosion of Light Fixture, Fringe of Elegance Lamp, Geometric Giraffes, Maximalist's Dream Sofa, Panels of Self Mirror, Stately Plumage Sculpt, and more conversions by @platinumaspiration have been added.

Collage of Personality and Plushly Bold Rug conversions by @tvickiesims have been added.

Modern Luxe

The Moment conversion by @littlelittlesimmies has been added.

#weekly update

18 notes · View notes

mistresskayla-blog1 · 2 days

Text

STRANGE & WONDERFUL SCRIPT

Thanks for the patience. I gave you 3 scenes this time that have a good romance hook. I have been requested to put this into novel format. Until i get the conversion software that will take awhile. But I will reblog it or put it on the master list when becomes available.

Characters: Richard Armitage x OC (Kayla Crowe)

Fandom: Richard Armitage

Warnings: fluff, angst, preliminary smut (lol), psychics, tremors, losing consciousness, embarrassment, anxiety, rescue, celebrity lifestyle

Summary:

Richard and Kayla are out for breakfast and circumstances shift Richard's interest in Kayla further.

Scene: Breakfast and the Runner

French Bakery Restaurant:

___________________ NYC

10 am EST

Exterior: NYC street front by the restaurant

Interior: French bakery – mid size, bustling.

Simple elegant table ware and chairs

Ground floor seating was full. Richard led Kayla to the stairwell leading up one wall to the right.

They all ascend the stairs, Richard leading ahead of Kayla. Julian and Phillip trailing behind.

Richard: Second floor is quieter this time in the morning.

Kayla: You come here often for breakfast?

Richard: When I have guests of importance. Yes.

Kayla: (Shegrinned) Right, funny.

Julian, Phillip, Kayla and Richard found seating. Richard and Kayla sat opposite each other. Phillip and Julian found a booth with proper display of the full seating area and sat down.

Kayla: So, I am of importance, am I?

Richard: Well.. admired.. lady (smiles) You are becoming so, yes.

Kayla: Oh (looks down as she places a napkin in her lap from the table)

A waiter appears a few moments later and hands them menus. Kayla ordered a café au lait, and Richard a coffee Americano. Smiles exchanged between them. The waiter left with their drink orders. Richard pretended to be interested in the menu, as he observed her. Kayla caught his gaze.

Kayla: You’ve got to stop doing that, its creeping me out.

Richard: What? Looking at you? (smirks)

Kayla: Yeah, I’m not used to.. well, You doing that.

Kayla sounded incredulous.

Richard: Do you know what you want?

Kayla: I mean, of course, but I’m not going to.. Oh! (laughs – covering her mouth) You meant for breakfast.

Richard’s eyebrow quirks up in playful response.

Richard: Alright, now you’ve peaked my interest.

Richard says setting his menu down on the table and taking her resting hand in his own.

Kayla: Oh god. I didn’t mean that. I just… (trails off) Kayla met Richard’s gaze and held it steady, her breath quivering.

Richard: Kayl-er. What is it? What aren’t you telling me?

Richard prodded with his stare, but was gentle on her hand.

Kayla: (Kayla withdrew her hand from the table and placed it back in her lap)

Let’s just have a nice breakfast shall we?

(Nervously looks at Julian and Phillip and fiddles with a pendant around her neck)

Richard:

(Broke the stare and looked at his menu again)

The waiter reappeared Richard asked for toast and butter. Kayla ordered some eggs and fruit.

The waiter offered her toast as well,

Kayla: No, no. I’m fine. He can have my bread, (put her hand over her mouth in embarrassment) Gosh, I’m sorry. I used to a certain..

The waiter left, retrieving their menus. Kayla looked over towards the large windows of the front of the restaurant.

Richard: Your not used to eating with someone who can afford food, are you?

Kayla: (Kayla was drinking some table water and nearly choked on it) Well when you say it That way, it sounds horrible. But that’s not why I said what I said.

Coffee is placed between them.

Richard: Its just bread. I don’t eat much in the mornings. My constitution and all.

Richard sips his coffee

Kayla: That makes sense. A lot of early mornings, work before eating, I suppose.

Richard: Exactly.

Kayla: I love breakfast.. lots of choices. (grins)

Richard: Did you have anything you wanted to share about purpose?

Kayla: Meaning?

Richard: Why the universe conspired to bring us together, now.. (gestures to the room).

Kayla: Oh, for Love I think, and to build worlds.. (smirks, looking off towards the ceiling)

Richard: Build.. worlds.. (Richard grins as he looks at Kayla’s eyes searching the room for focus) Hmm,. I like the sound of that.

Kayla: It is the ultimate life goal, is it not? To build the world in our own way.. You certainly work in an industry that can build worlds.

(Food arrives in front of them. Kayla looks at it and sighs. Richard spreads butter on his toast)

Richard: That is a very true. We do create things that may not exist, or are a shadow of reality.

Kayla: Oh, my yes. A shadow. I like that. (smiles). Do you ever feel like you are living a parallel life?

Richard: (Chokes on his bread) In what way?

Kayla: Oh sorry. No frame of reference. I guess I meant a reflective version of life?

Richard: That makes it sound like I’m shamming it.. is that what you mean? (curious tone)

Kayla: Oh, god no. Not at all. I meant do you ever feel like you might be somewhere else, while you are here?

Richard: Do you have these sorts of conversations with other people? (inquisitive look)

Kayla: (Kayla looks over to Julian and then back to Richard) Yes, I do.(chuckles) But not this openly I guess. (smiles)

Richard: Well then, (raises his cup) Cheers to having open discussions about the existential crisis of man, ya? (Then scoffs and drinks, grinning at her.)

Kayla: (Kayla matches Richard’s gaze and bumps his cup with her own) Yeah. You think I’m a nutter don’t you?

Richard: (Immediately gets serious) I don’t think anything of the sort. Do I strike you as someone who would entertain someone I found disturbing?

Kayla: Disturbed, no. Intriguing yes. (Kayla looks down again, concentrating on her food)

Richard: (Richard stares at her) You are intriguing and very un-disturbing fair lady (smiles).

Kayla: (looks up at him and catches his gaze)

Well, (sighs) thank you for saying that.

Richard: I mean it, though. I’m very, (pause) careful with my words and my praise of others. (eats some toast, chewing)

Kayla: I see. (takes a breath) Well thank you again. (Kayla’s phone buzzes on the table, she looks down at it, almost as if she forgot it was there) Excuse me (Kayla looks at her messages, responds to a few and sets it back down)

Richard: Of course. (Richard continues to eat, checking the time on his watch and looking back at Julian)

Response: Everything alright?

Kayla: (Responds nervously) Yeah, yeah. Its fine.

Richard: Kayla, is everything ok?

(Kayla starts to ring her hands in her lap, Richard cannot see, but she has stopped making eye contact with him, even though he has spoken to her)

Kayla: Uhuh.. (Kayla’s eyes start to close a moment, then seem to flutter back open. Kayla pulls at her right ear as if to stifle something, her breath shuddering)

Richard: (Richard puts down his coffee and moves to get up)

Kayla? (a questioning tone)

(Kayla’s eyes flutter again, and Kayla’s body relaxes against the chair, eyes closed. Richard moves around the table to her side. Julian and Phillip are up out of their seats immediately) Richard grips her shoulders and lightly rouses her,

Kayla? Can you hear me? (nervous tone)

(Seconds pass like hours – Richard’s hands start to get warmer as he maintains contact with Kayla until he has to let them off as they feel like they are burning up. When Richard lets go of Kayla, she springs awake. Kayla’s eyes focus in front of her, then she looks at him, dousing his hands in the ice water at the table)

Kayla looks mortified.

Kayla: Oh my god.. I’m so sorry. Did I?

Richard: Its fine. I’m alright. What happened? You were.. gone.

(Dries his hands off, looking at them again, the skin was red, but unharmed. Kayla moved to touch him, Richard moves away a bit for a moment. Kayla looks down, sullen, Kayla places her napkin back on the table and stands, collecting her things)

Kayla: I’m sorry for the trouble I have caused. I should be going.

Richard: Wait. Please. Don’t go. I…

Kayla: (Kayla looks back at him, putting her coat back on) I’m alright. And you’ll be fine too. Its just your first time (smiles).

(Richard moves towards her swiftly as she descends the stairs)

Richard: You can’t leave without an explanation.

(Richard crosses in front of her on the stairs).

Look. Please. I need to know your..

Kayla: (Locks eyes with him)

I am fine. I just have to be somewhere else right now. (Kayla reaches for Richard’s cheek, as he stands below her on the step)

Thank you for your care.

(Kayla’s hand drifts down to his chest, at his heart, Richard’s eyes follow her hand, he returns to her face)

And your energy.

(Kayla audibly sighs, and closes her eyes a moment, swaying a bit. Richard keeps his eyes locked on her. Waiting for her to fall forward. Kayla smiles and opens her eyes, removing her hand again, and Richard’s breath catches as if something has left him a moment. Just like the other night. Kayla moves past him, and down the stairs, out the front door and down the street..

Richard looks after her, his hand at his face, it drifts down to his heart, Richard looks visibly shaken, then a Cheshire grin crosses his lips, )

he chuckles under his breath “she’s fun” he mouths.

Julian: Sir, are you alright?

Richard: I’m fine. I’m fine. (waves a hand off).

(Richard makes his way down the stairs, pays and leaves the restaurant. Richard steps out on to the street and looks back and forth. Richard looks to the driver who is standing at the car.)

Richard (to driver): Did you see which way she went?

Driver: Nods. Yeah. Up that way, (indicating the street to Richard’s left)

Richard: Thanks.

Julian: Sir, perhaps we should take the car.

Richard: Phillip can keep up with me.

(Phillip nods and walks with Richard down the street towards Kayla)

_______<<<<

Scene: Finding Kayla >>>>>>

Exterior: New York City street – SoHo

Sidewalk in front of the café’

DIRECTION:

Show Kayla’s path first, then Richard trailing after her.

Kayla exits the restaurant, and looks both ways swiftly. She looks back towards the restaurant and sees him still on the stairs. The driver acknowledges her and she waves him off. Kayla walks briskly up the street, finding the end of a block quickly and turning. Kayla makes it past a few shops before darting into an alleyway. Kayla throws her back against a brick wall, steadying herself and starts to cry out. Kayla crouches to her knees, her breathing forced but controlled.

Kayla (to herself): Ok.. ok. This is not what we trained for. Oh.. my god. He is powerful too. Shit, shit.

Kayla turns towards the brick wall, leaning against it, her hands on the cool masonry. Kaylas swearing has woken someone in the alley. She doesn’t notice him until he speaks.

Bum: Hey.. pretty. What’s going on, I was trying to catch some beauty sleep.. and then.. I wake up.. and you’re here. Ha! Maybe it worked (slurred).

Kayla froze. She could smell him before he reached her. Kayla slowly turned around to face him, dropping her knee a bit to brace for impact. The bum moved to touch Kayla and an arm shot out between the bum and Kayla. Richard’s arm moved swiftly between the bum and Kayla.

Richard: That’s, my bird.

Richard placed himself between Kayla and the bum.

Bum: Hey.. hey.. its alright.. (bum backs off).

I just wanted a whiff.. she smells so good.

Can’t you smell that? Like coconut and strawberries. (Bum stumbles)

Kayla is flat against the brick now, panting a bit, Kayla takes Richard in, like gulps of air. Richard is inches from her again and she can feel his energy, his heat and smell his scent.

Richard smiles at the bum.

Richard: Yeah. I know (to the bum)

Phillip is in the alleyway now, coming up short on the scene. Phillip looks to Richard, who looks at the bum uninterested.

Richard: (to Kayla) You know you really shouldn’t be out here by yourself. (Kayla is still at his back)

Kayla: (Kayla is composed as Richard turns towards her) Yeah, well, you shouldn’t go chasing after girls you hardly know, either. (smirks)

Richard: You’re not just any girl.

(Denies the impulse to kiss her, just looks into her eyes for a moment before questioning her)

Seriously what was your plan? Evade me? Walk back to your hotel?

Kayla: That’s not exactly fair. I was trying to give you an out.

Richard: An out? From what? You lit me up, then did a runner.

Kayla: I can explain that. Really. (looks at him) Can we go talk somewhere, (looks away) else?

Richard: Nods deliberate and slow

Yeah, yeah. Of course. (Richard puts his arm out escort style and turns towards the sidewalk, Kayla takes his arm and leans into him) Shall we?

(Kayla sighs into calm, looking towards the bum who was counting out some money Phillip had given him. Richard and Kayla stroll back to the car, Phillip behind them. They all climb into the car and drive off)

________><<<<<<

Scene: Investigating >>>>>>

Richard’s flat – upper West Side

New York City, NY

10:00 am EST

The car ride was quiet, Richard watched as Kayla watches the world pass through the window. Her hands resting in her lap. Kayla never speaks to him or makes eye contact with him, Richard tries his best not to squirm in his seat on the drive, clearing his throat and exhaling. Kayla smiles a little when he exhales. The car pulls up and they exit, entering the lobby of the apartment building. Phillip walks through the flat, as Richard and Kayla wait at the front door.

Phillip gives the “all clear”.

Richard, and Kayla enter the flat. The guards remain in the adjacent hallway. Richard led Kayla to the kitchen and Kayla sits at the breakfast bar. Richard moves to the cabinet to get some cups.

Richard: Tea?

Kayla: Sure. Or water, whatever you like.

Richard turns back towards her and leans against the counter, crossing his legs, his hands resting on the countertop.

Richard: So, do you want to tell me what happened in the restaurant?

Kayla: (sighed) Yeah. Well. Let’s see where do I start?

Richard: At the point where you went into a (pause) trance? I mean if that is what it looks like.

Kayla: That’s pretty accurate.

Richard moved to the fridge and grabbed a water out. Sliding it across the counter to Kayla. Then returned to his position against the counter.

Kayla: Thank you.

Richard: (Nods, Looking inquisitive)

(she opens the top, takes a sip)

Kayla: Alright, well I’m a medium, they say clairvoyant, but I can do a lot of things. Basically I can manipulate energy. And I get.. well… (looks at her hands, then up at him) surges.

Richard: (He looks at his own hands) Ahh.. I see.

Kayla: Yeah, so, (sips some water)

Richard: So wait? Is that why my hands got, hot?

Kayla: Actually that was a first for me. You have a Very high potential energy quotient.

Richard: What do you mean?

Kayla: It means that you are highly conscious and well, have a great deal of energy within yourself.

Richard: What like a super power? (chuckles and looks at his hands again)

Kayla: (giggles, looking down) Kind of. I’m not sure what it means for you. But maybe that is part of the purpose we spoke of the other night.

Richard: Hmm. (thoughtful). (Richard moves towards the counter in front of him and leans across towards Kayla) Want to feel it again? (quirks a grin)

Kayla reaches her hand towards Richard’s. Keeping her eyes locked on his. Richard maintains eye contact. There hands almost touch and a low hum (SE) reverberates between them. There hands aren’t touching, but energy builds between them.

Kayla: You have to focus your intent. And then its really easy to control it.

Richard: Uhmm.

(Kayla moves her hand away and moves around the island to where he is standing. Richard breathes out audibly, Kayla approaches him, puts her hand on his face, caressing it)

Kayla: And when you want something, you can have it.

Richard: Yeah.. (his mouth opening a bit)

Kayla rose on her toes to kiss him. Richard grabbed her up in a kiss back. Kayla’s hands meet his face, and he crushes her against him, Richard’s arms in a bear hug around Kayla. Kayla moans in the kiss, Richard responds.

Richard: Oh god.. you Do taste like strawberries.. (kissing her neck)

Kayla: (giggles)

Kayla feet meet back at the floor, and she steps away from Richard.

Kayla: I’m sorry. I .. (moves to turn away) Richard: (Hand on her arm) Please. I want to know more. We can sit and talk. I’ll be good, I swear. (puts up his hands)

Kayla: (Smiles) You make it seem like you went after me. I’m just as wanton as you are.

Richard: Wanton, (leans against the counter again casually) Yes.. tis true.

Kayla: (hops up on the island, her feet dangling playfully) So, “eyes” back in my head thing, ya?

Richard: Yes, explain that please.

Kayla: It is a trance, or whatever you choose to call it. Its my visions. I get premonitions. Sometimes they are directly related to my path and sometimes they are about others.

Richard: Did you see something about me, then?

Kayla: Oh. (looks over), no. Not like that. I mean, I have.

Richard: So, what then?

Kayla: Sometimes source just taps me (taps her temple) and I don’t have control over it. I didn’t mean to scare you. That’s why I have to eat to stay grounded, sometimes my states of consciousness disintegrate me.

Richard: O k.. that was a lot, am I supposed to follow this?

Kayla: I suppose not? Look, its really simple. I get a message, sometimes its just like a ringing in my ears, but sometimes it looks like, well that (meaning the restaurant),

(she looks down sheepishly) sometimes it looks like I’m having a seizure (nearly whispers it)

Richard: Jesus, really? And you don’t have someone to help you?

Kayla: Sadly, no (breath). I have been trying to control it, but they are getting stronger and more frequent. (squints and rubs her temple) Its harder to drive and do some things, like work with my clients.

Richard recalls as he asks: Is that why the Russian said – I want my lightning? (shegrin)

Kayla: (Rolls her eyes) Yeah, sort of. He’s a nutter, but its like his disability makes him more in tune, so he can feel my power too. Much like you, of course, he only knows how to draw at this frequency.

(pauses)

So I end up drained and ready to fire him up at the same time. (looking away from him)

Richard: I’m sorry. That must be difficult.

Kayla: Its why I have been avoiding him. When I lose control, or get drained bad things can happen to me, or other people. I just don’t want to.. (hangs her head)..

(Richard steps towards her, moving her chin up to meet his gaze)

Richard: I got you. It will be alright.

(Kayla looks at him, tears in her eyes)

Kayla: I don’t want to hurt you. (whispers)

Richard: Hurt me?

Kayla: What if I have an attack and you can’t stop it? I mean, (wipes her eyes), You are So strong, but you don’t have the control. Yet.

Richard: Is that why you were trying to find me? To inform me?

Kayla: What? (looks confused) No.. I.. just.. (jumps off the counter and pushes past him)

(sighs)

Kayla moves towards a large window and hugs her shoulders. Richard comes up behind her, standing so close, his hands hovering at her sides, wanting to comfort her.

Richard: (whispers into her hair) I’m sure whatever we discover will be wonderful, (kisses the back of her neck),

Kayla (closes her eyes as his breath hits her neck):

Yeah.. (sighs/moans) I hope so too.

Richard: and new (kisses her shoulder, his arms meeting her hands), worthy of our time.

Kayla leaned against him, her head tipping back against his chest.

Kayla moaned, as he kissed spots on her skin. Kayla: Oh god… you feel so good (pants)

Kayla moves to turn, but Richard pushes her closer to the wall by the window and kisses her neck more… pressing his torso against her ass. Richard groans in her ear. Kayla kicks her rear end back against him. And sneaks out of his grasp.

Kayla: We promised not to do this, didn’t we? Richard leans his hands on the window, then turns towards her.

Richard: Yeah, but we didn’t say when the moratorium was up (quirks an eyebrow)

I’d like a clarification on that, (pause) Now.

Kayla: Maybe we can just, take a breath and remember we both have lives outside of this room.

Richard: Well, now I need more context.

Kayla: (sighs) alright. I’m leaving tomorrow, to go back to Chicago, where my..

(rubs her ring finger, which is void of a band) My kids are.

Richard: Kids? (clears his throat)

Right (nervous scoff) because you are a grown women and it couldn’t possibly be That easy right? (looks up at the ceiling)

(scratches the back of his neck)

(Richard moves back towards the kitchen counter. Kayla sits back down at the counter opposite him)

Kayla: Look, we all have choices we made in the past, and yes, I have kids. But the point is, I don’t live here. We both know how busy life can be.

Richard: (Richard leans against the counter, crosse his arms against his chest, looking thoughtful) Right. That’s a fair estimate. So what do you propose we do then?

Kayla: Actually I wasn’t really sure. I just wanted to be fair.

Richard: I don’t think what we have started, although adolescent, can be contrived to be anything close to, rational or fair.

Kayla: (looks at her hands again)

Yeah, your right. Its too dynamic to be anything but memorable.

Richard: Exactly. So, (looks at his watch) as they say, I have work on, but can I see you tonight?

Kayla: (stands up abruptly)

Yes, of course. I should go and leave you to it.

Richard: (Richard moves around the counter, coming towards Kayla)

Kayla. Can I kiss you?

(Kayla visibly shakes as he approaches her)

(His hand moves towards her chin, Kayla nods and Richard draws it up to meet his gaze)

(They kiss)

*they kiss slowly and deeply*

(inaudibles)

(They part.. both feeling the inherent gap that grows as their bodies part. Kayla grabs her things and moves past him out of the kitchen and towards the front door of the flat. Phillip opens the door as she approaches. Richard walking behind her, seeing her out. Kayla turns back towards Richard in the open doorway)

Kayla: Thank you for breakfast. It was, an experience. (smiles)

Richard: It was (smiles) Will you consider, joining me for dinner?

Kayla: (looks at her own watch) I will consider it, yes. Ask me again. (looks up at him)

Richard: (puts his hands in his pockets)

Kayla, will you come to dinner with me, tonight?

Kayla: (Giggles). Yes, Richard I will.

Richard: I’ll ring you then.

Kayla: Yeah.

(Kayla turns and walks down the hallway. Julian waiting at the other end for her. Phillip closes the door in front of Richard as he stands. Richard puts his hand over his face, and lets out a long sigh. Phillip looks at him inquisitively.

Phillip: Is everything alright, sir?

Richard: (looks at him, and at the door)

Yeah, yeah. Fine. Thanks.

(pats him on the shoulder and then Richard walks towards the large window and looks down to the street. Richard watches Kayla get into the sedan, she looks up at the sky, as she steps in. Richard acknowledges her with a slight smile, though she cannot see him from that height)

END SCENE

Thoughts?

If you want to be tagged please message me here.

Thanks to all the lovely RA writer army that have supported me since I joined.

Special thanks to;

@fizzyxcustard @lathalea @legolasbadass

#celebrity #fanfiction #romance #psychics #richard armitage #richard armitage x oc

5 notes · View notes

lohstandfound · 4 months

Text

royal pains week royal pains week royal pains week royal pains week

Day 1: Party

Jake & Chloe: Party Planner Extraordinaires

In which Jake and Chloe set up for a party at Jake's house, a time when things were good (even if it was just for a short moment).

“Jake! Your playlist sucks, I’m changing it!”

Jake rolled his eyes, dragging a table into place. He stood up and looked over his shoulder to see Chloe leaning against the wall with his phone.

Jake: “It’s, like, the exact same playlist from last time. The one you already changed.”

Chloe: “And I’m changing it again because there are better songs.”

Jake: “Whatever you say, babe.”

It led to an odd soundtrack when Chloe meddled with his party playlists, but nobody seemed to care. Chloe was in the firm belief that someone needed to show Jake what good music was, and she was going to be that person.

Despite the fact very few songs seemed to migrate to his own playlists.

Jake let Chloe meddle with the music and set up the speakers while he began to arrange the food and drinks on the table.

What kind of hosts would they be if the food and beverages weren’t appropriately displayed?

Perhaps they had spent too much time at their parents’ stuffy gatherings. Fancy top-shelf bottles of wine or scotch or champagne or whisky or rum. The finest crystal glasses and chutes that looked like they had never been used before. Crisp and white napkins folded in elegant shapes. White tablecloth with a coloured table runner of whatever colour was ‘in’ at the time. Platters almost overflowing with the smallest portions of fancy foods Jake had never bothered to remember the names of. Shiny silver cutlery wrapped tightly with serviettes. Quiet jazz and people in fancy dresses and suits standing and mingling. Two twelve-year-olds sneaking away to avoid the judgemental gazes of their parents’ acquaintances.

Their parties never looked like that.

Chloe was the one to suggest it when they attended their first-ever party. It was very different to what they were used to, but Chloe was enamoured with the idea after seeing parties in all those movies about high school.

It was Chloe’s idea to plan their first-ever party, hosting it at Jake’s since his parents were always out late nowadays, or sometimes away for a couple of days.

(Leaving their son with no idea when his parents would walk back through the door. They always did. Or they used to. This had been their longest absence yet. They left no indication that they were ever coming back. But one would still hope they would).

Now, their drinks and snack table was full of beer and vodka and sodas and spirits and juice and whatever alcohol they could get their hands on ass they slowly worked through Jake’s father’s liquor cabinet. Red solo cups and a few Sharpies to label. A stack or two of serviettes in whatever colour was available at the store. If they were lucky, there was some plastic tablecloth. Bowls of chips and dip and chocolate and sweets and garlic bread and pizza and whatever they decided to splurge on. Pop and rock and indie and dance-pop and whatever amalgamation their playlists became. People show up in whatever they want and talking and dancing and making out and drinking and smoking and having fun.

That was certainly more their pace. It was fast, exciting, ever-changing, unpredictable.

And it was a very well-known fact that Jake Dillinger and Chloe Valentine threw the best parties in all of Middleborough and beyond.

Jake smiled when he felt Chloe’s arms snaking around his waist. “Done with the music?”

Chloe hummed and pressed a kiss to Jake’s shoulder. “Mm… Maybe. I think you should test it out with me.”

Jake turned around and wrapped his arms around Chloe. “Test it how?”

Chloe leaned up to press a sweet kiss to Jake’s lips, smiling into the kiss as she felt Jake kiss her back. She moved a hand up, running her fingers through Jake’s hair to mess it up. Jake had spent what felt like hours trying to style his hair perfectly. But Chloe thought it looked nice when it was a little messy.

She pulled away. “I want to get in at least one dance with you tonight. No interruptions.”

Jake let out a breathy laugh. “Well, if you insist. We have time before people will arrive.”

“Mm… You always forget Brooke and Rich show up early.” “Then we better get a dance in, doll.”

#lohst.txt #jake dillinger #chloe valentine #be more chill #bmc #royal pains week 2024 #there is a severe lack of actual party #i had ideas but they fizzled out and i couldnt figure out how to add more #so the next prompt will serve as the actual party #if all goes well #royal pains

7 notes · View notes

kalluzeb4later · 1 year

Text

Writing Kalluzeb Every Day for a Year - Day 23

Idea: (Continuing from THIS one. @gettiregretti wondered what happened next and I had three scenarios in mind and I was going to put all three scenarios in one post but I'm struggling to write and it looks like I'm just gonna have to post them one at a a time.)

Scenario 1: Bar fight

“I said, face me. Coward.”

Zeb’s ears flattened to his head and he held his hands up in a placating gesture. “Look, I’m sorry for staring. You’re very um-“

The human’s ire seemed to cool a fraction as Zeb tried to find the right words, one elegant brow lifting in skepticism. “Staring is the least of it. Isn’t it? Having me followed, scaring off clients, attempting to tamper with my accounts…”

“Wha-?”

“If you have a problem with me then you should just face me. Whatever your issue is, we can have it out right here, and then, you’re going to crawl back into whatever low self-esteemed hole you crawled out of and leave me be.”

Is he drunk?

“Look, I don’t know what you’re talking-”

Suddenly, the human is pulled around roughly, away from Zeb.

Something is said in Huttese before the first punch is thrown.

The human dodges the hit and lands a beautiful punch to the attacker’s jaw, sending them reeling.

The human backed up to give himself space between his attacker and Zeb, keeping them both in sight. The human eyed Zeb looking for an attack.

Zeb held both his hands up again to show he wasn’t gonna fight. He couldn’t help a smile and gave the human a thumbs up. That was beautiful well-practiced punch.

Zeb wouldn’t have expected a pretty face like that to actually know how to fight.

The human smirked at Zeb a little before their assailant came at him again. The crowd was paying attention and there were some murmurs and some mild laughter as the fight went on, the human maintaining full control.

The human only ever threw a few punches after one of each of his assailant’s. He could clearly beat this guy to a pulp easily, but this was about teaching some sort of lesson.

Zeb was just thinking about offering to buy the man a drink after his victory when some curses were shouted a few gasps from the crowd went up.

Three people from the crowd rushed out to the fight and were aiming to attack the human. They were back up for their friend it seemed and decided to step in.

Well that just wasn’t fair.

Zeb reached for the one closest to him before they could reach the human, turned him around, and knocked his head into the nearest table.

The human noticed one of the runners from the crowd and managed to dodge his blow while backing away from assailant one, but was caught in the side of the face by assailant three.

The human’s grunt got Zeb’s attention and he jumped in to assist.

The two of them took care of the three remaining assailants easily, Zeb knocking the first two’s heads together and the human turning to take down the one that hit him in the face, not showing any mercy this time.

Once the last attacker was down, there were cheers from the crowd!

Zeb turned to smile at the human who returned it while wiping a bit of blood from his lip.

The two men clasped hands.

“Can I buy you a drink?” they both asked. They laughed.

The human recovered first, “No, truly, allow me. It’s the least I could do after accusing you.”

“No worries. I was gonna offer you a drink for that beautiful punch you threw. I have to admit I didn’t think-“

“That a pretty boy like me could actually fight.”

Zeb scratched the back of his head, chuckling nervously. He’d been caught. “Uh, yeah.”

They moved towards the bar where the human had been seated before. The crowd parted for them and some security had come to take out the bodies lying around, cluttering up the place.

The human settled in on his bar stool and gestured to the bartender, signaling for two drinks. Probably two of his usual.

“Well, as you can see, I’m more than capable of handling myself. Thank you for the assist, by the way, I think I owe you a drink for that too.”

“Don’t worry about it. It was my pleasure. I love knocking heads together. Usually bucket heads but any couple of assholes will do.”

(not sure how to continue this one. Do they just become friends or do re-enforcements show up. I had the idea that Zeb and Kallus would be alone in the bar with a huge fight break out and then it turns out Kallus’ stalker (that he mistook Zeb for) is more powerful than he assumed and he has to go on the run. Zeb takes him with him and the rest is history.)

#writing kalluzeb every day for a year #kalluzeb #gettiregretti #courtesan au #galactic courtesan au #coutesan kallus #kourtesan #garazeb orrelios #alexsandr kallus #au #alternate universe

27 notes · View notes