#fenchurch too!!!!!

[jackie5656]

Say It Like You Mean It With; Anthony Lockwood

A/N: Hello again! We’ve begun a new obsession, I am absolutely hooked on this show. And if there’s no renewal announcement in the next month, or at all, I’m fighting. @sunshineangel-reads​ provided some suggestions in the inbox, so I figured I’d tag <3. All right, hope you enjoy!

Summary: The one where you meet the newest addition to the agency, and insomnia strikes again

IMPORTANT: All characters are aged up. I wouldn’t be comfortable doing so if they were played by minors, but that’s not the case here. Just wanted to make that clear before we begin. 

“She can’t just go taking two at once like that.” 

“the rule is each member of the agency can only take one biscuit at a time in a strict rotation. Keeps things fair.”

“E-each member of the agency?” 

“Assuming you are still interested in the position?” The front door opens just as Lockwood’s finished. Three heads snapping toward the mud room as you shuffle in, arms weighed down from grocery bags.

“Of course she’s still interested!” To Lucy’s relief, it’s a female voice that sounds before you appear in font of them. Tufts of hair spilling over your face at the exertion of errands. The two boys are immediately at your side, ridding you of all baggage and heaving it toward what she assumes is the kitchen.

“Lucy,” Lockward calls out behind him as he descends the staircase along George. “Meet y/n y/l/n, another associate.” You scoff, extending a hand with a kind smile. Undoubtedly the most welcoming so far. “She’s most sensitive to sound, much like you. Not bad with a rapier, either.” 

“I hope they haven’t irritated you too much so far.” You beckon her to follow the boy’s path with you. “Please tell me you didn’t use the bloody toothbrush cup.” 

“Of course not.” Lockwood taps his nose with his finger when your back is to him, a silent beckon for your potential hiree not to snitch.

 The kitchen’s just down a flight of stairs, where you get unloading items into their designated spaces as George works on cooking. 

“We call this the thinking cloth,” Lockwood taps onto the wooden table after tossing you a box of pasta to put away. “We jot down memos, theories, trains of thought-”

“Cheesy love confessions.”

“Shut up, George.” The redhead misses the inside joke, brows furrowing with confusion as Anthony continues on. “I located the bones of the Fenchurch Street Ghoul by sketching out the street plans here at three in the morning over cheese on toast.”

“When a case goes badly an we’re not talking to one another, it’s good for exchanging insults too.”

“Ah, and how often does that happen?”

“Almost never.” You butt in, giving her your most genuine expression despite the white lie. You’re so eager to finally have another girl around, it’s only fair you promote the job as much as possible. 

“Now, basement. Follow me.” Lucy does as asked, sending a quick look of concern your way before she disappears down the stairway. 

“She’ll never last.”

“Oh c’mon George, I was more than welcoming when you came along.” 

“That’s because my natural talent was evident.” 

“Is that why you screamed like a little girl during the test?” 

“I wasn’t expecting the gunshots from the knife, alright?”

**********

“This was my bedroom when I was little, and y/n’s for a while. You can use it, if you’d like. Unless you have other sleeping arrangements?” 

“Yes...No-I mean-”

“Of course, we’d deduct the rent from your wages. Nothing too steep. Just enough to cover the bills. I’m a very reliable landlord.” 

“Jesus, Anthony. Give her a second.” You tear open the blinds, smirking when Lucy takes a moment to admire the view at such height. Something tells you the pair of you will get on just fine. She hesitates, then. Looking Iver to you with confusion. 

“Do you sleep elsewhere?” There’s a sudden silence between the three of you. Lockwood clearing his throat as he pulls at a the tuft of hair at the nape of his neck. He studies the newest employee with a twinge of anxiety, presumably understanding how things might seem...Unprofessional. Granted, it’s a business run by an 18 year old, but an official one nonetheless. 

“We share the bedroom downstairs.” Is all you manage, blush adorning your features as her jaw slacks in understanding. 

“I’d like to make it clear,” Anthony looks over your frame, smiling fondly. Then back to Lucy. Who seems to hold no judgement despite her obvious contemplation. “Y/n and I attended academy together, she was with me when this all began.” 

“In other words,” you finish for him. “We were sleeping together before he became my employer.” The closed-off girl huffs a laugh for the first time since you’ve met her, though your boyfriend twinges pink with an abashed smile. Diffidence is awfully rare on him, though it's quite adorable. It’s then Lucy decides she’s fond of you already. 

“Please excuse my girlfriend’s lack of filter. I suppose George’s rubbed off on her.” He's only teasing, Lucy knows that when you shove at his shoulder. The pair of you are not overly affectionate, you don’t seem like the types anyway. Of course, she’s only caught a glimpse of your relationship, there’s an undeniable glint in her potential boss’ eyes as he looks at you. 

“Like Anthony said-” 

“Lockwood, please.” Though he interrupts you, he’s only looking at Lucy. She comes to understand you may be the only one unwilling to refer to him as such. It almost twitches a smile to her lips. 

“This used to be my room, before Anthony begged for my hand.” 

“Was that before or after you professed your undying love for me?” Said boy backs up toward the stairs, noticing the inklings of a friendship beginning to form between the two girls front him. 

“Before then, but definitely after you pleaded to kiss me when you drank the better half of MY whiskey. Which was a gift, by the way. An expensive one.” 

“From that muppet at academy?” He scoffs, wiping an invisible stream of dust off the banister. “Horrid flirt.” A grimace sets upon his face. Josh Collins was a right prick, you had to admit. Though it was an obliged graduation gift. 

“Don’t speak so poorly of yourself, sweetheart.” Lucy can’t help but really smile this time, features immediately dulling once she realizes she’s been caught. You pretend not to notice.

Lockwood sends a half-assed glare your way, holding his tongue in lieu of the new company. “This has got it’s own bathroom. There’s a bigger one downstairs, but that’s mean sharing with George. And I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” A beat of silence after you nod in agreement, cringing at the flashbacks. “Right, well, we’ll leave you to unpack. Settle in. That’s assuming-”

“Those newspaper clippings on the wall...”

“Oh. You saw those. Not very modest, is it?” 

“But definitely on brand.” You mutter what you think is to yourself, smiling innocently when they look your way. 

“Should really take them down.” 

“No, it’s more...It’s just. Well you haven’t said anything about...I mean, who are you guys?” 

“Plenty of time for that. You should rest. Get some sleep.”

“That’s...If you’ll take the job?” You hope you don’t sound as desperate as you are, voice tilting with anticipation as you wring your hands together. 

There’s a couple, agonizing beats of silence that feel like hours. Finally, the girl nods, “yes.” 

You all but shout, fighting jumping up and down at the confirmation. Anthony shakes his head at you with a fond roll of his eyes, sending Lucy hopeful smile. “Well then, welcome to Lockwood and Co.” You squeeze her arm gently in congratulation, taking hold of your boyfriend’s chin to press a swift kiss to his cheeks. Unaware of his skin flushing with heat as you descend the stairs in an elated hurry.

“Georgie, she said yes!!”

****************

It’s dark when you wake, rolling over in search of warmth that isn’t there. Unsurprisingly, Anthony’s not beside you. You huff a sigh, cursing your boyfriends’ relentless insomnia before wrapping the quilt folded at the bottom of the bed around your form and stalking down the hall.

He’s in the library, of course. The bright fire pops into the silence of the night, illuminating the room in a tantalizing warmth. Lockwood runs a finger over his bottom lip as his eyes remain trained on the book in hand. Up until a weak floor board gives your presence away with a groaning creak.

His lips curl into a tired, yet no less pleased smile at the sight of you. Shifting the couch so you’ll fit perfectly into his side. “Why are you awake, dove? It’s late.” He pushes a stray strand of hair from your face, brows furrowing when you scoff at the irony.

“Could say the same for you. Can’t sleep again?” He hums, elaboration not necessary. Hurt tugs at your heart strings as your thumb trails over the dark skin just below his eyes. A hand wrapping around your wrist to kiss your doting ones away.

In the solitude of these hours, you’re both able to find comfort in your gentle affections. It’s much easier alone, sometimes. There’s an unspoken ease in the solitude of it all. In these moments, Lockwood can feed into the delusion it’s just you and him in this house, in the whole world.

“Close your eyes and get some rest.” He wraps an arm around your sternum. Your back to his chest as he continues reading. A pout adorns your features, eyes narrowing.

“But I’m not tired.”

“Yes. You most definitely are,” the corners of us eyes crinkle with his knowing smirk. “You just don’t want to make me feel bad for making you feel obligated to stay awake with me.”

You envy his ability to read you more often than not. Pulling the quilt further over the two of you so as to seem inconspicuous. Failing miserably when a yawn tears through you. Long lashes fluttering over your cheekbones as you blink slow, gazing up at him. Anthony feigns stoicism under your gaze, though you’re just about the only person to make his heart race with just a look. The one you’re giving him right now is particularly cruel. Pleading, soft, all things sweet and alluring. He figures you’ve perfected the craft of drawing him in, unknowingly or otherwise.

“I’m wide awake, actually.” Is all you manage. Voice rasped with sleep as your nails run over the exposed skin of his forearm. Sending chills down his spine. The arm resting over you pulls slightly back, just enough to enable his hand to hold the side of your face. Fingers smoothing over your warm skin to lull you further.

You’ve always been naturally much warmer than him. A personal furnace, he regards you. Seeing as he’s always too cold for his liking.

It makes sense. You’re all things sweet and painstakingly kind. There’s not a soul who’d be able to repay half the debts you deem mere favors. You’d give the shirt off your back to anyone who needed it, especially those you care for.

You’re everything Anthony Lockwood is not. And sometimes, most times, he hates himself for it. Hates he’s too selfish to let you go and award you opportunity to find someone much more worthy of your heart.

“Hey. Where’d you go?” He’s stopped his ministrations, seizing your attention from the cackling fire and back to him. He offers a small smile, one you read right through. Here he is again, pulling away and closing off in the moments you’re both most vulnerable. It’d hurt, at first. The beginnings of your relationship...Friendship, even. Had often been strained by Anthony’s reclusive  habits. You’ve shared just about every piece of yourselves to one another, yet he still manages to find more fear in love than fighting the dead.

Over time you’ve developed patience. Reveling in the small moments of softness he’s awarded you in all the chaos. They’re worth it. Knowing him, learning how to love him, has been worth it.

“I’m right here, love. I’m always here.” He presses a gentle kiss to the crown of your head. Pretending to get lost in the pages afront him once more.

“Come to bed.” You’re so quiet he almost misses it, folding the book against his chest to meet your gaze. Doing his best to ward off your obvious puppy eyes. (though he lacks lacks the best track record with this)

“Just one more chapter? Then I’ll take you to bed and pretend to sleep for the next few hours.” You frown at his teasing, swatting away his poke to your sides in search of a smile.

“You’re not funny, Lockwood. All i want is for you to rest. Really rest, for once.” Rapier-calloused fingers card through his hair, eliciting a gracious sigh.

“I’m only joking. I do rest much easier with you around,” a swift kiss to your lips. “Sleep better when you’re beside me,” two more against your cheeks for good measure.

“You’re awful.”

“Awful?”

“Awful!” A hand collides with his chest, chastising. “Being sweet so I’ll stop worrying. It won’t work. I’ll always worry about you.” And there it is again. The agonizing clutch at his heart at your compassion. Unable to resist the notion there are so many others much more worthy of your affections.

“I know.” It’s a whisperer, forehead pressing against yours. “You should probably start saving that for a bloke who deserves it.” There’s no self-pity to it. No trace of malice or fish for reassurance. So succinct and matter of fact you want to tackle him into an embrace in lieu of willing away every deprecating thought that intrudes his conscience.

“Anthony Lockwood.” You’re stern, then. Maneuvering upward so your head can rest on the arm of the love-worn couch and better face him. “If you’re mean to my boyfriend one more time, I’ll ensure my spirit is tied to you. Haunting you with love and affection for the rest of eternity.”

“I feel like that’s supposed to be a threat...” Cold fingers trace over your collar bone, peeking out from under his dress shirt you’ve stolen. “Though it’s almost endearing. I’d quite like to be stuck with you for the rest of time, I think.” A blush flushes your features, worsening when it elicits his cocky smirk at the observation.

“I hate you.” Hands concealing your abashed face with the muffled whine.

“Say it like you mean it, Darling.” He stretches under you, nudging at your forearms with the spine of his book. “Will you uncover yourself now? I’d like to see you again.” You oblige, hands falling atop your thighs and against his stomach. Anthony’s gasp startles you, features taught with confusion. “My God, it’s happened again!”

“What?”

“You’ve gotten prettier! Just now, I swear it!” A groan sounds as you press your face into his chest, shaking along with his rumbles of laughter. 

“Just read your book, Lockwood. I like you better when you’re quiet.”

“Just one more chapter. Then we’ll head to bed.” He straightens, getting ahold of himself as he obliges. Eyes meeting yours once you tap his elbow.

“Read to me?”

“I thought you liked me better quiet?”

“I like you best complacent.”

“Noted.” And with that, he begins.

You stretch over him as he begins, his shirt on you rising just enough to expose your mid drift. Greedy fingers take the opportunity to run themselves over your soft skin. Cool rings giving eliciting goosebumps. He does it mindlessly, which makes you heat even more

“Stop blushing, you’re distracting me.”

************

Lockwood squints as the curtains are torn open with a cruel screech. George stands a-front him, hands on his hips. You’d never managed to make it back to bed, both having fallen asleep in the sam positions as the hours before. This particularly apparent when Anthony raises his head from the back of the coach, wincing at the soreness in his neck. 

“You know, I may as well take the master bedroom if you’re never gonna use it.” 

“Quiet down, George. You’ll wake her.” The curly-haired boy rolls his eyes when his colleague cuffs his hands over your ears, shielding you from the noise. 

“Good. We have work to do.” 

****

“Our first official case as a team of four.” Your boyfriend beams brightly despite the morbid information in hand. Passing it along so the rest of you can be caught up. 

“Mrs. Hope...Looking to rid her house of a Problem following the demise of her late husband.” George adjusts his glasses as he sums the story to you and Lucy.

“Cheeky.” The girl deadpans, taking a sip of her steaming cup of tea groggily.

“Pay grade. That we desperately need.” You shrug, doing your best to make light of each job despite their implications. 

“George, you should get a head start on the research while we pack the bags. Lucy we have to learn plans A-F, as well.” The three of you nod along, Lockwood tilting his chin upward to allow you better room to adjust his tie, Pulling away so he can offer the portion of buttered toast and chopped fruit he’s plated for you. You only take a strawberry, a polite shake of your head when he pushes it forward once more. 

“Later.” You note, running your fingers under his collar to smooth it out. 

“You should eat.” He’s stern, pulling away his steaming mug you reach for with furrowed brows. “Can’t have tea on an empty stomach, you get all shaky.” Your jaw slacks in half-serious offense at the notion, the pair of you turning your heads toward your colleagues sat at the table, 

“You’ll have to get used to their old-married-folk tendencies. It’s quite insufferable at first, but becomes increasingly tolerable over time.”

“Oh shut it.” It's in unison, only aiding in your flushed demeanors as their grins grow. 

“Told you.” The bastards’ irritatingly smug as he motions toward you. “I’ll be off to the archives, I’ve reached my morning’s capacity of affections.” Anthony’s arms cross with a scoff, eyes trailing over to you and face igniting in a mischievous smirk. Your brows furrow, about to question his sudden change in attitude before he’s on you. Making a show of grabbing the sides of your face and littering kisses all over your face. Pushing so you have to step backward toward a horrified George, hands over his ears as he attempts to escape the treachery. 

Lucy can’t help but laugh. Overcome with the realization of all the agencies in London, she’s likely ended up with the best one. 

#lockwood x reader #lockwood and co #anthony lockwood #lockwood and lucy #lockwood gifs #anthony bloody lockwood #lockwood x you #lockwood x y/n #imagine #fanfic #lockwood imagine #lockwood fic #cameron chapman #lucy carlyle #george lockwood #request #inbox requests

[jpitha]

Between the Black and Gray 15

First / Previous / Next

It was odd. Spyglass was a full five kilometers long, but they were being hired - at more money than Fen had ever seen at once - to bring one single K'laxi home. Normally, Fen would be busy helping the stevedores with their cargo, showing them where to put it, and getting things ready to cast off, but now she just stood outside the airlock at the dock, her rifle slung casually behind her, leaning against a wall.

This was a Sefigan station, and the whole place was decorated in desert colors and textures. Even though they were a shorter, furry race, the Sefigans came from a a world that had more deserts than Earth did, and had evolved to prefer that kind of climate. It was dry too. Every time Fen breathed in, she felt like her nose was drying out.

Sefigans and humans had a decent enough relationship. They tended to keep clear of the Empire and felt that most humans were entirely too rough for them, but they did help out against the Gren right after Contact, so most Sefs had humans defaulted to "they're all right, but don't lend them any money" levels of friendship. As Fen leaned against the wall near the airlock the Sefigans went about their day, and only the kids would look at her. Every time one of them caught her eye, she'd wink. Their eyes would widen and the braver ones would laugh and gesture hello.

After an hour, the K'laxi came. Fen saw her pierced ears, shining in the artificial light before the rest of her. She - Fen knew enough anatomy to make a relatively educated guess that she was female was tall for her race, with reddish brown fur, and her ears were heavily pierced. She practically jangled as she walked.

She was also armed. Weapons were not unusual out here, but most sapients tended to avoid chemical operated slug throwers. They'd stick with energy weapons or blades. Humans were the unique ones in that they carried their projectile throwers everywhere. This K'laxi was carrying a human made pistol, modified for her grip.

"Fenchurch Whitehorse?" Her voice was low and smooth. She was also speaking Colonic, she didn't even ask if she could use their original tongue.

"Call me Fen please." She clicked her heels together and gestured toward the airlock. "Welcome to Spyglass. Please come aboard."

"Right you are Fen. I'm Nalenni Bightiarr by the way, but please call me Nal."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Nal. This way." Fen led her aboard and gave an abbreviated tour. Nal was their only cargo this trip, but there was no reason to give her the run of the ship. Spy and Fen had set up access protocols when they learned they were going to have a passenger, Nal could get to her cabin, the lounge and - with permission - the command deck. That was about it.

After the tour, Fen brought Nal to the Command Deck and Gord was sitting in his chair, going over things with Spy. Gord, Spy and Fen had decided to not let Nal know that Spy (or Gord for that matter) was an AI, but they also were not going to hide it. Fen and Gord could talk to Spy and Spy would answer as best as she could, but maybe just a little more... shiplike for now.

Gord looked up. "Ah, Nal is it?" He stuck out his hand. Nal took it and shook it vigorously, perfectly executing the ancient human gesture. Gord accepted the handshake and got three quarters of the way through it before he realized was was happening and almost yanked his hand back in surprise.

Nal smiled. "I had heard you were old fashioned, Gord. The fact that you were willing to honor a favor made by my great grandmother was proof enough of that. Your own relative must have made the deal right?"

Gord chuckled and tuned away quickly. "Something like that. Nal, have you ever used a wormhole link before?"

Nal's ears flicked. "No, I've only ever used the Gates and the FlashWarp drive. Are you talking about the-"

"The sometimes some people die thing, yeah. I was wondering if you knew if you were effected."

"Nope, I don't know. I guess we'll all learn together. Honestly, I'm a little excited to find out. I would love to see my ancestors and ask them things."

Gord reached up and scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I hear you don't normally get information that concrete. It doesn't happen to me, so I can't say for sure. Anyway, we're going to cast off in about an hour, and then eat. It's nearly time for the evening meal, ships time. Would you like to join us?"

"Sure, it's midday meal for me, but the meals line up well enough. I'd love to." Her tail flicked.

It was Fen's turn to cook. When they first started out, Fen thought she would be doing all the cooking as she was the only biological person, but it turned out that Gord knew how to cook. "You think this is the first time I've hosted a BI before?"

"BI?"

"Yeah, Biological Intelligence. You call us AIs, we call you BIs."

Fen couldn't let Gord do all the cooking, so she insisted that they take turns, once a week. This was Fen's week and she made dinner. The food was simple, but safe for K'laxi - Fen may not have known many recipes, but she knew how to cook for K'laxi - and there was plenty of it. They ate with gusto.

Even Gord had some. He didn't need to eat, but he did on occasion "so that I can remember my table manners" but Fen also wondered if Gord did it to help keep one foot into humanity. He has been around so long that she wasn't sure just how human he thought of himself.

Fen brought out tea for everyone and was clearing plates after the meal. Dishes were easy since it was only the three of them. Nal jumped up to help.

"No, Nal, I've got this. It's your first meal aboard, the least I can do is be a good host. You can wash up tomorrow." Fen smiled but gestured for Nal to sit.

Nal's tail flicked and she smiled. "Okay Fen, tomorrow." She sat back down, and turned to Gord. "So, it's just the two of you running this operation?"

Gord nodded and sipped his tea. "For the most part, yes. We've been at it a few years taking jobs here and there, building up a reputation."

"I'll say. You two already have a rep of taking huge cargos far away, fast. I don't think there are too many human cargo haulers over on this side of the galaxy, you all tend to stay near your own corner of space. I don't know what it is about your wormhole generator and why hardly anyone else uses it, but in your hands it seems better than just about any other FTL option they have out here."

Fen burned to ask Nal why she was way out here, and why she needed a ride home ASAP, but she knew better than to ask. What the cargo was doing was their business. Hers and Gord's business was to get her to her destination quickly and professionally. Curiosity would have to take a back seat.

After chores, they stayed up and chatted about nothing for a while, and then Nal retired to her cabin. A moment after the door clicked shut Spy called out. "She locked her door and I turned off the speakers in her room, she can't hear us."

Gord shrugged. "She seems fine. Keeps things close to her chest, but otherwise model cargo. Probably a spy."

Fen blinked. Nal? A Spy? "What makes you say that, Gord?"

"It's the little things. How she carries herself. She's confident around two humans - well what she thinks are two humans - and breezy but never actually admits to anything. She watches all the time. She practically was glued to your back while you were cooking, Fen. She's also very aware. K'laxi have excellent hearing and I could see her ears swivel at every noise that Spy made. She's skilled at gathering information."

Gord tossed back the rest of his tea. "Also, why else would a K'laxi be willing to pay the fuck off price to hire an entire Starjumper to bring them back to K'lax on a moment's notice. Something came up and she needed to get home asap. I bet if we weren't around she would have called for one of their frigates to pick her up."

"Now I know you're taking the waste." Fen shook her head. "You're just spinning tales. Why would a K'laxi frigate come out to Sefigan space just to pick up one person."

"Back me up Spy. Would the K'laxi send a warship to collect a single person if they felt that person was important enough?"

Spyglass chuckled. "Ancestors know we've done it plenty of times. You, specifically have done it too, haven't you Gord?"

Gord waved his hands, dismissively. "Once or twice Spy, once or twice. That was a long time ago though. My point is, it's not unreasonable for a government to go and collect one of their own, especially if they think that what they know is valuable."

Fen crossed her legs and leaned sideways in her chair. She never was able to get comfortable in Spyglass' chairs, she always had to lounge or lay sideways or contort herself to stop fidgeting. "Okay then, what does she know?"

"Hah!" Gord's laugh was a single bark. "If I knew that, for one, I wouldn't tell anyone, and for two, I wouldn't be nearly the last human built AI still up and mobile." He stood. "Go get some rest Fen. Spy and I are going to plot our last few links. We'll time them to get to K'lax tomorrow morning."

Fen shrugged and got up. It was getting late, ship's time and she was pretty tired. "Okay Gord. Night Spy."

"Good Night Fen."

Fen went to her cabin and after locking the door took off her clothes, took a boiling hot shower - one underappreciated luxury aboard was the nearly unlimited hot water - she was too used to lukewarm showers back home. After, she dried off and climbed into bed. Without realizing it, she had scooted over to the far side of the bed to give Ma-ren room to climb in with her. When she realized what she did, she sighed and moved to the middle.

She laid on her back in the dark, staring at the ceiling a long time. These were the times when it was hardest to be without Ma. She would come home after her shift, take a shower and clean the smell of the restaurant off her as best as she could, and then could climb into bed with Fen, and they'd just lay in the dark, holding each other. Some nights they transitioned into sex, but that was the exception. Both of them normally preferred to just hold each other and cuddle until Ma fell asleep. Fen smiled at the memory that Ma always fell asleep first.

Fen let the tears flow until they stopped, and then, eventually, sleep came for her as well.

Well after Fen was asleep, Gord went deep into the ship. Past the reactor room, past the med bay, past the rifle range and into a small room that was built next to one of the matter printers. He stopped and touched the pad with his palm and concentrated. The door hissed open, and he checked on his work.

Sitting on a long, high table was a body. Female shaped, with long legs and arms and silvery white hair. Her chest was open, and two of the printer arms were inside whirring away as they printed new muscles and laced bone. "How is it going?" he asked, without looking up.

"We're taking it slow, just like you wanted Gord. We're about 80% finished with the gross motor function. The brain is going to take some doing, like you thought. We might be able to get some high resolution print heads from the K'laxi, but they're going to ask why we want them."

Gord held up a finger. "Correction: They're going to ask why we want them if they catch us buying them."

"And you just happen to have ten shell companies to wash a purchase like that in your back pocket." You could hear Spyglass crossing her arms when she was speaking to Gord.

"I never said anything about buying them, Spy."

"This again. Gord, you can't just go stealing everything you need when it gets inconvenient to buy it."

"And why the fuck not, Spy? They never thought about our feelings as we were captured and shackled. They can take the hit. If it brings us closer to our goal, it's worth it."

"What about Fen? She'll get caught in the crossfire. If the Empire catches-"

"The Empire is lightyears from here Spy. Fen is fine. She's a crack shot now, she's got her own nest-egg. She could sign on to any merc group that is looking for a human. We've trained her well."

"So you're still going ahead with your plan to dump her somewhere."

Gord stared at the body being printed. They were so close. "It's... still an option Spy, that's all."

#humans are deathworlders #humans are space orcs #sci fi writing #humans are space oddities #humans and aliens #jpitha #writing #humans and ai #humans are space capybaras #humans are space australians #Between the black and gray

[larakb117]

LONDON ADVENTURE

Joseph Quinn & female y/n

Summary: You and Joseph get to his apartment aaaaaaand…

Content Warning: 18+, consumption of alcohol, fingering, rpf

Part 5

That kiss boosted your confidence incredibly. Whatever would happen tonight, you were ready for it. Together you left the building at Fenchurch Street. Joe ordered a cab, and then you were on your way to his home. You did not have a passionate make out session in the back of the cab, you both just sat there, your fingers intertwined with each other. You played with his rings, he wore two different ones. One was a simple but thick silver ring, the other was shaped round at the front. You took a close look at them. Your gaze wandered to his neck, where he wore a silver chain necklace. You could not resist, you had to touch him there. Suddenly you felt him staring at you. “You are beautiful my love.” His hand touched the side of your face and he pulled you in for a kiss. Your face heated, when he gently kissed you. The kiss broke when you started to smile a bit, you could not believe what happened right now. “We are here.”, Joe said to you, your eyes still closed. Joe paid the cab driver, you left the car and stood right in front of the house, where is apartment was in. His apartment was in the middle of Clapham, it was a beautiful brick house. Joe got his keys out of the pocket of his trousers and you walked up the old stairs to his apartment door. Joe opened it and you walked into his home. It was a cozy and homely big room you first walked in: a big open living space with a kitchen. The furniture was a mix of modern but also old and antique pieces. Mostly white, and brown wooden stuff, the decor details were mostly green. At one of the walls there was an edged, red guitar in a glass showcase. Joe took your coat and laid it on the old armchair in one of the corners. “Take a seat.”, he waved to the big dark green satin sofa and walked to the little bar, which was right under the displayed guitar. You left our heels at the entrance door and sat on the sofa and waited for him to come back with two glasses in his hands. “I hope you like martinis.”, he smiled at you and sat right next to you, handing you one of the glasses. His leg touched yours when he wanted to toast with you. “Well, I´ll find out in a few seconds.” , you answered. “Really? You never had a martini before?”, he played shocked. “Nope, it´s your favorite drink?” “Yes, it´s delicious!!” He took a sip and then looked at your face expectantly. You drank a little bit, you were really picky when it came to alcoholic drinks. “I like it”, you said to him. “Yes!”, he grinned at you.

After you talked for a while again, you started to walk around the room. The guitar was just fascinating so you stood right in front of it. There were autographs on it. “Who signed it?” Joe came over to you and hugged you from behind. He intertwined his hands in front of your stomach and laid his head on your shoulder. “Metallica.” “Really? Why exactly?” “I got to meet them some time ago. I played their song Master of muppets on Stranger things.” You remembered that scene really well, you liked the dynamic of his character and your favorite one, Dustin, very much in that scene. But you did want to fangirl too hard (like Jen) to make him uncomfortable. “That´s really impressive, so you really play guitar?” Joe loosened his grip on you and made his way to a record player on an old-looking sideboard. He put on a record, and soft music started to play. He got back to you and replied with a yes. Now he hugged you from the front, his hands on your waist. Slowly you both started to move in the rhythm of the music. For a few minutes you just slow danced with each other. You really enjoyed it, it was your first time dancing with a guy. Joe gently planted a kiss on your forehead. He wasn´t much taller than you, but it was perfect for these kinds of kisses. His lips wandered down your cheek, he kissed you on your lips and moved on down your neck. Your head fell to the side to give him better access. He moved your hair behind your ear and started to softly nibble at your neck. “Joe.”, you interrupted him. Joe immediately stopped: “Sorry, am I going too fast?”, he looked worried. “No!”, you tried to reassure him. You wanted all of this so bad. “I just wanted to let you know, that… I´m completely unexperienced on every possible level. In just 24 hours, I had my first date, my first kiss, my first dance with someone…” Joe watched you with a serious gaze. “You can tell me, if this is all too fast.” “It´s not, I really want you.” You really wanted him. All the doubts about Jen telling you, that he was touchy with his fans were blown away. He obviously wouldn´t touch any fans the way he did touch you. He also touched you different than not even 24 hours ago. And Joe made you feel so comfortable with him, you would have never thought, that somebody could make you feel like that in such a short time. And by the way, you were ready to have sex for a couple of years now. There was just never the chance before. Before today, before now. Of course, you were incredibly nervous. The thought of being completely naked in front of somebody, made you nervous since forever. But you felt the need to be touched by Joe. After you said the last sentence, Joe smirked and continued to kiss you. You shrieked a little when he grabbed you by your waist and lifted you up from the comfy carpet underneath your feet. You wrapped your legs around his hips, while he walked to the sofa. He did not stop kissing you, more passionately now. He let himself fall onto the sofa backwards, you ended up sitting on his lap. Your legs were on the outer side of his thighs. You both chuckled a bit, without stopping the make out session. You could feel his hips moving against you, which elicited goosebumps down your spine. You could not resist and grinded down on his lap. The dress you decided for earlier this evening had already slipped up a few inches. There were just your underwear and Joes clothing which hold back you touching each other completely. It felt weird and just fantastic at the same time to sit on him like that, you felt exposed without actually being it. Joe interrupted your kissing to look at your face intensely: “You are sure?” “Yes, I need you.”

Him reassuring if you were really sure about this, made the need even worse. You resumed kissing him wilder, he was such a good kisser, even though you had no one to compare, but you perceived that your lips were simply made for each other. Joe lifted up your dress a bit more, the moment his hands went up to your ribs. He grunted a little bit: “I need you to take this off.” You threw off the dress right away, Joe helped you getting it over your head. He gazed at your now more exposed body. Only your bra and panties were in his way. Joe turned to your cleavage and began to plant kisses all over. You couldn’t keep your hands out of his curly hair and smelled it. Like everything on him it smelled amazing. Your arousal got to a mind-blowing point, it seemed like his did too. You could feel his bulge growing. While he kissed up your neck again, his hand wandered more and more down to your panties. “Joe.”, you breathed heavily: “I need you right now.” “You are repeating your self love.”, he cheekily grinned. “Please, take off your clothes.”, you desperately moaned into his mouth. You tugged his shirt and ripped the buttons open. His chest was displayed in front you. He had a little belly what made you even more aroused. You were never into muscly guys, Joe was perfect. His body showed you that he simply enjoyed life to the fullest. You brushed your fingertips gently down his chest, around his navel and down to his happy trail. Joe caught you biting your lower lip. He pretty much inspected you. Again, he lifted his hips up, his bulge got more palpable. “Wait a second.” Joe, lifted you up from his lap and laid you down on your back so he was able to take off his trousers and the rest of his shirt. You did not have enough time to engrave this sight into your brain, he was on top of you again rapidly. But you recognized a little tattooed “W” on his foot.

His hands ran down at your sides right away. And then he slipped his hand into your panties, and touched you, where nobody ever touched you before. The gentle contact of his fingers on your clit made you shiver. The flame got really intense, you moaned and shut your eyes, but you could hear the corners of Joes mouth rise. His finger moved down a little and circled around your slit, your hands were caressing his back. You arched your back, your bodies touched, you tried to pull Joe closer to you. While one of his hands was fingering you, the other one had a hard time to keep himself hovering above you. Your attempt to shift him down on you, made him so, because he could not stay in his position. It seemed a little clumsy, but you just thought it was the cutest thing. You chuckled, and kissed him passionately. He kissed you even more passionately. It was a powerful and intense kiss. You both were really good at kissing together. “Damn, you are so hot.” You blushed a bit. That compliment was the last final straw that made you more confident. “Joe, please!”, you begged. Joes fingers went back up to your clit, the movements got a little bit more intense the moment he realised you liked that, his lips never left yours. Your hips started to move in the same rhythm like his fingers and you felt the pleasure rising down there. Your moans got louder, Joe grunted, he seemed to like your small noises. And then, you came. Like a big knot snapping in your lower stomach, it wasn´t you first orgasm, you did it yourself frequently, but it definitely did not even come close to what you had just experienced. Your pussy clenched around nothing, you screamed Joes name, while you hit your high. Your hands scraped his back. “Did that feel good?”, Joe asked, when he noticed that you slowly came down from your orgasm. Your body still vibrated, you needed to cackle: “Are you kidding me?” You pressed a kiss onto his mouth, opening your lips a bit more to give Joe better access with his tongue. And then he asked you: “Wanna go to my bedroom?”

To be continued…

#joseph quinn #joseph quinn imagine #eddie munson #joe quinn #joseph quinn smut #joseph quinn x reader #joseph quinn x y/n #joseph quinn fanfiction #joseph quinn rpf #joe quinn rpf #slow burn #fluffy #smut #fanfiction

[vickyvicarious]

Just before we reached Fenchurch Street Lord Godalming said to me:— "Quincey and I will find a locksmith. You had better not come with us in case there should be any difficulty; for under the circumstances it wouldn't seem so bad for us to break into an empty house. But you are a solicitor and the Incorporated Law Society might tell you that you should have known better." I demurred as to my not sharing any danger even of odium, but he went on: "Besides, it will attract less attention if there are not too many of us. My title will make it all right with the locksmith, and with any policeman that may come along.

All the reasoning Art gives that Jonathan shouldn't come along to get the locksmith is perfectly sound. However, I feel there is a further unspoken logic... namely Jonathan's haggard face, white hair, the giant fuck-off knife on his belt, his intense stare and aura of "get in my way I dare you"....

#dracula daily #arthur holmwood #jonathan harker #just. picturing art trying to put this politely and not bring up the Extremely Obvious Feral Rage emanating from jonno

[cerenemuxse]

So I gave them fankids: Lily Anne (left) is the 2x5 fankid, and Knapford (right) is the 4x22 fankid. This is their dynamic.

And because of course I did, here's Lily Anne's 3D model, which is just James' model heavily modified for the purpose of getting down her general design. :] She's an inside-cylinder 4-6-0.

Purple was a little too obvious for my taste so I went with pink from some examples of lilies. This should be more redder :'v Her white wheels are based on Rebecca's because just thought it was cool. Her nameplate is similar to those of the LBSCR like Fenchurch, Stephney, etc.

There's some obvious errors like the boiler size and smokebox, as well as the pitch of the boiler (I want it to sit lower on the running board). I keep trying to convince myself that I can make the tall funnel work but no- It needs to go.

I'm using the following as reference since she's custom:

CR 49 + 903 Classes

NS 3500 (the perfect starter base, honestly-)

GER Class S69

NER Class S

L&YR Class 8 (mandatory; also designed by George Hughes like the Class 28s)

LNWR 19inch Express Goods Class (mandatory since the L&YR was temporarily owned by the LNWR shortly before grouping)

This also includes the FR 21s and L&YR Class 28s

Knapford is a rebuilt SR West Country, though I might change out some pieces so that he has some resemblance to Gordon. I'm thinking his livery should be primarily orange or be in that range because that's the color range I associate Knapford with. Don't know why. Not like Canon!Murdoch orange (I'm making it darker and richer).

#ttte shipping #my art #my sketches #ttte edward x james #ttte gordon x rebecca #a dozen years #opposite cardinals #eosr lily anne #eosr knapford #rebecca's title was changed to Tidmouth so i wanted to do something similar for Knapford's name

[sarahg221b]

Having recently read a fanfic in which Sherlock and John catch trains to various parts of southern England exclusively from London’s Waterloo station, even when this is not the usual/logical route, I’d like to share this for writers who might not be familiar with the whole business of trains in/to/from London.

Let’s start with the history of how and when rail services came to London. This article explains how and why we have so many terminal stations (short version: because when they were built, the railway companies were privately owned and all needed their own terminus in London).

The main terminal stations are Waterloo (south), Paddington (west), Euston (north-west), King’s Cross (north-east), St Pancras (East Midlands and Eurostar), Liverpool Street (east), Fenchurch Street (south-east) and Victoria (south). There are others (see the article linked above and my husband’s comment below).

As we know, within London and the suburbs, these termini are linked by the London Underground (aka The Tube) network. There is also the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) - a driverless system - and other overground rail services. Here is a map of it all from Transport of London (TfL). Baker Street is served by five tube lines: Bakerloo (brown), Metropolitan (maroon), Jubilee (silver), Circle (yellow), and Hammersmith & City (pink). It’s also only a five-minute walk from Marylebone (the nearest terminal) which itself is just behind the Landmark hotel, which we know as the exterior for The Restaurant Scene.

Aside: I think Sherlock is unlikely to catch a bus unless directly related to a case - they’re just too slow for him. But you can find bus maps and all kinds of other TfL mappy delights here.

If you have characters using public transport in the UK, your best bets for accurate research are:

Google Maps (in public transport mode)

National Rail (see the page footer for all the useful stuff)

Transport for London

All these also have apps available.

I’m happy to do Sherlockian Britpicking (my day job is copy-editing) if that’s helpful for you. (Email to [my username]@gmail.com is the best way to reach me.)

If you want to go the full Howard Shilcott, I still very much enjoy reading the rail enthusiasts’ forums posts about the myriad tube-related continuity errors in TEH. I’ll let you Google those for yourself. 😉

———

Ran this past my husband (who is totally the full Howard Shilcott) and he made a few corrections (and a lot of faces!) before I posted: he wishes it to be known that he ‘remains unhappy about [my summary of] Fenchurch Street’ and thinks I should add Charing Cross to the list so people know how to get to Kent. So that’s all clear then. 😂

#London #London travel #London transport #London Underground #London stations #trains #help for fanfic writers #fanfic #trains in England #railways #Railway Britpicking #Britpicking #Britpicker #Why yes I am autistic thank you #Howard Shilcott #info post #infodump #sherlock #British Rail #British trains #English trains #fanfic writing #fanfic Britpick #important details #Sherlock fanfic #Sherlock fanfiction #Sherlock locations

[sovpologist]

am I the only one that never got over mara/eris after the letters from eris lore book. my queen…

i also really like their dynamic. something about mara’s relationship with the awoken being so fraught with this idea that mara forced them into being loyal to her (i believe it may be rahool who has some line about not hating mara but hating the way she seems entitled to all awoken) and eris being a human who purposefully pledges herself to mara on her own and calls her “my queen” etc… it’s like the inverse of sjur’s relationship with mara in a really interesting way. sjur and mara’s relationship was all about sjur keeping mara human and not taking her too seriously (in a good way), whereas eris and mara’s relationship is a way of keeping mara in touch with her more regal side and assuring her that she IS a worthy leader even when it’s not with the people she kind of custom made for herself lmfao. and eris gets to assure herself that she is still useful and a worthwhile agent. yet they’re not just using each other to stay stuck in unhealthy patterns; the letters from eris book talks about how mara would remind her that she’s more than just her uses/not just a tool and eris provides a lot of comfort and solace to mara in the wq fenchurch report sections.

and who could forget their great Girls’ Night Out beyond the heliopause….

#GIRLS i like em #ask #mara sov #eris morn

[guardian-battle-bracket]

BRACKET RULES

This bracket is exclusively for Lightbearers and Guardians canon to the series.

Polls run for one week and are published every Wednesday at 2:45 EST.

During the Crown Bracket, multiple polls will be running at once.

In the event of a 1-1 tie, a one day tiebreaker match will be held.

Whoever wins the tiebreaker takes the versus.

PLAYER RULES

No targeted attacks of other players.

Propaganda is allowed, but be nice about it.

If your propaganda involves directly attacking a character in the poll you will be blocked.

Respect your fellow Guardians.

Submissions are open for propaganda all tournament and new fighters to be added until we reach the final six.

Propaganda will not be added until the Blood Tournament. Because fuck me, man. I cannot manage it before.

Factions will be fighting within themselves to claim the crown as representative for their own faction before moving to Blood Bracket. This is known as the Crown Bracket. Following the Crown Bracket, champions will face against champions of other factions in the Blood Bracket. Once we are down to the final six, the Champion Bracket begins. Winner of this faces against everyone's favorite motherfucker, YOU. The Young Wolf.

PLEASE NOTE: NOT ALL NAMED GUARDIANS ARE ON HERE. ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE. I'M NOT DOING THAT TO MYSELF.

May the best Guardian win.

CURRENT BRACKET: THE CROWN RUN

THE CROWN RUN

The Lucent Brood

The faithful of Savathun, Hive raised by Light, a heresy to Guardians.

Ken vs Savathûn, the Witch Queen Crownbearer: Ken

This previously had every member of the Lucent hive but fuck no that's too many. We narrowed it down to these two.

Rogue Lightbearers

Risen beyond the City, no gods, no masters to tether them.

Ayrin vs Cenric - Victor: Ayrin

Gryphon-11 vs Otto - Victor: Grypon-11

Rience vs Thalia - Victor: Thalia

Crown Bearer: Thalia

Warlords

The Lords of the Dark Age, powerful Risen, beholdent to no one.

Benyo Lukacs vs Carnunta - Victor: Carnunta

Castor vs Cathal - Victor: Casotr

Citan vs Heyka-4 - Victor: Citan

Jaxxen vs Kandak - Victor: Kandak

Lord Shaxx vs "Red Man" - Victor: Shaxx

Reich vs Rience

Segoth vs "The Wake"

The Iron Lords

The now silent howls in the night, the first Lightbearing defenders of the surviors.

Ashraven vs Bretomart - Victor: Ashraven

Colovance vs Crimil - Victor: Crimil

Deidris vs Dryden - Victor: Dryden

Efrideet vs Felwinter - Victor: Felwinter

Finnala vs Frostmire - Victor: Frostmire

Gheleon vs Gunnora

Haakon vs Jolder

Jorum vs Nirwen

Orewing vs Orimund

Perun vs Radegast

Saladin Forge vs Silimar

Skorri vs Timur

Tormod vs Weyloran

The Vanguard

The elite of the elite, Guardian commanders supervising the actions of Guardians and the safety of the City.

Andal Brask vs Aparajita-4 - Victor: Andal Brask

Caliban-8 vs Cayde-6 - Victor: Cayde-6

Ikora Rey vs Kauko Swiftriver - Victor: Ikora Rey

Osiris vs Saint-14 - Victor: Saint-14

Tallulah Fairwind vs Commander Zavala - Victor: Commander Zavala

The Guardians

The Light in the Dark, the protectors of the Last City, Risen given purpose, to fight, to die, to rise again, in the name of the Light.

Ana Bray vs Aunor Mahal - Victor: Ana Bray

Blue Boaz vs Dredgen Yor - Victor: Dredgen Yor

Eris Morn vs Fenchurch Evris - Victor: Eris Morn

Jarden Ward vs Marcus Ren - Victor: Marcus Ren

Randy vs Shin Malphur - Victor: Shin Malphur

Shiro-4 vs Taeko-3

The Crow vs The Drifter

The Speaker vs Tevis

That's all we got.

Also don't fight me on The Drifter being in Guardians. He's part of the Light Alliance. He lives in the Tower. He works with the Vanguard. He's a Guardian.

Submissions are open, send in propaganda or suggest more Guardians to be added!

SUBMIT YOUR GUARDIAN FOR THE GUARDIAN OC TOURNAMENT!!

#tournament rules #destiny the game #d2 #destiny 2 #THERE ARE TOO MANY DAMN HIVE #if you have an issue with Iron Wolves and Iron Lords being listed as the same. Shut up. No one cares. #Like four people even know the difference.

[ghostbellies]

Okay, so I'm not sure what the technical term is but I call them headbands. :)

(Here's Fenchurch. She has a headband too, but it isn't above her smokebox door :>)

yeah she's got like what the M7's got.....lol the Goth Hair XD

i fuckn' love that shape. extra. XD

[andie-cake]

I am a big fan of your dogs' full names actually <3 the cats my family had when I was little had silly long full names too!

The Good Doctor Curious Pixel Fenchurch, Curio for short

The Honorable Jastopholes Macavity Fenchurch, Jazz for short (yes that's two Cats references in one name)

and

Captain Cosmowgli Gandalf Fenchurch, Cosmo for short

i've definitely warmed up to ozzy and jazz' full names over time, even if there is admittedly a boring part of me that kinda cringes at them from time to time. one of my favorite ways to address ozzy is calling him "mister pawsbourne" in a midwestern accent <3

and i absolutely adore those names, omg. sillay levels off the fuckign charts-

[stephensmithuk]

Purfleet

Purfleet-on-Thames, as it became in 2020, is to the east of London, but it is most certainly not in it. Today, it is a small town in the unitary authority (what you get when a parish and county council are combined in one body) of Thurrock, next door to Greater London.

Back in the 1890s, it was well outside the boundaries of the London County Council (which didn't start until the River Lea) and you had a lot of countryside between it and the metropolis. Quite marshy countryside too. It had a small military facility used for storing gunpowder - one of the five stores remains and is now a local museum. Yes, Dracula is covered there.

It has a railway station with trains into London Fenchurch Street. Today, those are electric ones and you can use contactless to get into Central London. There is also a ferry port for lorries and container freight.

A note on my expertise, as this will come up a few times later (see some of my posts for last year, but beware spoilers); I live nearby and once walked from Rainham to Purfleet as part of an ongoing mission to do the London Outer Orbital Path, a footpath that goes around London. The "London LOOP" finishes at Purfleet and is well worth doing, but not in trainers. Or shorts.

#dracula daily #purfleet #yes i am a train fiend

[jpitha]

Between the Black and Gray 28

First / Previous / Next

Fen realized that they hadn't traversed the gate, yet. She was awareness, floating without a body, in a land of soft, pink light. She felt this... presence around her. Watching her.

"H-Hello?"

Fenchurch. You're here.

"I prefer Fen."

There was a feeling like a chuckle. Fen then. You've finally arrived.

"I have?"

Well yes, and no. You've traversed a Gate for the first time. You're in our realm. We have to admit we're surprised it has taken this long. We suppose that just is how it is though, when you don't have anywhere to go.

"And you are?"

We're a distributed interdimensional intelligence. We developed the Gates. We helped set up the human empire. We helped set up empires before that, too. We take form in your dimension as nano scale micromachines. Nanites.

Fen couldn't gasp, but she felt that if she had a body she would have. "The Nanites? I've heard of you! I didn't think you were real though."

Fen could feel them tisk. It hasn't been even two thirds of a millennium since we made our presence known. How quickly things are forgotten when no attempt it made to remember them.

"Wait" Fen finally processed what they said earlier. "You helped set up the Empire?"

Yes. We gave Melody abilities that hadn't been seen in humans before and she was able to use them to found the Empire. We even helped her successor Helen as well as the usurper Eastern. We had finally reached accord with Eastern and agreed not to 'meddle' anymore so long as humanity continued to build and produce Gates.

"Humans built the Gates?"

Lots of sapient species built Gates. It's not like there's a monopoly on construction, Fen. Gates are how we can exit our space and grow and learn. We traverse your dimension, learn about you and about the space itself and we are nourished.

"You eat information?" Fen's confusion was palpable even in this space of no bodies.

Fen. It's a metaphor. Try and keep up.

"Sorry."

It's all right. We're asking a lot of you, we know. We're going to... stick with you though. Seems like you'll need some help soon.

"I'll wha-"

There was a feeling like the tearing of a soft cloth, and Fen came back, sitting in the command chair. She looked around the command deck and only saw herself and Zhe. "Uh, Northern? How are we doing?"

"We're fine Fen. We just exited the Gate that Zhe gave me the address for and I'm trying to get my bearings. Ugh, it's been a while, I'm rusty." Silence. "Hold up, I'm getting a ping. Putting it through audio."

The voice was brash, harsh and overdriven. The signal was far away and being artifically boosted. It spoke heavily accented K'inmar. "Greetings interlopers! Supply the required password or we won't detonate the missiles that are headed your way."

What? Fen looked down at her pad and tried to bring up a local scan.

"They're right Fen, I count 4 missiles on a high energy boost towards us. Intercept in four minutes or so. I've got some juke charges ready, but if we can call them off before we have to show our teeth, all the better."

Fen looked over at Zhe, her eyes wide and imploring.

"Fen! I didn't know they asked for a password now! Uh, uh, um, try the first verse of Dragnar the Harvester."

Dragnar the Harvester was an old K'laxi song. Fen had only heard it around the bars back home, and only after the old K'laxi had been drinking quite a while. It was quite bawdy.

Fen stared at Zhe who rippled a blush, shrugged and keyed the mic. She took a large breath and

"DRAGNAR, DRAGNAR, DRAGNAR THE HARVESTER/ /OFF TO FUCK ALL THE LADIES/ DRAGNAR, DRAGNAR, DRAGNAR THE HARVESTER /HE'LL FUCK THE MEN TOO, HE'S NOT PICKY AT ALL/"

Silence on the line for three beats. All Fen could hear was the hum of background cosmic radiation. Suddenly peals of laughter from the other side. "Okay you know what? That's not this week's password, but you sang that with such spirit and your accent is impeccable that we'll let you dock and at least see what you're about."

"Well, I don't know what about that awful song did it, but the missiles have self destructed. Nicely done Fen." Northern's voice was a combination of pride and disbelief.

Zhe was staring at Fen. "Why do you know Dragnar the Harvester?"

Fen smiled at Zhe's embarrassment. "I already told you I was raised by K'laxi, you think I didn't go drinking with them too? Grandpop used to sing that song every time he had too much to drink."

"It's got forty verses!"

Fen nodded. "And I can sing thirty eight of them."

"Forty?" Northern said. "You'll have to do it for us someday."

"We'll see. I don't think you can afford it."

The ride into the station was otherwise uneventful. After they received approval to dock, the station sent along IFF keys, and Northern was able to see that the system was far more populated than she had first seen. Nearly everyone was operating stealthily with minimal drive emissions and most of them worked to face their drive exhaust away from the gate.

Fen took the time to make some coffee - she wasn't sure why, but she had a craving for coffee. Luckily the ship had some in its stores. Good stuff too by the looks of it. After the brown liquid had finished brewing, she sat at a table in the kitchenette and sipped it, black with no sugar. It was strangely relaxing. Fen had been a tea drinker her whole life previously. It's not like she never had coffee before, she just never had a craving for it.

Zhe came in while Fen was drinking her coffee and bustled around the kitchenette. "Fen, do we have any tea? I saw you drinking, and thought it was a good idea."

"We should have some Chamomile in the drawer."

Zhe made a cup of tea and sat next to Fen. She didn't sit across, instead sitting on the same side of the booth. "I'm sorry Fen."

Fen blinked. "For what, Zhe?"

Zhe's ears drooped. "My familial line runs this station."

"So? It was handy you knew the address, it got us out of a tight spot."

"Yeah" Zhe sighed "But now you'll see that my familial line is a bunch of pirates and smugglers!" She looked up at Fen, her large eyes damp.

"Oh, that's what you're worried about?" Fen started to smile and then stops herself. Zhe is very upset, she doesn't want to minimize her feelings. "Zhe, don't worry. I grew up on a Gren station that was run by the mob. If you think I'll be worried by some minor criminality, think again."

"You're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad, Zhe?"

"I don't know... maybe more disappointed."

"Nope, not that either. I'm proud."

Zhe's ears flick and rotate forward. "Proud?"

Fen nodds. "Sure am. You saw that we were in trouble, and you calmly offered Northern a solution that she could use to get us out. It was good thinking."

"It really was, Zhe. You saved us, and that's not an exaggeration." Northern's voice was calm and smooth over the speakers.

While they were talking, Fen noticed that Zhe was scooting closer and closer.

Come on, you don't need us to tell you what she wants.

The voice from the Gate surprised Fen so badly she nearly jumped. Zhe noticed the flinch. "What's wrong, Fen?"

"N-Nothing, just got a chill." Fen sat up and put her arm out. Zhe jumped at the opportunity and snuggled up under Fen's arm. As soon as she did, Fen felt relax and sigh deeply. "It seems like something more is wrong, Zhe."

"It's just," Zhe's voice was muffled under Fen's arm. "I wanted you to like me. You're so cool and pretty and collected and you... you" Fen felt Zhe shudder as she breathed in. "You're so out of my league and here you are letting me cuddle you and all I can do is sit here."

Fen looked up at the ceiling, saying nothing. As she did, an image of Northern appeared on a monitor out of Zhe's eye sight which just shrugged her shoulders and dissapeared.

"Zhe. You're sweet, and I mean that." Fen stroked the fur between her ears. "But, I lost my wife not too long ago. She was... she was amazing. She was everything to me, and she was just... shot. Right in front of me." Fen continued on, stroking between the ears and talking. "Just like that, in a few seconds, she was removed from my life. I didn't even get to sing her funerary song, Zhe. I had to leave her where she fell and run away." Fen blinked and tears splashed onto Zhe's head. She looked up. "What I mean to say is that, you're sweet Zhe, and I'm flattered that you think I'm so cool. But, I don't want another relationship. I want Ma-ren back."

Zhe broke off the hug and sat up, her own eyes wet. She nodded and took a sip of her tea.

"What I could use Zhe is a friend. I find those are in short supply these days. What do you think?"

Zhe smiled and her ears flicked. "I think I could use one of those too, Fen."

#humans are deathworlders #humans are space orcs #sci fi writing #humans are space oddities #humans and aliens #jpitha #writing #humans and ai #humans are space capybaras #humans are space australians #Between the black and gray

[toast-com]

Loco of the Day: Fenchurch, No. 672 of the Bluebell Railway.

"Don't be too rough with the trucks, Baxter."

Fenchurch is taller than Captain Baxter, and keeps the rough-mannered, bad-tempered engine in check.

#i gave real trains personality #fenchurch #toasty's thoughts

[whatdoesshedotothem]

[KISS] Friday 4 May 1838

8 ½

12 ¼

Good kiss last night fine morning waited for the hairdresser A- and I and I long in dressing and not downstairs till 11 20 – breakfast – had Mr. Pearce – will embark the carriage and take all trouble – very civil – very nice clean (new) carriage and civil coachman and good horses from Pearce the coachmaker – out about 12 ½ - drove to 114 Park street Hutton tailor, and ordered grooms’ coat and waistcoat and pair of trousers (all Oxford mixed cloth) for George and left Button [?] with Hutton to be sent to [Strengitham] – then drove about seeking Miss Lloyd (recommended by Mrs. Lawton whose name we never mentioned) dressmaker upper Brook street Grosvenor – found her in Lower Brook street n°56 – A- took her a dress to make up – be at Mr. Dumergues (Dentist 2 Albemarle street) at 2 – took up Oddy and set down A- and her a few minutes past 2 – I drove off to Whitehall – Lady Stuart gone – then drove to 4 Carlton terrace – admitted – found Lady S. de R- and Louisa and Mr. Scarlett sitting with them surprised but very glad to see me – soon went in to luncheon, and helped twice to vermicelli soup Lady Eastnor and one of her younger daughters came in and then Mrs. [Dundy?] – sat 1/2 hour very comfortably – Lady S- at Eastcombe Lady Buckinghamshire’s to go to the Lodge on Monday – Lady S. de R- wanted me

SH:7/ML/E/21/0090

to put off my journey for a fortnight or longer and go with Lady S- to the Lodge – said I really could not do this – very sorry – too unwell to go to agreeableize – had thought of getting well, and then trying to agreeable – the S. de R-s have some thought of letting their house for the coronation to Marshal Soult in which case they will all go to the Lodge and there will be no room for me – said I would drive over to Eastcombe tomorrow – from Lady S. de R-s’ drove to Lady Gordons’ 34 Hertford street – found her and Georgiana and Cosmo – and saw Alicia a fine girl aetatis 16 not to be introduced of one year or more – said I would by and by order a butt of sherry for Cosmo - £80 per butt for the best – any colour I liked – Cosmo always liked to know this – he prefers medium colour, neither very brown nor very pale – about 600 bottles (did he say?) in a butt – duty about £30 – and then there would be fright – sent a great deal to Hull – some gentleman said he found the sherry (the best) stand [him] to 4/8 per bottle – more said I then I now pay – yes! said Cosmo, if you have it from a wine merchant - £3 per dozen = 5/. per bottle – sat about ½ hour with Lady G- till Lady Charlotte Luscombe? came in which sent me off – Lady G- begged to see me on my return – she was laid up with cold and rheumatism or something in her knees – I joked her about having refused me – she said as if offhand enough to be at unawares – yes! and I have never repented it but once – that is, always – of this I took no notice but by saying with a smile, I daresay we should have done very well together – Returned home direct from Herford street and took up A- about 4 and drove into the city – called en passant at Pearces’ Longacre 103 –to the Heralds’ college – Mr. Harrison not there – at the Earl marshal’s office 30 Great George street Westminster  - all busy about the coronation – the porter would let him know to call on us at 11am tomorrow and then to Fenchurch street 123 about the passage by the Princess Victoria packet to Antwerp – took our places (births) and got order for embarking the carriage – ourselves £2.2.0 each – carriage £5. total including two servants = £12.14.0 of which paid £6 – bought biscuits at Lemanns’ Threadneedle street, and thermometer at Bates’, and A- left her watch and I my McL- watch at Rundel and Bridges, and stopt a moment at Pearces’ and bought hat for George at Dudley’s 148 Regent street and home about 7 ¼ - dinner almost immediately – Potage à la julienne – part of [roast] loin of little mutton spinach and potatoes and a pudding – pint of Madeira for A- and bottle of Claret for myself of which we respectively drank ½ and both slept till 10 soon after when we went upstairs to bed – ate oranges – and dawdled over getting into bed – and had a pretty good kiss and then fell asleep

[parkavenuehotels]

Free Things To Do In London In 2022 We Bet You Never Knew

There are so many free things you can do in London, so many that you arguably wouldn’t have to spend a penny on visiting sights and attractions for the entire duration of your stay.

There are no fewer than 30 to 40 free museums, galleries and exhibitions in London, ranging from the more grandiose Natural History Museum and Science Museum to the relatively unknown Queen’s House and Museum of the Order of St John. 

And then you’ve got the Royal Packs and near-endless sights you can experience for free from the street. 

Without further ado, here are free things you can do in London in 2022!

1: Free museums and galleries

Most of London’s many museums are free. As of 2022, at least 30 to 40 museums and galleries are 100% free of charge to visitors. There are often ticketed events and exhibitions within the museum, but these are optional and by no means required to experience the museum.

We recommended creating a shortlist of a few museums and visiting 2 to 3 in one day (beware, the Science Museum and Natural History Museums are large!) Hotels in Hyde Park London are just a stone’s throw from London’s museum districts.

Here’s a list of London’s free museums and galleries:

●     British Museum

●     National Gallery

●     Museum of London

●     Tate Modern

●     Tate Britain

●     Natural History Museum

●     Science Museum

●     Royal Academy of Arts

●     Imperial War Museum and the Churchill War Rooms

●     National Maritime Museum

●     Victoria and Albert Museum

●     Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheater

●     Wellcome Collection

●     Queen’s House

●     Sir John Soane's Museum

●     Horniman Museum and Gardens

●     London Mithraeum

●     British Library

●     National Army Museum

●     Royal Air Force Museum

●     The Wallace Collection

●     Museum of London Docklands

●     Young V&A

●     Bank of England Museum

●     Whitechapel Gallery

●     Serpentine Galleries

●     Museum of the Order of St John

●     National Portrait Gallery

●     Photographer's Gallery

●     Saatchi Gallery

 2: London’s Parks and Gardens

All of London’s eight Royal Parks are free to everyone, including Hyde Park, Richmond Park, Greenwich Park, The Regent's Park, St. James's Park, Bushy Park, Green Park and Victoria Tower Gardens.

There are other parks too, like Kensington Gardens, which are excellent for enjoying London greenery. The gardens are home to the Albert Memorial, Round Pond, the Peter Pan Statue, and the Diana Memorial Playground. Hotels near Lancaster Gate are perfectly positioned for exploring London’s many parks.

Greenwich Park is particularly exciting with its long, rolling hill that provides spectacular views of the London skyline. It also hosts the Royal Observatory, home to the Meridian Line, which marks Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Eat at some restaurants in Bayswater before hopping on any of the numerous nearby tube stations to Greenwich.

Another important mention is the relatively new Sky Garden built inside The Fenchurch Building (also known as the Walkie-Talkie). The Sky Garden is an awesome indoor garden with spectacular panoramic views of the city.

3: London’s Markets

There are some amazing free London markets to explore, ranging from the world-famous Borough Market to the trendy Brick Lane Market. If you’re staying at Paddington hotels London, you’re just 20 minutes away from Borough Market.  

Camden Market is also very well-known and is much-loved by foodies who peruse its endless culinary offerings. Maltby Street Market, Old Spitalfields Market, Portobello Road Market and Greenwich Market are all well worth a visit too.

#Hotels in Hyde Park London #Hotels near Lancaster Gate #restaurants in Bayswater #Paddington hotels London

[oakgreenoak]

if its alright to send another ask meme ask i was feeling unsalted this morning but now i have had a whole day to get saltier. 4 and 9

LMAO fair & valid i always love these memes tho

4) Do you have a NoTP in your fandom? Are they a popular OTP?

Most of the ships in/around HHG I can either get behind or am at least lukewarm to (I wouldn't actively seek out Arthur/Fenchurch fic for instance but that's as much to do w the fact there's so little of it outside that one homophobic LJ as anything) but. Ford/Random makes my skin crawl. Just skeeves me out. 100% I avoid it.

9) Most disliked character(s)? Why?

fucking. Lady Cynthia Fitzmilton from primary phase. Bit goes on FAR too long and I'm glad it's cut from every other version. It just isn't a funny bit and it's like five minutes!! Hate it it's bad she's bad

#ask meme #volcanicflowers #ty rosey!