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#high fidelity mood
deepdwnbodythurst · 1 year
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Rob ❤️
clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSlleE9s9gI
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hecateslore · 1 month
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hiii i dunno if someone already asked you this but i haven't really stalked your account (or like scrolled too deep down yk) but i'll ask regardless: What inspired you to write the supervisor!Simon story? like the plot and dialogue, where did those ideas come from?from the few chapters i've read, it's like a little like slice of life, chill, it feels realistic and chaotic in a way that life is on a day to day basis, i really love the flow of the story, your writing is easy to read and descriptive but not simple, it has so much personality and i just love it sm!!!
🌻anon
Helllooooo! I don't think I've gotten this question, ever haha.
I was listening to music and making an "office siren" mood-board, then I was like,"You know what would be craaaazzzyyy" and I just started writing Ghost being a freak in a cubicle on my notes and then I was like, "Maybe I should fix this up and post it on tumblr."
At the time I was dropping little mood-boards and hoping people would like them.
As for the plot- I listen to music! Like a lot of music it's kind of scary. So I sit, stream and stare, and I'll see like- a scene play out in my head and then I do my best to write what I remember down. So when I was writing the first chapter i couldn't stop thinking about how much Simon hates earbuds, he just hates anything that'll impair you purposefully. The idea just stuck and then I kept going, and I really wanted to add characters to move the plot, so i was like, johnny and Simon are bff's, let me make them hate each other :))))
I do this weird thing with my dialogue. Sometimes my sibling will catch me talking to myself out loud, cause I want the dialogue to sound as natural as possible. I'll hear a phrase that reader or Simon will say in my head, and it will keep repeating in my brain in different ways.
A lot of the story is just on the fly, I keep tabs of each chapter open, so I can remember little details, and go back to see if I'm jumping tooooo far ahead, or if I'm not opening another plot line that I didn't introduce.
I read a looooot of Ottessa Moshfegh, and I really like sarcastic, satirical writing. I love dry humor! I want people to really feel like they're in the story. Kind of like a scrapped tv show. Shows like High Fidelity, or The Bear, where it's kind of wacky but there's like a hint of drama. So that's what inspires my writing and office Romance.
Thank you for this, and thank you for reading, I really appreciate all the love!
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cailynwrites · 3 months
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A Very Pairy Christmas Masterlist - 31+ podfics for December
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Week 1: ❄️ Snow ❄️
Warmth by @givereadersahug (James x Lily x Severus)
Knitting Hats for Puppies by @arielsakura (Harry x Bill)
Convergence on a Winter's Night by @inmyownlittlecorner5 (Ted Tonks x Severus Snape)
Snowdrifts by @indreamsink (Draco x Hermione)
Sock Snowmen by @givereadersahug (Harry x Severus)
The Great Biscuit Calamity of 1978, And Other Such Disasters by @lunapwrites (Sirius x Remus)
Snowdeer Charms and Concussions by @arielsakura (Tom x Harry)
Week 2: 🎵 Caroling 🎵
Sorry It Took Me So Long by @arielsakura (Luna x Harry)
With Love by @smallsherbert (Pansy x Hermione)
Fast the Night Is Fading by @snapesnailtape (Severus x Lily)
Sing My Song (For You) by @theselittleponders (Rose x Scorpius)
Draco, Merrily on High by @blythe-ly (Draco x Harry)
Remus Lupin and the Christmas Snail by @innermostplanet (Remus Tonks)
Beautiful the rose that in your garden is by porcelainsalt (Luna x Astoria)
Week 3: 🎄 Mistletoe 🎄
'tis the damn season (Pansy's version) by @the-francakes (Ron x Pansy)
Escaping Fred Weasley's Magical Mistletoe by @ptwritesmore (Fred x Hermione)
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by @siriusly-sapphic (Narcissa x Dorcas)
Mistletoe Rescue by @indreamsink (Draco x Hermione x Theo)
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by @ptwritesmore (Ron x Daphne)
Festive Mood by @paulamcg (Molly x Amelia)
House Unity by @tryslora (Draco x Neville)
Week 4: 🎁 Gifts 🎁
The Pink Prank/Prankmas Eve by @danpuff-ao3 (Draco x Ron and other pairings)
Fulfilling of the Secret Wish by smirkingcat (Draco x Remus)
Unlocking Christmas Joy by @ptwritesmore (Harry x Hermione)
The Seventh Annual Weasley White Erumpent Exchange by @constitutionalweasleymonarchy (many pairings!)
A Non-Christmas Non-Romance by kelly_chambliss (Snape x McGonagall)
Adeste Fideles by @madmaudlingoes (Draco x Ron)
you make me feel good by @facingthenorthwind (Albus x Scorpius)
Week 5: 🥂 New Year's Eve 🥂
snapshots by kitsunerei88 (Percy x Oliver)
The Enchanted Forest by @xslytherclawx-writes (Neville x Regulus)
A Magical New Year's Masquerade by @ptwritesmore (Draco x Hermione)
This Time Next Year by @janieohio (Draco x Harry)
Bonus: 🕎 Hanukkah 🕎
kindling and memory by @leftsidedown (Fleur x Tonks)
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bluecookies02 · 2 years
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verge of contract
Zhongli x reader x Xiao
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based on this, which lead up to this threesome fic
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->warnings : nsfw , infidelity (happy ending) , angst for some part, oral (reader receiving) , establishing of a poly relationship
->afab, she/her pronouns used for reader
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"You'll accompany my beloved and protect her with your life whenever I am unable to do so. You are to comply with any order she gives out and you are to go out of your way to fulfill any need she has."
Only when he proved his loyalty to the Archon did he get this very important task. She might've been immortal and fairly skilled to defend herself, but Morax swore to never have her experience any pain or hardship as long as he held her hearth and possibly afterwards as well.
The Adeptus bowed his head, kneeling on the ground.
"I am in debt to you Morax, it will be my honor to guard someone precious to you."
Morax nods, guiding him up to his feet.
"Very well then, her previous protectors will teach you everything you need to know. While I'm away you are welcome to use our guest room." Xiao listens carefully, committing every piece of advice to memory as Zhongli rambles about you.
Your likes, your dislikes, small details to pay attention to in your mood because while his job was to fight for you, Zhongli also wanted you to have someone you can talk to and rely on.
"That is all, I hope you settle in nicely and I know you will take this seriously"
--------------------
You and Xiao already knew each other very well, so the uncomfortable stage didn't last as long as you thought it would.
He kept to himself mostly, but sometimes he would indulge in a conversation with you, letting loose.
You loved listening, happy to hear any stories the Yaksha was willing to tell. Morax was away a lot lately so it was nice having someone that wasn't just getting paid to stay by your side.
Skip to present, it has been two weeks since you last saw your lover, and 5 days since the last letter you received. You weren't worried, because if something bad was to happen, you would be the first to know.
Your concerns were of another nature.
You thought about your lover, a blanket draped over your legs as your fingers halfheartedly slid over your core. No matter how many times you reached and rode your highs, the itch to be filled didn't cease to exist. Your mind wandered off into a forbidden territory, cursing yourself for even daring to think about something so vile. But your lust dared you, not letting your brain switch from the imagination it briefly started.
Just thinking about it won't harm anyone, you reasoned with yourself, spreading your legs further apart. Just the thought of your protector hearing the muffled sounds you make sent shivers down your spine, your whines involuntarily getting louder, more desperate. And if you insist that this is just a one-time feeling, you would be lying to yourself. It appeared vividly in your mind many times before, just for split seconds, but enough to challenge your fidelity.
Xiao was on the edge of his bed, groaning as his ears picked up your hushed voice, his body reacting to it fiercely. He could battle hundreds of demons at once, yet there was nothing he could do to stop the blood rushing to his most intimate parts, primal needs raging to take something long forgotten and buried deep.
Xiao didn't understand the vastness of human emotions, but this one was a common one amongst almost all species and forms of life. His patience was running thin, guilt not having enough power to hold him still. He fiddled with his hands before deciding to grasp the sheets like they were the ones at fault.
A particular moan rocked the core of his being, legs cramped as he tried to stop himself from doing something he will most certainly regret.
"and you are to go out of your way to fulfill any need she has"
it echoed inside his head, bouncing from one end of his skull to the other.
Yes, that was the contract, most definitely.
He couldn't? Right? It surely didn't apply to that...
But Morax was the God of contracts, there's no way he would make a slip up like that. On the other hand, it should be a given, and he was the one to blame for his own urges.
"fulfill any need she has"
There it was again, and this time he doesn't have the strength to fight it, grabbing the excuse like a lifeline.
Your cheek cools off from a faint breeze, snapping your attention to its source, body recoiling to curl in on itself and hide from the all too familiar presence.
"Xiao-" you gasp, eyes drinking him up. All of him.
"I'm so terribly sorry, I didn't mean to distract you, it was very unfit of me, it won't happen again" you ramble, shaking your head.
Xiao dips the bed, sitting next to you, admiring your flushed body.
"It is my duty to help when you are in need, I swore an oath and accepted the contract, please let me carry out my obligations" you're frozen in shock, because quite frankly you had never heard such a bullshit excuse before.
You don't know how it happened but you were nodding your head, opening up more and more until he was allowed mere inches from your skin. You can stop this, it can be brushed off and never spoken about to a single soul for thousands of years.
"Okay" it slipped before you could catch it, and it was happening at this exact moment, stopping it won't make a difference. Not when your body succumbs underneath the Yaksha, presenting itself with need and want, pairs of hands roaming forbidden territories in milliseconds, faster than a blink, clothes being stripped and discarded, lips pressing and pulling at one another.
Xiao's eyes hold something dark, his golden orbs holding a hue that terrifies you and spurs you on all the same. His fingers waste no time finding your entrance, eager to take a claim on your insides. They are surprisingly skilled, stretching you out, your body rocking into the mattress. The room is hot, it might even resemble hell the two of you will be going to, but everything is happening fast, fingers picking up pace as they guide you to release.
Xiao leans down to get a taste, holding your thighs to his face now, licking a deep stripe across your pussy, mewling at the sense that fills him. You tangle your fingers through his hair, nails scratching his scalp.
You see a resemblance of a beast feasting on its prey when you look down, groans and growls muffled by your legs and cunt vibrating through you.
He certainly doesn't feel sane, control almost fully lost. He settles his hands on your hips, fingers pressing into your skin. He feels your release close, like two souls bonded into one, he knows and feels exactly what you do, and he lets you reach it first, a scream followed by curses rewarding his sin.
The smallest of voices begs for him to stop the rutting of his hips against the mattress, like that would make the situation any more fortunate.
Your back is arching until you finally flop back down, gasping for air.
You come to clarity first, the realness of it all comes crashing at full speed, regret shattering your poor heart.
"I don't think-"
"There's no use in lying, I can read your intent clearly, your need is safe with mine" he argues selfishly, grabbing your wrists in one of his hands.
"But Morax..." and you do have a point, and it pulls at his heart, making him breathe deeply, body heaving at the sound of his savior's name.
Maybe it isn't too late, maybe he will be forgiven if he stops now when the damage hasn't been fully done.
He peels himself away, despite his inner protest, he apologizes profusely, gritting his teeth. His skin burns and his blood boils as he regains his composure.
You let out a sigh of relief, like snapping out of a spell.
There's a screech of a doorknob, and your blood runs cold, your hand flying to your mouth.
Xiao's first instinct is to hold you, shield you away, yet he cleverly decides against it, shoulders slumping in defeat. He's suffering for eternity already, he's prepared to suffer one more if it meant he could repent for what he's done.
He gulps, head bowed low in submission.
"Oh..." your lover proclaims, breaking the silence. You're already crying silently, biting down the excuses. If you could at least respect him at this moment, you will.
"Alatus?" his savior questions, the use of the forgotten name crushing everything inside of the Yaksha.
"I will accept every punishment you wish to bestow upon me, I am the sole culprit of this scene." you're about to protest, but your chin is raised by a warm hand.
"No-" you beg, refusing to meet your lover's eyes.
"It is only natural isn't it?" he muses, " I couldn't give you what you needed, believe me, I hold no grudge against you my dear" he speaks in a calm tone.
"Alatus, I presume you didn't force yourself upon her, because if you did, your immortality will not pair my wrath" he presses, eyes stern and angry at the thought of it.
"I would never" he croaks out, throat dry.
He looks for your agreement, getting a nod in return.
"Our contract had a loophole I see"
Xiao wants to say countless words, and they all would circle to an apology of sorts, yet he feels as if he has no right to speak.
"Do you care for my beloved? Do you think you are able to devote yourself to her in the ways I already have? Are you fit to hold her heart as I do until one of you meets the unavoidable death, after I meet my end as well" He holds the eye contact with the Yaksha, his fingers petting your wet cheeks.
Xiao thinks, pounders upon the serious of questions, looking deep inside his heart.
"If the circumstances were different, I wouldn't need to think twice about it" and Zhongli understands what he means, nodding.
He is not a jealous man, neither is he possessive.
"Y/N, are your feelings for me any less than they were?" this question was a challenge to get out, and he had to hold his tongue behind his teeth as he waited for an answer.
"Of course not" you rush to say, grabbing his hand.
"Then I feel we can settle on an agreement" you don't trust your ears, and you don't believe you understand what he means correctly, there's no way.
"From now on you may share our home Xiao, feel free to express your affections as both of you please, for I hold affections towards both as well" you're shaking, rambling and still pleading for forgiveness.
Zhongli unbuttons his coat, discarding it on a nearby chair, getting comfortable.
He seems unbothered, moving to comfort you. You sob into his chest as he holds you, signaling to Xiao to join him.
It is now his duty also.
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phew, this was rushed and I might come back to rework it in depth but I got drugged by the concept and I will not apologize
->masterlist and links are in my pinned post
that's all, hope you enjoyed!
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quinloki · 1 year
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Some Direction
Fem Reader x Roronoa Zoro
26 Chapters - 58,485 words Version with images can be found here.
CW: Language, stalking, violence, sexual themes and situations, ptsd -- surprisingly fluffy despite it all. 18+ only
Summary: This is a time where a new world government has taken over. While the world is now at peace, marriage and reproduction are in decline. This New World Order has stepped in and forced the population into arranged marriages. You've been matched with Roronoa Zoro.
Inspired by Lyndsyh 's Closure series - Which you should read! The world building and character usage is really well done! (It is *very* angsty, especially compared to my piece, but I wanted to do something more light hearted while I enjoyed Lyndsy's hard work =D https://www.wattpad.com/story/151287153-closure-trafalgar-law-x-reader )
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Chapter 1: Meeting
You had been at work in the library when a man in an ill-fitting government issue suit and tie had approached you with a package. Everyone knew what it meant, these sorts of notices weren't sent through the mail, but you were a little upset you were being notified in the middle of work. You weren't exactly fond of being the center of attention, unless it was during a presentation for the library, and even then you weren't leaping for joy at the prospect.
Your boss, an older gentleman with a slim build, an impressive afro and an exceptional love of tea came over to you as you turned the envelope over in your hands.
"Oh-hohohoho, your fate has been decided I see, (Y/N). You can take a break and review it in the back room." He offers, taking a sip of his tea. "I can watch your section for a little bit, oh-."
"But your eyes don't work anymore," you mutter with a sigh. Normally you didn't dislike his jokes, but you were in a soured mood now. "Mr. Brook, your sight is amazing given your age."
"You mustn't deprive an old man of his jokes, (Y/N)." He pouts. You often teased him for being older than most of the books in the library, but there wasn't a fleck of grey in his hair, and despite his slim build, he was in good physical condition. You wouldn't be surprised to see him performing in a circus or some other equally high energy venue.
"Mm." Smacking the envelope against your palm you turn toward him. "Thank you, I think I will go in the back and open this."
Sitting down in the mostly private back room you opened your Match Book. Match Books had a lot of information in them, part of why they were delivered by hand, and that information included things like pictures, phone numbers, addresses, work information, blood type, interests, family situations, and other bits of data to help make a first meeting go smoothly. Matches had 48 hours to meet after receiving their Match Books, and six months to arrange their weddings.
You always felt the process went a little too quickly, but it worked more often than not. Even if part of that had to do with the law itself, the punishments for breaking fidelity and the fact that there was a robust system in place to offer marriage counseling. The whole point was to make people stable enough and happy enough to bring the population numbers back up. As well as the Government could hope to facilitate such a thing, they had done a socially accepted good job of it.
Your first look at your match made your face twitch. He looked like a hoodlum! He had three piercings in one ear, a scar that was only impressive because you weren't sure how he survived getting it, and every picture seemed to have caught him with a scowl. There wasn't one image of him smiling or laughing, and he had a sword in his hand – sometimes in both hands and one in his mouth – in almost every shot.
Match Book photos were candid images, but it seemed like your match had two settings: wielding swords or sleeping.
First impressions could be poor, so you tried not to let it drain you, but you had really expected your match to, well, match you. At the risk of being cruel, you weren't entirely sure this Roronoa Zoro even knew how to read. The data did show he graduated, so he was educated. As you read more details your initial concerns melted away a little and you started to understand how you were both matched.
You and Zoro were both orphans, you had both gotten through school quietly. While your grades were higher, they weren't that much higher. You did martial arts to keep in shape, but not competitively, and certainly you could see how they'd connect that with his passion. The dojo he attended was owned by his adoptive father, and it wasn't far from where you lived and worked.
You heard a low whistle behind you and let out a long-suffering sigh. Nami was looking over your shoulder.
"I did not expect you to get matched with such a -."
"Muscle Head?" You prompt.
"I was going to say hunk, but that works." She sits down across from you, a mischievous grin on her face. "So?" Nami was looking forward to her match adamantly. Though, knowing her as well as you did you imagined it had more to do with her desire to get matched with a rich man, as opposed to any romantic reasons.
You shrug. "Match Books hardly spark a connection on their own. I guess we'll see how it goes. I'll give it a couple hours before I reach out. I don't want to contact him before he's had a chance to flip through whatever they gave him about me."
You didn't want to make too many assumptions, and you didn't even want to read the whole Match Book. There was just something too clinical about getting to know a person from a government provided dossier. You'd rather get to know him through conversation.
Time for a change of topic. "How're things going in the sea chart restoration project?" You ask Nami, pulling your eyes away from the book.
Nami smiles. "It's been a real pleasure. Thanks for telling me about it, it's the most fun I've had with old sea charts since I was a kid."
"Yeah, sorry you gotta deal with the old man."
"Oh don't be, I've already made a few thousand berries off him."
You freeze. "Nami, you did not."
"Of course I did, it's just underwear, (Y/N)."
You put your head in your hands and sigh. There's a pat on your arm as another of your coworkers, Nico Robin, is closing your Match Book for you and giving you a look that already has you worried. The older lady was still young by conventional standards, just older than you and Nami. She normally had the most impressive neutral expression on her face and in her voice, but not right now.
"Robin?"
"You'll want to go to the study desks, (Y/N). There's a young man with green hair looking through a Match Book, and, well..." She tilts her head toward your Match Book.
Your eyes go wide. "No way." You grab the Match Book and go out into the library proper, heading over to the study desks. There was no running in the library, so you were half-a-pace away from jogging.
You didn't have to look around long to catch sight of him. Green hair was pretty easy to spot. You walk toward him automatically, not really thinking about what you would do or say. Of all the places he could end up reading his Match Book, it would be your library. It wasn't like you'd spent your life looking forward to meeting your match, you had a more practical outlook on the whole thing. Something about this felt a little overwhelming though, and you realize as you are reaching out toward him that he might need space.
Stopping short of reaching him by a few feet, you stand there in silence for a moment trying to decide what to do.
"Need something?" He questions, and you feel a shiver run up your back. Match Books couldn't tell you what someone else sounded like, and his voice was pleasant, if not a little irritated at the moment. What catches you off guard the most was the fact that he hadn't even so much as twitched his head in your direction. There was no way he could've seen you, and you didn't wear hard-soled shoes, so you hadn't made any noise despite the speed in which you approached.
How in the heck did he know you were there?
"No, er, yes. I mean. I'm sorry, it was quite rude of me to approach you this way." You bow, as you usually do when giving an apology at work, and hear the chair slide across the floor as he turns toward you.
"What do you mean," he starts to question as you straighten back up, "by... that." His eyes go wide as realization dawns on him. "Gah! I thought you were at the library by the dojo! What're you doing here?"
You blink at him blankly for a moment. "But... this is the library by the dojo."
Next Chapter
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chthonic-cassandra · 5 months
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Tagged by @awildwickedslip
1. How many works do you have on AO3?
111
2. What’s your total AO3 wordcount?
312,131
3. What fandoms do you write for?
I write a little across a lot of fandoms. The only fandoms for which I have written substantial amounts are Dracula, Greek mythology, and Shakespeare's plays. I have active projects right now in Dracula, Xena, and Penny Dreadful.
4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?
Shattered Mirrors (Jonathan in Dracula's castle), Make It Through the Wintertime (Hadestown Persephone character study), To Burn the Castle Down (Jonathan angst), Compromise (Dracula darkest timeline AU), Minor Initiations (different Dracula darkest timeline AU)
5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?
I have been trying to get in the habit of it. I think it's nice to express my appreciation and try to be a bit more social about all of it.
6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?
This is a hard question; so, so many of the things I write are angsty. Specifically as far as endings, I am realizing that an extremely high proportion of my stories end with a character aware that they are about to die or that something else terrible is about to happen to them, and in some way accepting it. This is of course tragedy but I'm not sure it is quite angst.
Outside of this pattern, I think that To Burn the Castle Down is almost over the top angsty (it's not one I like to reread), as is For Every Grief That's Offered (yet another Dracula darkest timeline AU). Both are from ~15 years ago, and I would write them differently now.
7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?
Ha. Do I write happy endings? Sometimes I do bittersweet hopefulness, of which I think Fidelity (poly Mina post-canon) and Still in the Realm of the Sun (Code Name Verity Julie/Maddie fix it) lean most heavily on the sweet side. The Caucus-Race (Alice in Wonderland, the Dodo enters politics) is legitimately happy.
8. Do you get hate on fics?
Not to my face for a long time, at least not in a serious way.
9. Do you write smut? If so what kind?
I do not.
10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?
Not much. Many years ago I did a couple - a Dracula-Greek mythology and a Dracula-Vampire Chronicles, and also a little Nosferatu-Pied Piper of Hamelin which is the only one of those still up.
11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?
Not to my knowledge.
12. Have you ever had a fic translated?
Yes - someone translated Foreigners (Aida, Amneris character study) into Mandarin. There might have been another but I don't remember it.
13. Have you ever cowritten a fic before?
No, though I once told @forthegothicheroine I would and then bailed on her, for which I continue to feel some guilt
14. What's your all-time favourite ship?
To write, certainly Mina/Dracula/Jonathan. But that's not from an actually shipping it perspective. What I tend to write and what I ship when reading or watching something aren't all that related.
16. What are your writing strengths?
Mood, imagery, psychological interiority, small-scale structure/pace
17. What are your writing weaknesses?
Smut, happy endings, writing anything long form
18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?
I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it in a language that I didn't myself know, and the only non-English language I know well enough to do that in is ancient Greek, which I guess I could use somewhere but it hasn't felt necessary. Several installments of Compromise have important scenes of switching between languages so I've thought about it, but keeping all the text in English let me do a particular language-related reveal in this last installment which pleased me.
19. First fandom you wrote for?
Either Lord of the Rings or Phantom of the Opera
20. Favourite fic you’ve ever written?
Right now it has to be Compromise as a whole, but this is hard. There are a lot of other things I've written that haven't gotten as much attention as that one but which are very dear to me, but as a series Compromise means so much to me at the moment.
Too tired right now to tag anyone, but please consider yourself tagged if you'd like to do it!
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kwillow · 3 months
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What if I was really good this year and I gave Ambroys really big puppy dog eyes and asked for just ONE little kissy kiss for Christmas? 🥺👉👈
Would it help my argument if I said I was curvy and hot? 😂 /LH /J
I'm going to talk about his actions in reference to a "someone" instead of "you" because it'd feel mean to address Ambroys' douchebag behavior to a "you."
I'd say context matters more to if he'd grant a kiss to an asker than how curvy and/or hot someone is, really. His own attraction and the person themself would matter less to him than the reaction he'll get from others.
If he were alone and in a generous or lonely sort of mood, then sure, why not. It's an easy way to get a hit of positive attention. If he felt the asker would be more liable to do him more favors if he held out, then he'd tease a kiss, but say maybe later. If he were alone but low on patience and out of fucks, and he didn't feel like putting effort into even a seconds-long performance of romance, he would give little more than a sneer.
If an old flame of his were around, then he would grant a kiss to someone else in her view, to make her angry and jealous. If a new flame of his was there instead, he'd mock the asker to his current elbow ornament, to make her appreciate his fidelity to their relationship (that probably won't last more than a month anyway, but still).
If he were in higher company, the sort of high-status serious-minded men and women his father reluctantly introduces him to, he might just have the good sense to brush someone like that off with a scoff and a smirking joke at their expense. Or he might do it anyway to get his father's attention for a minute or two.
If he's in the company of a bunch of braying lads, he might lean in for a kiss then dunk the poor soul at the last minute to get a laugh from his bros. There's nothing funnier than someone who thinks they're in his league, right fellas?
Any way it panned out, kiss or no kiss, he probably wouldn't remember who the asker was ten minutes later. After all, does an actor remember an individual person in the crowd of a performance? Nah - they just remember the applause.
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preg-lix · 5 months
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Beast in the Tower Pt 11
As it turns out, my husband could, in fact, make his appearance mostly human. He seemed to have trouble with his pointy ears and eye color, but it was definitely enough change to not scare off any random person. Unfortunately, this human form was insanely hot, and I had a terrible premonition about locking randy young people out of the castle to protect my husband's fidelity.
There was one problem I had with it, though. While he was fidgeting in the mirror I groaned, "I miss your old body."
He shot straight up and looked at me like I was insane. "I'm serious! You're very hot like this, but its just not the same."
He stared at me a long time before sighing and stuffing his clawed feet into large boots. "You are the strangest little human."
I rolled my eyes at him and continued to eat my craving cookies. He was on his way to listen to Madame Bree talk him through late pregnancy and labor, and I was not going to miss it for the world. I got so few opportunities to watch him flounder and blush socially, I was going to be teasing him about this long after our son was born.
He teleported us downstairs so we could walk to the infirmary more easily. I was definitely getting heaftier, and I had switched to the high-waisted dressing gowns I bought for just such a problem. The first time my good king saw me in one, he teleported me straight to his bed to separate the part and fuck me senseless. He was clearly, a big fan.
I sat on the other side of the room to not disturb them too much and continued to eat snacks. My poor husband went pale multiple times at the more graphic details of birth, but Madame Bree took no pity on him. She cared not that he was inhuman, nor that he was her king. She had a job to do and she did it well.
She let him go for a lunch break, which we shared. He definitely looked shaken, so I tried to tease him about it. "Do you see why I'm making you do this? Can you even imagine learning all that on the fly?"
Instead of laughing he just looked sick to his stomach. "I knew it was painful but... lords above, no wonder my mother hated me so."
My heart immediately twisted in knots. "Hey, no. Dont do that, okay? Plenty of people give birth and love their babies, no matter the circumstances. It's hard! I wont say it isnt. But it's a natural thing and we're built to do it. Dont put your family's curse on us, okay? This is just a normal pregnancy and birth."
He looked skeptical but didnt press the issue. Clearly sensing my distress, my passenger started kickinging rapidly. I soothed the motion and told him, "It's fine little guy. We're fine."
That didnt seem to lighten my husband's mood. In fact, he glowered at me. "You keep insisting it's a natural pregnancy. But I know how I conceived him, and I know what he decends from. If he is influencing your mind, you wouldnt know it, or it wouldnt be influence."
I knew he suspected as much, but to hear him say it made me want to cry. "So you think, what? It's all hormones and mind control? You think I'm going to give birth and wake up from a trance screaming, hating you both?"
His face confirmed it. My teasing mood gone, I got up to leave before I said something that would only piss us both off. Or at least, I tried to. My weight made mobility more of a challenge than an action.
Madame Bree was chuckling from the door way. "Is that what you think, my good King?"
Now we were both glaring at her. She waved us off petulantly, moving to prod at my bump. "I've mid wifed for people under such spells before. Dastardly warlocks that wanted spawn out of a womb, angry husbands who had their wives cursed to obedience. Your husband is not under such influence."
We both blinked at her, so she continued, "What? There's a definite attitude to them. Enchanted or sedated people are quiet, motionless, barely present. You cant enchant love, or even fake love, without a lot of spell work. And I doubt the little man in there has any tomes or potions."
Relief washed over everyone at her words. It was nice to finally have someone convince the king I wasnt being piloted by his spawn. I was never going to let him live it down, either.
The rest of our day was lighter, even as Madame Bree had my poor husband cringing at birth details. I tried to pat his hand comfortingly, but there was only so much to be had. My sister's birth had been long and chaotic as I held her hand, and I had experienced plenty more of sisters' and inlaws in passing; it was enough to desensitize me to the process. Besides, I had been wounded in battle plenty of times before. There wasnt much surprise for me in any of it, anymore.
I ended up rubbing my poor husband's back while he buried his face in his pillow all night. He seemed unable to face the beautiful horror women went through every day. "How does anyone do that to themselves?"
I snorted, caressing his grey skin. "I mean, to be fair. Most people who get pregnant do it at their partner's behest. I know way more strutting men who want to brag about their fertile cocks and their pregnant wives like they're prized mares, than I do women who begged to have babies."
He lifted his head at me miserably. "You mean like me?"
I wrinkled my nose at him and laid down against his side. "Maybe a little. At first, anyway. But you wanted a family. And you treat me way better than any of those old farts would have. You love me. Plus I dont think there is a single nobleman in my old country who wouldn't have at least tried to convince me to wear some gaudy dress to make HIM happy."
My king's expression hardened fiercely. "Anyone who doesnt respect you and your choices is dying a painful death at my feet."
He always made my heart flutter at the most unexpected times. I curled closer, pressing my pregnant bump against him firmly. "Gods, I love you so. No one has ever defended that side of me; I've had go fight tooth and nail every day of my life to dress as I want, to identify as I want. If all I need to earn your love and your grace, my king, is to labor for a few hours, than I will do so gladly."
He gave me a sad smile and shifted to his side so he could face me while he caressed my burdened womb. "More than a few hours, love. The midwife told me you're expecting a little longer than humans usually do."
I met his hands on my belly. "Maybe by a little. He is growing a little slower than I anticipated. But if he needs time to be healthy, I'll gladly give it to him."
I felt his nervous flutter echo through the castle stone. I gave him my own sad smile. "I know, honey. I know the odds arent good. I read that journal; I know how many siblings you could have had but didnt. But I'm trying to be optimistic, okay? I cant think about... I cant think about that chance. There isnt any point worrying about something we dont know will happen."
We slept like that, comforting each other in our arms.
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mugiwara-no-toshokan · 9 months
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Some Direction
CisFem Reader x Roronoa Zoro
26 Chapters - 58,485 words - COMPLETED
CW: Language, stalking, violence, sexual themes and situations, ptsd -- surprisingly fluffy despite it all. 18+ only
Summary: This is a time where a new world government has taken over. While the world is now at peace, marriage and reproduction are in decline. This New World Order has stepped in and forced the population into arranged marriages. You've been matched with Roronoa Zoro.
Inspired by Lyndsyh 's Closure series - Which you should read! The world building and character usage is really well done! (It is *very* angsty, especially compared to my piece, but I wanted to do something more light hearted while I enjoyed Lyndsy's hard work =D https://www.wattpad.com/story/151287153-closure-trafalgar-law-x-reader )
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Chapter 1: Meeting
You had been at work in the library when a man in an ill-fitting government issue suit and tie had approached you with a package. Everyone knew what it meant, these sorts of notices weren't sent through the mail, but you were a little upset you were being notified in the middle of work. You weren't exactly fond of being the center of attention, unless it was during a presentation for the library, and even then you weren't leaping for joy at the prospect.
Your boss, an older gentleman with a slim build, an impressive afro and an exceptional love of tea came over to you as you turned the envelope over in your hands.
"Oh-hohohoho, your fate has been decided I see, (Y/N). You can take a break and review it in the back room." He offers, taking a sip of his tea. "I can watch your section for a little bit, oh-."
"But your eyes don't work anymore," you mutter with a sigh. Normally you didn't dislike his jokes, but you were in a soured mood now. "Mr. Brook, your sight is amazing given your age."
"You mustn't deprive an old man of his jokes, (Y/N)." He pouts. You often teased him for being older than most of the books in the library, but there wasn't a fleck of grey in his hair, and despite his slim build, he was in good physical condition. You wouldn't be surprised to see him performing in a circus or some other equally high energy venue.
"Mm." Smacking the envelope against your palm you turn toward him. "Thank you, I think I will go in the back and open this."
Sitting down in the mostly private back room you opened your Match Book. Match Books had a lot of information in them, part of why they were delivered by hand, and that information included things like pictures, phone numbers, addresses, work information, blood type, interests, family situations, and other bits of data to help make a first meeting go smoothly. Matches had 48 hours to meet after receiving their Match Books, and six months to arrange their weddings.
You always felt the process went a little too quickly, but it worked more often than not. Even if part of that had to do with the law itself, the punishments for breaking fidelity and the fact that there was a robust system in place to offer marriage counseling. The whole point was to make people stable enough and happy enough to bring the population numbers back up. As well as the Government could hope to facilitate such a thing, they had done a socially accepted good job of it.
Your first look at your match made your face twitch. He looked like a hoodlum! He had three piercings in one ear, a scar that was only impressive because you weren't sure how he survived getting it, and every picture seemed to have caught him with a scowl. There wasn't one image of him smiling or laughing, and he had a sword in his hand – sometimes in both hands and one in his mouth – in almost every shot.
Match Book photos were candid images, but it seemed like your match had two settings: wielding swords or sleeping.
First impressions could be poor, so you tried not to let it drain you, but you had really expected your match to, well, match you. At the risk of being cruel, you weren't entirely sure this Roronoa Zoro even knew how to read. The data did show he graduated, so he was educated. As you read more details your initial concerns melted away a little and you started to understand how you were both matched.
You and Zoro were both orphans, you had both gotten through school quietly. While your grades were higher, they weren't that much higher. You did martial arts to keep in shape, but not competitively, and certainly you could see how they'd connect that with his passion. The dojo he attended was owned by his adoptive father, and it wasn't far from where you lived and worked.
You heard a low whistle behind you and let out a long-suffering sigh. Nami was looking over your shoulder.
"I did not expect you to get matched with such a -."
"Muscle Head?" You prompt.
"I was going to say hunk, but that works." She sits down across from you, a mischievous grin on her face. "So?" Nami was looking forward to her match adamantly. Though, knowing her as well as you did you imagined it had more to do with her desire to get matched with a rich man, as opposed to any romantic reasons.
You shrug. "Match Books hardly spark a connection on their own. I guess we'll see how it goes. I'll give it a couple hours before I reach out. I don't want to contact him before he's had a chance to flip through whatever they gave him about me."
You didn't want to make too many assumptions, and you didn't even want to read the whole Match Book. There was just something too clinical about getting to know a person from a government provided dossier. You'd rather get to know him through conversation.
Time for a change of topic. "How're things going in the sea chart restoration project?" You ask Nami, pulling your eyes away from the book.
Nami smiles. "It's been a real pleasure. Thanks for telling me about it, it's the most fun I've had with old sea charts since I was a kid."
"Yeah, sorry you gotta deal with the old man."
"Oh don't be, I've already made a few thousand berries off him."
You freeze. "Nami, you did not."
"Of course I did, it's just underwear, (Y/N)."
You put your head in your hands and sigh. There's a pat on your arm as another of your coworkers, Nico Robin, is closing your Match Book for you and giving you a look that already has you worried. The older lady was still young by conventional standards, just older than you and Nami. She normally had the most impressive neutral expression on her face and in her voice, but not right now.
"Robin?"
"You'll want to go to the study desks, (Y/N). There's a young man with green hair looking through a Match Book, and, well..." She tilts her head toward your Match Book.
Your eyes go wide. "No way." You grab the Match Book and go out into the library proper, heading over to the study desks. There was no running in the library, so you were half-a-pace away from jogging.
You didn't have to look around long to catch sight of him. Green hair was pretty easy to spot. You walk toward him automatically, not really thinking about what you would do or say. Of all the places he could end up reading his Match Book, it would be your library. It wasn't like you'd spent your life looking forward to meeting your match, you had a more practical outlook on the whole thing. Something about this felt a little overwhelming though, and you realize as you are reaching out toward him that he might need space.
Stopping short of reaching him by a few feet, you stand there in silence for a moment trying to decide what to do.
"Need something?" He questions, and you feel a shiver run up your back. Match Books couldn't tell you what someone else sounded like, and his voice was pleasant, if not a little irritated at the moment. What catches you off guard the most was the fact that he hadn't even so much as twitched his head in your direction. There was no way he could've seen you, and you didn't wear hard-soled shoes, so you hadn't made any noise despite the speed in which you approached.
How in the heck did he know you were there?
"No, er, yes. I mean. I'm sorry, it was quite rude of me to approach you this way." You bow, as you usually do when giving an apology at work, and hear the chair slide across the floor as he turns toward you.
"What do you mean," he starts to question as you straighten back up, "by... that." His eyes go wide as realization dawns on him. "Gah! I thought you were at the library by the dojo! What're you doing here?"
You blink at him blankly for a moment. "But... this is the library by the dojo."
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igotsnothing · 6 months
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🎶✨ When you get this, you have to write down 5 songs you actually listen to and post them. Then send this (ask or tag) to 10 cool people✨🎶
I was tagged by the fabulous @maxfaiden, inspiring builder extraordinaire who has posted one of the funnest self-portraits I've seen around these parts here.
Grab your hats, because here we goooo: FIVE SONGS!
Disclaimer: I tried to diversify this list a bit. I listen to alt-j waaaay too much, but when I like a song or an artist, I like inhabiting a certain feeling or mind space they create. Anyway. It's October and now I'm listening to too much Agnes Obel. That's how it IS.
Water Tiger · oqbqbo · Scandinavian Star - It's a groooooove and it puts you in a good mood!
Niedopowieści, Patrick The Pan feat. Dawid Podsiadło - Love the intro- it's got a dash of dark, decadent, and sexy. Even *I* sing along and I don't even speak Polish!
The World Ender - Lord Huron- I dare you to sit still and NOT come up with a little dance for this one.
Battleflag [High Quality]- Lo Fidelity Allstars- This is great to blast in traffic. True story.
Vampire Again, Marlon Williams- I love this song so much- it's about vampires (win!), it's good (more win!), it pays homage to a musical genre (another win!), and the video is hilarious (low budget vampire dude knows enough to stop for a sec and pet the cat).
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Attention all customers: Tagging the following shoppers: @simstrashkingdom, @lynzishell, @smok3inm1rrors, @alinelie, and @theosconfessions. (This is all optional, offer void where prohibited, bla bla bla...)
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whatsupbomb · 2 years
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Hello, I hope you are doing well 😊. I want to ask you if you could provide an answer to WHAT are the synastry placements that indicate a guy who has a huge crush on a girl for 2 years straight but never approaches her or even talk to her ?
Interesting question 🕵️I've never done a research on why men are afraid to approach women. But I have some guesses based on the planets in a woman's chart that might scare male figures
TW: sparkling gifs
First of all, it's MARS
Mars is a planet of pregnancy and ovulation. During pregnancy women become fearless and protective of their kids. They might throw tantrums and start fighting with a potential danger. I have Mars on the 7th house cusp, house of the opposite sex. That means that men who are attracted to me want me to get pregnant from them, but also have baseless fears that I'll behave violent when dating them since pregnant women aren't scared of anything. Actually, most men in my life were abusive to me with Mars on DSC. They always tried to hurt me physically or verbally
Second element that scares men is BLACK MOON LILITH
Unapproachable seductress who'll make men speechless and then never catch their eyes again leaving them with a feeling of shock and also disappointment that they never approached her because they thought they weren't good enough for her. Kat Hernandez from "Euphoria" vibes
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When you have Lilith in Conjunctions to the strong planets (North Node, Jupiter, Pluto, Sun), you scare men who don't deserve you out of your life since Lilith women have high self esteem and sence of untouchability much like Vesta women who're related to virginity and sacredness
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When your Lilith falls on a man's house cusp, you might have insane relationship with him with all the mood swings, break-ups and reconciliations. It'll be hard for him to keep you in his life cause you'll demand constant attention from him. He might stop talking to you because he'll feel that he can't provide for you financially. He'll prefer to watch you from a distance
Third element that scares men out of your life is JUNO
Asteroid of fidelity and an epitome of a devoted wife
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When you have Juno in Conjuctions to the strong planets (North Node, Jupiter, Pluto, Sun), your goal in life is to become a wife and start a family. You're obsessed with this idea since young age. You're mature beyond your years. Men might not talk to you because they think that you don't like to have fun and just enjoy hook-ups
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When your Juno falls on his house cusp, probably, he'll run away from you immediately cause you'll want him to become your spouse and demand loyalty by throwing scenes of jealousy and stalking his phone
Fourth element that scares men out of your life is VESTA
Asteroid of virginity and sacredness
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When you have Vesta on house cusps, especially, on Ascendant, IC, Descendant, MC, you're disgusted by most men in your life cause you think that all of them just want that piece of cake from you. You're not in the mood to think about boys. They scare you with their animal instincts to mate with a female. Some of them might be afraid to befriend you cause they see you as a little kid even if you're an adult already
Fifth element that scares men in my opinion is MOON
With strong Moon you might have constant nervous breakdowns, panic attacks, baseless fears, inadequate reactions to the new people and situations. It'll be hard for you to adjust to your partner's habits and lifestyle since strong Moon will give a weak nervous system and responsiveness to the emotions of others. Simply, you'll be scared to date anyone because your nervous system won't handle all the emotions when falling in love
🤔THAT'S ALL FOR NOW🤔
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playlistbaby · 2 years
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ok ok! here is the masterlist of all my best of the soundtrack playlists on spotify! I will update this post as I continue to post more -
TV Shows:
Woke
Reservation Dogs
Feel Good
Lovecraft Country
Brassic
Russian Doll
Insecure
Normal People
Outer Range
High Fidelity
Big Little Lies
The OA
GLOW
Letterkenny
Atlanta
Fargo Season 2
The Politician
The End of the F***ing World
The Last Movie Stars
Shoresy
Platonic
Survival of the Thickest
Movies:
The Graduate (1967)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Fata Morgana (1971)
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
Do The Right Thing (1989)
Boyz N The Hood (1991)
Dazed and Confused (1993)
Chungking Express (1994)
Clueless (1995)
Different For Girls (1996)
Magnolia (1999)
The Limey (1999)
In The Mood For Love (2000)
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
By Hook or by Crook (2001)
Igby Goes Down (2002)
School of Rock (2003)
2046 (2004)
D.E.B.S. (2004)
Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell (2008)
Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Handsome Devil (2016)
A Simple Favor (2017)
Atomic Blonde (2017)
The Shape of Water (2017)
Booksmart (2019)
Palm Springs (2020)
The Half Of It (2020)
The Lovebirds (2020)
Fear Street 1994 (2021)
Fear Street 1978 (2021)
Fear Street 1666 (2021)
Anything’s Possible (2022)
Do Revenge (2022)
Fire Island (2022)
All Of Us Strangers (2023)
Barbie (2023)
Bottoms (2023)
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snippychicke · 2 years
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I saw that you did a Balam and Iruma request and was wondering if you'd do one for either Robin or Dali (whichever you prefer)? I apparently have a thing for characters who hide behind a nice front who are actually more than likely really dangerous/unhinged 😆 Don't have any prompt or idea in mind, anything is fine as long as the reader is human ^^ thank you!😊
Hey Missam! I.just posted a Robin x reader, (literally 5 seconds ago so don't worry) so I went with Dali! And he.turned out to be an interesting character. Its more pre-romance, but if you squint, you can tell Dali has the start of a crush on the reader!
A hell Stink bug was relatively a harmless creature; anyone with even a basic amount of mana and skill could handle the little bugger. Usually demons were able to fend them off by the time they were toddlers.
Otherwise, their sting could leave a demon ill for days.
But even if one avoided their sting, the insect would leave the person with a rather unpleasant aroma for a few hours.
It was a harmless little prank. Just stuff a few of the bugs inside your pencil drawer and wait for the inevitable. Suzy happily supplied half a dozen, well used to Dali's pranks, especially towards new staff members.
Dali made short work, used to the insects himself after hazing so many of the new faculty - and sometimes the senior students when their egos were bloated.
Then He waited.
You were often one of the first to arrive, like many newbies. So eager to prove yourself and full of optimism. Which, yes, being a teacher of Babyls was a high honor that came with heavy expectations.
But, teenagers were truly hell some days. The epitome of what it meant to be a demon.
As he watched you set down your bag and put things away, waiting for you to open the pencil drawer, he wondered what you were like as a teen. He usually could recall those who were once students such as Kalego and Robin, but he couldn't remember you. Had you studied at one of the other schools? If so, why come to Babyls? Usually one's loyalty laid with their alma mater.
Yet, Sullivan was sure of your loyalty - trusted you when you pledged fidelity to Babyls. And Balam had yet to sense any lies.
You were still such an odd demon. Aloof but yet friendly when dragged into conversations. And while Netherworld literature teachers were usually dry, bored of the subject and familiarity of the mandatory reading, students loved your class, and he had passed by and seen for himself as you lectured the contrasting themes of the novel and the conflicts within, and had ended up watching through the open door until class was dismissed, enthralled by your passion.
Ever since then, he had been paying attention to you. You were always by yourself outside of work. In the dorms, you didn't often hang around outside of meal times, and even then you were quiet.
Finally, you opened the trapped drawer and the hell-stink bugs flew out in a swarm. He laughed at your startled scream as you instinctively batted at the tiny insects. The putrid smell started to fill the air, and he expected you to quickly react and use magic to reign in the small things.
Instead, you gave a painful yelp. Dali's good mood evaporated as he realized you were still vainly trying to brush the insects off with your hands and not magic. One, two, three, and more were stinging you, making his stomach twist as he quickly stepped out of the shadows, burning the insects away with a simple flick of his hand.
He barely reached you in time as you fainted, and caught you before you hit the floor.
-----
You woke back in your room at the teachers dorm, your head pounding and body aching. You barely moved and the world spun causing you to feel even worse.
"Hey, easy," Dali's soft voice cut through the ringing in your ears, his hand gently encouraging you to lay back down before replacing the cold washcloth on your head. "There you are. You're over the worst of it, thankfully."
You cracked open an eye, thankful someone has pulled the shades. Dali sat on the edge of your bed, his usual smile replaced with worry.
"What?" You croaked, your throat too dry to finish your question. What happened, what was he doing here?
"I imagine you're confused," he guessed, one of his hands finding yours. "I promise, I meant no harm by my prank. Just a little good humor to help break the ice. Of course, now that I know your situation, I realize I could have cost you your life."
Your mind was slow to pick up the meaning - and even as the pieces finally clicked, you refused to believe. There was no way Dali had discovered your secret. "...situation?" You asked hazily, trying to figure out what he meant.
His warm brown eyes met yours. "Chairdemon Sullivan explained once Professor Buer's magic didn't work on you as intended. It helped, of course, but human anatomy is quite different from demons."
Oh. Oh. He did know. Your heart raced, and the world started to spin once more as you struggled to at least sit up. Dali spoke your name, his hands grasping your shoulders lightly, yet firm enough to stop you. "It's okay. You're okay. You're safe here."
How could you be safe? If others found out, surely one of them would give into temptation and your life would be forfeit.
Dali spoke your name again, and you met his gaze once more. He looked stern as he held your gaze. "I swear, I will protect you from anyone should they try to cause you harm."
His serious tone made you give in and slump back into the mattress. A soft smile broke his serious facade as he brushed your hair lightly. "Rest now, and we can talk later. I promise, I will be by your side until you wake. It's the least I can do after everything."
You really couldn't fight the fatigue that was once more washing over you, but reached out for his hand, your fingers twining with his as sleep overcame you.
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merryfortune · 7 months
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(dis)Respect the Routine
Day 3: Routine | Unexpected
Title: (dis)Respect the Routine
Ship: Swiftshipping | Rin/Ruri 
Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V
Rating: T
Word Count: 2,223
Tags: Alternate Universe - Dance, Rivalry, Getting Together, Developing Relationship, Classist Themes
   Ruri could almost understand where city planning was coming from when they placed a fine arts school across the road from an alternative arts school and adjacent to a skate park. It made sense. Just down the road from all these locales was a traditional fine arts school and related facilities and then the rest of the cultural precinct could be dedicated to western talents or anything else similarly eclectic.
   However, in the practice, the very one that Ruri lived, she would like to send city planning a VERY strongly worded letter on why this was a terrible idea. 
   The ballerinas, like herself, did not get along with the skate park rat pack as well as the other strange lot they attracted. Like the interpretative dancers or the punks or the hip-hop kids. Both sides of the street - more like cliques - were very tight knit and very obnoxious over it.
   Ruri and her company wanted to prove they were grace and fidelity incarnate. The kids from across the street wanted to knock them off their high perch using their loud and dirty, expletive soaked music. It was a constant back and forth with a prickly rapport. 
   However, there was this one miscreant, in particular, whom Ruri was all up in arms with a bee in her bonnet over, however: Rin.
   Rin was from the wrong side of town and embraced it. She had a wild side and was unafraid of getting up into people’s grille. She always had a friend or two by her side because there was strength in numbers but make no mistake: she was large and in charge. 
   She had fluffy green hair and sharp yellow eyes and really nice cheekbones, too. That didn’t matter, however, its just that whenever Ruri thought about Rin, in a bad mood or not, those things about her appearance, baggy overalls and tight leather pants, occurred to Ruri as well but whatever.
   Not only did she have a bad personality - she was a loudmouth and enjoyed scolding people - but she was an excellent dancer.
   Inside her own discipline, anyway. Ruri would love to see her slut drop to Beethoven. It simply was not possible. She could do all these headspins and get down on every level, use her hands or her feet. Rin was a good hip-hop dancer but she was all self-taught and it boiled Ruri’s blood.
   Every now and again, they would encounter each other and usually went like this:
   “Hey Swan Princess.” (Or some other similarly condescending cat call)
   “Shut up, Rin. as if you know your Odette’s from your Odile’s.” (Or some other clever rebuke which stood Ruri’s ground).
   “Blegh!” 
   But it would end with Rin poking her tongue out at Ruri. Seriously! The girl had no manners. Didn’t matter what Ruri said, if she ignored her or if she rebuked her, it would always end with Rin pulling down her lower eyelid (gross!) and then sticking out her tongue. It was so childish and it always got on Ruri’s nerves every single time. It was Rin’s ultimate trick to tick Ruri off.
   That was the dull and trite routine that they went through every single day.��
   Ugh. Why couldn’t the artsy-fartsy kids be scattered through the city rather than be concentrated on this one particular block. Ruri genuinely dreamed of when she could go to university or go on a world tour as part of the national ballet, dancing in opera houses and other theatres of renown and importance. All the capital cities! Tokyo, New York, London, Sydney,  and more! 
   That would be amazing. That was very much her dream. She was all tulle and tutus and she wouldn’t have some rat pack kid make fun of her for it.
   However, until that glorious time in which fourteen-year old ballerina Kurosaki Ruri became an adult and a primadonna, she had to put up with all the weirdos from around her hometown. Hence why Ruri didn’t particularly think much of it when she and Rin got into yet another altercation. That was just another day for her but there was a different outcome to all their other petty squabbles than usual.
   It started the same way.
   “Hey leotard-in-a-knot.” Rin called out to Ruri as she tried to walk past her.
   The sun was setting, there was a crisp, summer breeze in the air and it felt like sunset could last for hours, as they usually did in the early-summer, late-spring. Rin was perched up on one of the skate ramps: not the tallest but not the smallest either. She leered out from over it, like a king on a castle looking down on the peasantry.
   Not that Ruri would consider herself a common in such a metaphor but whatever. Her attention was piqued and already, her brow was furrowed.
   “Oh buzz off!” Ruri spat. “Go and buy some clothes that actually fit you.”
   “Girlie, you know I only thrift.” Rin winked at her.
   Great. Now they were locked in a duel, a battle of wits. Ruri huffed. She stamped her foot.
   “I really need to go.” Ruri said.
   “You got a spare minute?” Rin asked.
   “Literally, what did I just say?” Ruri asked in turn, more than a touch irritated.
   “Go where? To another hoity-toity party or what?” Rin asked.
   She got up and spun on her heel. She looked like the Fool in a tarot deck, dithering on the edge and it gave Ruri a heart attack just to watch but Rin was lackadaisical and laughing. 
   “Just… Home.” Ruri got out through her clattering teeth. “Now, would you get down from there?”
   “With pleasure.” Rin said and she swung the other way. “On one condition.” She swung the other way again and Ruri hiccupped out of fear. “Since it sounds like you have a minute.”
   “Just get down from there!” Ruri yelled.
   Rin laughed but she did get down. In the worst way Ruri would consider possible. Rin jumped off the edge of the skate ramp, it was at least metre taller than Ruri and Rin nailed the landing. Completely walked off anything she might have jarred as she circled Ruri.
   “We have a lot of fun, you and me.” Rin spoke like she was lecturing Ruri.
   “That’s news to me.” Ruri sourly replied, she folded her arms in front of herself as she watched Rin go to and fro. She was as loose as the breeze that fettered them both.
   “We do!” Rin said. “Which is why, I want to propose, a truce.”
   “A truce?” Ruri sceptically echoed.
   “We can do our usual back-and-forth all we like, til the end of time and the sun explodes,” Rin said, “but I realised something. You’ve seen me dance-”
   “Uh-huh…” Ruri interrupted her to show Rin that she was listening. She simply wasn’t impressed with what she was listening to. After all, she wouldn’t exactly call what Rin did “dancing”.
   “But I’ve never seen you dance!” Rin exclaimed. “So, I want to change that.”
   “There is a reason why I’ve never danced in front of you,” Ruri stuck her nose in the air, “and that is because I only want to dance in suitable environments. On the side of the street is not a suitable environment. I could get hurt or-”
   “It’ll be a dance battle. You win, me and my crew will leave you alone forevermore.”
   Ruri’s eyes went wide. Well, okay. That changes things. If only slightly. Her piqued attention, however, was like an open book for Rin. She grinned, hungry for attention and a duel.
   “What’s in it for me if I win?” Ruri asked. She tried - and failed - at sounding too interested.
   Rin hummed, she tapped her chin thoughtfully, she really chewed on the noises she made before she came to a decision, “I’ll do whatever you want. For one whole day or thing. Absolutely anything.”
   “Deal.”
   Ruri didn’t even have to think about it. She could have Rin grovel on her knees or surrender some money to her. There was plenty of humiliating and gratifying things Ruri could do if she could just trounce Rin and trump her once and for all. It was simply too delicious. 
   “Awesome. Then, let’s get into it, Angelina Ballerina.” Rin taunted her.
   “Whatever you say, Little Miss Baggy Pants.” Ruri attempted to trash-talk Rin back buuuuut it just made her laugh instead.
   Not a great start but the glares they were exchanging were pretty fierce so that was fine. From there, they figured out how exactly they wanted to do this: Rin had a boom box and Ruri had her MP3 player. So it was mostly going to be a thrown down of tinny, acapella proportions but it was better than nothing since Rin barely knew her Sugarplums from her Fur Elise and Ruri couldn’t keep a modern beat to save her life.
   With a one, and a two, and a three.
   Ruri went first. Because of course she did.
   She went through her own routine. From the practice of getting herself limber all the way through to the end of what was, like, a six minute song of pianos and violins. Ruri was nothing less than excellent - or at least close to it. The cement side walk wasn’t exactly the stage she was used to, cracks were potentially deadly but she did her best in front of Rin.
   She portrayed all her favourite heroines. Clara and Odette, Coppelia and Sleeping Beauty. A mix and match of every story she had ever danced a ballet of, her favourite moves and story beats to the beautiful, silvery music as it came out of her device.
   Rin watched, admittedly entranced.
   She didn’t want to be but Ruri was skillful. She had been mentored and configured, it was showing in her beautiful, movements. Every hand, every foot, it was all so precise in what she was doing and by the end of it, Rin applauded her. Begrudgingly, of course.
   Ruri smirked, “See, even you have class.”
   “Every once and while.” Rin replied.
   “Your turn,” Ruri said, “but I’d like to see you top that.”
   “Well, you're in luck. ‘Cause I am.” Rin smirked in reply.
   Rin stretched out and she looked all cheeky as did so. It would have been adorable if it wasn’t so annoying as her expression was so tinged with arrogance. Not that Ruri could talk.
   Rin took a couple steps back and then she brought it down.
   Her beat and enthusiasm was contagious. Her music sounded like all noise to Ruri (but hers had sounded like elevator music to Rin) but Ruri couldn’t deny that Rin didn’t have rhythm. The routine that Rin went through was natural and organic, coming and going with every new idea that she had, evolving with inspiration. She built up from something small until it got bigger and bigger and yes, did involve some spinning on her head which made Ruri’s head spin, too, just from watching.
   Rin finished up with a grand finale which had her begging on her knees. Her chest thudded, up and down, as she panted. A drop of sweat glimmered on her brow as she grinned.
   “So. What do you think?” she asked.
   Rin got up and she was like melted rubber. All loosey-goosey, easy on her feet as she rose up to her full height to meet Ruri’s mean girl, discerning gaze. One which was unreadable but the quibble in her lower lip betrayed her. 
   She was on the cusp of saying something nice. Heaven forbid. But she simply couldn’t help herself. Credit was due where it was due.
   All because, in the end, neither girl was unbiased enough to come up with a conclusion of who won over won. 
   Ruri thought she did. Rin thought she did. But they both thought the other girl had put up a good fight. 
   Ruri’s dancing was elegant; Rin’s dancing was eclectic. For every virtue, there was a vice, for everything they knew they got wrong but the other didn’t, there was still plenty they both did get right and could acknowledge. Not just in themselves but each other.
   Simply put, both were exhausted and there was begrudging respect between them.
   “So… truce?” Rin suggested. “No one won but no one lost either, don’t you think?” She extended her hand to Ruri.
   Ruri nodded and accepted, “Truce.” she said. “But since we both still won, I don’t want you or your friends making fun of me anymore.”
   “Okay. Deal.” Rin agreed. They both shook hands on it. “And what about me, what do you want me to do? Grovel on my knees? Give you my lunch money?”
   “Not quite.” Ruri said, feeling a little flustered, all too aware of how Rin’s hand felt against her own, not to mention how discerning Rin was as she had thought about that as a possibility, too. “I thought I would request that we spend more time with each other. Maybe without quite so much competition. What else do you like, aside from dancing? We can do that, so long as its not dirty, dangerous, or unsafe.”
   “You're such a priss.” Rin laughed at Ruri’s expense.
   She frowned.
   “But,” Rin continued, “that doesn’t sound too bad. It's a date then.”
   “It is.” Ruri smiled, pleased that Rin was picking up what she was putting down.
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doubletalkinjives · 2 years
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January 4, 1986 ♪ The Troubadour
My Michelle is played for the first time.
“Guns N’ Roses pulled a capacity crowd into the Troubadour on the first Saturday of 1986. Along with a first-ever opportunity for fans to purchase Guns N’ Roses t-shirts, club goers also heard and felt the ‘My Michelle’ debut. For months, Axl had wanted to use a particular segment from Scarface’s score for the band’s intro music, but he insisted it be high fidelity. The week before this show, he finally managed to get a Beta copy of Scarface and a hi-fi Betamax player at the same time, which he brought to my house so we could dub a cassette. Right before their set, when the Troubadour’s soundman pushed play, the piece of music set an eerily perfect mood of tension and foreboding excitement. Well done, Mr. Axl Rose.”—Raz Cue (excerpt from his book, “The Days of Guns, & Raz’s”)
📸 Marc Canter⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
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