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weirdly-specific-but-ok · 4 months

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doctor who but i've never watched it

and so it begins again. the people asked for it. the people got it. i will ensure the people regret it.

i have never watched this show, or seen an edit, but i am a thorough researcher and i feel that i've got the essence of it.

this is what i have gathered. academicians worldwide take note.

Firstly, so I don't anger anyone, I accept and acknowledge that the tardis is blue and not yellow. My misinformation was from a Drarry fanfiction, and I had hitherto regarded Drarry fanfiction as the absolute truth.

There are doctors, and there are at least fifteen of them. At least two of them are David Tennant, which I can respect.

I'm not sure why the doctors are doctors, because I can find no trace of any medical procedure except for one doctor who licks things, which he learned from the previous doctor. If this is sufficient reason, I apologise for doubting their credentials.

On the other hand, if they are doctors thanks to a postdoctoral degree, this is also fine, though I have never seen anyone study anything. There is however a doctor, and there were people upset about her, but the fandom pointed out she set the tardis on fire, which is apparently a very doctor thing to do. Setting things on fire is absolutely something any research scholar would love, so again, apologies for doubting their credentials.

At least one doctor is gay. It is probably one of the David doctors, which checks out. He says someone, I think a dentist, is hot. I envy the maybe-dentist.

A t least one doctor is trans. I was unable to find them. But they exist. Oh yes, the fandom assures me they exist.

David Tennant as well as Ncuti Gatwa were fanboys, first of the show, and second of David Tennant, and thus they got into acting. Just a fun tidbit from me, since I am now the authority on this fandom.

There are time machines with which the doctors have sex by piloting them, which is questionable because the time machines are only partially sentient. I am not sure if the time machines are the tardis. But the tardis is blue, and not yellow, of that I am certain.

There was a stage play. Or maybe that was a metaphor for the production budget of the early seasons. I am not sure, but toddler David Tennant watched it. I assume no one took a 3 year old to a stage play, so through scientific deduction, it must have been a metaphor.

At some point, Death is an agony aunt and they have to spill secrets to it, or drown in a lake of human skulls. Who is this they? It's so obvious that the fandom sees no need to explain it, and neither do I. I do know it though. Of that you may remain certain.

A David doctor has a niece and she likes being his niece.

A David doctor has a best friend named Donna. He kisses her head. She supports his fruitiness. It is wholesome. It killed him when he lost her.

Slight tangent, but younger David doctor looks like Andrew Garfield. Current David in photos does give Ben Barnes energy. Any Wolfstar shippers, I believe you've found the Wolfstar kid. It is David Tennant.

A lot of people are David Tennant. A reliable Pinterest post on Doctor Who, clearly well researched, gave me the statistic that 15% of Doctor Who is David Tennant. From the amount of David Tennant that I ran across in my research, I don't understand it but I don't doubt it, either.

Speaking of Andrew Garfield, he in involved in this somehow. I am not sure how, but you cannot escape Andrew Garfield. He is even a part of fandoms he never acted in.

There is an individual named Catherine, I think she is the actress, but she could be a character. She seems to have much less knowledge about Doctor Who lore than I do. David Tennant finds it funny. Maybe he would find me funny, too.

The doctors installed some things in the tardis, from a wheelchair ramp to a jukebox. I don't know why a jukebox was needed. If I'm honest I don't know what a jukebox is. I don't know what the tardis is. But it is blue, and not yellow.

There is a French catchphrase.

Something happens in Wales. I don't know what it is, but something always seems to be happening in Wales in these fandoms, so I don't doubt it.

There is an old Doctor Who in a wheelchair, and he is happy to see a David doctor.

They go around in space, and do things. Who is this they? You and I both know the answer, so we needn't talk about it.

The show intro is "doo wee doo".

There is an alien who is not a mouse, the alien is The Meep, and uses the definite article as pronouns. David doctor is supportive of this, which is very good.

I found baby Yoda in the show, but apparently they call it a 'goblin' there, and someone doesn't like it.

There is a lot to do with time. There is a time hole, and things happen, and people die and are resurrected. There is danger, but it is fun.

They have CGI, and it is not good, which is the best thing about it. Who is they? Please stop asking me. It is rather obvious and something I definitely know.

Someone's boyfriend dies and the boyfriend is then resurrected but then gets lost with his boyfriend but then is reincarnated as a girl who would still call herself the someone's boyfriend but then she is replaced by the boyfriend but he's different now. I apologise for any errors that have crept it, but the tardis is blue and not yellow.

Someone named Martha is a doctor, and someone is very proud of her for it.

The eleventh and twelfth doctors like bow ties.

David Tennant wants to be ginger. David Tennant always gets what he wants. Who can refuse David Tennant? David Tennant is then ginger.

A David doctor gets a happy ending.

Someone yelled at Neil Gaiman about this. It was a mistake. He said that since it had already been done, he wouldn't want to give David's character a happy ending in S3, that would be a trifle unoriginal.

A lesson to be learned, Good Omens fandom, just a bit of advice from your son, do not yell at Neil Gaiman, it does not go well. Rumour has it he murdered the people who complained about him always wearing black. Of course, there is the fact that he doesn't exist, but that doesn't seem to have stopped him.

The doctors manifest in the previous doctor's clothes, which is apparently so last season. The tardis also manifests. I don't know where, or how. But it is blue, and not yellow.

I know, there was a lot of lore, so many of you thought I wouldn't be able to gather it all. But look how much research I did! I've got it better than maybe-actress-maybe-character Catherine, I'm sure :"]

Anyway, all the major plot points are covered above, so anyone who hasn't watched Doctor Who, feel free to refer to this and impress your Whovian friends with your knowledge! [not to be judgemental, but what a dreadfully Dr Seuss name, I rather like it]

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ynscrazylife · 2 years

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Something Always Happens in Seattle

Request: “Can I request being addisons daughter and you having to get surgery and she just so worried and scared”

Summary: Addison gets worried when her daughter has to have a surgery.

Authors Note: To involve more characters, this is set in the later seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. AU that Derek and Mark are alive. Reader was adopted by Addison as a kid and came to Seattle for a visit.

Request to be on a taglist (or multiple) here! (Taglists are at the end of the fic)

Main Masterlist | Grey’s Anatomy Masterlist

PSA: Do NOT copy, steal, translate, plagiarize, republish, etc any of my works on Tumblr or any other platform. Also, do NOT claim any of my works as your own. All of these works are either requests I’ve gotten that people have wanted me to write or original ideas I’ve had for works. If you happen to take inspiration from anything I’ve written and want to write something inspired by that, please a) ask me firstand b) IF I say yes, credit me as inspo in your post by tagging me and link whatever work of mine that inspired you. Thanks.

“I’ve been riding motorcycles forever,” Y/N’s friend had said.

“We won’t go on the highway,” Y/N’s friend had said.

“It’s perfectly safe,” Y/N’s friend had said.

And yet he had angered another motorcyclist on the road who had intentionally bumped into them, sending her friend (who sat in front) flying. The motorcycle skidded to the side, into a ditch, and Y/N found herself half-underneath the motorcycle. Her right leg was crushed by it while the handle had snapped and was now stabbing Y/N square in the chest.

Looking up at the rich blue sky, Y/N’s first thought was: ‘Shit’. Not only was she in an immeasurable amount of pain, but she had no clue where her friend was and the guy who had hit them had sped away. Thankfully, her phone had been in her left pocket and hadn’t fallen very far. It was still within arms reach, and Y/N managed to grab it and dial 911.

“911, what is your emergency?” The responder on the other line asked.

Y/N explained that she was involved in a motorcycle accident with a friend and told them they needed an ambulance at the road they were at. Once the responder told her not to move, Y/N insisted that she knew that, seeing as her mom — the famous Dr. Addison Montgomery — was a world-class doctor. The responder offered to stay on the line with her, but Y/N said it was alright. She had to call her mom and tell her she was coming, after-all.

“Chris?!” Y/N yelled, calling for her friend. When he didn’t answer, she cursed under her breath.

Y/N dialed her mother’s number and, after a few rings, she picked up. “Hey, kiddo. I just finished a surgery. What’s up?” Addison said.

“Hey, mom. You know how Chris took me out on his motorcycle today?” Y/N began, figuring that there was no beating around the bush.

“Yes . . .” Addison answered, trailing off and sounding a little worried.

“We got into an accident. Another motorcyclist crashed into us. Don’t worry—I already called an ambulance,” Y/N was quick to explain.

“Oh my god,” Addison said, gasping. “Are you and your friend okay?”

At Y/N’s hesitation, Addison let out a sigh.

————————————

Minutes later, Addison got off the phone and headed towards the nurse’s station, rubbing her forehead.

“Everything alright?” Mark asked as he and Derek approached. Other attendings and surgeons (Richard, Bailey, Meredith, Amelia, Lincoln, Owen, Teddy, and Jo) were nearby.

Addison planted her hands on the counter and shook her head, looking down. “Y/N was riding on a motorcycle with her friend and they got into a crash,” she said, her voice quiet.

“Is she okay?” Amelia asked, walking over to Addison and trying to comfort her.

Addison shook her head. “She said she was hurt. A lot,” she answered, trying to control her tears.

Amelia hugged Addison tightly and the rest turned away, giving her some privacy.

“Let’s meet Y/N in the ER,” Bailey advised the group, before leading them there. Amelia and Addison followed behind.

When they got to the ER, Levi and Taryn were wheeling Y/N in but Owen soon toon over. “She has a penetrating wound to the chest from the motorcycle’s handle. Her right leg was also pinned underneath the motorcycle. Stats are okay,” Levi told Owen, before joining Taryn in rolling in the gurney that carried Chris.

“He was unconscious at the crash and has an open wound to the head. Stats are good,” Taryn reported about Chris.

Knowing that Addison needed Amelia and not her ex-husband, Derek jumped to take Chris.

“Schmitt and Helm are with Shepherd. Pierce and Lincoln are with me,” Owen ordered, before pushing Y/N into the Trauma 2 room.

The rest crowded outside Y/N’s room, Amelia, Addison, and Mark pressed up against the window. “She’ll be okay,” Amelia assured Addison, rubbing the redhead’s arm.

They watched as Maggie assessed her chest, Link assessed her leg, and Webber assessed any other injuries. After a few moments, Owen poked his head out of the room. “There’s a lac on her head. Not sure if it’s just a cut or if she hit her head. Shepherd, can you . . .?” He said.

Amelia glanced at Mark. “Stay with her,” she said, and it wasn’t a question, before following Owen back inside.

Addison’s eyes fixated on her ex-sister-in-law, nearly pressing her nose to the glass. She watched as Amelia shined a light in her daughter’s eyes and instructed her to follow simple commands. When Amelia looked up and smiled at her, Addison let herself relax.

After talking to Owen, Amelia came back out. “Maggie is going with Y/N into surgery to remove the bike handle and then Link will have to do a surgery to repair the broken bones in her leg,” she reported, placing her hands on Addison’s shoulders to brace the redhead.

Addison stiffened, shaking her head. Logically, she knew that Y/N would have had to have surgery for the bike handle, but she hadn’t been thinking like a doctor since the second she heard Y/N’s voice over the phone. “Surgery . . .” Addison echoed, trailing off into a slight daze until Y/N was being wheeled out in the hallway.

“Y/N,” she said, gravitating towards her daughter and brushing the hair out of her face.

Although in pain, Y/N managed a smile as she saw her mother was worrying. “‘M okay,” she slurred slightly, from the blood loss and shock.

Addison smiled warmly, masking her fear. “I know,” she said. “I’ll be right by your side the moment you wake up.”

Y/N nodded a bit, and then Owen resumed pushing her on the gurney.

Addison watched until they passed through the doors. Amelia put an arm around her. “I’ll sit with you in the waiting room,” she said.

Amelia guided her towards the seats, with Mark following. The other doctors either prepared to scrub in or, if they could, joined Addison in the waiting room. Amelia sat next to her and Mark sat across from them.

For a while, Addison was silent, too deep in her own thoughts to talk. Amelia, Mark, and a couple others made small talk, but Addison didn’t look up from the floor until Derek joined them.

“Chris is fine, he’s asking about Y/N. Did they take her into surgery already?” Derek asked as he went to sit next to Mark, who nodded.

Addison looked up at her ex-husband and squeezed Amelia’s hand, who squeezed back. “He’s alright?” She asked, just to confirm.

Derek nodded, giving her his usual charming smile. “Y/N will do great,” he assured her.

Addison glanced towards the doors, tapping her foot. “I know,” she murmured, but didn’t sound convinced and didn’t bother to try and fool anyone. “It’s just . . . Two major surgeries. God, she must have been so scared, in so much pain and all alone.” She started tearing up just imagining that, and Amelia gave her a hug.

“Y/N handled it greatly, though, even if she was in pain. She called an ambulance, she called you. She got herself and Chris to safety,” Amelia reminded her, smiling.

“I should call Jake. He and Henry should know what happened,” Addison said.

Knowing that Addison already had enough on her plate with an injured daughter in surgery, Amelia pulled out her phone. “I got it,” she said, before dialing Jake’s phone number.

After a lengthy conversation, Amelia hung up. “Everyone is wishing Y/N well and wants updates. Jake, Henry, Sam, Naomi, Violet, Charlotte . . . you name ‘em,” she said.

Addison smiled, remembering the family she built in L.A. By now, a couple hours had passed. Doctors came and went, Amelia stayed at her side, and Derek and Mark only left if they got paged on an emergency. “Can someone get an update?” Addison requested of the group.

Mark nodded and stood up. “You got it,” he said.

He returned a few minutes later, wearing his usual bright and proud smile. “Pierce successfully removed the handle and Lincoln has already started repairing her bones,” he said.

Addison nodded, smiling and wiping away some stray tears. She shifted a bit in her seat uncomfortably. “I think I’m going go wait in her room,” she said, before standing up.

Amelia, Mark, and Derek all stood up with her. “You guys don’t need to come with me, you have surgeries and work,” Addison said.

“Excuse you, I want to wait for my niece,” Amelia said, and they both shared a smile and a laugh, before walking to the Nurse’s station.

“I second that,” Mark added, following her.

That left Addison and Derek, who turned to face each other. “I’d like to wait for her,” he said, putting his hands into his pockets.

“Are you sure?” Addison asked, not wanting it to be awkward.

Derek nodded. Together, they followed Mark and Amelia to the room that Pierce and Lincoln would be taking Y/N to. When they got there, Addison and Amelia sat on the opposite sides of the currently empty bed and Mark and Derek sat next to them, For the next few hours, the only movements where either Mark or Derek going on coffee runs, getting snacks, or answering pages.

After what felt like eternity, they brightened up to Y/N being wheeled in. Addison watched anxiously as they transferred her to the bed and got her hooked up to the monitors. When they left, Link stayed behind.

“The surgery went very well. She’s going to need lots of recovery and physical therapy, but I know you’ve been waiting a while, so we can go over that later,” Link said.

“Thank you,” Addison said, before turning full attention to her daughter.

As Link stepped outside, Amelia followed. She wanted to thank him personally for helping out her niece and then went to get an update on Chris, who was staying for overnight observation.

It took a bit for Y/N to wake up from the general anesthesia, but Addison and Amelia were at her side the entire times. Mark and Derek came and went, Link and Maggie checked in, and the other doctors visited. Jake even flew down with Henry and get well soon wishes from the doctors back in L.A.

As terrified as Addison had been, she was just glad that her daughter was alright and was recovering. Trips to Seattle never failed to be anything but interesting, and all Addison (or anyone, really) could do was hope that nothing would top this trip in the ones they were sure to go on in the future.

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fancoloredglasses · 2 years

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Horror of Fang Rock (A Doctor Who slasher flick) part 1

[All images are owned by the BBC. Please don’t sue or EXTERMINATE! me]

[A quick note: Tumblr has been having fits with my review of this episode. First it deleted the review the day it was to be released, then when I came close to finishing it refused to save my progress. I’ve come to the conclusion that my review was too long/large, so I’m breaking it up into two parts]

As I have mentioned previously, Tom Baker’s tenure as the Doctor was mired with controversy from parents’ groups due to the number of supporting cast who seemed to die during the course of an episode. So I thought I would explore these complaints with a random episode.

A note on the timeline...

The episode is one of the fourth Doctor’s adventures. This version of the Doctor is a lot more comic relief than his first and third incarnations (though far less “bumbling” than his second)

The Doctor’s companion during this time is Leela, a warrior from the primitive Sevateem tribe. Though her knowledge is limited and her demeanor savage (she is prone to violence when stressed or annoyed), she is actually quite intelligent, showing at least a hint of understanding when the Doctor starts spouting timey-wimer technobabble that would go over an expert’s head.

Now, on with the episode (that one review compared to a slasher film). If you would like to watch the episode, it’s in four parts (as is the norm in classic Who) and can be found on BritBox. However, I don’t have a subscription so I had to go to dailymotion. Click here for part 1.

We open on a lighthouse on a small island known as Fang Rock, where the youngest member of the three-man crew (Vince) spies something falling into the water.

The oldest member (Reuben) and the lighthouse’s engineer (Ben) dismiss it, saying it was a shooting star or meteorite.

However, whatever it was had an occupant, and (thanks to some out-of-focus camera tricks and bad special effects) we get a creature’s eye view of it approaching Fang Rock.

Downstairs in the lighthouse’s galley, Ben and Reuben continue a long-standing argument between lighthouses using oil-burning lamps as opposed to them new-fangled electric lamps powered by a boiler heated with coal (such as the one on Fang Rock) when Vince calls down that a sudden fog is rolling in...and the temperature drops considerably.

As Vince goes to blow the foghorn, Reuben and Ben continue their argument from earlier, with Ben preaching the reliability of electricity. And right on cue...

...the lamp stops working.

And that ominous scene is a straight line if ever I heard one as...

...a poorly-made model of the TARDIS appears.

The Doctor and Leela (dressed in an outfit better suited for the period than her animal skins) emerge, but they were expecting to appear in Brighton, not Fang Rock. Leela suggests going back in and trying again, but the Doctor wants to head up to the lighthouse for directions.

Inside the lighthouse, Ben is on the ground level fiddling with the boiler to figure out what went wrong when all of a sudden the lights come back on again. As Ben heads back up, the door to the outside opens and something glowing green and making a weird audio effect enters (though we can’t see what it is)

As the Doctor and Leela make their way to the lighthouse, Leela feels something amiss. You don’t say?

Meanwhile, the lights have gone out again, so Ben heads down to give the boiler another look when...

...the cameraman does that weird out-of focus shot again (with some bad special effects involved) as Ben lets out a scream and dies.

Up in the lamp room, Reuben thinks the fog is unnatural (YA THINK?!) and sends Vince down to check on Ben.

Meanwhile, the Doctor and Leela have entered the boiler room as Vince comes down. The Doctor explains they got lost in the fog. Vince takes them up to the galley to wait out the fog. The Doctor helps himself to the nearby clothing.

Sorry Doctor, but bowler hats are not cool...

...no matter what your future self says.

Vince catches the Doctor up on what the audience already knows. The Doctor says he didn’t see Ben in the boiler room, and offers to look for him. When the Doctor leaves Leela asks for dry clothes...

...and the episode almost needs a TV-M rating (since the Sevateem aren’t big on modesty)! Vince stops Leela from stripping and leaves to find an outfit for her.

Downstairs, the lights have come on again...

...and the Doctor finds Ben. By the looks of it, he’s been electrocuted.

Vince and Leela (in an outfit that MUCH better suits her than that dress) come down at that point. The Doctor tells Vince the bad news and sends him back up to tell Reuben as he shares his theory with Leela that the generator didn’t kill Ben, though he isn’t quite sure what did...

...though it’s powerful enough to crush a lantern.

The Doctor and Leela head up the galley, where they meet Reuben. Reuben isn’t keen on coincidences and all but accuses them of murdering Ben. He then heads down to cover Ben until the authorities can be contacted in the morning. Meanwhile the Doctor head up to the lamp room...

...and Leela goes out to hunt down whatever killed Ben (in the fog...against something that can electrocute a human and crush a lantern...great plan, Leela!) She fumbles around for a while until she finds a bunch of dead fish. She then realizes she might be over her head and returns.

Back at the lighthouse, Reuben has relieved Vince so he can get something to eat. However, Vince hears a weird audio effect and heads to the boiler room to investigate only to discover Ben’s body missing! Vince calls up in hysterics to Reuben, but Reuben has problems of his own as...

...a ship is moving at a speed that is pure insanity in the fog toward the island! Reuben calls Vince up, who blows the foghorn for all he’s worth...

...but it’s too late and the ship hits the rocks, ending the episode!

Who survived the crash and why were they being so reckless? You’ll have to see part 2, which can be found here.

Vince, Reuben, and the Doctor head down to assist the survivors, leaving Leela to man the foghorn in case there are any other idiots piloting their boats in the fog. As the Doctor grabs a rope in the boiler room...

...a bad special effect appears over his head, but disappears once he lifts his head.

Up in the lamp room, Leela looks thrilled (THRILLED, I tell you!) to be manning the foghorn. Then the lights go on again (down below, the Doctor deduces whatever is out there needs electricity) Leela steps out onto the widow’s walk (the walkway around the lamp room) and sees...

...what appears to be a giant glowing green jellyfish slithering along the rocks.

Up in the galley, the rescue party returns with the surviving passengers (the one surviving crewman, Harker, is securing what’s left of the boat)...

(Right to left is Lord Palmerdale (the idiot responsible for ordering the ship to travel so recklessly), Colonel Skinsale, and Palmerdale’s secretary Adelaide Lesage)

Palmerdale and Adelaide act like typical entitled gits toward Vince (though Vince is too busy being a gentleman to Adelaide to notice)

Up in the lamp room, Leela tells the Doctor what she saw. Reuben starts talking about a local legend known as the Beast of Fang Rock returning. The Doctor ignores Reuben and takes Leela down to the galley, where he congratulates Palmerdale for killing most of the crew just because he needed to be in London by morning (to capitalize on some insider trading info he weaseled from Skinsale, who would be ruined once it was used)

In the boiler room, Leela hears something approaching the door. Thinking it’s the jellyfish, Leela decides to go on the offensive...

...and nearly brains Harker, who found what was left of Ben’s body. Leela thinks it might be Reuben’s Beast, but the Doctor says “the Beast” is merely superstition. What happened to Ben’s body was a dissection to study it.

Up in the galley, Palmerdale tries to order Harker to take the ship out to make for the mainland (that must’ve been some tip!), but Harker refuses due to the fog. Besides, wouldn’t the ship have a few holes to patch up first?

Outside, Leela has taken the Doctor to where she saw the jellyfish. The Doctor notes a residual electric field in the area, which could kill someone on contact. He admits to Leela he still isn’t sure what they’re dealing with yet (well, that’s reassuring. Then again, even given the dozens of races the Doctor has encountered in four lifetimes, there are plenty of lifeforms he has never encountered) I’m sure he’ll figure it out...eventually...maybe...

Up in the galley, Palmerdale tries to convince Harker to send a message to his broker (since he can’t get to London) via the lighthouse’s wireless telegraph.

Then Harker remembers who was responsible for the deaths of his shipmates! Fortunately for Palmerdale, Skinsale wakes up and breaks it up. Then the Doctor comes in and announces that they’re all in mortal danger.

I’m sure that grin helped soften the blow, Doctor.

Up in the lamp room, Reuben heads down to feed the boiler...

...as a bad special effect the jellyfish stalks the lighthouse.

In the galley, Palmerdale is scoffing at the Doctor’s announcement, then Reuben comes in talking about the Beast as he continues downward, to which Palmerdale continues his tirade...

...until Leela shuts him up.

Then the lights dim a blood-curdling scream is heard as part 2 ends.

Given everyone in the galley is accounted for, that leaves the lighthouse crew the only ones it could’ve been...or the jellyfish. To find out, tune in next time for the exciting conclusion!

#doctor who #Tom Baker #Fan Colored Glasses

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cg29fics · 2 years

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Gone

If you’d like to be tagged for updates for this story or any others then please let me know. Alternatively this fic can be read in it’s entirety over on Ao3 or FFNet - creativegirl29

🔖 @drileyf @katblu42 @ak47stylegirl @psychoseal @dragonoffantasyandreality @weirdburketeer @alexthefly @burningcowboyhoagietaco @misstb2 @thundergeek59 @janetm74

Previous: chapter 19 - Countdown - Please double check you’ve read the previous chapter as I was having a few Tumblr issues with the post.

Chapter 20: Strategy

Previously:

Jeff paused and looked at them. “And I feel I need to explain to you all how I know the Hood, well, as we now know Balah Gaat.”

… …

“Do you all remember me telling you about how I first met Kyrano?”

“Yes.” Gordon answered. “You had been dispatched to his village when you were in the army. You were there to help after an earthquake had hit nearby.”

“Yes, that’s right. The Hood… Well, Balah Gaat was.” Jeff looked over to where Kyrano was sitting. “He was Kyrano’s half-brother. From the very first moment he had met me Balah made it known that he didn’t like me, and to be honest, I didn’t care for him much either… He always seemed obsessed by the amount of power, wealth and control he could gain from manipulating people and he never seemed bothered by how much he could hurt someone... One day another earthquake hit and destroyed the village and we were sent in to help with the rescue. We managed to save quite a few lives, but there were many who had not been so lucky, and had unfortunately been killed in the initial earthquake. Balah Gait’s wife and his 4-year-old son had been two of those who I had to dig out of the rubble, and had already passed away.”

“Dad, you know it wasn't your fault, right?” Scott said, looking at his father with concern. “What happened that day was tragic, but unfortunately, we all know that no matter how hard you try, sometimes you can’t save everyone!”

“I know.” Jeff replied. “It’s just… I knew Balah had blamed me for what had happened, I remember at the time some sort of threat was made against me, but shortly afterwards he seemed to just disappear. I never really thought about him much after that, I remember that Kyrano once mentioned that he had not seen him since the earthquake, and eventually he concluded that he must have passed away. Neither of us imagined that the Hood was Balah Gaat. Now we do know... And.” Jeff sighed. “When I now think back it's obvious who the Hood really was... I should have realised, then maybe I could have protected you boys, and stopped him from hurting Virgil.”

“Dad, what’s happened with Virgil, it’s not your fault!” John interjected.

“You could never have seen this coming and you can’t always protect us from harm dad,” Gordon added.

Jeff sighed and looked away from the image of his sons.

“Dad, none of us blame you for what’s happened, and I know that Virgil won’t blame you either!” Alan replied firmly, gaining his father’s attention. “There’s only one person who is responsible for this and that’s Balah Gaat, or the Hood, or whatever name he wants to go by!”

“Scott,” Brains stammered, rushing over to Jeff.

“Yes Brains?”

“The metals foundry has confirmed that you can land Thunderbird 2 there and the site will be secured at all times. I’ve sent you a layout of the building, Virgil’s signal is coming from the basement.”

“FAB Brains.” Scott responded. “Gordon, I want you to go through the information and see if you can form a plan.”

“FAB Scott.” Gordon replied.

"Gordon, I have some further information for you which may prove useful," Brains stammered.

Gordon smiled. "FAB Brains."

"I'll send it through now," Brains added.

“Dad, are you going to be okay?” Scott asked as he looked at his father’s sullen form.

“Yes... Yes, boys I will!” Jeff replied pulling himself together. “Now it sounds like you have everything in hand. I’m going to go and speak with Penny and contact the doctor she mentioned, and see what we can get arranged for Virgil. I want you to keep in contact, let me know of any developments.”

“FAB dad!” Scott clicked the communicator off and went back to concentrating on flying Thunderbird 2. "Okay guys we will be landing in about 10 minutes. Gordon, how long will it take us to get to the danger zone?"

"It should take us around 5 minutes," Gordon responded. "We just need to make sure that we are efficient with getting everything we need on the hover bikes, so we don't hit any unseen delays."

Alan smiled. "Don't worry Gords, you can rely on us!"

“I know I can!” Gordon replied. “Now, I’ve been going through all the information Brains came up with and I’ve got a plan.”

“Go for it Gordon,” Scott beamed.

"The building that Virgil is in as four different entrances. One at the front, one at the back, and two others on either side. Now, the front and back ones are too exposed. The entrance on the right side is well covered. However, the left side is not only well covered, but it also looks out on to a woodland. If we go in that way, then there will be plenty of places for us to hide the bikes, and any other equipment we may need. Now, Virgil's signal is coming from the basement, and from what we know there are the six men that we've seen, there's at least one more who's been working behind the camera, and then there's the Hood. We have no idea where they will be, and there may be more men inside, which means we will need to use our thermal imagers to detect them as we go."

"Gordon, what you've said so far sounds good to me. I want you to go through the rest of the plan once we have reached the danger zone." Scott pressed a few buttons on Thunderbird 2's control panel. “Okay guys, we are coming in to land."

... ...

A short time later:

Scott finished securing Thunderbird 2 and made his way over to Gordon and Alan who were waiting with the loaded hover bikes. “Have you contacted dad?”

“Yes, he said that he’s spoken to the doctor that Penny recommended, and they are on standby ready to receive Virgil.

“That’s good!” Scott looked around. "Where's John?"

"He's just checking the security that's been provided for Thunderbird 2," Alan replied. "He'll be back in a second."

"Speak of the devil!" Gordon said, pointing to John who was running towards them.

"How's it looking John?" Scott queried.

"All good, they've really gone above and beyond what I was expecting."

"Great. Then let's go get our brother," Scott stated.

"FAB!" The rest of them chimed, as they jumped on their hover bikes, and headed towards the danger zone.

Gordon led the way, signalling to his brothers to stop when he began to reach the clearing of the woodland. “Okay, we’re here… This looks like a good place to hide our bikes and anything else we don’t want to carry inside.”

“Okay Gordon, so what’s the rest of your plan?” Scott asked.

“Well, as I said earlier we will be going through the side entrance on the left side of the building which is just up ahead. When I studied the layout that Brains sent, I could see that there was a doorway which leads directly down to the basement, which as you know is where Virgil’s signal is coming from. Now, as we are using the thermal imager to track the other men in there, then I suggest that we stick together, and we stay in pairs. Me and Scott will take the lead. Alan, I want you to stay close to Scott, and John you will be with me… If we see anyone then we will take them out using our tranquilliser guns and then we will tie them up. If we don’t see the Hood, then we will kick his arse some other time… The aim of this mission is simple… We are here to get Virg out of there! So, to reiterate, we stay together and do not go off on our own. Yes Scott, I’m looking at you! I don’t want to have to rescue another bro!”

Scott looked at Gordon. "I would never go off on my own!"

"Yeah, sure you wouldn't!" Alan responded with a laugh.

“Okay. Don't worry Gords, I’ll do as you say and not run off on my own!” Scott replied, with a grin.

Gordon returned the smile. “Final checks. Everyone got their med kits?”

“FAB!” Alan, Scott and John answered.

Gordon smiled. “Good! Right… Finally, has everyone got their tranquilliser guns and their extra ammo packs?”

“FAB Gordon!” They all responded.

"Good," Gordon stated as he turned to face the clearing, "then it looks like we're ready!"

“Hey Gords,” Scott said placing his hand on the back of Gordon's shoulder.

“Yes Scott?” Gordon asked, turning towards his brother.

Scott pulled Gordon into a quick hug and then ruffled his hair. “I’m really proud of you, I just wanted you to know that.”

“Thanks Scott,” Gordon replied going red, “okay, are you all ready?”

“FAB!” They all chorused.

Gordon nodded. “Then Follow me!”

Next - 21: Danger Zone

#thunderbirds fanfiction #cg29fics #thunderbirds #tagficgone #thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds are go fanfiction #military Gordon

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bakurapika · 2 years

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i used plume. scam or no?

hey because i saw a post about it recently, i’m going to talk about my experiences with plume. good, bad, ugly.

long post below and i don’t want to risk using the read-mores on tumblr, sorry.

for context, if you don’t know, plume is a medical group that offers hormone therapy in many states across the US. instead of charging for visits or services, plume charges $99 per month as a membership fee. everything is included in that fee except for the medication itself (which you have to buy from a pharmacy as normal). I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice.

i joined in july 2021 and recently cancelled due to not being able to afford the $99/month price tag. here are some of the ups and downs.

plume is app-only, something I didn’t entirely realize when signing up. It uses “spruce” which is a medical-management app. They have an email support team but... basically, don’t bother. they are not very responsive and may ignore emails. however, they do not ignore messages sent in the app. “doesn’t this make it impossible to save and exchange medical documentation?” you might ask. the answer is yes! the app also doesn’t allow normal screenshots. there is a web version of the app (allowing screenshots, screen readers, etc) but I had to talk to a spruce dev to find out about this. i’m an oldie who can’t type on my phone so i found the app relatively inaccessible. no idea if it works with screen readers

however, even though I cancelled, I do still have full access to the app for timestamps, etc., so I am referencing that for this post

my first appointment was scheduled when I joined. I agreed to pay $99 upfront for a consultation, which would either pay for my first month of membership (if I joined) or pay for the visit itself only (if I didn’t join). I wasn’t sure whether I wanted hormone therapy at this point or not. I had to do normal new-patient paperwork (consent to telehealth, privacy policy, medical history etc). the app has an automated chat system that will say things like “Great, now please tell me if you agree” and you click yes or no. It’s very user friendly.

Part of what the Plume membership pays for is a blood test that they are (seemingly legally) required to do every 3 months. They work through Quest laboratories although there may be alternatives if you don’t have a Quest nearby.

For any new message you send on Plume, the chatbot will ask if your urgent is urgent (needs a response within 2 days) or non-urgent. This seemed to work fine with timely results.

When I signed up, I told them that my legal name was in the process of changing. Unfortunately, all blood work was ordered under my previous name which no longer matches my ID. This caused a problem the first time I went to get a test because they couldn’t find my information. Quest also does not recognize any gender except male/female. My technician was trans-friendly but the blood test system may not be gender affirming. Plume warns you about some of this ahead of time but again, they didn’t recognize that my legal name did actually change to my preferred name.

When starting Plume, I was required to get a blood pressure test done. At the time, COVID restricted my access and I had to get blood pressure taken at a free machine in a grocery store, which wasn’t very accurate.

My provider (a nurse practitioner) got back to me the day after I signed up and we were able to call for more than an hour, which is an unusually fast turnaround. The NP was polite, explained things well, answered my questions, and in general was a good medical provider.

When I was prescribed testosterone, we went over my options, including the cost of medications and what coupon sites to use to minimize the expense for any prescriptions. (Doctors/providers sometimes will talk about this to me but Plume was more knowledgable and helpful than most.) In my case, I was able to use androgel instead of testosterone injection because Walgreens has a coupon on GoodRx that lowers the price to around $35/month instead of $300+. The pharmacy kept trying to charge my insurance instead, but I have a lot of prescriptions and can tell you that this is not an unusual problem. You need to talk to a pharmacist and explain that you’re using a coupon and not health insurance. The price will change at the register.

For follow-up billing questions, I tried to email with no luck - as said, they only really respond on the app. Unfortunately, your message will go to whatever random staff is working at the time, so it’s hard to keep a single conversation - you ask A a question, get an answer from B, ask a follow-up question, and now you’re talking to C.

When asking about medical side-effects and medication interaction, I got answers right away and got same-day responses from my provider.

My billing issue, by the way, is that I planned to pay for plume with my fsa account (a medical-only savings account through my employer). I was getting denied. Long story short, my fsa people thought that plume was a subscription service like a gym membership. it’s actually, technically, a form of concierge medicine. When I discovered this and explained it to my fsa company, they asked for screenshots from the app to prove that I had used it for medical services in the last 30 days. not all fsa companies cover concierge medicine and plume did not understand the medical billing jargon. they thought my fsa company was my insurance company and that i’d been denied service despite my explanations to the contrary. they were not able to help except by providing my billing statements (which, side note, most medical providers have easily available, but I couldn’t access them without a staff member directly sending me the file). my fsa reimbursed me for the $99 each month once we figured this out.

otherwise, i had no issues until august, when I again got a same-day response from my provider about my medical questions. I was able to have a 15 minute call with the provider the next day.

when my labs were done in september, i asked a question and got a same-day response with a more in-depth answer from my provider the next day.

In general, things went well. for unrelated reasons, i lost my fsa and i can’t afford plume anymore, and I hadn’t been using my testosterone due to some other unrelated circumstances, so I decided to cancel in december. I noticed that I had put in a refill request in november and it hadn’t ever been filled, meaning that plume dropped the ball. when I requested to cancel plume, I also asked for my december membership fee of $99 to be refunded back to me since I hadn’t gotten any services for more than a month.

I had to explain this situation several times with no answer but was eventually given the refund despite plume saying they had no record of me asking for the refill request. this was not legally required and was a gesture of goodwill.

after cancelling, I was told that I would be given a one-time extension for two months’ worth of HRT refills. this is obviously a system to prevent people from joining plume for a month, quitting, and joining again when they run out of meds. any other active refills would be cancelled after two months, and if I re-joined and canceled again, they would immediately cancel any remaining refills. this is not standard practice and i consider it unethical.

to be fair, testosterone is a controlled substance (schedule 3). but for comparison’s sake, I used to live in Illinois and was prescribed ambien, a highly controlled substance (schedule 4, which is much more abusable and regulated than schedule 3). After moving out of state, my psychiatrist kept sending refills for me to my new state until I could afford to find a new provider. Sometimes providers will ask for a visit (phone visit is usually ok depending on circumstances) to meet with me and show that I’m not abusing the medication, but doctors do not usually try to “cut off” your meds to demand more money from you. again, i assume that’s because of plume’s business model, but that doesn’t make it right.

plume has a program for people who can’t afford it to get free/discounted care, but my understanding is that the program is in high demand and without many sponsors. when I quit for financial reasons, they didn’t even bother telling me to apply for it lol

so, summary.

good stuff: user friendly app, very responsive, good provider, very quick access to quality medical care, understands resources for prescriptions, gave me a refund as a goodwill gesture, may be paid for 100% by fsa

bad stuff: no support outside of app, app introduces communication and accessibility problems, blood tests aren’t gender-affirming care, staff uneducated on medical billing issues, refill system is bad when you quit

my opinion of plume is that, if you have an in-person provider who can be covered under insurance, avoid plume. but if you don’t and you’re willing to deal with some bumps in the road, or if you have an fsa who will work with you on payment, plume may be a great option. at the end of the day, it all comes down to the $99/month price tag and how you can justify it.

plume isn’t a scam but it isn’t quite as easy-to-use and professional as it presents itself

#plume #long post #hrt

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foxghost · 3 years

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Joyful Reunion, Chapter 93

Translator: foxghost @foxghost tumblr/ko-fi1 Beta: meet-me-in-oblivion @meet-me-in-oblivion tumblr Original by 非天夜翔 Fei Tian Ye Xiang Masterpost | Characters, Maps & Other Reference Index

Book 3, Chapter 21 (Part 3)

Zheng Yan returns to the rear court stables at the palace on horseback. By the time he dismounts, it’s dark and murky outside, already close to the twilight hour, and a drizzle has begun to fall. Cai Yan is having dinner, with Lang Junxia sitting nearby.

“So?” Cai Yan asks.

“I spoke with Wu Du.” Zheng Yan sits down as well behind another table in the room. He picks up a cup filled with cold tea and takes a sip. “From what I can surmise, he probably doesn’t want to join the Eastern Palace. I already brought Benxiao back to him.”

Cai Yan doesn’t say anything, just keeps silently chewing his food.

“There’s a young man living in Wu Du’s house.” Zheng Yan adds, “Name’s Wang Shan — must have been the special envoy Chancellor Mu sent to Tongguan. If Your Highness intends to show Wu Du favour and give him this opportunity, you’ll need to devote some energy to this young man.”

Cai Yan hums an affirmative. Outside, a guard announces, “Your Highness, he’s here.”

“Tell him to please come in,” Cai Yan says.

Hearing Cai Yan use the word “please”, Lang Junxia turns his attention to the door with a slight frown. There’s a man standing there; emaciated bag-of-bones thin, around thirty-something, with malevolent eyes and rough skin. Dressed in a clean robe made out of peasant-cloth, his face covered with dark bruises, he comes into the room on silent feet, so briskly that he brings up a breeze in his wake.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” the man says, and with a flap of his sleeves he gets down on his knees to kowtow at Cai Yan.

“You didn’t tell me that he’s been pardoned too,” Lang Junxia says in a cold voice.

Contrarily, Zheng Yan already knew, so when he sees Feng he merely smiles without a word.

“And now you know, Wuluohou Mu,” Zheng Yan says to Lang Junxia. “His Highness is such a caring person. He was so worried you’d get angry and that’s bad for your health, you know.”

Lang Junxia ignores Zheng Yan’s taunt, and turns his gaze on Cai Yan. Cai Yan feels extremely awkward, and he coughs. “Feng, rise. That seat is for you.”

Cai Yan points at a seat to his right, placed at the end. Feng then salutes both Lang Junxia and Zheng Yan, “I’m the guilty official, Feng. Greetings, my lords.”

“All are guilty to a degree,” Cai Yan says, “Otherwise there’d be no need for virtuous sages. Since you’ve joined the Eastern Palace, work hard. Make each day count.”

Feng gives him a slight smile. Cai Yan bestows him a cup of wine, and Feng takes little sips from it. Outside the hall, a west wind starts to blow. A susurrus chorus of falling leaves whip by, filling the courtyard with what looks like blood.

An autumn breeze sends the leaves rustling, and the Silver River is glittering above. A dazzling array of lanterns has been lit all through the chancellor’s estate, shining on the banquet tables in the pavilion. Performers have been hired to put on a shadow puppet show, with music on the qin overlaid with lines of lyrics; graceful, nimble shadows play on a screen to tell the story of a wolf man in Jiangzhou during the Yu dynasty.2 Male crabs weighing half a catty each and female crabs just barely under that are served at the table, waiting in steamer baskets.

Mu Qing is watching the puppet show with quite a lot of interest, while Duan Ling is taking apart crabs for Mu Qing and they occasionally exchange a word or two. Wu Du on the other hand is picking out crab roe and meat with his chopsticks, setting it aside for Duan Ling, so that he wouldn’t go without eating as he’s busy waiting on Mu Qing.

“Is that for me?” Duan Ling says with a smile.

Wu Du gestures, go ahead and eat it, and Duan Ling takes it for his own.

“Sorry I’m late!” Mu Kuangda says with a smile. “With the matter of the capital’s relocation just settled, a lot of things are still up in the air and it’s taken up quite a bit of time.”

Everyone rises from their seats at once. Chang Liujun and Chang Pin, his martial and literati left and right hand, trails into the room behind him. It’s a clear show of respect for Wu Du.

“No harm done,” Wu Du says, “we were just watching a show. The wait wasn’t at all dreary.”

Everyone greets Mu Kuangda individually before Mu Kuangda says to Chang Pin, “Fei Hongde has pulled yet another vanishing act. If I only knew I’d have made Wang Shan wrap himself around his leg and brought him back here even if he had to drag him.”3

Everyone in the room starts to laugh. Mu Kuangda tells them, “Eat. Don’t worry about me. This banquet has always been an excuse to give everyone a nice hot meal in the name of welcoming you two back.”

Duan Ling smiles, “I presumed you would be too busy, Chancellor Mu, so of course I didn’t dare come yammering at you as soon as I got back.”

Mu Kuangda nods, and praises him, “You two did an excellent job. It is a great weight off my mind, and nothing should go awry in Tongguan for at least ten years. I brought it up in front of His Majesty today, and His Majesty quite appreciates your skills, Wu Du.”

Wu Du merely hms coolly before he says, “It’s all thanks to you, Grand Chancellor.”

The people present in the hall seem to have sensed the change within Wu Du as well, and they glance his way without saying a word. Chang Pin is the only one who smiles and says, “I often thought about travelling at Master Fei’s side when I was young, but since our separation ten years ago I haven’t heard from him. It’s truly fate at work that our young friend Wang Shan managed to meet up with him.”

Duan Ling says, “Master Fei is in excellent health.”

All previous communication Duan Ling had with Mu Kuangda was by written missive, and now, narrating the detailed account of what they experienced from the moment they reached Tongguan until the final battle, it sounds truly thrilling. But the credit for most of the strategising had been placed squarely on Wu Du in order to stop Mu Kuangda and Chang Pin from getting suspicious. Mu Kuangda is so absorbed he keeps nodding from time to time, while Chang Pin grabs a crab and starts eating, his gaze not on Duan Ling but on the puppet show.

Once Duan Ling finishes explaining the rough outline of what took place on their trip, Wu Du casually adds a few more details about the defences in Tongguan, as well as the opposing side’s strength and so on.

At the end Mu Kuangda says, “Wu Du, it seems you do have quite the talent in strategy, formation, leading an assault, and guerrilla warfare.”

“Probably learned it from General Zhao, right?” Chang Liujun, who has been standing to one side, says, “I suppose we should call that a swan song now.”

Mu Qing reads the words between Chan Liujun’s lines and huffs out a laugh. “Pfft!”

Duan Ling glances over at Wu Du, but Wu Du no longer places any importance on Chang Liujun’s provocations. He simply replies with a humble nod, and says, “It’s better than following a master for years on end without learning anything at all. I concede.”

It is Duan Ling, this time, who nearly spits out his food laughing. Wu Du hands another crab carapace full of meat and roe to Duan Ling, and says to Mu Kuangda, “I was just thinking that since the exams are coming up soon, if we didn’t hurry back it’d get in the way of Shan’er’s studies, and rushed back as soon as possible.”

“You’re a family man now,” Mu Kuangda says to Wu Du. “Seems the crown prince really does recognise your worth, though. When you get home you should really consider it.”

And so Wu Du stops talking.

“Speaking of which,” Chang Pin says, sounding rather amused, “The estate is about to write up invitations in preparation for the special exams taking place in the beginning of spring next year. We at the estate are exempt from having to take the provincial qualifying exams, and naturally with our young friend Wang Shan’s essay writing, he shouldn’t have to wait another three years — there’s no harm in him taking the metropolitan examinations directly. But we’ll need Master Wu to give us details as to the circumstances of his birth so we can write the name card in order to get him officially named under a teacher.”

Alarm jolts through Duan Ling’s heart, as he hasn’t expected Chang Pin to pull something like this. Duan Ling can feel that Chang Pin does have a mind to figure him out, but whether or not he suspects something odd in his identity — well that he can’t tell for sure.

But Wu Du has already thought of a way to counter this. He says to Duan Ling, “What’s your dad’s name again? I used to just call him Dage, Dage day in and day out, and now I can’t actually remember what his real name was.”

“Wang Sheng,” Duan Ling replies.

“Wang Sheng.” Wu Du heaves a sigh, and pauses briefly to sort out his thoughts. “Wang Shan lost his mother at a young age, and his dad was an apothecary who saw patients on occasion as a doctor. We met in Xunbei, and he often helped me track down rare ingredients. Wang Shan travelled all over the continent so he knew more than most other children his age anyway; his dad mentioned entrusting him to me more than once so he wouldn’t have to spend his life on the road. But back then I was living under another’s roof, I could barely take care of myself, so I didn’t have the energy to worry about those two.”

Duan Ling recalls his father. Even though Wu Du has fabricated the circumstances of his birth, bits of it here and there match up to his memories, and he can’t help remembering the past; all of a sudden he’s filled with emotions.

“A man who practiced medicine, who did good work and accumulated good karma to shade his descendents.” Chang Pin says, “Your dad must have been a good man.”

Duan Ling gives him a nod, and Wu Du starts to smile. He pats Duan Ling’s on the shoulder, and takes his hand, wrapping his own around it, fingers caressing his. A tenderness flows forth in Duan Ling’s heart, for he knows Wu Du isn’t putting on an act; he really is trying to encourage him.

“Kid’s always been charming.” Wu Du turns to the party and says, “People of all trades — soldiers, smiths, Cuju players, spirit mediums, tailors, opera singers — would choose to pass on some of their skills to him out of gratitude to his dad. As for how much he’s learned, that I don’t rightly know. There is greatness in his fate according to the fortune teller, and I’ve been told he’s not fit for marriage4 according to his father, and he said Wang Shan should just stay with me.5 As for his future, he left it up to me.”

“Then let’s hear it from you,” Mu Kuangda says, and he turns to Chang Pin. “Put him down as from a line of physicians, the Wangs, ancestral hometown of Xunbei. Physician is a proper vocation. We can leave out the rest.”

Chang Pin says smilingly, “Your new line of work can’t bring back the dead so it’s hardly the same, but instead of treating the ill you can treat the state — that’s not such a bad thing.”

Now those words have truly elevated Duan Ling too much, and he hurriedly expresses his gratitude towards Chang Pin and Mu Kuangda. Mu Kuangda casually pours a cup of wine at his table and brings it to Wu Du. “Have some mulled wine. It’ll help settle the coldness that comes with eating crab.6 You’re wounded, I know, so just stay in the estate and recuperate for the next little while. Once you figure out what you want I’ll give you more work.”

Wu Du knows that the crown prince has also raised his desire to recruit him in front of Mu Kuangda, and if it’s advantageous to the Mus, Mu Kuangda will of course want him to join the Eastern Palace. This way, no matter what happens, as long as he’s willing to inform the Mus, it would be akin to the Mus having a spy in the palace, and they’ll constantly have a grasp of what the crown prince is planning. And on top of that this spy would be Wu Du — master of poisons.

But what Duan Ling has in mind is another thing entirely. The crown prince has already tried to recruit Wu Du once, and if he believed in Wu Du’s loyalty, then leaving him in the chancellor’s estate as a henchman of Mu Kuangda’s would be far more beneficial — so why has he changed his mind now?

“I can’t drink anymore.” Wu Du waves the wine off. “This wine is really strong.”

Wu Du hands the leftover half cup of wine to Duan Ling, and Duan Ling drinks it. Mu Kuangda and Chang Pin will need to have a meeting later on in the evening, so Duan Ling and Wu Du cut the night short and head back to their house to sleep.

As they walk through the corridor that leads out of the Chancellor’s estate, Wu Du suddenly says, “Look.”

A river of silver cuts across the horizon, just visible above the alleyway between two roofs. They stop, both remembering the night of the Seventh of Seventh.

“Somehow I’ve forgotten to celebrate your birthday with you,” Wu Du says to Duan Ling. “I was fighting that day and forgot all about it.”

“My birthday is in the twelfth month,” Duan Ling whispers, “so let’s celebrate then.”

Duan Ling and Wu Du return to their rooms. They’ve both had quite a bit of wine, and Wu Du falls heavily onto the bed, staring at Duan Ling through drunken eyes.

Duan Ling can’t be bothered to wash up and change, and simply lies down next to Wu Du.

“Do you want to join the Eastern Palace?” Duan Ling asks.

There’s a brief silence before Wu Du answers, “Maybe I’ll be able to find some evidence regarding Wuluohou Mu and the crown prince.”

“I’d rather you stay at my side, and I don’t want us to part either.”

“Then I won’t go.” Raising a hand, Wu Du gives Duan Ling a light pat on the shoulder. He turns onto his side. They lie facing each other on the bed on their sides, looking into the other’s eyes.

“There’s still time. Chancellor Mu will ask you again after the metropolitan exams.”

Wu Du’s brows lightly furrow. “How’d you know that?”

“He needs to make sure you remain loyal to him, thus he’ll keep me in the estate and use me to control you.”

It becomes clear to Wu Du all at once. Now that he thinks about it, that’s highly probable. Mu Kuangda can tell the bond between them has strengthened, and all he has to do is guide Duan Ling, assist him, and take him in as a student. And in exchange Wu Du would become a retainer in the Eastern Palace, becoming an unseen agent Mu Kuangda keeps near the crown prince.

“But I haven’t been able to figure it all out yet.” Duan Ling is still a bit drunk. He puts his hand on Wu Du’s face. “Why is the crown prince in such a hurry to recruit you? His attitude isn’t the same as the way it was before.”

But Wu Du is no longer listening. There’s a redness in his cheeks from drinking, and his eyes are full of Duan Ling. There seems to be water in Duan Ling’s eyes, as bright as a pond reflecting a starry sky.

“Duan Ling.”

“Hm?” Duan Ling suddenly feels that if he has someone like Wu Du at his side forever, that’s a rather nice way to live. Just as Wu Du said in front of Mu Kuangda, he can’t get married — and the truth is, Duan Ling doesn’t want to get married either, otherwise his many secrets will bring them nothing but danger.

“In the future you’ll be the emperor. Don’t take what I said in front of Chancellor Mu today seriously. Someday, you’ll marry a beautiful Crown Princess-consort, and she’ll become your empress. You’ll have sons, grandsons …”

“I won’t marry.”

“You’ll have to remember me.” Wu Du says, slurring with drink, “remember that, tonight, you and I are lying on a bed in the chancellor’s estate …”

Duan Ling repeats, “I won’t.”

He’s already very sleepy. In his drowsiness a vague idea surfaces — he thinks of how the crown prince probably believes Mu Kuangda is about to poison him, and realises that he’s not safe, serves him right that he has to live with his heart constantly on edge like that; he thinks of how, just as his father had told him, a lot of people are going to stumble over each other to give him everything, but he still strongly believes that if someone wants to give him everything, of course he should give everything of himself to that someone in return …

In Wu Du’s embrace, he falls asleep.

Slowly, Wu Du closes his eyes, and with the faint scent of osmanthus mulled wine between his lips, he lowers his head and presses a light kiss to the bridge of Duan Ling’s nose.

I do not monetise my hobby translations, but if you’d like to support my work generally or support my light novel habit, you can either buy me a coffee or commission me. This is also to note that if you see this message anywhere else than on tumblr, do come to my tumblr. It’s ad-free. ↩︎

For more about the wolf man, read Yingnu. All I’ll tell you here is that it’s a tragedy involving treachery, poison, and betrayal. (Inappropriate, in other words.) ↩︎

This is your reminder that titles in the mouse-overs can be found on the reference page. ↩︎

It is generally believed that someone who’s meant for greatness tends to be a hex on those related to them, both by blood and by marriage. ↩︎

This 100% sounded like stay with him for life as in married. ↩︎

“Coldness” is just a TCM concept, and eating crab brings “coldness” which is why it’s usually served with ginger tea. ↩︎

#相見歡 #fei tian ye xiang #joyful reunion #xiang jian huan #fox translates things

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trashyswitch · 3 years

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049 and the 'Unkillable Creature'

Dr. Itkin conducts an experiment on SCP-049 by sending in a fellow SCP: The unkillable, loving creature known as SCP-999. SCP-049 experiences a wide variety of emotions during the single visit. As a result, 999 blows Itkin's mind when it presents a new side of the Plague Doctor to the researchers.

This prompt was suggested by an Anonymous user on Tumblr. Thank you for the prompt and I hope you enjoy!

Dr. Itkin petted 999’s head with a smile as he opened up the chamber door and let 999 in the hallway to the room. “Just follow the hallway and I will open the door for you.” Dr. Itkin ordered the creature.

Then, Dr. Itkin walked to his office and spoke through a speaker. “049: We have a new entity for you. It is not a mammalian corpse like we usually present to you. It is alive this time, and I think you’ll find it quite new and interesting.” Dr. Itkin explained before opening the entrance to 049’s quarters. “Go on in.” Dr. Itkin encouraged. “This being is known as SCP-999. Or, 999 for short. It has no gender, no skeleton, and it primarily speaks in gurgles.” He explained. “Lastly: It cannot be killed.” He added.

049 stared at the strange being as it walked around him and observed the doctor. “Funny…It has no visible organs or body parts except for its dark eyes, yet it is capable of walking around and growing arms whenever needed.” He observed. 049 pulled out his journal and started to take notes.

999 slid itself up to the doctor, and gurgled curiously. 049 didn’t pay it any attention at first. But his writing seemed to pause when 049 felt a pair of arms wrapped around his skirt. 049 couldn’t help the smile that had grown onto his face under the mask. “Fascinating behaviour, similar to a toddler. One would likely call it ‘cute’.” He spoke aloud. “999 seems to exhibit behaviour similar to a puppy as well: hungry for affection and…” 049 gave its chin a little scratch, and watched as 999 closed its eyes and leaned into it. “-affectionate when attention is given.” 049 added.

999 nuzzled into 049’s robe. He started to feel an intense amount of happiness...a feeling he rarely experiences from a cute being. “I…” 049 words started to fade away as he knelt down. “That smell…But, how? No other woman or creature, has ever successfully replicated that familiar smell before.” He reacted. “My Mother’s jam…” He wasn’t able to think properly due to the intense nostalgia that had overcame him.

999 slid closer to him and hugged him. This seemed to make him feel all toasty and warm inside. He felt overwhelmed with bittersweetness. The smell of his mother’s jam filled the laboratory The smell mized with 999’s loving hug, gave him a sense of joy. But a longing for his mother and her delicious jams, provided sadness as well. He wasn’t quite sure how to react to such a strong mix of emotions.

“I...I feel like a human being again.” he told the creature. “It is rare that a smell will remind me of so much. A smell like that is ever growing in rarity as the centuries pass by. So this 999 being who is able to replicate a smell that is a few centuries old…” 049 seemed to snap back into reality as he grabbed 999. “-is a creature worth studying.” 049 explained.

“What kind of jam did your Mother make?” Dr. Itkin asked.

049 smiled under his mask. “Peach jams were her specialty. However, she loved making apple jams, strawberry jams and pear jams as well.” 049 replied.

“Interesting.” Dr. Itkin muttered.

049 sat there with 999 and attempted to get to know it. “I’m a doctor. I cure pestilences. Or rather, diseases.” He explained to the creature. 999 gurgled eagerly and snuggled itself into 049’s chest. The doctor let out a low giggle. “A very affectionate being.” He muttered. 999 then slithered itself up 049’s back, and started snuggling into his chest. “This amount of affection is unusual. I was not prepared for such overwhelming displays of affection from such a caring creature. Perhaps I should request a living dog as a companion in my laboratory?” He considered out loud.

Dr. Itkin nodded. “I will talk to my staff about that option.” He replied through the speaker.

“Thank you.” 049 said.

999 then snuggled further into his chest and started moving its pseudopods into the man’s ribs.

“Oh my...What are you doing, little being? Observing your surroundings, perhaps?” He asked.

999 moved its wiggling pods up and down the ribs. “Unusual...Perhaps you are trying to count my ribs?” He asked. It appeared that 049 was so interested in 999’s puppy-like affectionate nature, that he didn’t even consider that 999 was attempting to tickle him.

Dr. Itkin watched curiously as 999 moved its pseudopods around a little more. He doubted that the doctor had any ticklish spots, but he still wanted to know just what 999 would do if he wasn’t ticklish. Would it keep searching every ticklish spot it was aware of? Would it start hugging and cuddling the doctor to get him giggling? Or would it accept the fact that he’s not that kind of person, and just slide off to leave him alone?

While Dr. Itkin thought about the solution to himself, he picked up his pencil and started writing the multiple hypotheses he had thought of. Meanwhile, 999 moved its pseudopods up and up the ribs to his armpits. “Ihi see you’re quite curious about my body struhuhuctuhure! Nohow now now! Cahaharefuhuhuhul!”

Dr. Itkin paused his writing and his eyes widened rather quickly. Did...did he just laugh?

999 quickly continued to go for his armpits. “Gehehehet ohohohoff mehehehe! Ihihihi dohohon’t knohohow what yohohou’re dohohoihihing, buhuhut…” 049 started trying to run around and get the glob off him. But the orange creature wouldn’t get off at all! It would just slip right out of his grip and continue to cling to his body in order to tickle him.

While 999 slid around and held onto him, it made more pseudopods and started tickling other spots as well.

For example: his belly.

This made 049 double over and lean his body against the wall. “Dohohoctohohor! Hehehehelp! Ihihihi’m quihihihite sehehensihihitihihive thehehehere!” He laughed lightly.

Dr. Itkin admired the unusual scene. “How can I help?” He asked, not really planning to help.

“Cahahan yohou plehehehease gehehehet ihihihit ohohohoff?” The doctor asked.

“I’m afraid I can’t. 999 is a creature that loves making people happy. Just wait it out for a bit. It’ll stop soon.” Dr. Itkin told him.

“Yohohohou’re nohohohot gohohohoihihing tohoho hehehelp mehehehe?!” He reacted. “Dihihihid ihihi huhuhurt yohohou ihin ahahahany wahahahay prihihior to thihihis?” 049 asked.

“Nope. I rather enjoy hearing you laugh. It shows me that the man under the mask is still somewhat human.” Dr. Itkin replied, leaning his chin on his palm.

“Dohoho-” The doctor pulled 999 off him for just a few seconds; enough time to talk. “Are you accusing me of not being human? Do I fail to look like a human because of my mask and my robes?!” He asked.

Dr. Itkin looked up. “What? No!”

“I warn you to not raise your voice with me. I know exactly what I’m doing wearing these robes and mask. I am protecting myself from the pestilence you fail to acknowledge!” 049 reacted.

“999, knock it off. Oh heavens…” The doctor watched in horror as 999 started slipping its globby substance through his fingers and arms. “999, I order you to stay put! And STOP SLIDING ON ME!” 049 yelled at it.

999 paused.

Dr. Itkin looked up, and bit his lip. He could sense that 049 was losing his temper. Dr. Itkin had to remind himself that 999 could not be physically harmed. The only thing that could harm 999, was a bottle of coke.

So with that in mind, what was gonna happen to 999?

As of right now, 999 was staring at the doctor, making sure to stay still. While it stood in its place, 999 started to stretch itself up. It stretched up and up and up, till it was towering over 049. The more it grew, the wider it became and the more pseudopods it grew from its body.

“D-Doctor...Doctor? I...W-What’s it doing?” 049 asked.

Dr. Itkin quickly took more notes of what was occurring.

“Doctor? Doctor?! Hello?! HELLO?!”

Dr. Itkin had to cover his mouth and keep from laughing as he observed 999 wiggling its arms like noodles with a big smile on its face, as it chased 049 all around the room.

Finally, 049 sprinted up to a nearby window to get someone’s attention. “HELP-” 049’s voice was engulfed in slime as 999 wrapped the entirety of its goopy body around 049’s body.

049’s voice spoke in babbles and muffles for only a moment...Then, 999 allowed his head to pop out from its body. “WAIT! AAAHAHAHA! STAHAHAP IHIHIT! NOHO! DOWN! DOHOHOHOWN IHIHI SAHAHAHAY! GEHEHET OHOHOHOFF MEHEHEHE!”

049 lost all of his serious composure in mere seconds. The doctor had started kicking his feet from within 999’s slime. The glob-like creature happily lifted the doctor’s hands above his head using a couple pseudopods, and happily tickled 049’s completely vulnerable armpits. 999 was non stop gurgling from excitement as it kept up its tickling. It didn’t wanna stop tickling him! It took so long for him to succumb to being genuinely happy that it didn’t want it to end! 999 wanted to tickle him forever if it was allowed.

“How do you feel, Doctor? Vulnerable? Giggly? Happy?” Dr. Itkin teased.

“YOHOHOU’RE NEHEHEHEXT! IHIHI SWEHEHEHEAR IHI WIHIHILL KIHIHILL YOHOHOHOU!” 049 shouted at him.

Dr. Itkin widened his eyes in surprise, and quickly added a couple notes to his research.

999 could tell the black-robed doctor was getting a little agitated. So, it stopped tickling him and decided to cuddle him instead. The doctor’s laughter seemed to calm down rather quickly. But his agitation took a little longer.

“Whyhy did you dohoho thahat? Yohou have baffled me beyond all known knowledge, orange creature.” 049 asked.

999 smiled happily and gurgled as it nuzzled into his chest again. 049 sighed and let his arms fall beside him.

“I have ambiguous emotions about you. I have never been treated with so much affection in a very long time. Yet, I cannot help but feel happy to experience it.” The doctor said to 999. “Dr. Itkin; I feel overwhelmed with emotions. Am I growing weak to my emotions? Or is this creature affecting me in some way?” 049 asked.

“Do you feel overwhelmed with joy?” Dr. Itkin asked.

“Y-Yes.” 049 replied.

“Has your head grown foggy after all that affection?” Dr. Itkin asked.

“Immensely, so.” 049 replied.

“Do you feel like you wanna keep this creature as your own? Perhaps protect it?” Dr. Itkin asked.

The doctor looked deep into 999’s eyes. “...Is that normal?” 049 asked back.

“It can be, yes. There have been reports of people treating 999 like a babbling baby or a playful puppy.” Dr. Itkin replied. “One lady told us it was a similar feeling to ‘experiencing a mother’s love for their baby after its given birth’. Any thoughts?” Dr. Itkin explained.

The doctor slowly started to smile as he looked at the loving creature. “I…” He opened his arms to the creature, offering it a hug. 999 quickly slid into his arms and happily snuggled into him. “I believe I have been left speechless.” 049 replied.

“Okay.” Dr. Itkin wrote that quote down. “Tell me: do you know what Serotonin is?” Dr. Itkin asked.

“I’m afraid I don’t.” 049 replied.

“It is also known as the ‘happy hormone’. It’s meant to change your mood and keep your emotions balanced.” Dr. Itkin explained. “So your visit with 999, has made you a lot more happy and loving. 999 is well known for causing serotonin levels to rise and in some cases, resulting in people getting high off the serotonin.” Dr. Itkin explained. “I wanted to monitor your reaction to SCP-999, as well as your emotional sensitivity level.” Dr. Itkin explained. “So far, it appears you have exhibited a wide variety of human emotions such as happiness, sadness, agitation, bittersweetness and even emotions that contribute to ‘unconditional love’.” Dr. Itkin explained.

The doctor was still hugging and cuddling 999 in his arms.

“In conclusion, we can successfully determine that you still exhibit human levels of emotion. Do you have any more thoughts on the matter?” Dr. Itkin asked.

049 lifted his head up. “Uh…” He paused and looked down.

“Maybe a statement about ‘being human’ or something?” Dr. Itkin asked in a different manner.

049 looked up. “Apologies, Doctor. I seemed to have zoned out while you were explaining your endeavors. Therefore, I cannot give a proper reply.” 049 apologized.

Dr. Itkin smiled and chuckled to himself. “That’s quite alright.”

[SCP-049 has been left speechless. 049 had also lost his concentration and apologized for not listening.]

A while after that, 999 had to leave the doctor back to his devices. Though 049 was hesitant about letting it go, he agreed to let 999 go back to its own room. As a reward for participating and being so cooperative, Dr. Itkin presented 049 with a deceased lynx body to study. 049 expressed gratitude for such a rare animal, and spent the next several days researching it, trying new cure options on it and taking notes in his notebook.

After the SCP-049-2 was removed from his chamber however, 049 requested to take a short break from researching test subjects, due to being ‘behind on his notes’. Dr. Itkin agreed to his request, and watched as 049 spent some time on his own. For the next few days, Dr. Itkin observed as 049 took note after note on —he could only assume to be— SCP-999. Dr. Itkin could tell this, based on what he would refer to him as: ‘The Unkillable’. He could also hypothesize it was 999, based on the new page’s title in his notebook:

They all included the numbers ‘999’ in brackets.

Dr. Itkin would later conclude that the experiment was a big success. And Dr. Itkin even add a postscript at the bottom of the page:

[SCP-049 has requested another meeting with SCP-999 on a later date. We will further discuss the request with Dr. Sherman at a later date.]

______________________________________________________________

Quarantine was...something. Definitely something. Even though we haven't checked the results of the covid test, my symptoms have went away completely. As a result, my parents believe I am covid free, unless proven otherwise by the test. I will let you know the results in the next fic.

#first meetings #developing friendships #scp-049 is confused #scp-999 is loving #ticklefic #ler!999 #lee!049 #fluff

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twilitty · 3 years

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Moonlit ch.2

This is the second chapter in my new fic Moonlit, it will be posted on Tumblr, ao3, and ffnet. New chapters uploaded every week and a half. Message/comment to be added to my tag list.

3.9k words

previous chapter

big thank you to my beta reader @effervescentlyirrevocable who has given me the absolute best criticism and helped make this chapter so beautiful :)

Bella Swan is introduced to a possible new friend and receives a gift. The doctors new family may not be as well adjusted to small town life as Charlie would like.

Chapter Two

The next morning I wake up to a growl of thunder beating against the inside of my skull. I had a night of thankfully restful sleep for once, only waking up to get a glass of water. My hands are clasped against my chest, fingers knotted in annoyance as I hold back what likely will be a spill of expletives. Why must there always be noise? Why can I not sleep soundly and awake soundly, just once?

I open one eye experimentally, hoping the sun has already arisen and I won’t be missing out on any leftover sleep. My room is shrouded in darkness. The expletives, swear words crude enough to make a priest gag, spill out in a muttered breath and my hands squeeze against each other once more before reaching for my alarm clock. The red numbers blink back at me and it takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the light before I read the time. Nine in the morning. I look back to the window where my blinds are drawn closed, but still no light, even filtered through the canopy of clouds, peaks at the edges.

The thunder, which had gone quiet after waking me up initially, rolls again for a moment before silencing itself. Only, was it thunder? It sounded heavy, like machinery but with a deeper growl. Was there construction nearby? I didn’t recall any on my few trips up and down the street, and I question why there would need to be any construction anyways. It’s not as if this is a booming neighbourhood with a subdivision being built.

Charlie knocks against my door, quieter than yesterday. “Bella, it’s time to get up.” You’d imagine that with my age being nearly twenty and my status as a legal adult I’d be allowed to choose my own time to wake up. My annoyance dies down quickly when my thoughts bounce back to Phoenix, waking up early each morning to drive Mom into her early morning classes. Nine in the morning really isn’t that early, in fact, it allows me time to get some chores done before class. “Someone has dropped by.”

My lips contort into an annoyed pucker. Who would have stopped by? Mom had warned me before the move that nothing but rumours and nasty mold comes from Forks. Apparently her quick marriage to Charlie, and even quicker pregnancy with me, was enough gossip to fuel conversations for years. I remember a trip to Forks at eight years old, a woman had stopped my mother in the grocery store and asked her over for coffee. “They just want the inside scoop,” Renee had told me afterwards, “Give them anything and they’ll find a way to make it ugly.”

My bare feet brush the ground and a flash of cold spreads up my shins. Apparently, even in spring, the weather is dangerously cold. I tell Charlie I’ll be downstairs in a moment, pulling on a pair of jeans and thermal socks. I was hoping for a relaxing day alone, just me, my sweatpants, and the laptop. I compromise on the socks, regardless of who is downstairs, my toes will not be cold today.

I pull the blinds open, the lawn stretching out beside the house is bathed in shadowy darkness despite the morning hour. The forest that lines our property, secluding us from the neighbours, is eerie and mysterious. The green tones that I initially found alien and too bright are now gone and replaced with navy. I wait a moment, staring into the trees, my thoughts rambling into fairytale imaginations.

My brain conjures an image of a man, tall and insidious, stepping out of the tree line, long claws attached to his fingers and a nasty grin revealing pointed teeth. His shirt is ripped in the front, a long tear reaching from throat to navel and from inside the shirt tufts of hair stick out. No, not hair, fur. He growls menacingly.

I close the blinds quickly and blink against the pictures my brain throws at me.

The landline rings downstairs and startles me, a jolt of anxious adrenaline surging through my cold feet and up into my heart. Maybe one of the reasons I enjoyed Phoenix’s barren, plain landscape was that I would not be subjected to such terrible thoughts. I remember being twelve and watching Scream with my mother, she was on a horror movie kick and had rented a whole stack of DVDs for us to watch. That night when I was tired but my eyes refused to close as I didn’t want to imagine what could be lurking outside my bedroom window. Crawling into my mother’s bed, she ran her warm palm against my forehead and hummed a song until I calmed down.

“Bella,” she had said quietly, the nurturing lilt of her voice expanding my heart, “We live in a desert. You can see for miles and miles and miles, if some bad man was coming we’d see him from forty minutes away.” I giggled quietly into the comforter, our bodies pressed against each other in near sleep and my mother’s hands maneuvering through my hair with expertise.

Now, I look out at the grassy lawn from a crack between the blinds. It resembles the set of a slasher movie, the forest borders it with every possibility my imagination can muster. I can see a man from four seconds away, not forty minutes.

There's a chorus of male laughter from below and I sigh, assuming this is my cue to go downstairs and meet with whoever has stopped in.

Charlie is sitting in the living room, facing me and his back to the television which is decidedly blank. On the couch is a head of glossy, black hair. Beside him is a wheelchair with an older man sitting in it, a mug clasped between dark hands. I curse whatever forces brought these strangers into the house so early, I am not in the mood for interaction. I was hoping for a bowl of oatmeal and a quiet morning.

“Hey!” Charlie braces his hands on his knees and pushes out of the armchair. His face is split in half with a grin. I can’t recall him smiling this large in the past week of my stay. The two men turn, facing me with warm smiles.

One of them is older, perhaps Charlie's age, his mouth creased with smile lines and his eyes wrinkled with sun damage. His skin is a warm russet brown, his eyes deep-set behind pronounced brows and a large smile. Bright white teeth stare back at me as my brain picks over his features, how do I know this man? I know almost immediately that he’s Quileute, from the Reservation to the west of town. I vaguely remember trips to the beach with Charlie and eating hotdogs over fires with some of the children from the area.

“Do you remember me, Bella?” He asks in a deep, commanding tone. His voice transports me back to the beach, collecting colourful rocks with the other kids and being called to dinner. Billy Black. He lives in a small, red house with a large kitchen perfect for gatherings. He’s older than I remember, but my last time being here for any substantial time was nearly four years ago.

“Dad, c’mon,” the boy says with a sarcastic eye roll. He stands from the couch, his height towering mine by a few inches and his broad shoulders slumped forward happily. I wonder how tall he’d be if he stood to his full height. His voice is deep, not as deep as his father’s, but still an indicator of the family resemblance. Where his father is strong and sure, this boy is aloof and casual. Jacob Black. “She hasn’t been back in ages, she probably blocked your nasty attitude out of her memory.”

I bite back a smile, but Billy laughs and shoots Charlie a look that says, kids, am I right? I step forward and extend my hand to Jacob, who takes it gratefully in his own and gives a soft shake. His hand covers mine and is most definitely a few degrees warmer than I am. “Jacob Black, we used to make mud pies together.”

“Best in town,” Charlie adds in from the back of the room. I smile.

“No, no, I remember you guys,” I tell the Blacks. “It just took me a moment.” Charlies sits back down in his chair and motions for me to take a seat.

“Billy and Jake just stopped by,” my father explains. I sit beside Jacob on the couch, a cushion between us. But, even with the provided space and the lack of physical contact, I feel heat come off of him in waves like a radiator. I wonder if he’s sick. “Jake here is a mechanic.” A furious blush settles under the boy's brown skin as his mechanical skills are brought up, this is my first time hearing of his expertise. I remember his sisters being twins, both tall and beautiful with matching smiles. They were almost two years older than me, Jacob had followed closely behind and was only born in the same six months as me. Of course, now that I try to remember, the date falls short in my memory. It’s possible he has a career as a mechanic somewhere on the Reservation, but he mustn’t work in Forks. I hadn’t seen a single mechanics garage in town.

“No, no,” he looks between me and my father with an apologetic smile, “it’s just a hobby. Something for fun.” Billy tsks at his son, shaking his head in a way that makes me believe this conversation has occurred before.

“Hobbies can bring in money, hobbies can turn into jobs,” the older man says with a scolding tone. Jacob just shakes his head crookedly, not responding. Charlie takes this as his cue to interrupt the trajectory of the conversation, and I’m grateful. I haven’t spoken to these men in nearly four years, that last place I want to be is in the middle of a family feud.

“Well, now, there was a reason I brought up Jake’s skills,” Charlie interjects with a wave at the large boy next to me. “Bells, go take a look outside.” My fingers twitch anxiously in my lap at being thrust into the center of the conversation. I was hoping I could slide under the radar here, not end up in the middle of it.

It takes great restraint for me to get up from the couch and not stumble over my ankles in the act, my clumsiness reaches new heights when I’m being watched by a room of people. Even if there are only three people in the room. The window at the end of the room is open, the curtains pulled to the side, and when I reach it my gaze falls on a group of kids biking down the street with a rainbow of helmets. Apparently, the dark sky doesn’t scare them the way it does me.

They pedal quickly, little screams of delight just barely audible through the thick glass of the living room window. They pass the porch and disappear behind a large red truck parked out front of the house. I blink. It’s still there, rounded fenders and shiny door handles, long bed, ancient grill adorning the hood. It’s beautiful. “Is that your truck, Billy?” There’s a chorus of laughter behind me, the men’s baritones mixing and producing a flaming blush starting at my neck and creeping up into my face. I turn to look at them, my stomach clenching as I turn away from the beautiful vehicle. “What?”

“It’s yours, Bella,” Charlie tells me. The breath I was holding leaves my lungs through my gaping mouth, I struggle to close it and take an experimental inhale. “Bella?” I turn and look back out the window, the glorious truck still sits there staring at me from across the dark lawn. I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the sunlight.

“I- it’s mine?” I ask. Another series of laughs echo through and then footsteps come up beside me, Jacob stands looking out the window. “You made it?” I question, looking up at him.

His shoulders shake silently and his lips press together as he tries to compose himself, I’m not sure why he finds my comment so funny but it reignites my blush. “I fixed it up, yeah. But, don’t get too excited. The thing runs at sixty miles max, push her further than that and you’ll be walking home.”

We all go outside quickly, me leading the pack with an excited skip in my step. It’s a miracle I didn’t fall on my face or stumble over my words as I spoke my thoughts aloud. “It’s so pretty, I love it! Jake, I have no idea how you could make it look so perfect.” The truck sits against the curb, its red paint flaking in places around the tires, but even more perfect than I could have imagined.

The sky is a disturbing shade of grey, a fact that irritates me more outside than it did in the house. Why does the weather have to ruin such a perfectly good moment? But I spend the majority of my time on the vehicle, petting its sides carefully like I might damage it. Finally, seemingly having had enough of me quietly admiring the vehicle, Billy tells me to hop in and check it out on the inside.

Jacob produces a set of keys, no automatic locking mechanism, and twists it in the truck's door handle. He holds the door open for me, producing a hand to help me in. I take it gratefully, stepping up into the driver’s seat and letting myself sink into the seat. Jacob closes the door on me, but my thoughts are lost and focused only on how much I love this truck.

“So,” he says after opening the passenger door and climbing up next to me, “You ever driven a truck before?” I shake my head, fingers curving experimentally around the thin steering wheel. I can see myself now: driving down the empty highway, the sun blinding against the dry pavement, window down and hair blowing, radio blaring. It’s exactly what I needed, a way for me to get around without needing to borrow the cruiser (which, yes, is illegal) or have Charlie drive me around.

“I can give you lessons,” Jake offers, fingers clasped in his lap, drumming a tune against the opposite knuckles. “If not that’s cool, but she drives a little funny.” “She?” I ask, eyes leaving the steering wheel momentarily to watch his face. He notices, the serene expression dropping from his face and replaced with a quick upturn of his lips.

“Uh, yeah.” He palms the back of his neck roughly and seems almost apologetic. “I have a thing for cars, y’know, so naming them is kinda part of the deal.” I can barely make out a faint red tinge over his cheeks. “Wait, hold on,” I can’t contain the giggle that slips out but firmly press my lips together before trying again. I can only imagine the toothy smile I’m giving him, a girl all too excited over some old truck. Only, this is the perfect old truck. “What’s her name?”

“Betty,” he responds sheepishly, his hand still massaging the back of his neck. “But if you tell anybody that I’ll have to kill you.”

“That’s okay, Betty is our secret.”

And, just like that, I now have a secret with someone. Does this make us friends? Regardless of whatever it makes us, my heart sings happily from within my chest, excited to think that maybe Forks won’t be as lonesome as it’s been this past week. Maybe Jacob and I will become friends and bond over Betty and I won’t only have Charlie and school and books.

“Well, before you accept her turn the keys,” Jacob instructs. I oblige, setting the keys in the ignition and giving them a gentle twist. A roar of mechanical thunder envelopes us. I nearly leap out of my seat in surprise, the loud rumbling of the engine settling in my ears and blocking out all other noises. Jake says something but I can barely hear him from over the thunderous growl of Betty. I turn the keys back and the truck dies down with one last rumble. “She’s loud,” he says obviously.

“She’s perfect.”

Jacob hands me a spare set of keys after we get out, telling me that he’ll be back the day after tomorrow to give me my first driving lesson in the truck. Charlie was all too excited with that idea, even though I already have my license and know how to drive. In fact, other than illegally borrowing the cruiser with Charlie’s permission, I have never committed an illegal act involving a vehicle. If memory serves me correctly, Charlie has two speeding tickets from his youth.

But, I don’t argue against Jake's offer. In fact, I thank him profusely and promise to pay him for the lessons. “Bella,” he says in an exasperated way, as if we’ve known each other for years and I always say such supposedly outlandish things. “Why would you pay me for something I’m offering to you?”

We’ve stopped in front of the Blacks vehicle, a large brown and beige truck which seems to only be a decade newer than the red one. This isn’t saying much for the brown vehicle as the red one could be from the fifties. Billy is wheeling his way down the driveway with Charlie walking beside him, laughing emphatically at something his friend had said.

“That’s crazy,” I respond with a shake of my head. “That’s like me not paying you for the truck.”

“Yeah, I know.” I take pause at this, the words welling up inside my brain and the meaning lost to me for only a moment. Then, like finally finding the missing puzzle piece under the table, I understand what this means and the picture is clear.

“You- I- This truck isn’t free.” The words stutter out of me, the first two the beginnings of messages I abandoned immediately after starting them. This truck, though old, is not cheap, and neither is Jakes’s skill. I should pay him for labour if nothing else, but I know he doesn’t want to include that in the bill. He doesn't want to send me a bill.

“It’s a gift,” he states simply with a shrug of his wide shoulders. Billy pulls up beside me, slapping away Charlie's hand as he tries to adjust his chair for him.

“Careful, Swan,” the older Black warns with hostility. “I have more muscle in these arms than you do in your entire body. Touch the chair and you’ll get what’s coming to you.”

Jacob helps Billy into the passenger seat, folding up the wheelchair and securing it into the truck bed with quick hands. Charlie stands beside me, shooting fiery threats back and forth with his friend until Jacob climbs behind the wheel. “Storm coming through,” Jacob says with a wave towards the dark sky. “If you need any help with anything, tying stuff down or moving let me know.” Charlie thanks him for the offer and I lean in to thank him again for the truck and the lessons. I also assure him that the argument over billing is far from over and that he’ll get an earful the next time we meet.

The rest of the day is spent restlessly. I log into my online classes but my attention is continuously claimed by my truck in front of the house. The sun never shows itself, content with hiding behind the cloud coverage. I’m sitting in the living room when Charlie gets home for dinner, my book discarded on the couch somewhere beside me. I reach for it once I see his cruiser pull into the driveway, deciding it would be better to look busy than to look like I’m obsessing over my new means of transportation.

“Bella?” He calls, the door shutting behind him with a creak. At some point I’ll have to oil all the hinges in the house. It’s that or I go clinically insane from the constant noise.

“Yeah, just in here.”

He comes in bearing a brown bag with the Forks Diner logo written on the side. “I brought dinner, it’ll be on the stove.” I nod and thank him, telling him that we can eat together once he’s down and out of uniform. “Well, actually, I won’t be eating until a bit later.” His moustache twitches irritably and he disappears into the kitchen to drop the food off.

“Are you meeting with Billy?” I ask, knowing this isn’t the case. It must be an issue with work causing him to feel stressed. And when he comes back into the living room from the kitchen I’m able to see the tension holding his shoulders in place. “Did something happen at work?” “It’s nothing to worry about,” he assures me, but his words do anything but. So much for police chief being a boring job. “Just those new kids in town, the doctors children,” he waves a hand in the air as if trying to gather his thoughts. “Kicking up trouble in their first week here, something about racing.”

“Oh.” I pull my knees under me and turn to face him fully, my arms hanging over the back of the couch like a child.

“Anyways, no big deal I’m sure they’re just used to city life or something.” But, my fathers tone indicates that he most definitely does not believe his own words. In Charlie's books a bad apple is always a bad apple, and he’s probably dreading all the other trouble these kids will kick up. “I’ve just gotta go check-in with them, make sure it doesn’t happen again.” His hand moves towards my arm, as if to pat me goodbye but it stutters midair, falling back to his side awkwardly.

I pull my bottom lip into my mouth, biting on it as he mutters a goodbye and leaves through the front door without looking at me again. I wonder when this will get any easier.

Renee left Charlie a year into their young marriage, taking me away to live with her in Arizona. She had given me partial reasons over the years for her leaving, talking of them being too young, the weather too wet, how she wanted a life where she could be free from responsibilities. I’m not sure whether it dawned on her that a child constitutes a responsibility, but she took me to every yoga class and rarely left me with a babysitter.

My mother was never too keen on Forks, not that I fault her for it, the weather leaves much to be desired and there’s virtually nothing to do. But, because of her disliking I rarely visited my father, my first extended visit being when I was twelve and stayed the entire summer as Renee travelled with her then-boyfriend. I came back to a scrapbook of kissy photos and pressed leaves from her travels, all I had to show for my trip was a runny nose and a strong distaste for hamburgers. One can only eat so many burgers before the novelty wears off.

taglist: @musingsofvenus @maybesandohnos

#twilight #edward cullen #bella swan #jasper #the twilight saga #carlisle #twilight saga #smeyer #2008 #twilight renaissance #fanfic #jacob/Bella #Bella/Jacob #Jacob x Bella #Bella x Jacob #twilight fanfiction #twilight fanfic #mine

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mr-and-mr-diaz · 3 years

Note

First off, you're an amazing person w/ gr8 blog. Second of all, I hope you don't mind me saying it? If it's weird or creepy, please, disregard. Don't want to make you uncomfortable. Third of all, I came to your tumblr from ao3 and specifically the pirate fic and ma'am (sir? Neither? Wanted to use honorific and "my kind dude tends to not be *that* universal, sadly). It. ROCKS. If by any chance you feel like continuing it, I'd be forever in debt. Also hope you don't mind reviews via anon tumblr? ♥

ANON!! My answer to this ask is so long overdue I literally have no words. When I first recieved this ask in my box I was warmed through--thank you so much for your kind words! I determined to myself I would NOT send an empty response, would only publish this with the chapter in hand!! And then life picked up like crazy and I never seemed to have a spare BREATH to sit down and write this AU well enough that it would be worth reading. AND NOW I FAINLLY HAVE IT!!! Two more chapters for ya, I really hope you enjoy!!

P.S. Also, I refuse to be called ANYTHING except My Kind Dude from now on, that is the best address ever!

The Damned Disgrace--Buddie Pirate AU, Chapter 2

"Dios mio, you're useless."

Buck looked up from where he'd been struggling to swab the deck and met the glare of Captain Nash's angry first mate--Diaz, and sighed. He'd already been on the ship a fortnight, and while Chimney had fit right in, used to hard work and quickly picking up the vernacular of the other pirates, Buck stuck out like a sore thumb. He wasn't used to manual labor, having spent his life behind books and papers, and had no instinct for it. He tried, oh did he try so hard, but his clumsy hands struggled to complete work that someone else had to repeat later to make sure it was done right. And the pirates who didn't ignore him were usually laughing at him. What few acquaintances he'd made in his past life had been in academic circles. These men had no patience for or interest in unusual trivia about far away lands, or wonderings about what the world would be like if mankind lived under the water and fish lived on land.

Buck was red with sunburn, blistered all over--on his back, his forearms, and face from sunburn, and his hands, fingers and feet from work. He ached everywhere.

He looked away from Diaz and went back to stubbornly pushing the mop around the deck.

I won't be useless! I won't go overboard. I'm going to work hard and they'll help me find Maddie and bring her home! and if I get to shoot that thrice-damned Commodore Douglas too, well that would be a boon from God--

"Stop. Just stop."

Buck stopped, his heart sinking. He dared not look Diaz in the eye again, already knowing the derision and anger he would see there.

Sure the other pirates ignored him or laughed at him behind his back. But Diaz? Diaz detested him. This was the first time he'd ever spoken to Buck but definitely not the first time he'd loomed nearby, sneering at Buck's pathetic efforts to work as part of the team and fit in.

"We should've left you back at the port."

"What? No! No, I swear, I'm learning--"

"Learning what? How to smear muck around so someone else has to clean up after you? Again?" Diaz sneered, kicking at the mop. Buck's hands twitched around it, every blister flaring up painfully. Diaz's eyes caught it and he suddenly leaned forward. "Show me your hands."

"What...?"

"Show me!"

Buck carefully placed the mop against the rail of the ship and carefully unfolds his hands, wincing as the skin flares in pain with each motion.

"Dios...! Come with me."

"Wait, but I have to finish the--"

"NOW!"

***

Buck followed Eddie down into the ship, down down, past Buck's sleeping berth with the other sailors.

Buck looked around in trepidation. Is he taking me to the bilge? To the brig? The bilge was full of seawater, the brig a confined, rat infested cell where only the most unfortunate went.

They kept walking.

"Uh, Diaz, I... I swear, I'll work harder, I just--please don't--"

"You're not working any more today." Diaz replied shortly and threw open a door. "Hen, I've got the cabron for you. Destroyed his hands and he thinks he's magical enough not to get gangrene or something. Can you fix him up?"

The woman inside raised her eyebrows. "You don't usually bring me people, Eddie." She was dressed like the rest of the sailors but her clothes were neater and better kept.

"They aren't usually this stupid." Eddie growled.

"I... sorry." Buck mumbled, defeated.

"Don't worry about this one. He's always angry about something." Hen chuckled, and Diaz's scowl deepened. "What's your name?"

"Ah, Buck. Well, Evan Buckley, but... just Buck is okay." He felt another twinge in his heart as he said it. It was Maddie who had named him Buck.

"Buck it is. Come sit and we'll have a look at those hands."

Buck chanced a sideways look at Diaz, who was still standing there, muscled arms crossed. "Is he...?"

"Eddie was just leaving, weren't you, Eddie?" Hen's tone brooked no argument, and to Buck's surprise, Diaz obeyed.

Buck sat and held his hands out. Now that he had a moment to focus on them they hurt even more, and he could feel some of the injuries oozing. "I'm sorry, I tried to-- but--" he stopped abruptly as he felt his throat thicken and his eyes started to wet. You are already the most pathetic creature on this ship, you will not make it worse by whining about it. Silently he held his hands out, head down.

Hen sucked in a breath. "Eddie was right to bring you here. If you let these wounds get any more infected than they are and gangrene set in I might have to remove one or both of them."

Buck swallowed around a sob. As a teacher and writer, his hands were his life.

"I'll clean and wrap your hands for you." Hen continued softly. "That should be able to prevent it from getting worse, so long as you promise not to use them for the next few days and come down here every day for the next week so I can make sure they don't get worse. Okay?"

Buck nodded silently.

"Buck."

He looked up at Hen. She was wearing a kind smile and that was enough to completely undo him. A single tear slid down his cheek and he reached up a hand to stop it, but Hen wouldn't allow it. "I need to wrap these first." Her eyes and smile were all compassion. After two weeks in a foreign world with no friends on board it was a balm to Buck's soul. He kept his head bowed as she cleaned and wrapped, let the tears fall silently, unchecked. When she was done, she reached out a hand and clasped his shoulder. "The sailors are used to losing people and because you’re greener than most, they're expecting you to die. They don’t want to get close to someone they’re gonna lose. But if you stay alive they'll warm up eventually, don't fret it."

"Then.. why are you...?"

Hen snorted. "I walk to the beat of my own drum on this ship, Buck. Always have. And I've decided I like you, dumbass hand damage and all."

Buck sniffed. "Thanks."

Hen nodded. "Go to the captain and tell him that I've ordered light duty for you--no using your hands except to carry light objects. Errands only for you for the next two weeks."

"But Captain Nash said--if I'm not useful--"

Hen chuckled. "His bark is bigger than his bite. Besides, I'm pretty sure he's taken a liking to you too."

***

"Buckley."

"Uh, Captain. I... Hen, the doctor--" Buck choked off with a derisive snort at himself. Did I really just stop to explain to the captain who his doctor is? "Uh, she said I should tell you that I'm..." He held up his bandaged hands. "Light duty. Errands."

Captain Nash's face clouded and his brow furrowed as he took in the state of Buck's hands.

"But I swear, I'll be useful, I don't--please, don't throw me off the ship--"

"Buckley." One firm word and Buck silenced. "You'll rest today, and starting tomorrow you'll work as an errand boy around the ship. Messages, parcels, meals for sick crew. And anything Hen or I asks you to do, you do without question."

"I--yes. Yes, sir. Captain."

Nash looked up at him, his eyes showing the smallest glint of kindness. "A teacher's hands are his life's blood, Buckley. See to it you take care of them." Nash turned to gaze out the window of his office and sighed. "If you're very lucky, you'll need them sooner than you think."

Buck's pulse heightened. "Are we near Commodore Douglas's ship, sir?"

Captain Nash sighed. "Not as close as I’d like to be." He turned back to Buck. "Dismissed."

Buck nodded and left for his hammock.

Chapter 3

The next day he showed up bright and early at Captain Nash's office only to be sent down to Hen. Hen took one look at him and started loading a crate with various medicines and infusions, talking rapidly. For each bottle, Hen explained what it was, who it was for and why. Buck paid careful attention so he could keep up. Rote memorization and processes? He was back in his comfort zone.

"...garlic and chamomile for Wes, he ate something at port that we're still trying to get out of him. Then cat's claw for Lea, her knuckles are hurting her again. And that's all." Hen hesitated, thinking for a moment. Then she mumbled something under her breath before grabbing a few more vials. "Actually, got a few more. These are to be dropped off outside Eddie's quarters."

"Diaz? What are they for?"

"Eddie knows what to do with them." No further explanation came and Buck nodded at the dismissal and left, running around the ship to deliver the medicines to each ailing person. When he arrived at last outside Diaz's door, he paused, looking over the bottles. It made no sense to be bringing so much medicine to Diaz’s quarters. Buck had seen him just this morning, looking as healthy as ever, muscles rippling while he hauled canvas with the men. What is this for? Buck shook his head to clear the thoughts--no use risking his newfound equilibrium by prying. He hastily dropped the bottles outside Diaz's door, knocked and departed.

He followed this routine for the next week, deviating at times in the afternoon to run errands for the captain. But every morning started the same--Hen dropping several bottles and vials into a box for him to deliver around the ship and he running around as fast as he could to get it done quickly and efficiently. Each time, he would find himself hesitating outside Diaz's door, awash with curiosity at what the medicine could possibly be for. It wasn't hard to puzzle out the various vials, even though Hen hadn't identified them. Some were the same bottles he delivered elsewhere, others he recognized from his studies. Willow bark, cat's claw and ginger--pain relief.Chamomile, dried cherry, valerian, and peppermint--muscle relaxers. It was a mighty amount of herbs for the average aches of a day's work even as strenuous as the work Diaz did.

So who is it for? Buck wondered again as he approached Diaz's door to drop off the bottles. He had just turned to leave when he heard a thump on the inside of the office followed by a yelp of pain.

Good God, that's a child. There's a child in there!

Horrible images came to the forefront of Buck's mind as he imagined why Diaz might be holding a child prisoner. A child who would require so much pain relief. His skin paled in horror and he dropped the box.

I need to help! But his hands were still tightly bandaged and the door was latched shut from the inside. Buck thumped against it with his shoulders to no avail. The sturdy wood would not give.

If only I could unlatch it from the outside... Then he had an idea. He picked up one of the envelopes he was delivering for Captain Nash. It was thin but strong. Carefully, he eased it between the door and the latch, pressing the envelope between his bandaged hands to keep his grip.

With a click the latch came free and the door swung open.

Buck braced himself for what he might see and ventured inside, closing the door behind him.The room looked like the captain's, if smaller and simpler. Diaz's bed was neatly made, and soaked in sun from the window. His desk was neat and cleared off. The room was empty.

But I heard a child, I know I did!

Buck started looking around, when he heard a whimper of pain from the direction of the desk. Quickly he hastened over and pulled out the desk chair.

There, curled in the desk well and looking nothing like the skinny, dirty, or abused waif Buck had expected, lay a child. He looked clean and healthy, if in pain. He regarded Buck with large terrified eyes, his hair clean and curling every which way.

He was adorable. And as sure as grass was green, he was Diaz's own child.

So what is he doing hidden away in here?

The child whimpered again, obviously still in pain and Buck lurched away, back toward the bottles and vials he'd brought from Hen. "Here, let me help you, Hen sent me with a bunch of..." He fumbled with the bottles, pulling out the chamomile and the willow bark. "Here, this should help." The child shied away from him, curling deeper into the desk well with awkward jerky movements that only seemed to hurt him more.

"Oh God, please let me help, here, let me..." Buck backed up far away to give the child room and then gently pushed the vials at him. "Here. They're directly from Hen, don't worry. I haven't opened them or anything. See?" The child looked between Buck and the bottles, but didn't say anything.

"And--here, I'm leaving okay? Nothing to be afraid of, I'll leave you so you can climb out of that desk. It looks--God, you look like you're hurting so badly, is there anything I can do to help?"

The child still didn't respond, only regarded Buck with the same terrified eyes and Buck took it as his cue. He hastened to his feet and hurried to the door, away from the room. He was about to step out when he heard the child gasp and whimper again. He froze.

The child won't let me near him, but I can't leave him like that.

Diaz! Diaz can help him!

"I'm going to go and get your father, okay?" Buck took another step toward the door.

"Don't!" A small plaintive voice called, and Buck paused again.

"I can't just leave you like this... Wait, did your father do this to you??"

"No, no!" came the small cry. "He's the best papa ever. And..." the child paused then continued in a stronger voice. "He'll kill you if he finds out you know about me."

Buck's body froze in place. "Surely not--" The child cried out again, and Buck hastened back to the desk. The child was panting now, but still wouldn't move. "Oh, for the love of God, please let me help you!"

"Can't... don't... trust... you." Christopher panted in between pained gasps.

"Oh God, please--" Buck's voice broke and he felt himself start to cry. "I can't--you're hurting. You... I was a schoolteacher before I got onto this ship, I love kids, I swear I just want to help, please!" He reached out his bandaged hands toward the child. "Look, see? I couldn’t hurt you even if I wanted to! I--I swear I won't tell anyone about you on this ship, I'll never speak to you again. Just let me help you settle yourself more comfortably, you need to take some herbs for the pain..." He was blubbering now, his view of the child obscured by tears. He tensed as he felt small hands grasp around his bandaged hands.

"Please help." The boy whimpered.

He sobbed in relief and crooked his wrapped hands so they became large hooks to grip the child and carefully, oh so carefully pulled him out of the desk well. By this time he heard the child begin to cry as well, still on the floor. Buck quickly swiped his eyes with his threadbare sleeve to clear them. "There now, that's a bit better, I'm sure. Let's get you settled into the bed and I'll mix some medicine with water to relieve the pain.”

Buck carefully lifted the child, who whimpered at being jostled. Carefully he laid the boy on Diaz's neatly made bed and hastened back to the bottles and vials, pulling corks out with his teeth and pouring a the various powders into a tin cup. He filled the cup the rest of the way with water from a pitcher on the small wash stand and stirred it to mix before offering the cup to the child.

But the boy only shook his head, crying more."Don't want it. It tastes h-horrible." The child's big eyes were red from crying and Buck's heart broke.

"Oh, shh, there there. Yeah, I won't lie to you, it’s going to taste pretty bad. But once you drink it, you'll stop hurting so much and then you can relax and sleep or play." Buck clumsily rested a wrapped hand in the child's hair. "How's that sound?"

Still the child shook his head.

"Okay, how about this?" Buck took a theatrical sniff and wrinkled his nose. "I'll drink some and then you have to drink the rest, okay?" None of the ingredients were harmful to someone who wasn't in pain. "Deal?"

The boy looked at him, surprised. “Really?” Buck nodded and the boy sighed. "Deal."

Buck grinned, then made a big show of sniffing the contents of the glass. "Ohh blurggh," he shuddered theatrically, and heard the slightest huff from the bed. "Oh boy, here we go." He took a sip then screwed up his face and shook it rapidly back and forth like a dog. "Heaven and earth, but that's awful!" The child giggled and Buck continued with his performance, making gagging noises and funny faces. "You must be the strongest kid I know to drink this every day."

"That's what Papa says, too." The boy smiled.

"Well, he's right. I don't think I can handle any more." Buck made one more funny face and the boy laughed again. "Okay, you ready? I'll count to five, and then you drink it all as fast as you can, okay?"

The child hesitated. "How much is five?"

Buck turned to him, eyes wide. "You don't know...?" Then he paused. No use making the boy feel bad for something that wasn’t his fault. Besides, this was Buck's specialty. "Five is a number, you'll see. I'm going to count a few numbers, and when I say five you drink that down as quickly as you can so you barely taste it, okay?"

The boy nodded. "Okay."

"One, two, three, four... five, go!"

With Buck's clumsy assistance, the child drank down the mixture, screwing up his face just like Buck did. "Urgh."

Buck laughed. "I think you made a funnier face than I did." The boy reminded Buck of his own students. He missed children, their bright-eyed optimism, their enthusiasm for exploring the world around them. "I hope I don't die for meeting you, kid. You're just about the nicest person on this entire ship."

The child smiled. "Christopher."

Buck returned his grin and held out a bandaged hand. "Nice to meet you Christopher. I'm Buck." Christopher reached out in jerky movements and shook Buck's hand, both of them giggling at how clumsy the exchange was.

"I hope you don't die either, Buck." It seemed that the medicine was starting to work. Christopher was relaxing and his smile wasn't edged with quite so much pain anymore.

"In that case, I should probably run before your father finds me. those big strong hands of his would tear me in half like paper." Buck stood, patting Christopher on the head once more before turning away.

"...Buck?"

"Hm?" He turned back. The boy was starting to fall asleep.

"Can... Can you come back and visit me again?"

What a terrible idea. "Of course, Christopher." Buck rummaged up a brave smile. "I'd love to see you again." An idea occurred to him suddenly and he straightened his shoulders. "I'll even teach you how to count to five all by yourself if you want?"

The boy's tired eyes lit up. "Yes. Yes please..." His eyes slipped closed and he fell asleep.

Buck smiled, feeling warmed for the first time in weeks. Carefully he gathered the scattered items for the rest of his errands and slipped from the room, latching it behind him.

#buddie #buddie fic #evan budckley #eddie diaz #9-1-1 #pirate au #christopher diaz #Anonymous

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ranger-jedi-knight · 4 years

Text

This Unusual Love: Dexter’s Turn

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23365357/chapters/55982161

Ok, so this is salt cause I’m bitter bout Apple. So ya, characters MAY be OOC but whatevs. Also, so in this, me n my friend were talkin bout this fic I’d write n we’d thought it’d be fun if Raven actually had brown hair like her father. So ye, Raven has brown hair(but with small purple high lights). Finally, this was inspired by virgil-is-a-cutie and thyladyanput on Tumblr talking about different salt ideas. I hope you enjoy it!!

All Raven wanted to do was decorate the float for Thronecoming.

But NO!

Apple just had to come up to her and try once more. She kept saying everyone was at risk if she didn’t sign. How her Happily Ever After was in RISK. It didn’t help that every time Dexter thought about talking to Raven he’d get glared at by Apple. Hell, even Daring was chill with Dexter talking to who he wanted.

Though Raven had to admit it looked like he only did that since he was seriously questioning his destiny with how Apple was acting. Not that she could blame him. With every day that passed since the failure of Legacy Day, she’s gotten worse about it. Everyone could see how different Apple was. She kept going on about how unfair it was. How she needed Raven to sign to become the new Evil Queen to poison her. How she just wants her Happily Ever After.

And they could see how she kept harassing Raven.

“How can you be so selfish, Raven!? If you don’t sign the Book of Legends, everything is ruined! No one gets their Happily Ever After!” Apple yelled and all the students present watched the fight warily. They didn’t know what to do. Dexter wanted to go to Raven but Daring was holding him back, wary that something may happen to him if he went over there.

“Selfish!? Is it really that selfish to NOT want to be evil!? To not want to be put into the mirror realm with the Evil Queen!? I DON’T want to be like my mother! Why can’t you understand that!?” Raven shouted back turning to walk to the lake they were near. “Oh wait, I know. You’re too selfish thinking about your own Happily Ever After to care about anyone else.”

With that, Raven stalked over to the lake and went up to a small outcropping and sat down. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs and watched the lake. It was clear, allowing everyone to watch the Neverland Mermaids and their children swim around. They glanced up at her quite a few times as they swam. Once they stayed looking at her she looked around and found Apple standing behind her. Hiding among the trees, Raven could just barely make out her sorta friend Blondie. “What do you want? I just want to be alone,” she asked standing up slowly to face Apple.

“I’m not done talking to you, Raven. You need to sign the Book of Legends. You’re destined to become the next Evil Queen. It’s just a matter of time. You know it,” Apple said cooly and Raven didn’t like the look in Apple’s eyes.

“Apple, how could you say that? You’re Snow’s daughter,” Raven said and Apple tilted her head with a sneer.

“It’s true though. Faybelle thinks only of herself. She’s the daughter of the Evil Fairy. She’s following her nature. You will too. But apparently, you need to make it difficult. Why can’t you just sign the damn book? Why can’t you let me have my Happily Ever After!?” Apple demanded stepping closer to Raven who looked at her shocked and scared.

“You don’t need an Evil Queen or a damn book to give you your Happily Ever After, Apple! Why do you want to follow that anyways!? Briar would never see any of us again. She’d sleep for 100 years with her family and staff. She’d have to make new friends. Marry a man she doesn’t even know. Do you truly want that for your friend!?” Raven demanded and Apple looked shocked at that.

“She’d get her Happily Ever After. I don’t see the problem with it,” she answered back coldly and Raven gasped.

“That’s a horrible thing to say. The other Royal’s even understand Briar’s worry about it. How could you not!?”

“How can you keep thinking about yourself!? Principal Grimm has said that terrible things can happen to everyone if you don’t sign the Book of Legends!” Apple shouted angrily before pushing Raven harshly. Raven gasped as she stumbled back towards the edge. She could only scream as her foot missed the edge and she fell down into the water below. Nearby shouts could be heard and Apple turned to watch as they ran to the edge’s of the lake and watched as the mermaids pulled a struggling Raven down.

“Raven!” Dexter shouted giving his glasses to Cedar before jumping into the water after her. Daring and Darling were quick to follow, knowing he’d need help getting Raven away from the deadly mermaids. Blondie snarled at Apple, glad she was doing the live stream. She heard rustling and Apple could only pale when she saw Milton and Giles behind her.

“You are in deep trouble, Miss White,” Milton said tersely.

“She’s not breathing!” Dexter shouted and Giles ran down while making sure they can get Raven to the hospital.

“I can’t even look at you, Apple. I don’t even know who you are anymore,” Blondie whispered before walking down to the others. She could only watch numbly as Giles took over CPR for Darling. Raven coughed out the water harshly but her eyes didn’t open. Soon, Raven was in the hospital with the Charming siblings, Giles, Blondie, and her parents the Good King and Evil Queen. Mira was seething when the doctor told them the news. Her husband did what he could to calm her, but nothing was working well.

Blondie went into the hall and held up her tablet to start the live stream to tell everyone when Dexter left the room in tears with his siblings walking him outside. Blondie only sighed when she held the tablet up and started the live stream. “Hello everyone. Blondie Locks reporting outside Raven Queen’s hospital room. The doctor has just informed us that Raven is in a coma. He nor his coworkers know if or when Raven will wake up. If you don’t know, earlier today, Apple White viciously attacked Raven Queen by pushing her into the Neverland Mermaid’s lake when she decided not to sign the Book of Legends. With permission from her parents and the hospital, I’ll be setting up a continuous live stream of Raven’s recovery. I’ll keep everyone up to date on any updates about Raven’s health,” Blondie said before ending the live stream and walking into the room once more to hear Raven’s parents arguing on a mirror pad. When she got closer she saw that it was Apple’s mom, Snow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~(⋟_⋞)~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two weeks.

It’s been two weeks.

Dexter could hardly believe it.

Two weeks and the doctors still don’t know how to wake Raven. The school has been abuzz with gossiping. Apple was exspelled from school and Daring told her he wanted nothing to do with her. People couldn’t believe Apple did that to sweet Raven.

They started calling her Evil White.

Evil White.

It fit her.

She changed.

Dexter could barely handle being in the same room as people talking about her. He stayed in Raven’s room primarily, accompanied by Daring or Darling, along with Maddie or Cerise. The others came by occasionally to give their well wishes.

But the most shocking thing?

Snow let Mira out of the mirror dimension.

Once Mira was out, she quickly took care of the book, making sure no one had to follow their destiny for their Happily Ever After. If they wanted it, they’d get it now. Except for Apple.

She wouldn’t get her Happily Ever After. No one wanted to be around her after what she did. After making sure she wouldn’t get her Happily Ever After, Mira willingly went back into the mirror dimension but made sure everyone knew that if she got out, she’ll be going after Apple.

Just thinking about it had Dexter sneering.

He shook his head free of all those thoughts and simply help Raven’s hand in both of his. Their combined hands rested against his chin as he looked at Raven sadly. He startled when Daring put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Want any water, Dex?” he asked and Dexter didn’t answer at first.

He shook his head after a bit but then hesitantly started nodding it. “Actually, some water sounds good,” he replied and Daring gave his shoulder a pat before leaving to get them both some water. Dexter just looked at Raven’s face briefly before looking at their hands. “I’m so sorry, Raven. You didn’t deserve this. You just wanted to be able to be yourself, to make your own choices. But Apple wouldn’t let you. I-I should have intervened. If I had, maybe-just maybe you wouldn’t be here. You’d be safe hanging with your best friends,” he said quietly and finally looked at Raven’s peaceful face once more. “You shouldn’t have to put anyone else’s happiness before your own,” he whispered so quietly that it was hard for he himself to hear. He then moved his hands closer to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to Raven’s fingers before setting her hand down onto her bed.

As he got up to head out, those beautiful purple eyes he adored opened. “D-dex?” Raven asked hoarsely and Dexter could only look shocked.

“Raven? You’re awake?” he asked softly shocked. Raven just looked shocked as she nodded slowly. They heard a clatter and turned to see Daring standing in the doorway shocked, two plastic cups on the ground with water all over.

“Doctor! Raven’s awake!” he yelled out and a doctor came running in with a nurse. It was safe to say that everyone was shocked to learn that Dexter’s kiss woke Raven up. Dexter was blushing when he explained what happened and held Raven’s hand. They shared a smile as the doctor did a check up and Daring sat down next to Dexter.

Ok so here it is!! I hope you enjoyed it!! And remember, the next two chaps are the same as this one just for different ships. Until next time!!!! -Love Willa<3<3<3

#fanfic #This Unusual Love #TUL #chap 1 #raven queen #dexter charming #apple white #blondie lockes #ever after high #eah #salt #apple salt #attacks #idk what else to tag

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nyasha-of-germa-66 · 4 years

Note

Hello! Welcome to tumblr. I'm the admin of skys-op-imagines! Can I request shanks, Marco and ace jealousy headcanons? (I.e. if someone is flirting with their s/o and they don't outright stop the person but just continue a normal convo)

Well hello, admin of skys-op-imagines!~ Thank you so much for the welcome! I had fun with this request, but I feel like I ended up turning it into more of a scenario type of thing, rather than headcanons. Sorry about that. If this isn’t what you were hoping for, please let me know so that I can give you some proper headcanons.~ =)

Shanks

It’s been some time since the Red Hair Pirates and his S/O have been on land, so Shanks decides it’s time to take a break from the sea and enjoy life out on the town of a nearby island. As a group, they collectively decide to go to a pub to grab some food and enjoy some drinks.

Shanks is such a fun-loving guy, he has the entire pub laughing and partying alongside his crew as if he and his crew weren’t pirates but regulars in this small town pub.

He leaves the party to take a quick restroom break, stealing a quick kiss from his S/O before he leaves. When he returns emptied and ready for more booze, he’s a little surprised at the group of people congregating around his S/O.

Nevertheless, he approaches the group and reclaims his seat next to his S/O and simply listens. What else can he say? He loves people almost as much as he loves parties and booze.

As he’s listening, he can’t help but notice how much praise is being directed toward his S/O, and he feels a sense of pride wash over him. He knows he’s got the perfect partner, and it makes him proud that everyone else sees it, too.

However, that sense of security slowly begins to dissipate as the patrons surrounding his S/O begin to make some rather strong advances toward his partner. At first, Shanks thinks they’re being overly-kind and hospitable to his S/O, but some of the comments are far too out-of-place to not be overt flirtations.

“Your lips look so soft, I just wanna kiss them!” “You’re so good-looking! What are you doing with a bunch of pirates?” “Forget about going back to sea! Stay here with me!”

All the while, Shanks couldn’t help but notice how nonchalant his S/O responded to their flirting, almost as if they were oblivious to it or as if they were simply ignoring the patrons. They either downplayed their advances by denying the patrons’ claims or by continuing on with their story as if nothing happened. It had Shanks feeling a little confused as he didn’t expect his S/O to be so unbothered by it.

Now, Shanks is not someone who gets jealous as he’s usually such a carefree guy, but he was stunned by the amount of attention his S/O was getting, especially since Shanks has been holding and kissing his S/O several times since they’ve been at the pub. How could the patrons not have noticed that his S/O is already taken?

Shanks isn’t upset, though. Maybe a little irked, but not upset. As long as they weren’t aggressive with his S/O, he didn’t feel the need to worry. But despite his head telling him that he wasn’t jealous in the slightest, his body language told a different story.

As his arm snakes around his S/O’s waist, he lets out a boisterous laugh and pulls his S/O closer, making them smile. He gives the patrons a knowing look, and it seems that they’ve all had a change of heart.

“Wow, (Name), just look at how popular you are! It almost makes me jealous.~”

Marco

Marco can be rather busy at times since he’s a doctor and doctors tend to always be on the job, but he doesn’t want his S/O to ever feel like they’re second-best to his occupation. So, he decides to take them out to lunch at a nice café.

On their way to the café, Marco takes his S/O’s hand into his, and the two have a pleasant chat along the way.

Once they’re at the café, they place their order and take a seat at a table near the window and Marco couldn’t be any happier to spend time with his S/O.

It’s not long before the waitress brings out their order, and the two start on their plates. Everything in this moment is peaceful, and Marco makes a note that he should take his S/O out for lunch more often.

They’re not even halfway through their meal when the waitress swings by to drop off a rather fancy-looking dessert, insisting that it was for Marco’s S/O and saying that it was from the person sitting on the other side of the room. The stranger waved at Marco’s S/O, who politely waved back, and the whole interaction seemed very odd to Marco.

Nevertheless, Marco brushes off this peculiar feeling believing that it was just a random act of kindness, and he shares a laugh with his S/O about the awkward situation before resuming their conversation and carrying on with their lunch.

Not long after the incident, another interruption comes along that involves the stranger strutting up to their table and boldly asking to join them. Marco and his S/O look at each other first, unsure of what to say until Marco reluctantly agrees to let him join. Perhaps, they were lonely?

Delighted, the stranger pulls up a chair, and they all share introductions before getting into some casual small talk. Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary until the stranger begins slipping in compliments here and there and asking some rather flirty questions.

Marco isn’t one to jump to conclusions right away, but if his intuition was correct, he has strong reasons to believe that this stranger might be flirting with his precious S/O. But he’d wait it out first and let the stranger test the waters first.

Sure enough, the stranger’s advances soon become more aggressive and anyone could tell that this person was shamelessly flirting with his S/O. Calling them gorgeous, making empty promises, and even making lewd comments about his S/O in hopes of winning their heart.

Marco’s not exactly surprised as he assumed that this was the stranger’s objective from the start. But what he is surprised about is the lack of a response from his S/O who continues to dodge questions and picks up the conversation as if this stranger wasn’t trying to woo them.

He knows his S/O is too loyal to fall for this person, and he knows that they’re too kind to tell the stranger to go away. But that doesn’t stop the sinking feeling he gets in his stomach.

At this point, Marco is no longer smiling like he once was. First, this weirdo interrupts their lunch, and then, they think they can make passes at his S/O and not face any consequences. His S/O obviously wasn’t interested.

But Marco doesn’t want to make a scene or ruin his time with his S/O, so he asks them if they’re ready to head out. When they say “yes,” he asks if they could wait outside real quick while he pays the check. He waits until his S/O is out of earshot before pulling his glasses off and staring coldly at the stranger as blue flames flickered around his hands.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re together-yoi… And I better never catch you with (Name) again-yoi…”

Ace

Being the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Ace technically has permission to go on little voyages of his own from time to time as long as he lets Whitebeard know ahead time, and he does just that. His plan is to treat his S/O to a picnic lunch, followed by a day at the beach.

Once they arrive at the island, Ace helps his S/O off the boat and leads them to the shore where they would be spending some quality time alone.

The sensation of the soft sand between their toes is delightful as Ace and his S/O walk barefoot along the shore, holding hands and keeping a leisurely pace as they enjoyed each other’s company.

When they finally pick a place to rest for a while, Ace begins to lay out the picnic blanket and set out the little sandwiches and side dishes that Thatch had packaged for them. Ace couldn’t believe how perfect the day was turning out to be, and he was truly excited.

Over lunch, Ace and his S/O bask in each other’s company, telling stories, making jokes, and even playfully flirting with each other.

As soon as they’re finished, they decide to play a bit of catch with a frisbee, but before they can get started, another beachgoer comes along. They seem like a regular and they greet Ace and his S/O warmly, so the couple decide it wouldn’t hurt to let them join their game of catch.

All three are having a good time tossing the frisbee back and forth, talking about anything and failing at doing trick tosses. It’s still a good day, Ace thinks.

His mood suddenly changes when the beachgoer offers to take Ace’s S/O to enjoy the water, saying that they couldn’t go to the beach and not enjoy the water.

Ace explains that he can’t go into the water, but the beachgoer insists that his S/O be allowed to enjoy the full extent of the beach, anyways. Feeling bad, Ace agrees, yet he can’t help but feel left out. So, he takes a seat in the sand, pouting his lip.

As his S/O and the beachgoer stand in the ankle-deep seawater, Ace feels his body grow warmer and it’s not because of the sun beating down on him. He regrets letting some stranger join them since he now feels that the day is ruined and so is his mood.

That should’ve been him making his S/O smile. That should’ve been him giving his S/O beautiful seashells. That should’ve been him playfully splashing his S/O. That should’ve been him standing in the water with his S/O if it wasn’t for his Devil Fruit’s side effect. It only it wasn’t for that stupid beachgoer.

But his S/O’s having fun. He’ll be the bigger person and he’ll be selfless for his other half.

This thought is short-lived as Ace picks up on the beachgoer saying his S/O had the most beautiful smile, and a gorgeous laugh, and that they were the most attractive person they’ve ever met. His S/O would shake their head and continue to talk casually as if they weren’t burdened by this stranger’s attempts at flirting.

Yeah, Ace admits he’s jealous. There was no way in hell that that jerk was going to say those things to his S/O, so he stomps his way over to them, feeling his body grow weak as he stepped into the water. He wasn’t that weak, though, as he was still able to shove the beachgoer into the water and bring his S/O closer.

It didn’t matter who it was, if you were bold enough to flirt with his S/O, Ace would straighten you up.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve! (Name)’s taken, and I’m not going to stand by and let you get in our way.”

#one piece headcanons #one piece shanks #red haired shanks #one piece marco #marco the phoenix #one piece ace #portgas d. ace #nyasha of germa 66 #thank you for the ask!

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big-city-dreamer · 4 years

Text

Fireworks

A/N: Hey! So I’m back with another fic that’s surprisingly not my usual ShieldShock MO. I recently binged Power Rangers RPM and now I’ve joined the fandom, 11 years too late it seems cause the fandom is pretty much dormant/ nonexistent especially here on Tumblr 🤦🏾‍♀️But for anyone who hasn’t seen it, RPM was meant to be the last season of Power Rangers EVER so Disney took ALL the risks and it turned out to be IMO not only the best installment in the 20+ years of the show but some pretty good TV in general! It’s the most adult season they’ve made and with the A1 script and even better acting (Rose McIver, Adelaide Kane, Eka Darville!) it’s hands down SO enjoyable! Anyway, my birthday was on Saturday (#VirgoSZN 🥳) and this self indulgent fic of my new favourite OTP (Dillon x Summer Lansdown) is my gift to myself. It may be hard to follow if you don’t know the show or characters but I hope it’s still an enjoyable read.💜 Gifs by @vakariaan

Title: Fireworks

Pairing: Dillon x Summer Landsdown

Summary: Dillon and Summer finally stop dancing around each other. (Set between the final Venjix battle and the last scenes of Episode 32)

Rating: G

Warnings: Super fluffy and cheesy lol! Lots of direct references to the show.

“That’s three in a row, boys!” Summer Landsdown grinned as she knocked the last striped ball into the top right pocket of the pool table from what seemed like an impossible angle. She blew on the end of her pool stick like it was a smoking gun.

Her teammates Flynn McAllistair and Ziggy Grover were still staring at the cleared table, unable to pick up their jaws off the floor. The blue and green rangers were struggling to understand how they’d suffered yet another defeat at the hands of the yellow bear ranger.

“But that’s not-”

“How did you even-”

Summer handed the pool stick to Ziggy with a smile and took her empty red solo cup from Flynn. She called cheekily over her shoulder as she headed into the kitchen. “Let me know when you’ve had some practice.”

At the punch bowl on the breakfast bar, Summer refilled her cup and grabbed a seat on one of the high stools around it. She took a sip and surveyed the garage.

A week had passed since the Rangers had defeated Venjix. They’d finally cleaned up the destruction in the lab and rebuilt the city’s Command Center, so a night of celebrations and relaxation was in order before they headed off in different directions for the rest of the year. They’d gone all out for the party in true RPM style: lights, garlands, drinks and snacks with music blasting from Flynn’s blue Hummer.

Scott Truman sat with Dr K on the leather couch near the pool table, as Ziggy and Flynn set up a new game of pool. Summer watched with amusement as the red ranger tried to explain the game's objectives, with flagging patience, in response to the good doctor’s endless questions. From a nearby armchair, Tenaya listened intently to the two, raising questions of her own ever so often. Recently freed from Venjix’s control, she was still a little shy and understandably overwhelmed. She kept her distance a bit but was still willing to be involved in the conversation.

The sound of a whirring drill from the left of the garage broke Summer’s focus. She glanced over to see Gem and Gemma working on some kind of experiment as usual if the tangle of wires, bolts and explosives on the aluminium workstation was anything to go by.

Gemma waved excitedly, screwdriver in hand when she caught Summer’s gaze. She shared a knowing smile with the blonde ranger and pointed in the direction of the garage door with an exaggerated wink. Summer blushed and ducked her head in thanks, leaving her cup on the table as she made her way outside.

She found him leaning on the front of the Fury, looking up at the dome’s artificial night’s sky. He was the ultimate picture of the lone wolf black ranger; brows creased in deep thought, arms folded across his broad chest.

Summer was well aware that he knew she was coming closer - enhanced hybrid hearing and all - but she tapped on the hood of the black muscle car anyway to alert him of her presence. They’d been spending a lot more time together since the Rangers’ victory but he still liked to take some time away on his own. She didn’t want to disturb him if he wanted to be alone.

“I thought your brooding days would be over now that you’ve found your sister,” she teased as she stopped in front of the car.

Dillon chuckled as he looked over at her through his dark, shaggy bangs. “This is actually my happy face.”

He extended his arm in a silent invitation for her and she carefully settled next to him on the bonnet of the black muscle car.

“Sometimes,” Dillon began, still focused on the sky, “I look at the moon and the stars here and wonder what the real things are like outside of the dome. It was hard to see it during my time in the Waste Lands but now with Venjix gone, there aren’t any toxic gases to block the view.”

Summer hummed and waited for him to continue.

“The war is over and everyone’s going back to their old lives, but Tenaya and I don’t remember what life was like for us before.” He sighed and looked over at her, “But we do want to find out what the world out there is like without Venjix. We’ll get to know each other, snuff out any remaining factions and try to help hybrids like us who are looking to start over. I mean I wouldn’t call it soul searching, but if we found ourselves out there that would be great too.”

“Oh..” Summer whispered a little deflated, “that... sounds like a good plan.”

Dillon watched as the emotions flashed across Summer’s face till she gave him a half-smile. She could hardly hide her surprise though when he took her hand in his and laced their fingers together.

“But,” Dillon started with his signature smirk, coming around to stand between her legs at the front of the car, “if you’re not in a hurry to go back to life as a princess, I was hoping you’d consider coming too.”

With his free hand, he tucked a stray curl behind her ear, his dark eyes never leaving her bright hazel ones. “With us...With me…Ouch! Hey!”

“That wasn’t funny!” Summer grumbled, smacking him repeatedly on his chest for her momentary distress.

Dillon laughed as he pulled her closer to him, taking her other hand as well to make sure he didn’t get hit again. He leaned his forehead against hers. “So, what do you say?”

Summer couldn’t help the relieved laugh that bubbled up but she wasn’t gonna make it that easy for him. She suppressed a smile as she brushed her nose lightly against his, watching as his long lashes fluttered. “Exploring the world with a rebellious hybrid and his sweet sister? Why would I want to do that?” She challenged playfully.

Dillon knew she was baiting him, teasing him as usual but he was more than willing to bite. He closed the gap between them, sealing their lips with a tentative kiss. When he was certain she wasn’t going to slap him again, he increased the urgency, revelling in her sighs and the feel of her soft lips against his as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

They’d both been anticipating this moment, having been denied twice recently, so the thought of stopping even for a second seemed ridiculously absurd. Between kisses, the black wolf ranger tried his best to convince Summer.

“Because,” he mumbled against her lips, “even when I have the best intentions... I can’t promise I won’t do anything crazy... And I’m definitely going to get into trouble… But there’s no one else...out there... I’d trust to save me... but you.”

Arms still wrapped around him, Summer hummed as she tried to catch her breath. Dillon took smug satisfaction in the dreamy look on her flushed face when he pulled back.

“I’m in,” Summer smiled and it was Dillon’s turn to breathe a sigh of relief- not that he’d admit it, “but I have one condition,” she added mischievously. “I get to drive the Fury if we ever encounter a tornado — Dillon!”

Summer squealed as he picked her up and spun her around for her cheeky comment. Laughing with her, he set her back down on the car and leaned in for another kiss…

“Get a room!”

“Whipped!”

Scott and Flynn both coughed dramatically as they made their way out of the garage to settle themselves on a lowered wall to their left. Dillon rolled his eyes at their antics while Summer buried her face against his chest in embarrassment.

Tenaya filed out after the rangers, smirking at the couple. “Finally.”

“Really?” Dillon scoffed at his sister, “You too?”

Tenaya shrugged as she crossed in front of them to sit on the ledge with the boys.

“Don’t listen to them,” Ziggy began as he perched himself too close to the couple on the hood of the Fury, oblivious of Dillon’s exasperation. Summer placated his pending outburst with a hand to his chest as Ziggy droned on.

“We’re all happy for you crazy lovebirds. Took you long enough with all those longing looks and flirty lines. Though I’m not really sure how such a grouchy cyborg scored a sunny babe like Summer. N-not that I’ve been looking or anything! You should at least think about coming up for air before you miss the show—Ahh!”

Ziggy let out a shout as Dr K dragged him off the car by his ear and pulled him along to the ledge opposite where the others were sitting. “Ranger Operator Series Green,” she scolded, “Ranger Operators Series Black and Yellow do not require your analysis of their blossoming relationship nor do I believe that they appreciate your close proximity while they engage in a lip lock.”

The gang howled with laughter at her statement, much to the confusion of the young doctor.

“Thanks, doc… I think,” Dillon shook his head, turning in Summer’s arms so that he was facing outward again.

Summer ignored the rising blush on her cheeks and directed her attention at Ziggy. “What show?”

“The light show-”

“-to celebrate our victory!”

Gem and Gemma gushed excitedly as they rushed out to join the others, wearing large headphones and each carrying a detonator.

“A big win-”

“-Requires a big explosion!” The duo cheered, exchanging high-fives.

Dillon wasn’t so convinced as he arched an eyebrow at the Boom Twins. “Right. Because that’s exactly what the traumatized citizens on Corinth need— unexpected explosions.”

“I understand your concern, Ranger Operator Series Black,” Dr K admitted, “and we did take that into consideration when we cleared it with Colonel Truman. By tapping into the new configuration at the Command Centre, we were able to integrate reverberation retention technology into the dome’s shield so when the explosions go off in the biofield, we can redirect the noise elsewhere. It’s similar to the programme used to rid of the stale air in the dome.”

“So we designed it so that everyone can see it,” Gemma began.

“But only we get to hear it go BOOM!” Gem finished, pointing to his headphones.

The silver and gold rangers pushed their buttons without further delay and the team joined with the rest of Corinth as they watched the silent fireworks light up the night’s sky.

Summer rested her chin on Dillon’s shoulder and whispered to him. “I’m going to miss this.”

Dillon looked around at the eccentric bunch. They got on his nerves but they weren’t half bad most of the time. He’d started off as a reluctant teammate - joining only due to Summer’s persuasion - but these people had become trustworthy friends who helped him to fight off the Venjix virus inside of him and find the only family he seemed to have left.

Without them, he wouldn’t have plans to see the new world with the one who made him rethink his Lone Ranger act. He’d tried to keep them all at a distance, but she’d melted his icy heart somehow and cared for him through all of it, even when he seemed to be more machine than man.

Dillon turned to kiss Summer on the cheek. “Me too.”

#power rangers rpm #power rangers #dillon x summer #dillon #rose mciver #scott truman #eka darville #tenaya7 #adelaine kane #flynn mcallistair #ari boyland #ziggy grover #milo cawthorne #dr k #olivia tenet #gem and gemma #yellow ranger #black ranger #summer landsdown

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strangewhitegirl321 · 4 years

Text

Illusory (10th Doctor)

{Not my gif.}

(A.N. This was a request I got on Tumblr... literally over a year ago. I am @sorry for the wait. Oops. Now I can't even find the messages I had to see what the expectations are for the fic or to tag the person who requested it. I'm so sowwy! I had no clue how I was going to finish this fic either, so I apologise if the ending is sloppy, but I just absolutely had to get this out of my drafts.)

Words: 1621

"I can't let you post it, you know," The Doctor stated, exasperation covering his face and seeping through his voice. "Too many people would recognise me. It's not a good idea."

"Who said I was going to post it?" Turning to give him an amused grin, (Y/n) nudged his shoulder gently. "It's just something fun- and, a good way to keep memories alive!"

The Doctor's brows raised, the left side of his lips quirking up in just the slightest smile as the girl stepped in front of him.

"Whenever we want to remember what happened here and all the fun we had, we can just rewatch the video!" His companion exclaimed, excitement practically twinkling in her eyes.

"I suppose so, but you have to promise not to post it." The Doctor pulled one of his hands from the pocket of his trench coat, pointing it menacingly at (Y/n) as she quickly nodded in agreement.

Without a hint of hesitation, she proclaimed, "I promise!"

The Doctor tilted his head, seeming to study her before tucking his hand back into his pocket. Seemingly satisfied, he pursed his lips and nodded.

"Alright, then. Show me what you have so far." He requested, watching as (Y/n) whipped out her phone and opened up the camera app. "Aw, seriously, you used a standard phone app? That's just pitiful."

Almost immediately, a frown covered (Y/n)'s face as she turned to give him a look, "I can't afford any big fancy cameras, Doctor. This is all I have. Besides, do you have anything better?"

"Yes, I do, actually," Seeming contented, the Doctor began to roll around on the balls of his feet. "I have plenty of gidgets and gadgets that would do a much better job than that sorry machine."

(Y/n) could only huff at him in annoyance, pouting as she whined, "Well why didn't you mention that earlier? That would have been so much better-"

(Y/n) cut herself off, a thought jumping front and centre in her mind, "Would you be able to teach me how to use any of those machines? For future reference?" She turned to face him better, looking him straight in the eye with her knuckles turning white from the strained grip she had on her phone.

The Doctor pursed his lips again, rolling his head around on his shoulders as he observed her before finally conceding, saying, "Well, when your eyes sparkle like that, I can't say no, can I?" His companion immediately began jumping with glee, before he raised his hands and swiftly calmed her.

"But first, show me the video! You said you already have it edited and everything!" He exclaimed, grabbing her hand and dragging her to the sitting area nearby.

"Oh! Right, right!" Swiftly, (Y/n) whipped her phone around in her hands and pulled out the video in a few short taps. Apparently, she had already watched it halfway through on her own- because the video immediately started playing at the twelve minute point rather than the beginning.

"-if we get murdered, it will most definitely not be my fault-" The Doctor's voice chimed out, chiding the past version of (Y/n) who had claimed their murder would be on the Doctor's hands.

The Doctor leaned forward in interest, hardly remembering his own words, before (Y/n) restarted the video. The first thing the Doctor's eyes were pleased to see was a horrible shot of the underside of (Y/n)'s chin as she badly hid the camera from his past self's view.

"Alright, Doctor, where are we today?" She asked, the footage shaky as she fought to keep up with the Doctor's long strides.

"Well, I remember you saying you wanted to visit some place creepy- so today, (Y/n), we are in Atchison, Kansas, planet Earth, fall of 2019," He explained in the video with optimism.

The girl in the video nodded, and quickly replied, "That explains the good wifi signal." The real Doctor started in his place on the couch as (Y/n) snorted at her own comment.

"I'm already hilarious," She stated, knocking shoulders with the Time Lord. In reply, he rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the video- just in time to see that his companion had managed to capture his previous eye roll at the first comment on camera.

"Now- why are we on planet Earth, in Kansas, in 2019 when we could be literally anywhere else in the universe?" (Y/n) asked, a car siren going off in the distance. However, she quickly stopped where she was and gasped.

"Oh, wow- this place is beautiful," She sighed, turning the camera around to catch the sight of a gorgeous mansion with a red roof and a beautifully groomed lawn bathed in the sunset's light. "Is this why we're here, Doctor?"

The Doctor nodded, jumping on the balls of his feet and trotting over to one of the hedges that guarded the lot. When he was in front of it, he squatted down and sent himself flying over it with a huff. His long, skinny legs flew over his head before he smashed into the ground with an 'umph.'

A bark of a laugh left his companion's lips, before she trotted over to him- and suddenly, her camera phone was tossed over the hedge, just barely managing to capture her graceless vault over the hedge and more so capturing her face plant into the lawn.

"Well that's a great way to start off the night, i'nt it?" The Doctor laughed, standing to his feet and brushing off his trench coat.

(Y/n) laughed with joy, grabbing the hand he offered her and jumping to her feet before smacking the grass and dirt off her legs, "Why didn't you just park the TARDIS in the yard?"

"Because I like a good ol' jump every now and then! It's great on the calves," Without missing a beat, the Doctor defended himself.

After the quick jests, the pair hurried up to the front of the mansion. The Doctor was quick to reveal his sonic screwdriver, opening one of the doors and quickly dragging (Y/n) inside. When her eyes spied the interior of the mansion, she made a sound that revealed the drop of her stomach.

"Oh," She started, "This isn't quite as enchanting as the outside, I have to say..." Her voice trailed off, before the Doctor relocked the door behind them.

"Yes, well," He began to explain, pressing himself against her as he looked around, "Welcome to the Winchester Mansion. If you think it's creepy now, wait till we get further inside."

"Alright, seriously now, Doctor, why are we here?" The girl quizzically asked as the man moved past her to waltz down the hall. She followed after him quickly, refusing to lose track of him as he wandered the house.

"We're here to visit an old friend of mine," He explained, "He's a bit of a hermit, really, likes to give people a right good scare- but, he's harmless. Totally harmless."

"Why does it feel like you're trying to convince me this night will end well?" Exasperated, (Y/n) sighed, the camera shifting to view her rubbing the bridge of her nose in a faked stress. However, when the Doctor chuckled at her words, a small smile bloomed beneath her hand before she attempted to smother it. Her attempts were in vain, seeing as the Doctor's foot found the wrong side of an elegant carpet and nearly sent him tumbling to the ground. A howl of a laugh left her lips, before she gave up on her act.

Recorded-(Y/n) gently put a hand on his elbow, helping him straighten up. When he was back on his feet, he gave her a cheesy, thankful grin before continuing down the eerie, dark hall.

The Doctor and (Y/n) watched as their past selves ventured through the Winchester mansion. (Y/n) seemed to have watched the video several times before, seeing as each time something would happen she would intently watch the Doctor's face for his reaction. Each time he laughed, she laughed herself.

There were moments in the video that the Doctor hadn't expected. Intimacy was plain between the two time travellers in the video- however, the Doctor never would have known he was so affectionate with his companion if it weren't for the video.

He watched as his recorded-self encouraged (Y/n) to open a door and step out, laughing when she was shocked to find nothing but a sharp fall on the other side. She had turned to him with a gasp and immediately accused him of wanting her to fall, but her accusations were quickly hushed when she was wrapped up in his arms.

The Doctor frowned at the phone's poor job of recording. In the embrace, although he could hear the giggles and quips between his past self and (Y/n), he could only see his armpit in the video. He wished he could see her face in that moment- wished he could see her smile when he embraced her. Something told him there was a smile reserved specifically for him, specifically for when he wouldn't see. The poor Time Lord was dying to see it.

Suddenly, recording videos with (Y/n) didn't seem so bad anymore. In fact, as the video played on, the Doctor began to plan how he could record future adventures with (Y/n). After all, he wanted to see that smile that's just for him. And, he never wanted to forget what being with her was like. Somehow, even in a dark, creepy mansion with seemingly nothing eventful taking place, the pair of them together were able to entertain themselves with vast stupidity. That stupidity was worth the risk, he supposed.

From that point on, the Doctor vowed to record every adventure with (Y/n).

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fantranslatorbychoice · 4 years

Text

Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi Volume 6 Intermission 1 - Another Worthy Opponent

T/N: Hey there Kakuriyo fan-fams, how are you doing so far? Anyway, here's the first intermission of the volume, as an o-make/bonus for everyone, before this month ends. Thank you for noticing this blog, I appreciate it very much. I wouldn’t know if this has notes though, my tumblr app is basically non-functional anymore so I just get surprised when I login. Anyways, I hope you have fun reading.

As always, I mostly didn’t translate some of the names of the ayakashi/youkai, as well as the proper nouns because uhm... They’re basically nouns. It’s like how some translated manga are done. It’s my style, I guess. Links to references at the end of the post.

Also if you like this translation, you can heart it, share the link, reblog, I just respectfully ask that DO NOT REPOST ELSEWHERE. This is my contribution to the scant English content of this fandom, and I worked really hard to finish this thing, it’s not like I just copy-pasted everything. I even had to build the kanji in Jisho one by one. Try it and you’ll see what I mean.

You can rave about this, rant about this, but if possible please link back to this page. If you’re unsure how to do that, just copy the web address of this page. If you’re on a blogsite just insert the web address as a hyperlink as a link back to here. Honestly if this light novel was officially-published in English, I wouldn’t even be doing this right now... And if it did, I’d take this offline to support the publishers and Yuuma-sensei. Creators support creators, is what I believe in.

As previously-mentioned in earlier chapters, if you stumbled upon this one, the two seasons of the anime covered volumes 1-5, so other than the extra details, you didn’t miss much stuff. OK, this intermission is a fun and light chapter. Not much food though. I want some pizza lol

P104 I, Ginji, the Young Master of Tenjin-ya whom it was entrusted to, with regards to the Autumn Festival activites at the end of October, have finally accepted the fact that I couldn't think of anything else to include in the programme and this time I don't know what to do anymore. Odanna-sama suddenly called for me, and I immediately went while I was in the middle of work. "Really, Ranmaru is coming to Tenjin-ya?" "Yes. It's because Aoi succeeded in the matters at Orio-ya, he's coming here to pay back with rewards. He just accepted Byakuya's unreasonable payment demand as it was. If Aoi hears about it, she'll surely be horrified. Regarding that payment." "Hee hee. Even now, Aoi hasn't realized the magnitude of her doing the ceremony in Orio-ya, hasn't she?" According to Odanna-sama, the fruits of Aoi-san's rewards, after covering the losses and deficits due to Tenjin-ya's prolonged break, there's still probably enough to deduct for Aoi-san's bonus commision. Naturally, it seems that the remainders will be alloted to repay the debts. "Wah, is that true?" After reading out the detailed particulars, it caused even me to unconsciously react. P105 Byakuya-san, how on earth were you able to negotiate such sums? No, it's not that but, as even I was involved in the ceremony at Orio-ya many times and I understood why, Aoi-san going there for us, the achievements of what remained to be done were enormous. Surely, Ranmaru seemed to be aware that the reward was reasonable. "By the way, Odanna-sama. Yesterday, how was your date with Aoi-san? Although called as such, it probably wasn't one." "It's not like that. Aoi was worshipped by the mountain's Kaku-zaru, we conspired with the extermination of bandits... The plans to make the fruits all around us to make a heartwarming date progressed into a disaster, but thankfully we were able to gain some information. Moreover, Aoi made cooking seem fun. We acquired ingredients from the mountain that we rarely have, it was delightful. Aoi's obsession for cooking is probably her greatest cure." "Ah, ahaha. That's Aoi for you. Anyhow, in any case, I'm relieved that you were safe." Odanna-sama just said, "Yes, I guess," and smiled so happily. Sighing, his smile just looked so youthful. I just suddenly thought it was. "Alright Ginji, your brother is arriving very soon. It's a rare opportunity to meet up with him, you’re gonna be with him." "Really, is that fine?" "You're too formal with Byakuya and I. When you're not around, it becomes deathly quiet."

P106

"Is... Is that so? I mean, yes, it is." Although Tenjin-ya and Orio-ya combined their strengths to get through difficulty, there's still a sense of tension. It's for this reason that there's still a business competition, anything that happens as a result of the rivalry, surely when imagining as such, it can lead to painful stories. No, but my worries are probably unnecessary. "Wahhhh! It's been a long time, Tenjin-ya! It's summer since we last came? Today we brought a lot of souvenir gifts-- Now where is Ojou-chan**? I want to have something to eat--" "Hattori, you're being too boisterous! Shut up--" "What the heck Ranmaru-- I just brought you here--" It seems that Hatori went along with Orio-ya's Ranmaru. Surely, due to their extreme inability to read the atmosphere, I wonder if they can fulfill their roles this time. Perhaps... Ranmaru has become like Odanna-sama, and probably doesn't like it when it gets quiet? "We appreciate you coming from so far a distance, respected Head of Orio-ya.** We welcome you." "Whaat. You're damn heartless to talk, Tenjin-ya's Master. But we want to immediately return the favor. For disturbing you lowlifes**, we apologize. Hey, Hatori." "Hey, hey" T/N: Hopefully, by this time it's easy to pinpoint out who's calling Aoi. If there's no honorrifics, it's Odanna-sama, or O-ryo. With -kun, it's Byakuya. With -san, it's Ginji, and everyone else lol Hatori calls her Miss=Ojou-chan yeah you probably get it now lol Yeah Ranmaru is technically not the master of Orio-ya's he's more or less the chief officer for operations, but he's still under Ougondouji-sama, the original founder of Tenjin-ya. Odanna-sama is more or less the chief executive officer or everything because Ougondouji-sama left Tenjin-ya in his care. Something like that. This part was explained in the anime too, before the start of the Orio-ya arc.

Also I didn’t choose to translate temee - てめえ for what it really is, I find it too harsh so I just went along with the more milder ones lolol Ranmaru is a potty mouth guys P107 Hatori-san pulled out his bag. It is totally wrapped in mystery, and our chief accountant Byakuya-san solemnly accepted it, and his sharp-sightedness was surely awakened by the contents. "Yes, it is good..." After that, the chief accountant and Odanna-sama, who do not exempt a lot of things other than this, stamped the magnificent receipt with Tenjin-ya's very important golden seal. "After this, we need to make a written report to Aoi-kun. We also have to include her bonus commision with it." Byakuya-san's sour mood seemed to have lifted somehow. The large payment was deserved, and opening his fan, he leisurely looked up. "This is Aoi-san's first commision, isn't it? She'll be ecstatic--" Once she learns that the bonus has been given, she'll be very surprised. I could imagine her shocked face, and I could only laugh about it silently in my head. "Young-master, can you hand this over? That girl can finally embezzle a lot of ingredients--" "You can't say that.." Odanna-sama couldn't help but say it with a sarcastic laugh, and bizaarely showed it to Ranmaru and Hatori-san. The two looked at each other with a side-glance. P108 “Also, Tenjin-ya's Odanna-sama. Ougondouji-sama, did she came to Tenjin-ya sometime ago?" Ranmaru decided to cut off the conversation, and changed its direction. Odanna-sama immediately shook his head. "No... I wanted something returned to the girl, and I was thinking of getting in touch. I couldn't get the whereabouts of that person, that's why it wasn't easy." "Wanted something returned?" While sipping some of Tenjin-ya's tea, Hatori went "What could that be?" "The Tengu's Uchiwa Fan.** At present, that is Aoi's property, and Ougondouji-sama should bring it here." "Ah, that, yes, yes." It seemed that up until now, Hatori-san seemed to have forgotten about it, and asked Ranmaru about it with his gaze. His eyes read "Hey, what should I do?". Ranmaru kept quiet for a bit, and opened his mouth. "Ougondouji-sama, she said that she was going to the North-western Lands." "The North-western Lands?" Odanna-sama and Byakuya-san's facial expressions changed. The North-western Lands. It is also called the Land of Bun-mon, Scholarly Gates. In that knowledge gate metropolis, there are multitudes of academicians and doctors. Really, they send out so many civil officials, there are just so many politicians in charge of that place, even inside the Hachiyo's centers and nearby areas, that land is said to have strong political powers. T/N: OK, so this explains why Aoi didn't just use the uchiwa-fan to get rid of the bandits. The leafy fan wasn't returned yet. OK, so if you're wondering too, there you go. P109 "Likewise, that place hates anything-that-is-easy-to-understand." Byakuya-san nonchalantly said that in distaste. "Ahh. In Youto's imperial court, the political authority has swayed, it's under the territory of the Minister of the Right, Ieyasu. Anyhow, Ougondouji-sama traveling to the Northern Lands must be related to her calling out for something, but it doesn't seem likely that the Tanuki would easily get moved. She probably doesn't know how to handle that." Odanna-sama placed his hand on his jaw, and let out a long exhale. "It's connected to the Northern Lands. Two days ago, even I heard the stories of the people living the mountains of the Northern Lands. For a long time there, the Great Old Sage has been a go-between in ruling that region, but that person has been bedridden with an illness and no one has been elected to be the successor. It's because of that it seems, that the insurgent forces have increased." "That grandpa, he hasn't died yet?" Hatori's lack of reading the mood appropriately went out with just a few words, and Ranmaru stared at him sternly. Hatori just pretended to be ignorant by whistling.** "I daresay Ougondouji-sama went to the North-western Lands for the sake of resolving the chaotic situation in the north. There's also the issue of opening up a vacancy in the Hachiyo ranks. There's a chance for the aristocrats in the imperial court to increase their power and influence. Currently, owing to the Hachiyos' command, each of the eight districts's sovereignty were held together by each Hachiyo, but there have been calls to abolish the Hachiyo system, and the supremacy of the Central Government will become absolute, as more people will have to make the decisions." After Ranmaru finished talking, he huffed a bitter smile after thinking, and brushed up his hair. T/N: Hatori is such an adorable dumbass, srsly, I wanna be annoyed at him but he's a sweetheart inside, apart from flirting with anybody, I mean ANYBODY lololol Also Ranmaru is such a softie with Nobunaga, I just can't - gahaha you can't stop me you all P110 "Tenjin-ya's Odanna-sama, have you ever imagined that we will be talking together like this?" "Certainly. Surprisingly, your edges have been trimmed off and you're now softer**, Ranmaru." "Tch... Leave me alone!" "Gyahahahaha--" Hatori-san started laughing. After that even Odanna-sama did too, and the intense atmosphere was flipped over, and as everyone around started making playful faces, Byakuya-san cleared his throat and silently glared at Odanna-sama. Don't destroy your dignified attitude, was what I could read from his wordless plea. Even Odanna-sama considerably had a cold sweat vibe. "I give up, can we get over with the tiring conversation? If so, let's talk about more delightful things. Here's a joyous report from Orio-ya. As a matter of fact, our Young Master and Young Mistress have been engaged, somehow." "Really, aren't they Hideyoshi-san and Nene-san**?" Up until now my calmness levels have been fine, but because Hatori-san abruptly revealed an auspicious news from my old stomping grounds, I unconsciously reacted spite of myself. Hideyoshi-san is a goblin monkey Ayakashi, and his position in Orio-ya is Young Master. Nene-san is a fire rat Ayakashi, and is Orio-ya's Young Mistress. T/N: This literally was written like "your horns/corners have been taken out and you're now rounded" but again, probably a pun because maru=round and well, Ranmaru has MARU in it. Oh well. And yeah I ship fire rat girl and monkey boy lol canon shipping ftw P111 During the time we worked together in summer, I didn't feel that kind of atmosphere around them... I saw that Nene-san especially admired Ranmaru, but this awakening of one's love is probably an exceptional case. "But, isn't this development happening too fast?" I was stunned, in reality the time period that elapsed since the engagement happened was at most, two months. "That dumbass Hideyoshi is different, he's a late bloomer." "Whaa... But in your dreams you wouldn't say something like that to the dog you're raising, won't you Ranmaru?" While Ranmaru was smirking, the profound meaning in my words propped him up, and he thoughtlessly replied. "Nonetheless, I heard it from Nene-chan, who was the aggressive one!" "Really?!" What on earth is up with that two...? "That definitely happened, when the two went back to their hometown, during the break after the ceremony." "Oh well, since the beginning those two have been comrades in their old hometown, and having surpassed the ritual, likely they were drawn towards each other. But it was a good thing for Orio-ya. If the connections between the managing staff gets stronger due to having more trust, then it's going to be more rock-solid." P112 Both Ranmaru and Hatori-san were receptive to the engagement of the two trustworthy management staff. Especially Ranmaru, his face may not show it but his speech and his demeanor shows that he's happy. Even I realized that. "Gahaha-- Well, I told Hideyoshi to mess about some more. But he seems earnest of only one way. Because he was raised in the countryside, he only knows that when you decide to get together with someone, then you get married. Even Nene-chan too, one way or another says that if it's Hideyoshi, then it's good. If it fits, then it must be suitable." "Not playing around is definitely the opposite of what you are, Hatori." "Geez, I think you're absolutely stabbing me. Leave me out of this, Odanna" Hatori-san just destroyed himself. But Odanna-sama was smiling, then he just dared to speak calmly. "Ah, I get that. From now on, it's wonderful that as employees they will be giving their best to gain happiness. But in Tenjin-ya's management staff, ever since Kikuno’s marriage, nobody has ever been married. Also, there's nobody who wants to...**" "..." Kikuno-san was Tenjin-ya's former Young Mistress, and was also doubtful about O-ryo being the current Young Mistress. It's a fact that ever since her marriage, there has been no other celebratory news from Tenjin-ya. Even hints, there's mostly nothing... Anyway, nobody was saying anything, and it got awfully quiet. "Speaking of someone, aren't you dumbasses instantly forgetting about that Shirou's granddaughter's marriage?" T/N: This is just funny AF, salty boi is salty lol but seriously if this ogre-boi just stopped messing around with Aoi maybe he's gonna be the next one to get hitched lololol well IDK what do you think y’all P113 ".. what?" Although Ranmaru pierced through and broke that silence, Odanna-sama's laughing face got frozen stiff. "If that was easy, shouldn't I be working this hard? But since I couldn't do just that, I am in trouble right now." Everyone in here went "ohhh..." and greatly understood what he meant. Guys, right now Aoi-san's thinking about that. It seems that the girl's personality and Odanna-sama's huge efforts can be easily understood in 10 minutes. "Ahahaha-- Odanna, you dumbass can't handle a young girl by yourself, that's an amusing story. It's hilarious--" "Well, that IS about Shirou's granddaughter. That Ojou-chan, no matter how often she falls, she just stands up again. Kakuriyo hasn't been more enlivened by that before." Ranmaru and Hatori-san kept hitting their knees as they laughed. Afterwards, for some time there was chatting about public news, as well as exchanging information about Kakuriyo's affairs, and apart from Orio-ya's payment contract, all sorts of souvenirs and presents were given out. Those were Orio-ya's pride, the famous products from the Southern Lands. Of course there was seafood, Kiseki beef that has a little fat and is famous with the ladies, mangoes that only grow in Kakuriyo's south, and other snacks like that. Lately there has been additional efforts in growing what is called an "avocado" and other fruits from Utsushiyo. P114 I think that with regards to Aoi-san, she'll be happy with these, but Odanna-sama and Byakuya-san seemed to be annoyed by it. "Lately, the topic of interest about Orio-ya is that your souvenirs and products have increased, and we're jealous." "Then Tenjin-ya has to quickly produce and release new products and souvenirs. People asking about old and ancient products are dwindling, you know. With regards to that aspect, Orio-ya has strength. Although we're still continuously on the road to improvement, it's because we're changing to become your worthy competitor." Byakuya-san whispered to me "Even if so..." "Young Master-dono, I have heard your plea that you haven't thought of what to prepare with regards to the Autumn Festival, have you formed any plans right now?" "About that, I think that what we usually have annually aren't interesting and fun. This year, we'll use agricultural produce of the Land of Ogre's gate, such as rice, sweet potato, and pumpkins**." "P... Pumpkins?" Odanna-sama's face became unusually disgusted. "About that.. Odanna-sama doesn't like the texture of pumpkins." "It's sweet, but can't you think of anything other than side dishes?" While we were seating together in the banquet, Odanna-sama, Byakuya-san and I were thinking about it a lot. T/N: Goodness Ginji, no wonder your catering business got whacked. I adore you but really... just hire Aoi in the creative department lol Also if she gets to make Odanna-sama eat pumpkin I really can't say so much about her now lol P115 There weren't any other things that he didn't like, and though Odanna-sama appears to be a flawless ogre, when there's boiled pumpkin I have seen that he casually places it on Byakuya-san's plate. "...Pumpkin, is it..?" "Ginji, why is your expression that of an evil fox's?" "It's not that, Odanna-sama. I just thought of something after a bit." "Ohhh, that's wonderful!" "Whooo.. Those are the words of our genius planning department manager, Young Master-dono. That is certainly going to be a fun plan!" What on earth, Odanna-sama and Byakuya-san were they hounding me for such a plan right after that. "That, uhm..." After the banquet we huddled in a circle and sneakily talked about the scheme. The three people in the management staff planned together in hushed voices, and silently laughed. Chiaki-san, the doorman in charge of footwears, after looking at the night scenery, went by and we must have made him say "Well, that's scary".

End of Intermission 1, Volume 6. Previous - Chapter 3 Next - Chapter 4

References:

Wonderful site for the youkai references

Other stuff I used to do this: Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary (you can buy here, I’m not sponsored btw). I was about to buy the older edition but then the newer one came out 2013 so I bought that instead. Worth buying since I was able to find nearly all of the words I needed just by stroke pattern alone.

Merriam-Webster's Japanese-English Dictionary (the red-covered 1996 version is apparently out of print right now). This is what I have been using for a very long time, I bought it when I was still a fetus (yes I am old so what lol), and after so many years, when compared to newer editions, I still prefer this one since its entirety is Japanese-English, the English to Japanese gloss are just 16 pages tops, so you get more Japanese words for your buck. But that’s just my opinion, maybe other people prefer the Jap-En x En-Jap IDEK.

Basic online dictionary, Jisho. Knowledge of verb conjugations and other words are necessary since not all have entries.

If you can read Japanese, you can buy the whole set in Amazon Japan, they’re shipping worldwide now, I think.

#kakuriyo no yadomeshi #kakuriyo no yadomeshi volume 6 #kakuriyo no yadomeshi volume 6 intermission 1 #kakuriyo no yadomeshi english fan translations #kakuriyo no yadomeshi volume 6 english fan translations #kakuriyo no yadomeshi light novel translations #kakuriyo no yadomeshi volume 6 intermission 1 english translations

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secret-engima · 4 years

Note

I ADORE your Night King Noctis! Any snippets from there?

Ummmmmm no? It’s not … actually … a fic? At least not yet. I have a couple AUs that I enjoy that currently only live in Tumblr HCs because that way I can work on them/have fun with them without getting the stress of having YET ANOTHER DOC on my WIP pile. But here have a few more HCs:

-Some daemons are sentient and some are just- semi-sentient/non-sentient. Since I cannot remember all of the various daemons, the general rule of thumb is that if it LOOKS humanoid-ish it’s probably sentient. The Flans and Hecteyes and such are not sentient. About as intelligent as a really smart cat or dog. No one knows if they were originally pets of the other daemons or if the Accursed did something centuries ago to rob them of their intelligence but like- there there. The other daemons go out of their way to take care of them like one would a bratty pet cat.

-A notable exception to this is the Nagas and their other variations.

-It’s mostly the blobby daemons that aren’t intelligent actually.

-The Flans are great for cleaning up the city because they’re basically living garbage disposals. If you give it to them, it will be eaten. Even if the thing is stone rubble or rusted metal. Thankfully they do not seem interested in eating living things unless the Accursed himself orders them too, so no one has to worry about their kids getting too close to a Flan or something.

-Hecteyes like in inhabit the borders of Insomnia, they’re basically self imposed guard dogs. Anyone who is spotted trying to get in will be bedazzled with that shiny light attack they do, which will also handily alert the nearest sentient daemon or human that an intruder is near.

-The bombs like to follow people who feed them. Prompto, being a sucker for all things not trying to kill him and vaguely cute, now has a literal army of living night lights at his beck and call, though he usually doesn’t let them follow him around all day because that would cause traffic jams in the hallways and stuff.

-They like to mimic the flash of his camera but flaring their flames/lightning/ice/whatever. No one knows WHY but now Prompto has to be careful with taking pictures because if he takes one when he has his mob of night lights following everyone else in the nearby area WILL be blinded by the corresponding flashes of the happy bombs.

-One of the Citadel daemon doctors is a Mindflayer. His assistant is a Gargoyle (you know one of those lovely suckers that could TELEPORT ALL OVER GRALEA and chase you down no matter where you went? Yeah him.). There is no escaping the checkups.

-Ever wanted to see a Mindflayer throw a temper tantrum? Just sit in on the first medical checkup Noctis grudgingly allowed (with all the Chocobros plus Cor there as backup if this went sideways). The Mindflayer Doctor just known as Doc might not know EXACTLY what a healthy human should look like but he does know that NOCTIS ISN’T IT.

-Ignis decided he LIKED this strange, creepy looking doctor the moment Doc rounded on Ignis as head chef and demanded they work out a proper diet plan for Noctis. Noctis was a Fear.

-The local Tonberry cooks under Ignis will regularly show up throughout the day in the throne room to foist snacks on Noctis. He accepts them with exasperated grace while trying to insist he’s FINE, seriously, you don’t need to keep feeding him ever hour.

-The Tonberry just. Look at him. Then come back the next hour with more healthy snacks and the occasional cookie.

-Gladio thinks it’s hysterical. Especially when he tries to snitch a snack and gets chef knives waved angrily in his direction.

-Prompto has been adopted by like- fifty different Naga/Serpentesses/etc. They’ve formed a Mom Club. He has NO IDEA WHY and they aren’t explaining. Prompto’s one rule is that they don’t unexpectedly drag him off somewhere or call him “baby”, they accept these rules will grace.

-This plus his collection of night lights means that basically Prompto is an adorable daemon magnet and he has no idea why but this is Very Stressful until he finally acclimates to the knowledge that these daemons aren’t out to kill him and he stops flinching when he sees them.

-Prompto’s Mom Club also may or may not be in contact with Cor’s brigade of Ronin Dads and Ignis’s clan of Tonberry so they can exchange notes on the Care and Raising of Humans.

-Gladio laughs at all of them until he unknowingly kicks the butt of the Iron Giant Boss in a training spar and now finds himself the “Boss Giant” of all the local Iron Giants/Red Giants/etc. They call him Boss now. They bring him swords four times his height as gifts.

-NOCT STOP LAUGHING IT’S NOT FUNNY.

-Noctis, who is the literal king of daemons and deal with this kind of stuff from ALL the daemons not just one or two clans, does not stop laughing. Suffer with him Gladio. Suffer with him.

#SE asks #jade-idris asks #Demon in the Dark verse #Secret Engima Rambles

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foxghost · 3 years

Text

Joyful Reunion, Chapter 56

Translator: foxghost @foxghost tumblr/ko-fi1 Beta: meet-me-in-oblivion @meet-me-in-oblivion tumblr Original by 非天夜翔 Fei Tian Ye Xiang Masterpost | Characters, Maps & Other Reference Index

Book 2, Chapter 14 (Part 1)

By the next morning, the rain has stopped, and Duan Ling has spent the night only half asleep with a slew of thoughts making a mess in his head, somehow managing to smoothly and peacefully live to see dawn.

Everything that had happened the night prior feels like nothing more than a lifetime lived in a great long dream, and now he begins to think about how he will guarantee his own safety from now on. Lang Junxia is one of the four great assassins; in other words, he must have a martial artist of Wu Du or Chang Liujun’s calibre or higher by his side at all times. He may not be able to stay within arm’s reach, but he has to be at least within their sights.

What about when he’s at his lessons? Duan Ling’s mind quickly runs through all the possible scenarios once he starts thinking. Lang Junxia probably won’t make a move during the day; infiltrating the chancellor’s estate in broad daylight is too lofty of a goal. He’ll probably be fine as long as he’s with Wu Du at night. Then during the day, should he study with Mu Qing as before? It may be a bit risky still, but living will always involve some degree of risk.

After breakfast, Wu Du takes out a new wooden box and heads for the door. Duan Ling hurries after him.

Wu Du looks Duan Ling from the top of his head down to his toes speechlessly, and comes to realise that he’s still scared about that thing from last night.

“Where are you going? I’ll go with you.” Duan Ling takes the wooden box from Wu Du, holds it up with both hands, and looks at him expectantly.

Wu Du can only take Duan Ling along, his mind wandering as they enter the chancellor’s estate. Soon afterwards, he says quietly to Duan Ling, “You heard everything Wuluohou Mu said last night, right?”

Last night Duan Ling’s mind was entirely elsewhere, and none of his attention was on Lang Junxia’s words, but now that he thinks about it, it suddenly occurs to him that something doesn’t feel right.

“He said that a carriage from the chancellor’s estate was stopped outside,” Duan Ling says with a frown.

“Shh. If Chancellor Mu brings it up later, you don’t have to say anything. Let me explain.”

Mu Kuangda is having breakfast, and as though he knew Wu Du was going to come first thing in the morning, he bids the servants serve Wu Du and Duan Ling each a cup of tea, while Chang Liujun sits nearby polishing his sword.

Wu Du takes the box and puts it down in front of Mu Kuangda, opening it towards him. The inside is separated into nine compartments arranged in a three by three grid with a different kind of medicinal ingredient in each. Then he unfolds a sheet of yellow paper and puts that in front of Mu Kuangda also.

“Lord chancellor, the formula you gave me previously used clashing ‘cold’ and ‘heat’ ingredients, and the combination of the ingredients was bizarre. It would have been easy for any ordinary doctor to realise that it’s poisonous, thus drawing unnecessary attention. I’ve revised the formula thrice, swapping seven of the ingredients for four, and then added two others that are usually used in supplements to come up with this. I’ve given it a name — ‘Soup of Nine Souls’.”

“Very good.” Mu Kuangda asks, “What does it do?”

"It looks like it’s for placating frequent dreams, to supplement for a lack of yang energy, and beneficial to overall health. Once it’s taken, the patient will have less dreams. However, it will gradually trigger an imbalance in the heart meridian during the day. You can see the effects after three doses. The patient will be anxious all the time, plagued with worries, and in the long run it’ll wreak havoc on their ability to think clearly for years to come.

“If they in turn take medicinal decoctions for calming the mind, or heart supplements, instead of helping, it’ll give rise to drowsiness, leading to the patient wanting to sleep all the time. And if they keep doing that, it’ll gradually lead to the failure of the heart meridian. If they try to take tonics made of ingredients that trend ‘great heat’ or ‘great dryness’ such as ginseng and cistanche, their body will start to fail after a single dose. Several more of that and it’ll cause haemorrhaging from the eyes, the ears, the nose, and the mouth, leading to death.”

“Very good.” Mu Kuangda is more than satisfied. “Is there an antidote?”

“Castings of the ice silk worm and essence of the snow snake. One can make an antidote out of those two things. The steps to make such an antidote is written on the reverse side of the page.”2

Mu Kuangda reads the formula over several times, a hint of approval plain in his eyes. He nods slowly. “You really do live up to your reputation.”

Wu Du doesn’t say anything and finishes the tea.

Mu Kuangda continues, “Last night the wind was strong and the rain came violent and swift. Did you sleep well, perchance?”

Duan Ling listens between the lines and realises Mu Kuangda must already know. Lang Junxia was able to guess that Mu Kuangda would know, Wu Du also knows that Mu Kuangda knows, only Mu Kuangda himself doesn’t know that they know he knows …

All these twists and turns are truly hard on the brain, but thankfully Lang Junxia has given them that particular reminder so now they’ve gone from a passive position to a place where they can take the initiative. Though whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is still up for debate.

Chang Liujun watches Duan Ling with smiling eyes. Duan Ling hasn’t come back from his thoughts yet, and assumes that Chang Liujun is likely just rejoicing in Wu Du’s misfortune again.

“I went to the Blossoms Pavilion last night,” Wu Du says casually, “brought the little one to broaden his horizons.”

“Oh?” But Mu Kuangda is smiling already. “Well you must have enjoyed yourselves.”

Duan Ling apprehensively recalls what Lang Junxia told them: If Mu Kuangda brings it up, just tell him the truth. And instantly several ideas flash through his head and it all becomes clear. Lang Junxia is extremely smart, actually; this way, he’s handed the initiative entirely to Wu Du. The fake crown prince wants to bring Wu Du to his side, yet Wu Du is in the enemy’s camp. So what he can do is sell this information to Mu Kuangda in exchange for his trust first, then lie in wait. He’ll be Mu Kuangda’s retainer in name, but in reality he’ll be on the crown prince and Lang Junxia’s side, becoming a double agent — a far more beneficial result.

Of course, such an arrangement is only applicable to Wu Du — because he’s true to his feelings.

“We didn’t really enjoy ourselves.” Wu Du replies, “A lot has happened in the past, and after some thinking I believe I need to give you an explanation, Lord Chancellor.”

Mu Kuangda is quiet for a moment before he nods. Smart people know exactly when to speak and when to stop. Clearly he does not need to say more.

“Lord Chancellor, I can never forget the kindness you showed me by asking for mercy on my behalf.” Wu Du says, finally, “If there’s nothing else, then please excuse me.”

But Mu Kuangda is saying. “Please wait.”

Wu Du is about to get up, but Mu Kuangda is giving Chang Liujun a glance, and Chang Liujun produces a letter.

“I may need to ask you to do something else for me,” Mu Kuangda continues, “First take a look at this letter.”

Duan Ling wants to see it, but he doesn’t dare peek — even though he’s extremely curious.

Mu Kuangda turns to him. “Wang Shan, since you’re with the young master everyday, even if you haven’t become one of my aides, your position is not far from one. There’s no need to act like you’re treading on eggshells. A young man should say what he ought to say, and not act too far beyond his years.”

Duan Ling knows that Mu Kuangda is clearly treating him as one of his own because Wu Du has declared where he stands. Duan Ling hasten to answer respectfully, “Certainly.”

Wu Du opens the letter and finds an army dispatch. There’s no address, and no signature; it contains some proof of military spending as well as weaponry held in reserve, training plans over the winter, as well as an account of using fourteen thousand and eight hundred taels of silver to purchase Ferghana3 warhorses from Xiliang.

“Can you tell whose handwriting this is?” Mu Kuangda asks.

“It’s Bian Lingbai’s handwriting.” Wu Du says, “A general stationed in Tongguan. Pacification Commissioner of Guanxi.”4

“Correct.”

Duan Ling doesn’t know who that is, so he doesn’t say anything. Why is Mu Kuangda suddenly showing Wu Du a letter? Does he want to send him to kill someone?

“Bian Lingbai has served in the army thirteen years.” Mu Kuangda says, “He started his career in Shandong5, and he’s had more than twenty military engagements with Liao, both big and small, with a mixed record of wins and losses. When the Yelüs seized Shangzi, Bian Lingbai attacked the Khitan army’s rear formation by surprise and was decorated for his service. After the capital was relocated to Xichuan, he was made Commander-in-Chief of the Shandong army. Seven years ago, he joined hands with the General of Tiger’s Might6 Han Bin, and turned against the late emperor at Mount Jiangjun to seize the military from him.”

“Kill him?” Wu Du says offhandedly.

Mu Kuangda doesn’t say anything, and takes another sip of tea. Sunlight slants though the window panes at his back.

“While the late emperor did not bother to punish those under Zhao Kui’s command,” Mu Kuangda says, “I cannot afford to do the same. This man has been colluding with Xiliang for a long time — buying horses, reinforcing his troops, increasing the size of his army without explicit approval. The proof is the letter in your hand. It’s a record of his secretly stockpiling armaments and embezzling military funds to buy warhorses from the Tangut.”

“If we don’t put an end to him now, given enough time he may prove a challenge to the central government, and become hard to control.”

When lives are involved, Mu Kuangda has always been exceedingly prudent.

“I got it. I’ll head out over the next few days.”

Duan Ling thinks, that’s not good. If you’re heading out, what am I supposed to do?

Mu Kuangda says, “In addition to killing him you must also gather proof that he’s attempting to seek independence.”

Wu Du furrows his brows slightly, and does not answer.

“Wu Du.” Mu Kuangda says, “Killing cannot be the only thing you know how to do.”

Mu Kuangda gets up and paces to the veranda. A soft summer breeze brushes by, setting the wind chimes to a light clinking.

Wu Du says, “I’ve met Bian Lingbai once. He’s a highly ambitious man. I share at least part of the blame in General Zhao’s death; he’s not about to have a pleasant conversation with me — he’s liable to pull a knife on me before we even get the chance to sit down.”

“You know how to disguise yourself, no?” Chang Liujun interjects suddenly.

"A disguise is only good for lying low. If I want to collect evidence that he’s colluding with Tangut and seeking independence, then I’ll have to talk to him. Speech, mannerisms — these are hard things to imitate for long.”

Mu Kuangda falls into a thoughtful silence.

“There is another way.” Wu Du says, “I can arrest him, interrogate the details out of him, and then hand him over to you, Lord Chancellor. Whether the testimony turns out to be a confession under duress or the truth, well that isn’t any of my business.”

“That won’t do.” Mu Kuangda shakes his head slowly. “His Majesty will spare this man’s life, that’s for certain. Even if we have conclusive evidence, he’ll be banished to a remote army post and exiled at most, leaving him the chance to make a comeback. What I want is for him to die beneath Tongguan without making a splash — not to have him killed with great fanfare, giving his army a chance to mutiny.”

“What if I go?” Duan Ling says suddenly.

The room falls quiet at once. Duan Ling knows that what he said is utterly absurd, but he has no other alternative. As soon as Wu Du leaves, his own insignificant little life may as well be a slice of meat on a chopping board, and Lang Junxia can slice him up however he likes.

“You?” Wu Du sounds like he’s just heard the most fantastical story in the world, and he says to Duan Ling, “I’m going there to kill someone!”

Mu Kuangda though, seems rather surprised. He gives Duan Ling a glance and says, “Truly, you never cease to amaze. Let him speak. See what he comes up with.”

“Um … I don’t have any concrete ideas, for now. I’ll have to get there first. It’s outside Tongguan, right? If Wu Du pretends he’s part of my … household? Maybe General Bian wouldn’t suspect me if I’m the one to approach him?”

Mu Kuangda falls quiet once more. A furrow appears between Wu Du’s brows and he’s about to speak up to stop Duan Ling, but he catches Duan Ling staring at him imploringly.

“That’s feasible.” With that reminder from Duan Ling, Mu Kuangda seems to have figured out something. “Last year, Bian Lingbai was transferred back to Tongguan from Mount Jiangjun, and it’s getting close to the anniversary of Zhao Kui’s death. What identity can you use to see him with though?”

Speaking, Mu Kuangda turns to Duan Ling, who grows somewhat fearful beneath his gaze lest he gets a eureka moment at some point and notices a hint in his features and grows suspicious. But right now he has no other option but to make this gamble, knowing that Mu Kuangda is only scrutinising him because he’s trying to come up with a suitable identity.

“You can’t be Zhao Kui’s son.” Mu Kuangda mumbles to himself. “Zhao Kui had three sons and one daughter, and they were all beheaded. What about an adoptive son? Wu Du, what do you think? Would baiting him into committing treason fish out what we want?”

Baiting him into committing treason is truly an extremely shrewd move.

“But how are we going to explain why Wu Du’s going there?” Duan Ling asks.

“That won’t be a problem. All I have to do is write a letter appointing Wu Du to investigate the whereabouts of the sword of the realm, the Zhenshanhe. Meanwhile Wu Du will use this as an opportunity to meet with Bian Lingbai. That’s all it’ll take for Bian Lingbai to believe it.”

Wu Du says, “Zhao Kui has a nephew named Zhao Rong, and his father Zhao Pu was a deputy captain of the coast guard under the Shandong jurisdiction. Zhao Pu was shot and killed by an arrow during a pirate7 raid four years ago, and Zhao Rong was captured and drowned. But not many people know that, as Zhao Kui was the only one who received news of his nephew’s death, so we can get in contact with Bian Lingbai under this name.”

“That will work.” Mu Kuangda says, “Let me think about this some more, and see if I can come up with a way that can accomplish all of our goals in one fell swoop. Go home for now, and wait for me to get everything ready.”

The ingredients mentioned before these ‘ice silk worm’ and ‘snow snake’ stuff are real ingredients. The worm and snake stuff is fictional, though not new, in wuxia. ↩︎

Ferghana horse. ↩︎

Guanxi means “areas west of the gates/passes”, or areas west of Tongguan, along the western border. ↩︎

The original text used Guandong, which meant “east of the gates”, those gates being the major gates along the Great Wall such as Yubiguan. But since that’s a meaningless location that can’t be found on a map, I changed it to Shandong as that’s the area they’re referring to. ↩︎

Incidentally, this was also Zhao Yun’s nickname under Liu Bei. Historically there were three Generals of Tiger’s Might during the three kingdoms period. ↩︎

The Chinese word Wokou were often translated to Japanese pirates, and the word itself literally meant “dwarf pirates”, but the ethnicity of these pirates varied over time. You can basically think of the word wokou as simply “pirate”, in the same way that typhoon is just a word for hurricanes when they happen in the Pacific/Indian Ocean. ↩︎

#相見歡 #fei tian ye xiang #joyful reunion #xiang jian huan #fox translates things

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