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bluewren · 1 year

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*sneaks into your asks* Hi Wren I DESPERATELY need some Cassandra & Blackwall - for "This is going to hurt." from the Hurt/Comfort list (during that post-Revelations card game maybe 👀)

@dadrunkwriting

Got a working part 1 of this fic!

Working title: 'Forgive Me Friend in War, I Was A Fool'

The game they're playing is actually durak, it's a russian game that's similar to Spades. Have you ever heard of it?

Durak as means, fool

WC: 1104

She watches as Blackwall peal up one side of the cards then releases his two stacks of cards to revolve over one another. Cassandra found tbe sound similar to the sensation of running a whetstone over her sword.

“What are you playing?”

Blackwalls deals out cards from his hand, more focused on the rhythm of the flick of his hand than the gaze of the Seeker’s curiosity.

“Nothing at the moment.” He mumbles. “This is more a force of habit. Back in the days when I had my own troops to look after. Care to play a round?”

“I must admit that I’ve dallied with soldiers enough for them to offer me to be part of their games.” Cassandra raises a brow, although still choosing to take the seat opposite of the Warden.

“You’re respected by every soldier at Skyhold, and fought hard enough for everyone to fear you just as much.” One last card gets flipped up, Diamonds, then he places the deck over it. Soldier to soldier, Blackwall extends the invitation with a smile over his lips. “Perhaps it’s time for you to see how the rest of us grunts enjoy ourselves. The rules can be learned along the way.”

“I do find it humbling that you see me as one of your own.” She lets go a short giggle, her neck slants by shock at Blackwall's comment. ”Deal me a hand.”

He slides over one hand, then places Eight Spades on the table. “The suit of the card at the bottom beats everything. A higher rank of the matching suit beats my card.”

Cassandra watches the card fall onto the table. Her hand slowly extends out with the Jack Spades, cautious as a baby taking her first steps. This past time that she seen on top of crates from several dozen of her soldiers might as well be an Orlesian ballgown to her, awkward and ill fitting for her hands.

Watches Blackwall glides a Jack Clovers onto the table like an arrow flying to its mark.

She looks down at her cards, unfortunately no Clovers. She looks up and sighs. “I am without a card to play.”

“Then you can go pick those up.” Blackwall asserts, his hand flippantly gestures to their board. “They’re your’s now.”

“What has just happened?” The Seeker gawks, flabbergasted by the nonsensical interaction slide up and down between the board and her opponent.

All that Blackwall has for her was dry laughter. Barely an itch on his beard, everybody has started somewhere but she simply had all the tells of a beginner.

“Beginner’s luck isn’t always a thing. Just keep going at it.” He tries with all his might to not widen his smile. “You can take this too.”

A second Jack is added to Cassandra’s defeat.

“Ugh. Nothing about this game makes any sense.” Cassandra blurts out.

“Just keep going at it.” He repeats while drawing three from their deck.

They continue onto the second round. The rules slowly begin to seep into Cassandra’s head, this travesty of a game slowly starts to have some sense to her. Blackwall plays one, sometimes two of the same rank, then Cassandra does the same. This time, she closes six pairs of cards using the cards gained from previous losses then Blackwall gathers them all up and castes them aside.

Cassandra places down her own card, then Blackwall does the same. Slowly the exchanging of turns becomes a rhythmic act to one another, the cards demanding less of her attention than the words between two friends.

“It’s feels like there are cards missing. Why have I yet to see a two or a three.” She narrows her brows at the cards in her hand. Feeling bright about her revelation, but also cheated in the same breath.

“I’m not sure how that started, possibly from workers who couldn’t afford a second deck after they lost those cards.” He places down a card to match Cassandra’s. “We’ve been here for a couple months now, how has Skyhold been treating you?”

The question loosens the knot running down Cassandra’s shoulders.

“There’s always terribly much to do.” Even with eased minds, she still musters out a sigh. “I trust our Inquisitor but she has shown to be reckless.”

“She seems like a respectable woman.” Blackwall places down his starter card. “The soldiers like seeing her out there with them.”

Cassandra adds her own card, keeping her focus on the game. “She is also disagreeable. Josephine has many tales of Lady Lavellan scaring away the nobility.”

“Ha!” Cassandra looks up when Blackwall’s obnoxious snort reached her ears.

“Sorry.” The Seeker’s sharp gaze causes him to flinch and lean closer to the table. “I didn’t think you’d care that much about what the nobles thought.”

She takes in a breath, hoping she release all her thoughts within it. “Do you believe in the Maker?”

“I’m not as devout as I once was.” Blackwall admits.

“I fear that we might have been too hasty when we chose her to be our leader.” She continues with their game. “I must believe that she was chosen, but she doesn’t. She has always been unwavering in that.”

“I’m sorry that’s troubling you.”

“All of Thedas needs that, now more than ever.” The Seeker releases a delirious sigh, letting those conflicting thoughts out of herself. “The Maker is a guiding light to people in dark times, we risk becoming divided otherwise.”

“I wouldn’t say that all is lost, people follow because the Inquisitor is sticking her head out for them. Where she comes from, it doesn’t matter.”

“You make it sound so simple.” She lowers her head, sinking further into their game.

“Heroes and causes can inspire people more than gods do.” He pinches close his lips, shutting any unwanted words from escaping. “Take it from a Warden.”

“You have given me much to consider.” Cassandra nods, reaching place her Ace on the table. “But please, I would prefer if Taliesen doesn’t not hear a word of this.”

“Not a word to our inquisitor.” Blackwall nods.

He closes the pair with a trump card but a second Ace gets released.

He chuckles, looking up from his cards to Cassandra and then back. He rubs the edges of his mustache, proud in being out played by his opponent.

“You are getting better at this.”

“Thank you.” Cassandra smirks, taking in more of that dumbfounded astonishment that Blackwall has. She extends a handshake to the Warden. “This has been an enjoyable distraction. I would love to do this again.”

“Any time.”

#Cassandra & Blackwall #hurt/comfort #dragon age dwc

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dreamofbecoming · 1 year

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ooh, this is a fun one! took me a bit, but i had a good time with this! tagged by the ever lovely @wren-of-the-woods

Rules: post the top 5 works you’re most proud of that you released in 2022 (not necessarily your most popular), your top 4 current WIPs that you’re excited to release in the new year, your top 3 biggest improvements in your writing over the past year, your top 2 resolutions (ways you wish to improve your writing/blog) for the new year, and your number 1 favorite line you’ve written this year!

Top 5 works:

pronounce my name aright definitely the shortest of all my posted works, but just as definitely the writing i’m most proud of. linking the tumblr version and not the ao3 because i think the original idea is one of the best things i’ve ever written, i still can’t find a single thing i dislike about it

pale shadows of forgotten names the piece that started it all! this one rotated angrily in my brain for weeks, buzzing like a hive full of hornets, until i caved and typed the whole thing out in the notes app of my phone in the middle of the night. it fell out of me nearly in one go, and the edits i’ve made to it since then are all pretty minor. it just sort of...sprung into being. considering i hadn’t written anything for this fandom, nor anything at all but a very short supernatural vent piece in over 15 years, it felt a little like being clubbed upside the head. but i was (and remain) deeply proud of it, and entirely flabbergasted by the reception. i probably wouldn’t be active in this fandom if i hadn’t written this one

sleep now, she pleads my first ever chaptered work, and one i am determined to finish if it’s the last thing i do, augh T_T it started off as a songfic, which i hadn’t done before, and it’s evolved well past its borders, and there’s a lot of character work and world-building involved that i’m pretty proud of. my brain is made of soup most days so it will continue to take time for me to finish it, but i have so much planned that i’m excited to share for this one!

this isn’t a breakup, dearheart, it’s a season finale this was the first non-canon au i ever wrote, and i had so much fucking fun with it. it’s so silly and i love it so much

our shadows that are bold sing this is not the best writing i’ve ever produced, but it was the first thing i wrote that had me giggling in delight the entire time. this is the dumbest, silliest, most absurd fun i’ve had writing anything in ages. this fic is my beloved idiot child and i would die for it

(listen i only have 6 posted witcher works, it seems cruel to leave bitten lips and broken hands off the list when i love it so much. i wrote this one all in one go overnight instead of sleeping, and i had to type the end on a screen blurry with tears because i made myself cry at 6am over these idiots, and i’m damn proud of it, ok???)

Top 4 current wips:

sleep now, for sure. i’m gonna finish this damn thing if it kills me

my potions 5+1, which involves competent!jaskier and everyone knowing they’re in love before they do

my banshee/siren hybrid au! this is the closest i’ve ever gotten to writing actual plot, and i have no idea if i’m going to be able to follow through, but i’m damn excited to try!

i’ve got a whole warren’s worth of plot bunnies, but a couple of dreamling fics i’m especially looking forward to, including one that involves dream’s biggest ptsd trigger being silence and hob getting to babble him to sleep

Top 3 biggest improvements:

learning to outline, rather than just flinging myself headlong off a cliff and hoping i land on some words that go mostly in order

brevity! i’m a wordy son of a bitch, part of the reason i’m so proud of pronounce my name aright is because i managed to cut it off without beating it to death. i have to keep relearning this one though lol

writing action- the banshee story is the first time i’ve really tried, but i know i wouldn’t have been able to write something like that a year ago, and i hope to keep improving

Top 2 resolutions:

fucking finish my wips dammit

i want to post at least 5 finished works this year. it might not sound like a lot but hopefully i’m going back to school, so i’ll be happy if i can manage 5.

Top 1 favourite line:

Geralt sighs again, but stops pulling away. “But there’s still so much shit in the world. There are so many humans who hate me, or fear me, or try to cheat me, or who end up being monsters worse than the ones they want me to kill, and the problem with having it smacked over my head that I do actually have feelings, is that it makes it so much harder to ignore them. And there’s so much anger in me, Jaskier, and grief, and loneliness. And I can’t ever show it to anyone, or it will confirm everything they think they know about me. It will make me a monster. It will make me the Butcher all over again.” He looks up again, his expression anguished. “You’re the only one who’s safe. You’re the only one I can be angry around, or sad, or scared, or just annoyed, without thinking the worst of me. You’re the only one who ever comes back.”

listen i know it’s more than a line, ok? but honestly this whole section is the thing i’m proudest of out of all my writing. it was one of those moments where you come up with a headcanon kind of on the fly and don’t realize until after you’ve worked the whole thing out that like, fuck. that seems like it could be like. objectively correct? anyway i am very rarely convinced of my own brilliance but this was one of those times.

allllllright tagging the usual suspects, i think, @dancingwiththefae @islenthatur @spilledbutter @podcastenthusiast @fangirleaconmigo and anyone who feels like jumping in!

#personal #my writing #tag games

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lgcxwren · 1 year

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DATED : sometime in early jan 2023 COUNT : 940 words

dance class was never her favorite class of the day. she enjoyed learning dances to her favorite kpop songs pre-training...but without the pressure of you have to be perfect or gtfo every single time she decided to learn something new. that pestering thought was something she had to get used after she started training and it hadn’t fully fit into her head yet. it was an uncomfortable sensation that still caught her off guard six months into training.

it was an evaluation day, the day wren began to dread. when coaches evaluated their progress on whatever they happened to be working on. she had tried to practice, really really tried. but her university’s newest term had started up and had been anything but forgiving, so she had been caught up finishing a project for her music theory class and had forgone some of her free practice time. but she thought she could do it! she worked hard during the required practice time, so when it was her turn (the last to go for that session) she stood up in the middle of the practice room, the dance coach’s eyes peered at her and she gulped as she got into the starting position for fabula’s how you like that.

then she was gone. she just...left. the music had started, she had forgotten every part of the choreography. all she could do was run out of the room, hands covering her face as she ran away.

“shit...shit, shit, shit.” she exclaimed in frustration, hitting herself until she whipped her face, turned on her heels, and ran back into the practice room. the coach looked at her with what she could only sense was disgust, the other trainees looked flabbergasted. she hadn’t been there long, but you didn’t just leave in the middle of practice. she knew it was disrespectful and unacceptable and could be the end of the career she had just begun. she should just try to catch the first flight home...but she had to try. even if she walked back in there and

in tearful butchered korean, she muttered, “i-i’m sorry.” she was now standing in front of her whole class and her incredibly imposing instructor, so she straightened her back and whiped the tears from her eyes. she had to keep some level of dignity for herself. “i...forgot uh choreo. please let me try again. please.” she whipped her face of the remaining tears. the coach rolled his eyes, but allowed for wren to complete her assigned routine. and she did. terribly. she was fumbling and messy and barely on beat. someone that spent all of her day listening to and studying music should have more of an understanding of rhythm...and yet she looked like she had been in a coma for 15 years and then told to get up and dance. it didn’t help she was wiping away tears from her face as she tried to dance.

half way into the song she was abruptly stopped by the coach, who stood up from his chair with his palm out, the universal sign for please stop this is awful. his face looked down as his feet tapped, the only noise that could be heard now that the music had been cut.

“this is what you have to show? after six months, this is all you have? running out of the room and then giving possibly the worst performance that i’ve--that these halls have every seen?” the coach finally spoke, voice tearing into her every dream. he went on, into the more technical failings of her, but she barely understood his words. it was hard to focus on the third language korean was while all of her willpower was being used to stop herself from running back of the class and into the streets, to the nearest airport, and back home to failure. but she had used her get-of-jail-sprint for the day and she refused to go back to manhattan and hear it from her parents. so she stayed, took the onslaught and focused her head back into the room she stood in. “this is unacceptable, completely ridiculous, and i have half a mind to make sure you never enter a legacy practice room ever again.” running was sounding like a good option now. “unfortunately, i do not have that power, so, do better or stop wasting all of our time.”

wren let the flood gates out as soon as she stepped out of the practice room. this was the first time she had ever bad at something--or at least the first time someone had told her so to her face. usually, she was encouraged, praised, and corrected. not criticized and humiliated in front of her peers. did she deserve it? maybe...but god did it hurt.

it hurt worst because there was no one to cling to, no shoulder to cry all of her pain and insecurities into. her parents were never the most affectionate, or even all that close, to their daughter, but, god, did she want her freaking mommy to hug and tell her everything was going to be alright.

there was no mommy now, though. just herself, a nasty mean man that she must destroy, and a practice room. she had to do it on her own now. this was her life, her career, and she was going to do it. it hadn’t even been a year and she was not going to let some self-righteous, pretentious, piece of--focus, she brought herself back down, into the practice room. there she stayed, all night, going over the same song until her bones ached. but she knew the song.

#lgc:memory #file under : solo #now would they have probably kicked her out irl...#yes #is this rp so idc #also yes

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spextr1m · 2 months

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Second hand embarrassment part 3

Characters: Crystal Kaur, Yronica Ayala, Kyle Wolfe and Wren Harris (Twisted Timeline!)

Pt 1, 2 Mentioned/featuring: Amari Taymiyyah, Slasher (Main Timeline), Serena Wolfe, Arlo Flores

TW: Insults, stinky, bear trip injuries Crystal Kaur

-There's one person that Crystal reminded them to take a shower.

-Amari.

-Like everytime he went downed, only she smells him and covers her nose.

-"I think you need a shower..." "Bruh-" -Crystal was like "Omfg, this dude is like Robert Pattinson" - Either she gets cursed with every Killers who tries to remove her buff or she place her crystal on the floor only the killer immediately went to the area. Yronica Ayala

-Only becomes a meatshield/karmashield

-When she tries to use other survivors as her "protector" only the killer didn't let her slide in only she insults every survivors she sees or a killer.

-"God! You were supposed to be my SHIELD! Not mine you stupid piece of sh-"

-"Agh! Are you even TRYING at all?! Why using me!"

-"You never shut UP do you?!"

-"You were SUPPOSED to be my meatshield! Not me!" -"Can you STOP whining?!"

-"You are stupid just like a damn small rock!"

-If someone gave her a humble pie, she'll be purely flabbergasted.

-She just ran out of her words.

Kyle Wolfe

-Press "F" to respect

-One time when he's fixing the gen to power up the gates only a survivor stepped on his bear trap, shrieks in pain which Kyle immediately stop when he's doing and tries to untrap it from the survivor's leg.

-If it's Serena who stepped on it, he immediately either getting scolded by her or immediately removes it from its grasp.

-Killers either facepalmed or shaking their head in pure disbelief that survivors stepped on it.

-Apologizes profusely to every survivors who stepped on it.

Wren Harris

-Majority of survivors except Anais and Tabitha would've back away from him everytime he goes to their gens just to stack it up more.

-He's so confused when someone like Arlo backing away from him.

-"What did I do?"

-Unless someone tells him that his counterpart is a Killer with a smiley mask.

-Is the one who stepped on Kyle's trap -He's confused why would others didn't want to talk to him until confused Kelvin told him that's him with a mask only he BECOMES so shocked that his sleepy eyes went widen.

-"Huh?? ME?"

-He also apologizes to Kyle for stepping his bear trap

-Also his other self

-Even when seeing Slasher cause him to loathe his weaker self only Twisted! Wren freaks out.

-Mistaken Arlo for Tabitha

#daybreakroblox #daybreakrobloxheadcanons #headcanons #Kyle Wolfe #Wren Harris #Slasher #Yronica Ayala #Crystal Kaur

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dansnaturepictures · 3 months

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A wonderful wild weekend centring on our annual trip to WWT Slimbridge also visiting Dix Pit and Rushy Common and Tar Lakes

At a slightly different time of year this weekend with some time off Friday and Monday we headed for our yearly visit to the incredible WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire on Saturday. As ever it was a riveting bird fest with numerous stunning species observed in winter’s elegant wetland bird display. Dominating the day were the impressive Bewick’s Swans with their black and yellow bills, captivating birds to watch as their soothing honking calls epitomize the wild essence of winter. Also standing out on the day were many rustic Ruffs with a neat Spotted Redshank with them and Redshanks and shimmering hoards of delightful Golden Plovers often mixed in with many Lapwings. Other reserve specialities gigantic Common Crane and White-fronted Goose (albeit in the form of the Lesser White-fronted Goose which has been hanging around) were a treat to see, as were nice views of raptors Marsh Harrier and Peregrine. A host of ducks including Pochard, Pintail, Shelduck and Shoveler, raucous Rooks, the beautiful Ross's Goose with Barnacle Geese and more wonderful wader scenes of Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits and Curlews in numbers also stood out. Exhilirating views of Kingfisher and Goldfinch with Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler and Wren heard well were other highlights on a sensational wildlife watching day. I always leave here feeling inspired by the wonder of nature I’ve seen but also by what a beacon of hope this place is from Sir Peter Scott’s pioneering work to the continued important and formidable force in conservation the WWT (Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust) are.

On Friday on the way from home in Hampshire it was fun to visit Dix Pit in Oxfordshire which we discovered on the way on our 2023 edition of this trip. I was flabbergasted to see two Common Cranes flying over here to see this key target of the trip and remarkable bird early as I was taking in the historic and fascinating Devil’s Quoits here where I was spellbound by seeing my first Skylarks of the year and hearing them too such a hopeful sight for the promise of spring as they displayed. Seeing the cranes led me to learn that they have now bred in Oxfordshire which is amazing. Glorious Goldeneyes, Pochard, Wigeon, Common Gull, Great White Egret, Great Crested Grebe, lots of Snow Geese, Red Kite a key bird of this county seen well on the journey too, Buzzard, Siskins and Long-tailed Tit with Green Woodpecker heard were other highlights here.

Sunday on the way home brought a visit to the picturesque Rushy Common and Tar Lakes in Oxfordshire where we had also been before on such a trip and a return to Dix Pit both to try to see the bird we had hoped to on Friday at the latter Red-crested Pochard and we we were thrilled to see an elegant pair of this flamboyant species at Dix Pit. Great White Egret, Dunnock and good Redwing views with Cetti’s Warbler heard very well were other highlights at Rushy Common and Tar Lakes with Goldeneye and Pochard enjoyed again at Dix Pit. Smashing Long-tailed Tit views, Great Crested Grebes including courting, Cormorants and many Wigeons and Shoveler were other stars at both. After traversing through the pleasant Cotswolds countryside it was a lively journey to these Oxfordshire sites with my first Egyptian Goose and Muntjac Deer of the year seen in fields and a few Red Kites, a Sparrowhawk diving off of a roof (a species I saw in Eastleigh just before we got home too before enjoying Goldfinches, Robin, Collared Doves, Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gull and more from home on this sunny evening) and Buzzards seen.

A difference to when we normally come in early January is how much more spring like the trip was with beautiful blossom in the landscape and a fair few wildflowers seen across the weekend including speedwell, snowflake, snowdrop, daffodil, primroses, daisies, groundsel, hogweed and cuckoo-pint leaves and cleavers. At Dix Pit I was also ecstatic to see my first Peacock butterfly of the year a luxurious ruby cloth drifting by with bees seen across the weekend and a Scarlet Tiger moth caterpillar seen at Slimbridge. Seeing Roe Deers here and taking in the breathtaking wetland and rural surrounding scenes with catkins shining in the landscape too was nice. An excellent wild weekend.

The photos in this photoset from the weekend are of; Bewick's Swan and Pochard at Slimbridge, views at Dix Pit and Tar Lakes, snowflakes and Woodpigeon at Slimbridge, Devil's Quoits and a view at Dix Pit and Great Crested Grebe and view at Tar Lakes.

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danicollinsauthor · 8 months

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Get *In Too Deep* FREE for a limited time

Read | Buy Exciting News! In Too Deep is free today until Sep 27th! Playboy champion snowboarder, Trigg, is flabbergasted to learn he’s a father of a twelve-year-old girl. Wren has had it up to here with her niece and Sky is going through it as she enters her teen years, but they’re all crying out for love and they somehow pull it all together to become a family (complete with a silly dog!) The family he didn’t know he needed… At her wit’s end with her twelve-year-old niece, Wren Snow takes the manager’s job at Blue Spruce Lodge so Sky can get to know her father, Trigg Johanssen—a tycoon snowboarder with a playboy reputation. Gold-medalist Trigg Johanssen is furious she kept Sky a secret, but quits competition to focus on his newly discovered daughter only to have his chemistry with Wren complicate their attempts to co-parent. When outside forces threaten the ski resort he’s rebuilding, a marriage of convenience seems like the answer. It would give his daughter the life she deserves, but is it too much for a heartbroken woman still nursing past hurts? Get it today! Amazon US | CAN | UK | AUS | Nook | Kobo | AppleBooks | GooglePlay In Too Deep is Book Three in the Blue Spruce Lodge trilogy. It can be read as a stand-alone, but for the full experience, you might want to read: Book One: On The Edge Book Two: From The Top

#RomanceNovels

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theoldaeroplane · 3 years

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HARDWIRED - 7. Harpy

At the start of this, April had known the gist of what Dell most often reveals about his extended family to others: there was his grandfather, Radigan Conagher, whom he took after, and then there was the rest of them. As he makes his way through first one and then two beers, the whole of it starts to unreel. “They’re all insane, is what they are,” he tells her first, and in uncharacteristic fashion this launches him on a full-blown rant. It takes a lot to make Dell mince words, but the Ringbacker-Conaghers are more than a lot.

He’s tired and shell-shocked and angry, and all of this colors his outburst, until he realizes April is not following in the slightest. The intricate knots that make up his relations are too fine and varied to explain to someone outside of them—at least right now, in the state he’s in. She listens, though. She listens intent and studious at his side, never once giving him the sense that she’s bored or wishes he would stop. He should, though. He puts his second beer down and scrubs his fingers over his scalp, leaning on his knees. It’s getting late.

It’s his turn to startle when April slides her hand across his shoulders, lets it bunch its fingers in the back of his shirt. A grounding weight, one that at last makes him feel as if he is not in danger of flying off the planet. He doesn’t know how to say I’m glad you’re here again without sounding like a fool.

“Sleep usually makes me feel better,” is all she says. It’s all she needs to say; in his study of Aprilis tyrannus, even the slightest overtures of comfort are as rare as they are earnest. This suggestion, this open offering of her own coping strategies, means more than all the raised voices and dressing-downs he’s received today.

Before he can answer, she slips her hand back into her lap. “You probably need some time to yourself,” she goes on. “I could get a hotel.”

“You leave me like this tonight, I’ll never speak to you again.”

It’s shaky, as attempts at jokes go, but she gives him the rough chime of her laugh anyway.

---

The short span of days that have passed since they last shared a bed are enough to throw off the rhythm of this slow, new relationship. April takes her time in getting ready to sleep, unsure of if she’ll be spending it on the couch. It’s a relief when Dell gives her a puzzled look and asks what she’s waiting for; she puts her glass of water down on the bedside table and joins him.

She’s not a nurturer. She doesn’t know how in the hell to make people feel better. All she knows is Dell is ragged from his day, and she doesn’t think he has nightmares the way she does. Sleep seems like the ideal refuge, so she had suggested it.

She hasn’t really considered the idea that she might be involved in the relief effort, but then Dell wraps his arm around her and lays his face against her neck. This is awful. This is terrifying. She is rubber-banded back in time to that moment of horror when the men foisted Char Kitzis off on her in a hotel and she was struck with the idea she might be expected to do something comforting. She still has no idea what to do, but she has to do something, and settles for rubbing slow circles in his back. No one can say she isn’t trying.

April assumes she has fucked it up when he fumbles for her arm and tugs on it until he has her wrist, and waits to see what she has done wrong. She wants to learn. But then Dell does an insane thing and just guides her hand to his cheek, his jaw, ensuring his face is all but buried against her. The stubble prickles her hand.

He shifts, and their knees knock together for a moment before she hooks her calf around his.

“Goodnight,” she says, and it’s lost in the soft expanse of the shadows.

---

The morning is an unbroken slate sky and the whistle of a bored wind. Outside of Dell’s window a wren bounces on a twig, singing to itself, and the muted traffic of the parking lot and nearby road color the air.

April hears none of it, because someone is screaming at her.

She awakens with the kind of cold shock she hasn’t felt in years, with the conviction that she’s about to have to fight for her life. She can’t move, her limbs are tangled in—sheets. Bed. Dell’s bed. Dell’s apartment, Dell’s—

“—harlot! Slut! Jezebel, temptress, whore!”

There is barking, excited and loud. It takes April too long to realize Dell is fighting to keep Shep restrained, because the dog keeps lunging at the shrieking thing standing by the side of the bed.

Then there’s another cold shock, because someone has just grabbed the glass on the nightstand and thrown its contents into her face.

The barking intensifies, and Dell is shouting, and so is the thing, the old woman, the old woman April has just grabbed by the collar and slammed against the far wall. The harpy noises have stopped, though only for a second, as April blinks through the water on her face down at the blustering blond thing that looks nothing short of flabbergasted. They start again in an instant. “How dare you touch me!”

The woman launches off again, clawing at April’s wrists and howling about how she must be either Satan or a prostitute. Stupefied, she looks over at Dell, who has just finished shoving Shep into the closet. The horror on his face cannot be overstated, even as he all but physically gets between them: he peels the woman’s hands from April’s wrists, and shoulders April out of her reach. April is given one desperate, mortified glance before Dell turns his back on her, and he turns to the shrieking woman.

“Mom,” he says, weary and angry both, “you did ask for that.”

#hardwired #corgiwrites!#tias hardwired #hello i have a backlog

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nightwingshero · 4 years

Text

Lonely Eyes Part 2

So...That little thing I was working on has another part to it....AAAND I’ve been sitting on it for awhile, because I love/hate it. I really don’t think I captured Hudson well, at all. I tried to make it funny and I was hyped up on too much Monster. So, there’s that. I just really think Wren and Rowan are chaotic dumbasses together sometimes, and it really shows here. Anyway! Here’s the thing with the stuff. @chazz-anova you seriously helped in convincing me to do this lol

“You set her up with who?!” Hudson asked, completely flabbergasted. She groaned as she shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Of all fucking people, Rowan.”

I chuckled under my breath as I took a bite of the yogurt I was working on. Rowan had stopped by to eat a late breakfast with me and Hudson. Of course, she immediately demanded I tell her what happened. I shrugged, giving her just the bare minimum. I was still embarrassed for how everything had turned out, and I had gone home with the smell of sandalwood in my hair. I did not need them knowing about John Seed, especially since Hudson seemed to work closely with him a lot of the time.

“Eli fishes with him sometimes. I don’t know him well, but I thought it would be worth a shot! He’s friends with Pratt—”

“That should have been your first flag, Ro.” Hudson snorted before popping a piece of her bagel in her mouth. I laughed fully as I leaned back against my chair. “I mean, you’re with Jacob Seed all the time. You couldn’t have set her up with—”

“I am not with Jacob all the time!” Rowan gasped out, becoming defensive. “We just hunt sometimes.”

Hudson raised her brow as she stared at Rowan. “You hunt all the time, liar. Just do it, man. Seriously. It’s so obvious you two are into each other.”

“It’s true, dear!” Nancy chimed in from the next room and we laughed as Rowan’s face burned red. One of the disadvantages of having such a small office. Everyone heard everything if you weren’t careful. “Bye, girls! You have a good one!”

We turned to see two women walk out, one blonde and the other a darker, almost a dirty blonde. They both smiled at Nancy as they made their way to the exit. The oldest had honey brown eyes, her long hair pinned back and framing her face. She had a yellow sundress that reminded me of a warm summer day. The youngest had flowers printed on her white dress. They exchanged looks, both smiling with a secret hiding behind their bright eyes. They waved at us as the made their way outside.

“Who are they?” I asked.

“Oh, that’s Whitney and Faith Seed. They stop by here and there for Whitehorse, you know, to help with organizing community benefit stuff with their church. They’re probably here about the county fair. Faith is the baby sister and Whitney is married to one of the brothers.”

“Which one?” I blurted out without thinking. Rowan and Joey eyed me, and I tried to recover. “I mean, how many brothers are there? There’s two, right?”

“Three.” Hudson corrected with a laugh. “Whitney is married to the middle brother, Joseph, and they have a couple of kids together. He’s a pastor at the church further North.”

“Oh.” I replied.

“So, what did you say? When the guy came back from the bathroom?” Rowan asked, folding her hands together as they supported her chin. I just sighed and smirked, twirling my spoon in the cup of yogurt.

“Told him off for being rude and disrespectful, you know? Then said that girls love to go mudding.”

“Hell yeah we do.” Hudson chimed in, taking a sip from her coffee.

“I may or may not have told him that girls didn’t like guys with small dicks who use their dad’s money to buy trucks they can’t drive.”

“Deputy Blake!” Nancy cried as we lost it.

“Sorry Nancy!” I called back as we began crying from laughing so hard.

“You—you should have seen his face!” I gasped out. “Oh my god!”

“What did he say?!” Rowan gasped through her fits of laughter.

“He called me a bitch and a fucking tease, then left saying he couldn’t handle my crazy shit.” I replied with a shrug, calming down a bit.

“Wow. What an ass. I’m gonna get him the next time I pull him over for drinking and driving. John won’t protect his ass this time.” Hudson scoffed with a smug smile on her face, a mischievous glint in her dark eyes.

I frowned as I gave Hudson a look. “What do you mean?”

“Meh, Trey’s dad would hire John to defend his son every time he got in trouble. He used to have some sway here in Hope County. Used to be mayor before Virgil. Anyway, John got tired of it, defending this guy over and over for him to just end up repeating the same shit. So, he told him the next time his son gets caught, find another attorney, and pray it’s a good one.”

“John said that?” I breathed out as Rowan eyed me.

“Fuck yeah he did. Well, he would have to pull someone from Missoula and even then, with John’s reputation? There’s no fucking way. Big time Atlanta lawyer? There was no way he wasn’t making waves showing up here. Whitehorse was thankful, you know? For once he had someone that wasn’t afraid to cross that damn family. He knows his shit, man.” She threw me a smirk at me. “Oh, does he know his shit. You wanna get set up with someone? John Seed, sweetie. Ride that train.”

“I thought you said you hated him.” I wanted to ignore her comment, but I couldn’t ignore the fluttering in my stomach as I looked back down at my cup of yogurt.

“No, I said I can’t stand him half the time. And that’s when he’s defending someone I’m trying to put away.” A door open and closed, and we could hear Nancy’s low voice talking from the next room over, deeper voices answering her in return. “Don’t get me wrong, he can be a bit arrogant and cocky —”

“He can be sweet, too.” Rowan interjected in his defense as she threw Hudson a look. But Hudson just kept going.

“—But the guy can back it. Fucker knows he’s good looking, too. Knows he has a certain affect on people, good or bad. I swear he can read people like the back of his hand.” Hudson sighed as she tore another piece of her bagel. “Either way, don’t listen to Rowan the next time she thinks you’ll hit it off with someone. Come to me before she sets you up. I’ll save you, Rook.” She smiled as she popped the piece in her mouth.

Rowan threw her hands up and rolled her eyes. I just shook my head and took another bite of my yogurt. I decided right then that it was a good call on my part to keep the details about what happened with him under wraps. I could only imagine the lash back for that. We heard deep laughter then, pulling our attention to the next room. Whitehorse and Pratt were standing near the front, laughing and talking with none other than John Seed. He laughed at something Whitehorse said as the Sheriff shook his head. Briefly, just briefly, his blue eyes met mine. In that second, my heart seized as panic filled my veins. I didn’t know just a glance could hold so much weight, it was practically unbearable as I recalled the utter humiliation that resulted from our last run in. I look away immediately, all the liquid courage I had last night was no longer there to help me out of my shell. I fought the urge to run and hide, but I was at work for fuck’s sake, I needed to get over it. The embarrassment would go away…eventually. Then I would be able to show my face around him without a threat of a blush or the memory of his breath fanning across my skin. I gave an involuntary shiver at the thought.

“Deputy Hudson, Deputy Blake—" I jump clean out of my skin before Hudson and I both turn to see Whitehorse approaching us, just in time for him to catch sight of Rowan. My eyes widened a bit as his face twisted in confusion. “Palmer? What the hell--? What are you doin’ here?” Rowan and I shared a quick look, trying to figure out the excuse we were gonna use this time. We both turned, word vomiting in front of everyone at the same time.

“We’re long lost fraternal twins—”

“Ride along.”

Whitehorse’s brows furrowed as I took in what Rowan had said. I place my fist against my mouth as I shot her a look. You’ve got to be kidding me. Rowan’s mouth is a straight line, her eyes wide as realization dawned on her. Snapping her fingers and then pointing at me, she gives Whitehorse a smile.

“Ride along.” I shook my head slowly in disbelief as I stared at her, my fingertips pressing into my temple for support. I couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes at this point. How the hell was this person becoming my best friend? “Just like Wren said. I’m, uhm…riding along for the day.”

Whitehorse crossed his arms as Pratt snickered next to John as they stood behind Earl. “Rowan Palmer, I’ve known you almost all your life. Not once have you shown an interest in law enforcement. Even after you came back from the military.”

“People change, Sheriff.” Rowan insisted. He cocked a brow at her, and Hudson chuckled before chiming in.

“Wren and I were just taking Rowan’s statement. There was a bad run in with a park ranger last night, and it was Rowan’s fault.”

“That’s the third time you’ve changed your story in the past five minutes.” His honey voice rang out, a light amusement in his tone. I didn’t dare look at him, but I knew his blue eyes would be full of amusement with a smirk on his lips. “Even I wouldn’t want to defend you if you were on trial, Hudson.”

She glared at him, immediately taking the bait. “Nobody asked you, Seed. Besides, Rowan would be the one on trial. You know, for setting her up with Trey fucking Kohrs—”

“Hey!” Pratt cried out as Whitehorse let out a sigh. “That’s my best friend you’re talking about!”

“Well, fuck—” Hudson caught the way I crinkled my nose and she held her hand up. “I stand corrected. Non-fuck your best friend. It’s Rowan’s fault for setting them up, and he should be put on trial for how he treated my partner. Do your fucking job, Mr. Hotshot Attorney. He’s a fucking cu—”

“Deputy Hudson!” Nancy shrieked in horror from the next room. I turned slowly and stared at Hudson, completely mortified. I realized quickly that I was wrong, oh so wrong. I told them about how the person next to me had heard everything and made a snide comment at the end, but that was it. Maybe if I had told them from the beginning, this wouldn’t be happening. I tried to avoid trouble, tried to avoid it turning into something else or maybe escaped some teasing I knew Hudson would’ve thrown my way. But I underestimated how much damage these two could do when kept in the dark. Hudson smirked at me as I glared at her. Rowan whipped her had around so fast, I wasn’t sure how she didn’t snap her damn neck.

“Shut up, Joey!” She hissed. “That was so not my fault! Trey—"

“Alright.” Whitehorse cut in, raising his hands in a calming fashion before giving Rowan a look. “You know what I’m gonna say—”

“We’re in a polyamorous relationship, so I’m visiting my wife and mistress at work. It’s important for our communication and love life, Sheriff. Happy wife, happy life.” Hudson and I both look at Rowan as Pratt loses it, bent over and clutching his stomach as he leans against a desk for support. Whitehorse’s face goes red, and in the corner of my eye, I can see Nancy peeking around the corner. I didn’t dare look up to meet the blue eyes I felt burning a hole in my face. I wanted nothing more than for a black hole to appear and swallow me whole.

“Are you serious?” I asked, finally breaking my silence as my hands come up in absolute horror at the turn of events. “You couldn’t stick with ride along? You had to go that far—"

“What the fuck?” Hudson asked as she stares Rowan down.

“Number four.” Pratt muttered as he elbowed John.

“Shut up, I panicked!” Rowan replied, getting defensive. She looked at Whitehorse while pointing at me. “That’s my wife and you can’t destroy our love.”

“But I’m not gay—"

“Why is she the wife?” Hudson’s voice rising in pitch as she glared at Rowan incredulously. “I’ve known you way longer.” Rowan threw Hudson a smirk, her eyes full of wrath.

“That’s the point.”

My eyes widened as Hudson slumped back with a scoff. “Fine. Neither of you are my type, anyway.”

“Wren is wifey material, Joey. Total babe.” Rowan shrugged then, making a show of examining her nails. “Besides, she’s a silver-tongued devil, you know? Comes in handy.”

“No. Please just stop.” I beg as I rest my face in my hands in pure embarrassment from the sexual innuendo. This was my best friend. This person in front of me. “For the love of God, please stop.” I could hear Nancy choking on her coffee in the next room, the Sheriff shuffling uncomfortably. Pratt just laughed harder. Rowan wasn’t usually one to pull something like this, from what I had known of her, but she always became flustered when nervous or caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to.

“You’re married to your long-lost fraternal twin, and you’re here for a ride along with her and the mistress in your relationship?” Pratt wheezed out. All I wanted in this moment was for it to end. This was too much.

Rowan hesitated for a second. “Yes…?”

I sighed out as I looked back at the Sheriff and he just shook his head. “Palmer, I need you to leave. And hun, you gotta stop sneaking into my station.”

Rowan groaned and agreed as Sheriff finished giving Hudson and I orders. We hummed in agreement before him and Pratt walked off, and it was then that I noticed that John had already gone. My shoulders slumped a bit, but I was mainly relieved. How the hell was I always embarrassing myself around that guy? I grabbed Rowan’s arm, pulling her to the side with Hudson. I gave a quick look around to make sure we were in private for the most part as they gave me weird looks.

“You know how I told you just a bit about the guy that was sitting next to Trey and I last night?” They both nodded and I took a deep breath. “Yeah, well, I may have left out the fact that the man was John Seed. And that maybe, maybe, there’s bit more to the story than I had originally led on.”

It takes just a second for it to hit them before they’re eyes are widening. “Oh shit…so, my little comment about the park ranger—”

“Yeah,” I said, cutting Hudson off with sarcasm dripping heavily off my tongue. “Thanks for all that, by the way. None of that was embarrassing at all.”

“Hey, I didn’t know!”

“Wait.” Rowan chimed in as she put her hand up. “So, what happened then? What didn’t you tell us?”

I sighed, biting my lip before I go more into detail as I recalled everything that had happened last night, not leaving anything out. They hang onto every word as I relive the worst date of my life. It was awkward, and my face burned bright red the whole time. And then I came to the end, taking note of every move he had made, reciting him word for word. When I finished, Hudson was smirking at me and Rowan just gapped at me.

“And then what?” Rowan breathed out.

“Nothing. I checked outside for him and he was just…gone.” I shrugged as she sighed in disappointment.

“So, he bought all your drinks? Without you even knowing? God, that’s such a John move.” Hudson scoffed and shook her head before looking back at me, crossing her arms. “Makes all those comments I made about him doing his job so much sweeter, though. Totally worth it. So then, when are you going out?”

“Uhm…what?”

She furrowed her brow and cocked her head to the side. “When you are you guys going out? Like, you stopped him when he was here, right? To ask him out? You know, follow up about showing you around and being a legit gentle—did you seriously not talk to him?”

“No!” I rushed out as I motioned to the next room. “I had no fucking clue he was even here!”

“No idea—Wren, he’s always fucking here since you started.”

I froze and stared at her. “I mean, he’s supposed to be, right?”

“Are you kidd—okay.” She put her hand up, stopping me as she pinched the bridge of her nose with her other hand. “I’m surrounded by idiots. Seriously, the both of you. I don’t know how you two survive being this blind. I’m setting this straight right now, or else I’m going to scream.” She sighed as she looked at Rowan. “Jacob is into you. You’re doing things with him and his daughter all the fucking time. He literally only hunts with you or his brothers. He’s only ever hunted with Eli a few once or twice. Ask him out, I’m tired of you not getting plowed by that fucking lumberjack soldier guy.” She turned to me and I gulped. “And you, partner of mine, need to get your head out of your ass. We’re in the 21st century. Know what that means? We have cell phones and email. You think John needs to be here all the fucking time? Does he look like someone who really belongs in this damn station day after day? No, he doesn’t. In fact, before your pretty ass showed up, he was hardly ever here. Now he’s always here, and Whitehorse isn’t complaining. He likes doing things face to face, he’s very old fashioned that way. Pratt doesn’t notice shit like that, but Nancy and me? Oh, we noticed.” She scoffed, looking at her boots with a shake of her head before she gave me a curious look. “He was in Alaska with Jacob for a hunting trip when you showed up, did you know that?”

“I remember that.” Rowan muttered. “Lucky bastards.”

Hudson ignored her as she continued, placing her hands on her hips. “He comes back, sees you, asks Nancy, Pratt, and I about you. Because he was gone a fucking week and all of a sudden, we have a shiny new deputy. A deputy with long dark hair and pretty eyes, who, for some stupid reason, can’t seem to stop fucking smiling at everyone. So, dumbass, when we’re done with our shift, you’re gonna go home. You’re gonna put on jeans, boots, and a flannel with a tank top. Maybe a t-shirt. You’re not going to dress up for this. Now, don’t get me wrong, you probably looked great last night. But he called you on your shit, so going back like that again is gonna be the wrong thing to do. You’re going to be 100% you. So, you’re gonna braid that fucking hair of yours, skip the makeup—you don’t fucking need it, and walk your ass into that fucking bar. You’re gonna sit next to him and buy that guy a fucking drink.”

We stared at Hudson in shock, not sure how to respond to her. Nancy walks past us to grab something from the copier. “Blue, darling.”

“What?” I asked, turning to her. She looked up at me, her red lips turning into a smile.

“Wear blue. Trust me.”

Hudson groaned again as we made another pass on the main street. The fair was in full swing this late afternoon, the sun high with no clouds in sight. It was hot with our uniforms and I thought for sure Hudson was going to drop dead beside me. We were just here to cover our bases. Apparently, that was what the two Seed women were doing this morning at the station. Making sure they had some security for the people of Hope County. Despite the heat, it was a good day. Cotton candy, popcorn, and fresh straw hung heavily in the air. Kids ran by giggling and screaming in excitement to the next ride, their faces painted. I smiled as I took it all in, it had been so long since I had gone to one of these. It was a nice change in pace.

“Won’t be too much longer before Pratt shows and we take a drive around the county to make sure everything is all good.” Hudson said as she watched the Ferris wheel, her hand shielding her eyes as she looked up. I had to fight the laughter that threatened to escape. She immediately threw a cussing fit when she realized her aviators were still at the station. She threw me glares here and there as she studied mine. I had offered to buy her a kids’ pair, all pink and covered in flowers. That only led to her flipping me off in return.

“Think he can handle it?” I asked with a scoff. She laughed and shook her head.

“Poor guy—”

“Excuse me, Miss Police Officer Lady?” a small voice called. I turned to see a little girl staring up at me with wide eyes, tears threatening to fall any second. “I can’t find my daddy.”

I knelt down, pushing my glasses up as I smiled. “That’s okay, I can help you. What’s your name?”

“Luna.”

“Hi there, Luna. My name is Deputy Blake, but you can just call me Wren.” I held my hand out to her. I watched as she clutched her plane toy close with one hand as she reached out and shook mine.

“Like the birdie, right?” Her bright blue eyes were glistening, with her red hair pulled back in a French braid. “My daddy knows a lot about animals.”

“Just like the bird. I can’t fly though.” She laughed at my lame joke and I smiled brighter. “You know,” I pulled at my necklace, bringing the plane pendent out of hiding. “Even though I can’t fly, I like planes. I really like your toy. I have a necklace just like that.”

“Oh, cool!” She smiled, stepping closer to look at it. “It’s pretty.”

“How about we do this? We’re gonna look for your dad. I’m gonna put you on my shoulders and let you wear my glasses, so it’ll be like you’re flying. How does that sound?” She nodded enthusiastically and I stood. I handed her my glasses before I picked her up and placed her on my shoulders. “See? Safe and sound, and you can see almost the whole world.”

“I’m so tall!” She giggled. I turned to Hudson as we began to search the crowd.

“That’s Luna Seed.” Hudson muttered to me and I gave her a look. “Jacob’s little girl. We just gotta find one of the brothers, or Whitney. They should be around here somewhere.”

Hudson stopped to ask people if they had seen the family, and while she did so, I made airplane noises to keep the poor girl distracted. Anything to keep her from feeling as scared as she was when she approached us. It only took us about 15 minutes to spot the frantic family. My eyes first caught onto the two familiar figures. I laughed as Hudson shook her head.

“Hey wifey! You lose something?” I called and Rowan whipped around. Spotting me, her face broke out into a huge smile and I could see her visibly relax. A blonde from this morning waved behind her and Hudson threw her a thumbs up.

“My best friend and better half, I love you.” Rowan laughed as I approached her. Luna greeted her with a wave as the blonde, Whitney, reached for her. “Seriously, thank you.”

“Of course. Never a problem.”

“I’m glad I caught you. Come say hi.” Rowan motioned for us to follow her. Sharing a glance, we followed. We were trailing behind, laughing here and there. I froze immediately once I saw where she was taking us. Nancy was chatting away with a group of people by a few pickup trucks, and by the looks of it, they were grilling out. I swallowed as I took in a tall man, his long hair in a bun with yellow aviators covering his eyes. He was playing with a pair of twins, one boy and one girl. Whitney approached a tall, broad shouldered man with the same hair as Luna. Jacob. Whitney handed Luna to Jacob, a stern look on his face before holding her close.

Luna giggled as she turned pointing to us. Jacob and Nancy both turned, and I couldn’t help but return the smile. Nancy waved us forward, wrapping me in a hug once I got close.

“It’s good to see my favorite deputies out and about.” She said as she rubbed my arm, turning to the strangers. One by one, she introduced me to John’s family. Joseph was pleasant and polite, his wife a total sweetheart. Jacob shook my hand, thanking me before he gave Rowan a soft smile. I looked down with a smile on my face at the interaction.

We laughed and talked as I slowly got to know the rest of the Seed family. Whitney, who turned out to be Nancy’s niece, was an art teacher and helped out at Joseph’s church whenever she was able. Joseph talked a little bit about his work, even inviting me to come watch on Sunday. Jacob was a man of few words, but I could tell he felt strongly for his family. I also took note of how he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Rowan when she wasn’t looking. Luna beamed at me, asking me to fly her around again, just like her Uncle John would. I almost died as Hudson burst out laughing. Jacob just chuckled and pulled her away, distracting her with a kite he had for her instead.

“We should get going, our shift is almost over.” Hudson said after a while, and I gave her a quick nod.

“Yeah, that sounds good. It was a pleasure meeting all of you.” We all said our goodbyes, exchanging pleasantries before Hudson and I were off to finish what we had came here to do.

I found myself sitting in my jeep, glaring at the Spread Eagle. After work, Hudson had pointed at me, reminding me what she had said. I had gone home then, took a shower, and did exactly what she had told me. I even found a blue flannel, which wasn’t too hard. It was my favorite color, in all honesty. I wondered if that was why Nancy had suggested it.

I was desperately trying to work up the courage for this. I wasn’t sure what would happen, being bold wasn’t something I was normally good at doing. I opened the door, my boots hitting the gravel. It was like déjà vu, and I prayed that maybe tonight would end differently. I crossed the road with my hands in my back pockets. Before I set a foot on the porch, I turned back around with a curse under my breath. What was I going to say? Hi, remember me? Yeah, so you were totally right and I’m sorry?

I scoffed to myself. Did he really want me to call him? Did he mean that or was that a way to make a point? Maybe he wanted some sort of sick gratification for being right. Guys like him weren’t usually interested in girls like me. He was rich, if the watch on his wrist or the shiny black mustang in the parking lot, with JSEED on the license plate, said anything. He was so out of my league. And yet…I looked over my shoulder, eyeing the entrance. He had sounded so genuine, and he had been right. I knew that, I wasn’t a total idiot. He had even bought my drinks without asking for anything in return. I exhaled heavily in frustration. This whole situation was so new to me, I wasn’t used to someone being so straightforward with me without ulterior motives. The doubt was eating me up on the inside, he hadn’t said a word to me this morning. It was like it never even happened.

I sighed as I turned on my heel, making my way to the entrance. I opened the door and was immediately greeted with the rumble of a loud crowd. The fair had the people super excited, so it was more crowded than usual. It made it almost impossible for me to scan the bar for him. Getting bumped into here and there, I tried to squeeze through. I stopped, spotting him in the same seat he had sat in the night before, the one next to him just as empty. I breathed out at the irony, a light chuckle escaping from the back of my throat. He wore a white button up with a black waistcoat. Black slacks fit him tightly, showing off the muscles in his legs. I immediately felt my face flush. Maybe I should have worn something else. I felt too dressed down to even sit next to him, assuming the seat was even available. What if he was saving it for someone else? I bit my lip and approached the seat cautiously.

I caught Mary May’s eye and she glanced between him and I before smiling at me, sending me a wink. I returned the smile, her encouragement boosting my confidence just a bit. I hopped up on the seat and leaned forward on my arms. Mary May approached with a smile.

“Well, look at you. Blue is definitely your color. That dress was super cute and all. Gotta admit though, I’m sucker for a woman in flannel.” She teased and I laughed at her.

“I’ll be sure to tell Joey.” I replied with a wink. She blushed, looked at me in shock for just a second before recovering.

“You do that.” She smirked, her eyes shining a bit more brightly. “Wine?”

“Bourbon, actually.”

Her brows raised. “Oooh, nice choice. I knew I liked you.”

She quickly turned away and I pulled out my phone to check my notifications. Just a text from Rowan asking me if I was at the bar, a meme from Hudson, and a couple of junk emails. The glass was set in front of me, and I gave her a genuine, beaming smile with a thank you. I was…lighter. I was here on my terms, no ties that kept me here. No expectations, no obligations. Just me and whatever I wanted to do. It was so…freeing.

I take a sip, and revel in the strong taste. I hummed lightly to myself as it burned all the way down. My body was already buzzing from the adrenaline, my heart pounding loudly to the beat of the music. I was ready to combust, and I willed the alcohol to calm me, but I didn��t see it happening anytime soon. I ran my fingers through my long bangs, gathering them and any loose strands of hair that had escaped the braid, and tucked them behind my ear. I took a deep breath, and I dared a glance to my left.

He was rubbing his finger lightly over the lip of his glass, leaning back like he had been the night before. But the second my eyes landed on him, his eyes shot up to mine, meeting my gaze head on. My breath got caught in my throat at the intensity, and he just continued to play with his glass without a word. I tried to swallow but was having a difficult time with just that simple task. I turned back to take another sip, immediately regretting stepping foot in this place. I should have stayed home in my pajamas to watch Netflix or read. This was so stupid. I couldn’t bring myself to even say hi.

The question hung in the air between us. I knew he wanted to know; he had asked me to inquire as a favor to him. He wanted follow through. My pride wasn’t letting me though. What would that really prove? That is was a waste of my time? Maybe that was all he was in for. Just a little game, another boost to his large ego, the one Hudson claimed he had. I suppose it would give him something he could muse over and laugh at later. I took a deep breath, settling my nerves as I began to trace the vine tattoo snaking its way down the side my wrist, from the top and all the way down to my thumb. The leaves branched out a bit, covering some of the back of my hand. One on each wrist, one with a bloomed flower, the other with just the buds. They seemed interesting suddenly, as I fixed my attention to the ink on my skin.

That’s not what you really want. His words, so confident and sure. Luring, even, and something told he hadn’t even been trying. The longer I sat there, the more I could smell his cologne as I slowly circled the small flower buds on my right hand with my middle finger. I licked my lips again, trying to scramble to find something, anything to say. All I could do was replay his words. He probably thought I was crazy. I glanced at him again, and to my mortification, found him still staring. The serious look in his eyes was gone, replaced with a light amusement and it dawns on me that he’s actually waiting for me to speak, to make the first move to show that I want to engage him. That this was on my terms. A fluttering in my stomach makes me squeeze my glass a bit. I rolled my shoulders lightly, forcing myself to relax, and suddenly I was word vomiting before I could even think.

“Oklahoma.” I sighed as spun my glass slowly, my other hand pulling away. “I’m from Oklahoma.” Daring to meet his eyes once more, I see his smile spread across his face.

#my writing #deputy wren blake #rowan palmer #john seed #chaotic dumbasses #not edited #bad language #seriously #wren and hudson have potty mouths

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bace-jeleren · 4 years

Note

I guess I meant dangerous to other people when I asked about her eating dangerous things. (I always assumed Soratomi had hearier constitutions than human)

Oh! Yeah, Kuro freaks out Wren and pretty much everyone else she meets with what she can actually eat. She has a naturally really good constitution and living in the wilderness of Zendikar for several years definitely upped her ability to eat questionable things most people wouldn't be able to stand.

Wren obviously has their own u n i q u e eating habits, so Kuro being able to eat things they can't is something they're used to- it's Lalia and Alexandria who get absolutely flabbergasted when Kuro just eats dangerous food like it's nothing. Like all her favorite food stalls in Ravnica are the particularly unsavory ones because "the mushrooms they sell have a really unique flavor" or "there's a crunch on these omelets that Kuro really likes!" And Lalia and Alexandria are just like "holy fucking shit, who from the golgari swarm sold that to you????"

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highbrcw · 5 years

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open to: f/m/nb

significant other, best friend, skinny love, some servant in the party, etc. literally go crazy

* feel free to assume connection/s

some child-like laughter tumbles from her painted lips, feeling like such a catalyst to harmlessly kidnap the other to her late night escapade ( the first of many, she would hope ). she didn’t necessarily want to pertain to this spontaneous move as kidnapping per se, if they were not to fight off from struggling against her rather delicate grasp. it was unbecoming of wren to be this mischievous, but when stuck in a formal gala with filthy rich adults that blabbered on about the pressures of upholding one’s ranking in the elite, or worse, blatantly bashing those they did not deem worthy --- then she would be much better off from continuously suffering through earshot and forcing weary little smiles. she thought it was wise to tag them along, to finally get them alone in this intimate setting, far from all the ruckus of the lifeless and snot-inducing event those grown-ups call a party ( in her case, the older grown-ups ). her diamond necklace glimmers underneath the moonlit sky, ragged breath catching up to connote the long walk that somehow gradually built up to a lighthearted jogging, blocks away from the initial venue. her parents were bound to realize that she has fled the social scene without notice, but right now, she was shutting down those worries like a light switch, scurrying ahead from her companion with the kindred spirit of wanting to be freed from all that pretense. wren leads them to the beach which was quite the cliché, carrying her stilettos in one hand and a bottle of champagne, a moët & chandon imperial to be exact, in the other. her bare feet might have been burning from the friction of running across the street’s pavement, though she’s had enough alcohol in her system to feel such pain in the moment. wren’s heart was still racing, breathing in the cool breeze as the incessant crash of ocean waves could lull her rushing nerves. she was still flabbergasted at how she managed to sneak away from the party, let alone be the culprit held accountable for taking this kind of risk over the other. “ if we happen to get caught, don’t worry. i’ve got your back, “ the brunette reassures, still grinning at the success of her attempt and how she appreciates her tolerance towards this impulse. she settles onto a spot closer to the seashore, dropping her heels to the side and smoothing down her dress before plopping onto the sand dunes. “ now . . . help me pop this baby open. this calls for a celebration, “ she waves with the expensive bottle, gleeful features anticipating for them to join.

#indie rp #indie bi rp #indie lesbian rp #oh my god what is this miracle i'm posting a starter in the tags #pls read my rules and wren's fem alt has a diff bio from his main one #she's basically a ballerina and lyrical dancer #u can message me for more im still fleshening her out #{ fem !! wren. ~ au. }

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docrotten · 3 years

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BAD TASTE (1987) – Episode 185 – Decades of Horror 1980s

"Now what are you dirty hooers doing on my planet?" Hooers. That’s Kiwi for the world’s oldest profession if you know what we mean and we think you do. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr - as they check out the wonder that is Peter Jackson’s first film, Bad Taste (1987).

Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 185 – Bad Taste (1987)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

The population of a small town disappears and is replaced by aliens that chase human flesh for their intergalactic fast-food chain.

IMDb

Director: Peter Jackson

Writers: Peter Jackson, Tony Hiles (additional material), Ken Hammon (additional material)

Cast

Terry Potter as Ozzy / 3rd Class Alien

Pete O'Herne as Barry / 3rd Class Alien

Peter Jackson as Derek / Robert

Mike Minett as Frank / 3rd Class Alien

Craig Smith as Giles / 3rd Class Alien

Doug Wren as Lord Crumb

Ken Hammon as 3rd Class Alien

Costa Botes as 3rd Class Alien

Dean Lawrie as Lord Crumb SPFX double / 3rd Class Alien

Peter Vere-Jones as Lord Crumb's voice

Bad Taste is Crystal’s pick and for her, it starts off a little slow, but she loves how it ramps up and thinks it is hilarious. She also loves the aliens, commenting, “I love their butts.” Bad Taste has the feeling of a bunch of friends who got together to make a movie and in that way, reminds Bill of Equinox (1970). He’s amazed at how ambitious the filmmakers were and how impressive the special effects are, especially on its low budget. Chad tells how he used to remove the 2nd-finger-sticker from the box art and give it a strategic placement on other VHS boxes. He calls Bad Taste a great combination of gore, splatter, comedy, and absurd scenarios but he still wishes there were more exploding sheep. Jeff is flabbergasted and flummoxed that Jackson et al stuck with it for four years, calling Bad Taste amazing, amazing, amazing!

As of this writing, Bad Taste is available VOD and as a Blu-ray (Region A/B/C) import from Spain.

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Chad, will be Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow’s first film, Near Dark (1987). You won’t want to miss that one!

Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the website or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at [email protected]

Check out this episode!

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checkurselfb4umachuwreckurself · 6 years

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colorfulwatcher said: Imposter since you have clearly been depriving yourself of guardianshipping

U RIGHT... the fandom’s been depriving me too, the fuck

I/M/P/O/S/T/E/R- Harvest AU (au where Synchro is more of an agricultural society than a futuristic one)

It was a late Spring in Synchro. The frost had finally cleared halfway through April, when it usually ended around March. Despite the shortened growing season, it didn’t waiver Gardener’s Satisfaction.

“For the last time, I don’t care which wire is ““better”“ Kiryuu, it’s just wire.” Yuusei had left Jack and Kiryuu in the other side of the store, yet he could still hear him all the way in the seed section. He was going to yell at Jack to shut up, but something else caught his eye:

A lonely scarecrow.

The scarecrow wasn’t like any of the others. He didn’t have a hat or cute patches on his overalls. He had purple and blue hair and there were tears in his outfit, exposing his wood frame. He had a painted on neutral face that almost looked like a frown. The other scarecrows faced away from him, isolating him even more. Yuusei gave a sigh and walked over to the lonely figure. His price tag was covered with red slashes, dropping his price much more than the others, at almost a fifth of the normal price.

Yuusei looked up to its blank face and smiled. “You’re an outcast too?” He didn’t expect a response, but laughed at himself for talking to the inanimate object. He picked out the inexpensive scarecrow from the bin, but when he turned back to his cart, Jack and Kiryuu were already there.

“Don’t fucking talk to the stupid scarecrows.” Jack chided as Kiryuu put the wire into the cart. Yuusei gave a sour look, for Jack, of all people, to accuse him of “being weird”.

Kiryuu looked up and down at the... thing Yuusei was holding. “That’s a scary looking guy you got there,” Kiryuu laughed.

Yuusei looked at the mannequin in his hand. “They’re supposed to be scary. That’s their job.” He put the creature into the basket and shooed Jack away from the handle. The three then argued between different seed brands for several minutes before going to the check out.

The soil was soon tiled, all the spring crops were planted, and in the middle of the garden would stand the lonely scarecrow. “I think we should call him… Shinji.” Yuusei suggested as Kiryuu staked him in. “After all, he is the ruler of the garden.”

Jack frowned. “We don’t even have any corn. What’s the point of him?”

“Scarecrows can scare plenty of other animals than just crows. Rabbits… squirrels…” Kiryuu tapped his chin in thought, then raised it in exclamation. “Plus, he’s like a little mascot!”

Jack’s frown only deepened. The three headed back to their farmhouse after watering all the plants, leaving “Shinji” to stand quietly in the night.

The days were all the same to Shinji. He would be still hoisted on his frame, and in the morning, the three men would come out, say hello to him, weed, water, and pick any plants that ripened over the night. It was repetitive, but what was he to expect? Some days, Yuusei would fill him with more straw, but it would usually fall though the holes. He promised that one day he’d find someone to sew some patches, but that day hadn’t come yet.

Despite the fact that being purchased was the one thing he really wanted, being owned didn’t make him feel any less lonely.

It was nearing fall. The wind picked up and the summer crops had been long replaced. Shinji couldn’t turn on his post, but from what he figured, pumpkins grew behind him. Almost all the fall harvest was grown, so Shinji hoped he could keep up the good job protecting the garden.

“CAW!” A loud sharp noise sent shivers down Shinji’s wooden spine. He recognized the sound as the one true enemy of the scarecrow… a crow. He gulped through his painted-on mouth for the air that would never penetrate his seams. They were coming from behind. Screaming. Crowing. They were hungry. There were dozens. A murder.

Shinji stood as he always did, swinging with the wind, hoping the crows were scared. If he couldn’t protect the produce… who knows if they would do something worse than return him.

He looked up to see the crows pass over. It worked-

“Caw!”

Shinji’s button eyes twitched. On his outstretched wooden arm sat a crow. A singular medium-sized jet-black bird, just cozying himself, perched. “Shoo.” Shinji thought, and as if the crow actually understood him, the bird turned to him and hopped closer to where the purple yarn met the blue string on his head. Shinji sighed breathlessly.

“Who are you-caw?” The crow asked, without moving their beak. Shinji was flabbergasted. He could hear the crow? Had he gone mad? “Well?”

Shinji thought back to what Yuusei had called him. “Shinji, I believe.” The crow laughed. It was like a hearty craw, almost as if he was trying to get some human’s attention. “And the joke is…?”

The crow’s laughter died down. “Oh nothing-caw. Just… an unusual-caw name for a..” the crow started cracking up again, “-scarecrow.”

Shinji’s fabric face paled. The crow was right. Shinji wasn’t doing too good a job if the crow didn’t feel threatened. “Well, the other crows-“

The crow bobbled his head. “Yeah, that’s what you think. I was the one who scared those coward wrens.” He puffed his plumage. “I’m a real badass, protecting all the baby chick from enemy murders.”

“You’re cocky too…” Shinji thought before he remembered the crow could hear him. “And your name is?” Shinji asked, attempting to cover for his rudeness.

The crow’s face turned pained. “Crows don’t have names... Everyone knows that …caw.”

Shinji’s painted face fell. “What if I name you?” The crow made a confused craw. “Just… let me see you better.”

The crow flew in front of Shinji so he could see him head on. Above his eyes were two white marks, one that was a circle and the other in the shape of an M, but what was under those worried him quite a bit. Under the eyes were two little scars that he could only see at just the right angle. They almost looked new, or at least redug, with fresh blood crusting the tips of the feathers.

If Shinji could blink, he would. “You… seem like a warrior.” The crow gleamed in pleasure, flying back to perch. “How about… Hogan?”

The crow crawed in thought. “Hogan Crow-caw?” He asked.

If Shinji could tilt his sewn neck he would. “Maybe the other way around is better.”

Crow Hogan flashed a beaked smile. “Nice! I have a name!” He settled down onto Shinji’s shoulder, nuzzling into the yarn/string hair.

A sunbleached blush crept across the scarecrow’s face. “Shouldn’t you… go back to your flo-” Shinji choked on his words a bit, “murder?”

Crow let out a crowing yawn. “Too tired. I’m gonna perch here for the night. Ya chill with it?” Still unable to move, Shinji agreed verbally.

Shinji laid back onto his frame as much as he could without falling backwards into the pumpkins. Crow had already fallen asleep, covered with his scarecrow hair like a makeshift blanket. Shinji’s painted face crunched as it grew into a smile, like the other scarecrows.

Maybe he wasn’t the best scarecrow, but he was definitely a good crowfriend, and that was good enough for him. Shinji closed his eyes and dreamed that Crow would drop by often, and he wouldn’t be so lonely.

#cries this is the longest fic I've ever written #guardianshipping #shinji weber #crow hogan #please fucking appreciate the length in which I know about scarecrows #Snarky Arc V #Vinchecks #IT'S ACTUALLY THE LENGTH OF LIKE 5+ VINCHECKS IT'S OVER 1200 WORDS #colorfulwatcher #blows kiss to the sky: for Shinji and Crow

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